Ace's Raine

Chapter 4: Auntie

I sat on that bench for hours. Thinking. Thinking about what to do next. Do I tell the truth? Do I lie because I'm going back to the facility? What about my dad?

I watch all these families pass by, looking happy. Some kids arguing with their parents about what flavor their ice cream was. If only they knew how to appreciate life. When all that they have, can be ripped away from them.

I decide after what feels like hours that I should talk with my dad, about my staying arrangements.

I am now walking up the street I used to call mine. The almost fallen down buildings. I was never rich growing up but we weren't exactly poor. We had enough to live and for extra stuff. And it's not like I asked for much, I was pretty content as long as I had Raine.

Raine...

I haven't thought of his name on purpose in a long time. Mostly because every time I would, I would feel the same butterflies I always get. Or the dizziness of thinking how close we used to be. He was my number one, and I was his...

Now thinking of him I start to feel queasy, and my knees feel weak. I don't want to say it, but I really miss him...

Speaking of Raine I pass his house, which is right next to mine.

Standing in my old driveway, reminiscing. The old red brick building looks different now, more elegant. The used to be broken window upstairs was now replaced, same as all the windows. Actually if it wasn't for the old mailbox my mom and I painted I wouldn't have even recognized this house as mine. The mailbox is chipping from how old it was, which was when I was six. We decided to paint it purple like barney and write our names in bright green. We realized it looked more like the mystery machine from Scooby-doo. Now all I see is my mother's name, mine was completely erased. Guess dad really wanted me out of all his life.

Then I notice there are four cars in the driveway. One is Liam and Lenny's, I don't recognize any other except I think one is Oliver's. I remember him saying he wanted his dad's car when he could drive and this one looks pretty close.

Oh my god! How many people will be in there? Liam and Lenny must have told everyone I was back. What else did they say?

Here goes nothing...

I slowly walk up the porch steps and turn the knob. I can hear shouting when I open the door. Everything looks super nice now. Marble floor, white furniture, big staircase. Even a freaking chandelier!

I walk into the place I hear the shouting. I didn't expect what I saw next.

Everyone was here!

My dad, Liam, Lenny, Oliver, Ryan, Raine's mother named Angela, her husband named Frank, and last but definitely not least...Raine.

While they are distracted I take a good look at them.

Oliver has always been quite the looker with his shaggy black hair and green eyes. Looks like all the boys got fit, because they all definitely have muscles now. He's about 6'4 and tan. He's standing next to Raine.

Then there's Ryan who still looks like the silent type. With his short brown hair that covers most of his eyes, and his eyes are dark brown. And yet again, he's fit. He's sitting back on the couch looking intently at the heated conversation in front of him.

Angela and Frank don't look much different except more gray hair. I used to call them Auntie Ange and Uncle Fee-Fee. He said he hated it, but I knew he secretly loved it. Angela is still short with very pretty blue eyes. Her hair is brown with more gray at the roots, and it goes to her shoulders. Frank looks exactly the same with his bald patch of hair and grey eyes. They are both listening closely to the twins.

Then there is Raine... He definitely has changed or maybe it's because he still takes my breath away. He has black spiked hair and striking blue eyes. He has a ton of muscles, I didn't even know it was possible to have that many. He is in the back with his leg perched up on the wall, looking intently at my stairs. Almost as if he's waiting for someone to come down.

I zone my attention back to the conversation.

"She ran away! How many times do I have to tell you?" My dad yell sat the twins.

"Don't lie to me! You didn't see her face! She was so confused and angry at the thought of running away!" Shouted Liam.

"Honey are you sure you read her emotions right?" Angela asks sadly.

"I saw her face! I know her, she didn't run away!" Liam keeps pressing. "What did you do?" He angrily points a finger at my dad.

"I have no clue what you're talking about, she ran away!" He shouts back. "She told me on the phone."

"Lee, maybe we did read her wrong. I mean we haven't seen her in two years. She could've been faking?" Lenard says to Liam resting a hand on his shoulder.

"NO!" He yells. Liam never yells, he's always joking around. He shoved his brother's hand off his shoulder. "She didn't run away! And I'll prove it!"

He starts walking in my direction towards the door. But he stops and so does everyone else.

Pin-drop silence...

"Ace?" Ryan asks, standing up.

I look at him but don't have time to react. Liam pulls me in for a hug, and I froze. I had my hands in the air by my side. My eyes widen I'm sure they are going to burst. My breathing turns ragged, and I feel dizzy.

"Ace, are you okay sweetie?" Asks Angela, looking really concerned. Well they all do, they look so concerned. They are wide eyed and frozen, like me.

Liam realizes I'm not hugging back, so he stands up.

"Why aren't you hugging me? You never could resist my hugs." He says sounding really upset.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm not used to hugging people. I'm so sorry!" I feel my eyes clouding. I got to get out of here, before I break. Feeling all the walls of my mind, crumbling. I saw everyone for five minutes and I'm already breaking. This isn't supposed to happen. If Roger sees me weak, he'll put me through all of the trials.

Angela starts sniffling and rushes to me.

"Oh baby!" She crushes me in a hug.

Instantly I want to get out of it, I need to. Or I will hurt her. My body is bubbling with this uncomfortable feeling, which has me wanting to punch someone.

"Get off!" I yell. Memories of the trials rush in my head. The sound of metal slapping my skin, the electric shocks rippling through my body. I close my eyes tight to rid myself of the demons in my head.

I open my eyes forgetting where I am for a second.

Everyone is staring, wide eyed. Lots of them concern filled eyes.

I was confused until I felt wetness on my hand. Blood dripping from my knuckles, and re-opened scabs. Automatically I run my eyes over Angela to make sure I didn't hurt her.

"Did I hurt you?!" I say wanting to cry. Now I'm hyperventilating, scanning her face once more for any injuries.

"No! But you did punch the wall! Are you feeling alright?!" She asks worriedly.

I look to my right to see a hole in the wall next to her head. I panic.

She steps forward trying to hug me again. I step back and knock over a vase, falling on my butt in the process.

She tries to help me up. Grabbing my arms, but I dodge her.

"Stop! Stop touching me! Please!" I yell holding my arms over my head.

"Oh honey! Let me help you!" She says crying.

"NO!"I yell, "I don't want to hurt you!" I whisper, feeling tears well up.

I scan my eyes around the room, and they stop at Raine.

I hold his gaze for what felt like minutes. He then glares at me with so much hatred; I can feel myself dying inside.

A few tears fall as I stand up and run outside, slamming the door shut behind me. I run and run. I run the same way I came, back to that lonely empty bench.