Ace's Raine

Chapter 6: New school and Old Habits

Slowly I move out of the queen size bed my father gave to me. Last night I brought the few pieces of clothing I own and unpacked in the room my father chose for me.
Today is the day I start senior year. I'm a little nervous but also excited. I know I have to keep my tough exterior and not soften up. I don't know what I would do if I got sent back to Roger this early. Not to mention the kind of pain I'd have to go through...again.
I get up and take a quick shower that is inside my room.
Once I'm done I put on black ripped skinny jeans, a black camisole, and a black leather jacket.
I leave my blonde hair unbrushed and wet because I honestly don't care.
And I put on black eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara. All black... Just the way I like it.
As I'm walking down the expensive looking steps to the kitchen I find myself in a slight dilemma.
I have no clue how to get to school...
I look through the contacts on my phone and find all my family and friends numbers on there.
I sent a quick text to Liam asking how I should go to school.
I hear someone coming down the steps and find Liam coming through the kitchen door.
I wonder what he's doing here...
"Oh by the way, if you didn't realize. Lennard and I moved in with your dad a while ago." He stated and ate an apple form the counter.
"Oh... Can you maybe talk me to school?" I ask nicely.
"Uhhh Okay...." He said nervously and rushed out of the room.
Did he really not want me to? Does he hate me now too?
Soon Liam pops his head in the kitchen and says "ya coming or what?"
I quickly follow him to the rusty old car.
We start driving down backroad and Lennard came to a stop at a gravel driveway that I knew oh so well:
Raine...
"What the hell are we doing here?" I almost yell.
"So uhh we have to pick Raine up every morning." He says rubbing the back of his head nervously.
"You could have warned me." I mumbled under my breath.
Then I hear a door slam and out comes the handsome devil himself.
He is looking off in la la land until he sees me and glares.
He slides in the backseat wth me and says "What the hell???"
"Liam said he'll take me to school but he never mentioned that they pick you up." I say.
"Whatever" he grumbles, plugging headphones into his gorgeous head.
Oh my god.
Ace! Stop calling him gorgeous and focus! Don't get too close or it will be too hard to let go... For the second time.
Liam soon starts singing very badly to a Taylor Swift song and Lenny is trying to shut him up. They honestly haven't grown much. Well except for appearance wise.
I sneak a glance at Raine and see him leaning on the door with his eyes closed. He looks so peaceful yet he also looks sad.
Soon we pull up to the place I used to dread so much... School.
It still looks the exact same.
I feel a little nervous walking in there and seeing so many people I used to know.
I slowly get out of the car trying to hide from people stares and whispers. They all wonder who it is.
"Don't worry about them." Liam says wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
I flinch and resist hurting him for touching me. He notices me stiffen and let's go.
"Okay clearly your not used to people touching you...yet." He adds.
"Why would wanna touch that anyways?" Raine says walking in the other direction. Lenny follows him silently,
My face automatically drops and I could feel my mask breaking.
"Don't listen to him Ace. He just took it really hard after you left. Worse than the rest of us." He says sadly.
"It's fine Liam... I'm always fine." I reply.
After picking up my schedule I realize I have a class with the boys in every one. First class I have with Ryan. Let's see how he thinks of me.
Me and Liam part ways and I quietly slip in the back of the classroom.
I didn't realize the class started until I felt a tap on my shoulder.
I flinched again and looked over to see Ryan sitting next to me.
"I don't blame you ya know?" He says quietly. "I understand that you couldn't bear being there after your mom died."
I almost spill my guts until I remember dads threat. 'Tell anyone and I'll hurt the people you love.'
"Thanks for not hating me." I half smile.
"I could never hate you Ace." He says gently.
"What about the rest of you guys?" I ask.
"Well Liam and I don't hate you. Lenard will take some time and Oliver is just pretending to hate you for Raine's sake. Raine is a whole different story." He looked away nervously. " I think you hurt him the most by leaving..."
I tried processing his words. Raine hates me. So much...
Well I can't really blame him, he thinks I ran away... Everyone does.
Except Liam...
"Thanks Ryan... So much." I whisper.
"No problem." He says smiling.
And class went on for awhile and the day went by pretty fast.
I had the next class with Liam, and let me tell you that boy doesn't ever shut up. Then I had one with Lenny and he just ignored me but occasionally glanced my way. Oliver glared at me in the next class. And my last class I saw Raine.
Raine didn't even look near me, almost struggling to just give me a glance.
I told Liam after school that I was walking home. He was very worried but I assured him I would be fine.
Walking home wasn't bad, except it left me thinking.
What would I tell them if they ask? What If they see me break down and wonder what really happened? What if Liam found out?
I honestly can't find a reason that was worth coming back.
I heard a noise to my right and saw a man holding a girl against a wall.
I ran over and shoved him off.
He looked surprised but quickly recovered and started throwing punches.
Obviously he didn't get very far, just a few punches to the face. Nothing I can't handle. I punch him back full force and he fell to the ground. I straddled him ad continued punching until I was pulled away.
I grabbed the arm that was pulling me back and tried twisting it. I looked to my opponent to see Raine.
I suddenly stopped struggling and got up.
"What are you doing here?"
I asked wiping blood off my mouth.
"I didn't choose to come." He said rolling his eyes."Liam made the group come look for you because you never came home after school."
I look behind him to see all four boys staring at me silently.
"Well that was very thoughtful of Liam but I'm fine here." I say spitting blood out of my mouth.
He rolls his eyes and says." Please, if I didn't come and pull you away that man would have killed you."
I looked at him incredulously.
"Are you kidding me? I haven't lost a fight since the first two weeks of trainin-." I stop and shut my mouth.
I wipe my mouth with my hand and start walking back toward the road.
"What do you mean, training?" Raine asked. Eyeing me suspiciously.
"Nothing and now if you'll excuse me I need to finish walking home." I say holding my head up high.
"Why don't you head back with us?" Asks Liam.
Everyone's head snaps up to him.
"Are you insane? She's not allowed to come with us!" Yelled Oliver.
They start bickering except for Raine,
who is looking down confused.
I don't stick around. So I just I keep walking until I get to the place I used to call home.
Now it's just a shell of a house that was once my safe haven...