Hell Is A Teenage Girl.

•Smokes And Mirrors•

#Chapter dedicated to Flore because she's been amazing and supportive ♥

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         Ace climbed the stairs to Liraz' room, and stopped to at the door. Her voice wasn't loud enough for him to decipher her words, but it wasn't calm either. The knock came quietly first and then there was silence.

-"Lira?" His voice had a sound of its own, reminding Liraz of a stormy day. A nice one.

-"Come in" She whispered and he opened the door. She was on her bed, in Trish's arms.

-"You.. You don't look mad" He trailed and she sighed

-"I am. I'm just tired, tired of being angry and tired of screaming"

-"But you don't look mad" He frowned

-"I'd punch you just to prove a point" She raised her eyebrow, defying him

-"Okay!" Trish jumped out of bed, her hands in a surrender position "I will leave you two alone"

         Silence filled the room and Liraz carried it with her as if it were bolted on. An armor against noise. An armor against voices. She kept silent so Ace wouldn't worry about her. But he did. He came closer, and rubbed her hand.

           She held it back as long as she could, then she let go. Voices rose above the sacred silence. A glance from him, a touch of a hand stirred a hurricane of harsh and horsed insults.

-"I am so sick of that man! I can't even look at him! He never misses a chance to ruin a good day! Am I being dramatic here? Tell me, am I being dramatic? Do you believe me now when I tell you living with Satan would be more peaceful than living with him? He ruined our night! This was supposed to be a good date, this was supposed to be something I'd tell my friends, this was supposed to be a good memory, you know, the story of my first boyfriend! And now I just- Why would he do that to me?" She sat on the edge of her bed and looked at her boyfriend. She looked up at him, and there was no anger in the back of her hazel eyes. She was tired, done. He stood beside her, with his arms crossed and his eyes locked on her. He crouched down, putting one hand atop her cold knee.

-"Lira, it's okay, we'll have plenty of other dates" He put his hand other hand on her right cheek. She shoved it away.

-"What about this one?" She yelled. "Do you not care about making every moment worth it?"

-"I do, Lira. I do, and that's why I'm not mad. Look at the good side, you'll have a good story to tell your grandchildren when you're old. Let's see, you were served food you can't eat, you were forced to listen to that painful classical music, you brought a date that your father didn't like, you wanted to strangle your father, your boyfriend didn't mutter a single word and you didn't make it to desert! Isn't that the story you wanna tell? Who wants to tell a story where the father likes the boyfriend and everything is smiles and rainbows? Perfection is boring! I don't know about you but this is the best Meet the parents I've ever been to!" He had that goofy smile on his face.

-"It's the only Meet the parents you ever been to" She chuckled softly

-"Don't make me feel bad for making you feel good!" He scolded and she giggled. Slowly, as if afraid he'll scare her, Ace edged his hand toward hers ever so slightly, until she felt his fingertips brush her hand. She unfurled her fingers and let his slip around hers until she could feel the heat of his palm pressed against her own.

-"I drank tonight"

-"I saw that" He replied

-"A whole glass of wine" He didn't need to answer again, he knew she'd start talking on her own. "I was so mad at him that I just couldn't stop myself, I just wanted him to stop, but he didn't. He never does" She rested her head on his shoulder. "I never told you why I don't drink"