Saving Athena ✓

25) Menaces

A c e

(Tw: physical fighting)

I slam my car door shut and rub my eyes, walking to the front door of the diner as I yank it open and ignore everything as I head to the back. I can practically feel my heart hammering out of my chest and my torso tightens with each exhales. The top of my sweater is still lightly wet with Athena's tears.

Somebody bumps into me, I wince and turn to see the boy that Athena's always with. My eyes narrow as he turns and gasps slightly. He opens his mouth and asks, "You okay?"

"You're Athena's friend," I point out, crossing my arms.

"I am," he looks around and raises a brow. "Is she not here?"

"Did you know about Vinnie?" I snap, catching him by surprise as he tilts his head and runs a hand through his afro.

"I know of him..." He says slowly. "Why?"

"How close are you and her?"

"I'd say pretty close-"

"And you had no idea what was happening with her and Vinnie?" I step closer to him and he lurches slightly backward. I don't give him time to answer as I look around and ask, "Where is he?"

"In- In the back?" He answers, voice laced with confusion, he opens his mouth to ask me more but I storm away from him and straight to the backdoor. I push it open and catch sight of him and some guy on the couch in an office type of room, the door opens with a bang, and they both jump.

"Ace?" Vinnie asks, "what are you doing here?"

I fake a smile. "I came to see you," I turn to the guy next to him. "Could you leave for a bit?"

The boy lifts himself off the sofa and leaves without notice, I shut the door and turn to Vinnie. I go and make my way over as I sit on the couch beside him. He turns, scrunches his nose, and says, "You smell like liquor."

I give an arrogant laugh. "Who knew Athena was such a party animal?"

His face contorts to anger, hate, and confusion, all at once. "Athena?" I give a nod. "Why do you smell like her?"

I look down at my rings. "When you're close to someone, their smell goes onto you."

"You- Ace I told you we were dating."

"That's the thing, Vinnie," I turn to face him. "I don't care."

"Are you drunk?" He cocks his head back.

"I'm sober enough to realize what a piece of shit you are." I deadpan, his lower lip turns to a scowl as he sits up straighter and cracks his back.

"What is wrong with you?" He asks, disbelief spewing from his lips. I scoff and rub my eyes.

"Vinnie," I sit up straight and turn to him. "When people say no, what does that mean?"

"It means no...?" He says rather as a question.

"And that applies to everyone, correct?"

He nods.

"So why didn't it apply to Athena?" This catches him off guard, his face scrunches up in confusion. His hands go to the side of the sofa as he tries to get up but I reach forward, my hand wrapping around his wrist as I yank him down back onto the sofa. "When I'm talking to you," I glare at him. "You don't walk away until I'm done."

"Ace- I have no idea what's wrong with you, but Athena probably fed you some lies that you're just believing."

"What happened the other day when I left you two to use the bathroom?" I ask.