Poisoned Love

40. The Lake

**
Usually, I'd walk in knowing that I can hide between people since it's a crowded party. This time, however, the party was much less jammed with people and I assume it's because it's very late now.

Ace looked over his shoulder to see if I was following him and his lips curled into a lazy smile that I didn't bother to return. I tried to avoid all faces and just head right upstairs.

I'm starting to regret coming here in the first place, I should've just stayed home, curled into a ball in my blankets and watched Netflix. Instead, I'm in Ace's house, surrounded by people I barely know and not to mention, I can run into Kyle or Penelope anytime. I tried to push that thought at the back of my mind and focus on my trip to Montana. I've never been there but I hear very good things about the place and that the lakes there are beautiful.

We entered Ace's room and he stripped out of his shirt and I forced myself to look away, even though I didn't really want to. He pulled out a different shirt and tossed it over to me. He got out of his pants and wore some sweatpants.

"You're not gonna wear a shirt?" I ask almost choking on my own words. I can't handle being with Ace in the same room if he doesn't wear a shirt.

"It's almost summer, Lyd. The weather is hot." What is he talking about? It's freezing outside.

"You're not shirtless because of the weather, are you?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Not really, no." He admits with a humorless smile. I sighed exasperatedly and entered his bathroom to change. Thankfully, the shirt reached just below my upper thighs and it covered up more skin that I thought it would.

"It looks good on you." He said. His usual charming smile spread across his flawless face.

"Thanks." I say, covering my flushing cheeks.

"What are you hiding?" He chuckles and approaches me. His hands had a firm yet harmless grip on my wrists, pulling them to my sides. "There it is. Your beautiful cheeks."

"Are you trying to humiliate me?" I huff.

"No. You just look cute."

"Not this again." I looked at my feet and smiled.

"Let's sleep. We have a long ride ahead of us tomorrow." He suggests and I nodded, heading over to the center of the room and I sat on the bed then jumped when Ace's weight shifted on it too.

"I should probably sleep on the couch." Ace says, looking up at me.

"No, it's fine. I'll sleep on the couch." I insist.

"Like hell you will. Just take the damn bed, Lydia." He says in a slightly serious but also somehow humorous tone. I can tell he liked seeing me nervous.

"Fine. You're so damn moody." For a guy, I'm convinced he has way too many mood swings than I will ever have on my period.

"Good girl."

**
The next morning I wake up still in Ace's room. Initially, I almost had a panic attack because the ceiling was different and I couldn't remember where I was. Eventually, the memories of last night flooded in my mind. From going out to dinner with Kyle, to finding out he wanted to play a bet on me, to finding out about Penelope and Ace, to coming to Ace's house and agreeing to visit Montana with him. They all came back at once and it was very overwhelming and almost too much to take in at once.

I think I agreed to go to Montana with Ace just because I've always dreamt of going there as a child. It's one of the many places in America that I haven't been to yet.

Ace's body didn't fit in his small couch and he scrunched up his body. His head rested peacefully and I can hear his light rhythmic snoring. I wish I didn't have to wake him up. I wish I can just stare at him all day like this.