Saving Athena ✓

13) Sheepish

A t h e n a

I shift in the sheets of Ace's way too comfortable bed, I clutch the pillow closer to my chest and nuzzle my face into the comforter. I let out a breath before I hear someone's soft breathing and my eyes flutter open to see Ace next to me, and that pillow I held to my chest, is his arm. I dart up as he turns to me.

"What are you doing?" I rub my eyes.

"I came over to fix your blanket, and you grabbed my fucking arm." He says, my cheeks go red with embarrassment as he rubs at his wrist.

"Why didn't you pull away?"

"Because you have a tight-ass grip," he mutters. "I couldn't move." I sit up straight and ignore the pain that rushes to my head.

A sheepish smile appears on my lips. "Sorry," I run my hand up and down my arm to collect my goosebumps as he tilts his head. "I need to go home, thanks for helping me but I can't just stay here."

"Alright," he doesn't pitch a fit. "But you have to tell me what happened."

I pull the covers completely off my body. "How many times do I have to tell you, Chad-"

"Don't even say his name." He glares at me.

"He who shall not be named-"

"Athena."

"I just had a party, that's it," I nod as I swing my legs over the bed and grip the bedpost as I get up. Biting my lip to ignore the pain that erupts in my body. I grip my ribs and walk over to the door only to stop because I have no idea where I am, no idea where to go. I turn back to see him watching me with pursed lips.

"Could you um- I point to the hallway. "Help me?"

"I could," he shrugs a single shoulder and crosses his arms.

"So can you?" I raise an eyebrow and he doesn't make a move to get up. "Do you need help getting up or something?" Not even a muscle of his moves, he stays perfectly still before moving his arms behind his head. His large slender fingers curling behind the back of his head as he lets out a breath. I furrow my brows. "Ace, please get up."

"Make me." He narrows his eyes. I lean against the doorframe, letting out a breath as my cheeks go pink.

"Please," I plead. "I can't stay here, I have a life to get back to."

"Tell me what happened and I'll gladly help you get back to it."

"Ace, get up," I say word for word. He doesn't move. I groan quietly as I walk over and grip his wrists. I try to pull him up but he's far too strong. "Please just drive me home." I tug again at his wrists, he almost smirks at my attempt.

"It must be something really bad if you're fighting against me," he raises his brows. "Tell me what happened."

"Please get up," my voice lowers. I push against him but he doesn't move. "Ace, please get up."

"Did someone hurt you?" He tilts his head. I bite my lower lip, I'm so close to tears. And I can't cry in front of him. I don't know them that well. My point is thrown to Saturn when he drops his hands from behind his head, I flinch back, screwing my eyes shut and going still. He lets his arms fall to his side. "So someone did hit you."

"Everyone flinches," I open my eyes and shrug it off. "I knew you weren't going to hit me."

"But you still flinched," he states this as if it was the simplest thing. "I'm not an idiot."

"I know."

"So why can't you tell me?"

"Because Chad-"