Rule #1: Never Date An A.C.E. [COMPLETED]

Chapter 34: Rule #42: You Never Have To Deal With Anything Alone

A week passed as Ace tried to get back to normal. We cremated all the bodies and dumped the ashes into a stream that passed by headquarters. We had lost a bunch of agents; both to death and being traitors. Harper had somehow escaped with a few others, and we were in the process of tracking them down. But, the Three Princes were no more.

I was staring at the now blank space on the memorial wall where my parents had once been. There had been a vote to remove them and it was unanimous.

I didn't attend the vote.

I didn't attend much at all. I didn't help with the cremation, the clean-up, the disposal. I mostly wandered the halls with headphones on. Agents left me alone, but my friends were persistently trying to get me to open up. I would duck into a room if I saw any of them. I went to the cafeteria early in the morning and would make myself food in the kitchen. Julia, one of the cooks, gave me a key when she saw me trying to break in. I would make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which was about all I could stomach, and that would last me all day. The only person I talked to was Junior, who would meet me once a day. Somehow, he always knew where to find me.

I then made my way to the rooftop, my legs dangling over the side as I watched the sky. Fluffy white clouds blew past on the wind as Beethoven played in my headphones. I saw a car drive by and I squinted to see who was in it, knowing the Director had started a patrol. I couldn't see anything so I turned my attention back to the sky.

"Beautiful up here," Dylan said from behind me and I cringed.

"Look, I'm not in the—"

"Relax, I just brought you food," Dylan snapped and I winced. He placed the food beside me and turned to leave.

"Wait," my voice betrayed me and I felt him pause. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Dylan's voice was flat.

"No, I'm sorry for everything," I said and I could tell he turned around. "It's all my fault."

Dylan sighed, swinging his legs over to sit next to me. He left a good distance between us and I knew what that meant.

I had hurt him.

I removed my headphones, placing my phone beside me. I happened to see I had a ton of messages. I ignored it and glanced toward Dylan to see him surveying the area.

"I've never been up here," he said. "It's calm."

"Yeah," I agree softly, looking outward again. I reached for the plate of food, seeing it was another peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but with chips on the side. I munched on my food as we sat silently, neither of us knowing quite what to say.

"It's not all your fault," Dylan said, not looking at me. I swallowed, about to protest when Dylan's phone rang. "Sorry, give me a second." I nodded, continuing to eat as Dylan spoke to whoever it was.

"I'm with her now...no she isn't jumping...yes she's eating...yes I'll tell her..." Dylan hung up and I risked another glance at him.

"What is it you need to tell me?"

"We have a new case," Dylan started hesitantly. "It involves jewelry heists. Are you feeling up to contributing?"

"Sure. It is my job anyway," I said, standing.

Dylan furrowed his brows, "You don't seem like you want to."

"It's fine," I said, taking my sandwich and heading toward the door to head back inside. I shoved all my emotions downward and focused on the task at hand. Dylan still hadn't moved so I called to him and he followed me, still bothered by my easy acceptance.

"No," Dylan said, jumping in front of me to block me from continuing to go down the steps. I raised my eyebrows at him as he glared at me. "You have to stop."

"I am stopped," I gestured to us and he huffed in annoyance.

"You know that's not what I mean."

"What is it you want me to say or do?" I bit back. "I'm not just going to 'get over it'."

"That's not what I'm asking you to do," Dylan snapped and I glared at him.

"Then what is it you want? I'm going to help with the case, what more do you want?"

"I want you to fucking talk about what's going on inside your head!" Dylan shouted at me. "You can't keep your emotions all tucked away, that's unhealthy!"

"I killed my own parents, Dylan! I'm sad, angry, grateful, frustrated, disappointed, shocked, upset, and most of all I'm exhausted! I haven't been getting any sleep..." I drifted off, not meeting Dylan's eyes. "I try, but I wake up from the nightmares. I'm never hungry; I only eat because I know I have to. No one can help with what I'm dealing with, I have to figure it out on my own." I finally looked up to see Dylan's distraught face. He held open his arms and I hesitated, but finally stepped forward. He engulfed me in a hug and I shuttered, the tears that had refused to come welling up. Silent tears slid down my face as I finally caved to the emotions.

It was a step in the right direction.

We spent a long time in the stairwell, until I felt alright enough to leave. Dylan never tried to contradict my feelings, only letting me air them out without judgement. I hated to tell him he was right, but I did feel slightly better after telling him everything.

"I think we can go meet our friends now," I said after I felt I had finished telling him everything. He nodded, gripping my hand as we walked down side-by-side.

"Rule number forty-two, Bella," Dylan sent me a sad smile when we reached the floor we were to be on. "You never have to deal with anything alone."

"That's one I didn't expect on the list," I said as we walked into the hallway.

"They get added when Mom thinks they're necessary," Dylan squeezed my hand and for the first time in over a week, I smiled.