Page 22

NOEL

I'm lying on my bed when Ace texts me about a New Years Eve party.

I don't usually celebrate it, and my mom has to work the late shift again, so I text him a thumbs up and ask where it's at. I check with Alex next to see if he’ll be going too. I haven't seen him since Christmas day, but we've texted.

Noel: Bonfire @ the CROWN tonight? Are you going?

He doesn’t respond back instantly, so I put my phone down and get ready for the evening. The weather is supposed to be nice tonight too. A chilly fifty-two degrees with no overcast.

I pick out a long-sleeved sweater with a dark jean jacket and thick, soft joggers with a faded stripe on the hip. My worn white converse will be nice and comfy, so I set those out to wear too.

I check my phone and see two new messages.

Ace: I’ll pick you up so you don’t have to drive!

The next text is from Alex.

Alex: I’m not great company right now but if you want me to go I will.

I press the call button. It rings three times before he picks up. “Hey,” his voice greets me, soft and breathy.

“Hey,” I reply, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just tired.”

Lie.

“Do you want me to come over?”

“No,” he says quickly. “I’ll meet you at the Crown. Is Ace getting you? Or are you driving?”

“Yes, he's picking me up. Are you sure you don’t want me—”

“I’m good. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Okay…bye.” I end the call.

My head is a mess by the time Ace comes to pick me up an hour later.

“Ohhhh,” he drawls, nodding appreciatively at my clothes. “I like this vibe.”

“Thanks,” I laugh.

“Ready for some fun, gorgeous?”

“Save your flirting for Levi.”

His gasp is comical. “How dare you.”

“Is he coming tonight?”

“Unfortunately,” he grumbles sadly. We walk out together, and I get in the back seat covered in pink. Grady speaks up when I get buckled in.

“’Sup, Noel?”

“Hey. Why is Ace all pouty?” I ask curiously. Grady winces, peeking a look at Ace, who’s checking his hair in the mirror. He slams it back up and tells me himself.

“Levi is bringing a date with him tonight.”

“Oh.”

“His last girlfriend broke it off, so he’s only been single for a week, but guess he’s ready to move on,” Ace explains bitterly, shifting the vehicle in drive a little too forcefully for my liking.

“Sorry, Ace.”

“No worries, I don’t give up easily, as you all know.”

Grady chuckles. “Persistent.”

“Exactly,” he says around a growing smile. “He’ll wear down eventually.”

“Uh-huh,” Grady agrees unenthusiastically. He shifts his attention to me. “Is Alex coming?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you two work your shit out? Last we saw you two, things were silent and deadly.”

My face heats up, and I pray he can’t read my mind, because all I can picture is his dick in my hand as I made him come. Oh my god, stop thinking about it before you pop a boner.

I nod with a big smile. “We’re good now.”

“Good. I’d have to kick his ass if he was being a shit to you. So how was Christmas?” He asks, and I tell him how great my holiday was, leaving out Alex’s involvement. I steer the conversation to Grady, asking what gifts he got, and then Ace chirps up with what his Christmas was like. It’s nice hearing them talk about their families and their traditions. Grady tells me he has a little sister who he is very close with, so he spent his holiday doing activities with her. Ace gushes about how adorable she is, then mentions that his mom hasn't remarried since his stepfather went to prison. He doesn't really go into detail, so he changes the subject to Levi.

After a couple minutes, Ace starts getting antsy, probably because we're almost there, so he pulls his sunglasses down to cover his eyes while simultaneously drawing his hoodie up. “I need my party playlist, stat,” he says seriously.

He reaches for his phone and taps it a few times. I look over the console to see which song he chooses.

Missy Elliot. Lose Control.

Grady turns the volume up with a nod of his head. They both dance to the beat, and I bite my lip to hide my laugh.

Grady turns his head around from the passenger seat and starts singing the words directly to me. I chuckle and tap my fingers on my leg.

The drive is less than ten minutes, and Ace is in a much better mood when we pull into the parking lot that’s way more crowded than last time. Ace drives around looking for an open space. When he finds one, we all get out.

“Over there,” Grady says, pointing at a truck. I follow them, seeing a guy sitting in a lawn chair in the back of his truck with a large cooler propped open for the public to buy drinks. There’s a sign that says, cash only with a list of options.

“Grady! What's up, bro?”

Grady hands the guy a twenty. “Hey, Dallas, Happy New Year, man.” He turns his attention to me. “Wine Spritzer? Vodka soda? Beer?” Grady asks, already taking a wine spritzer and a Vodka soda for him and Ace.

“I’ll have what you grabbed for Ace.”

Grady nods, rummages around in the cooler, and picks up a green can. Up ahead I can make out the bonfire to the side of the building, with lawn chairs spread out and students milling about, laughing and talking with friends.

It's chilly out and smells like smoke from various cigarettes and the fire.

We head into the grassy area together when Ace mutters, “Damnit. Of course she’s gorgeous.” He cracks open his drink and gulps it down. I follow his line of sight and spot Levi with his arm around a tall brunette. Ace looks so miserable, so I nudge his arm, smiling softly down at him.

“Hey, you’re Ace for a reason. If he can’t see you’re the best, that’s on him.”

Grady laughs. “I tell him that all the time. Doesn’t stick.” He taps a finger at his temple.

“I’m going to drink my sadness away.” He raises his voice along with his fist holding the can. “Anyone care to join me?” He asks rhetorically, but behind him, a group of girls who are drinking show up holding onto a very inebriated girl.

“Hell yeah! Here’s to dumping Ryan! That good for nothing, trashcan!” She burps, and it sounds like some vomit came up afterwards.

“Here here!” Ace cheers. “Fuck you, Ryan!” His declaration is heard by everyone.

“Yeah, fuck you, Ryan! Eat a bag of dicks!” The girls join along, giggling and holding one another up. Grady stays beside me while Ace walks off with the group, chatting like they’re all the best of friends.

“And he’s off,” I mutter, smiling.

“Life of the party that one.”

We people watch for a while, drinking silently. Grady doesn’t feel the need to always keep a conversation going. He’s relaxed and chill, the complete opposite of Ace. Grady is as much a mystery to me as Levi is, and I want to get to know him a little better, so I ask him a question that's been on my mind. “Hey, Grady?” He raises his eyebrow that’s pierced, eyes bright as he waits for me to continue.

“What made you get into fencing?” I ask, not really sure how to ask other more interesting questions.

“Oh, easy. I joined the team two years ago because I fell for this girl, who was a senior at the time. So gorgeous, I was completely gone for her when I watched her fence.”

I can feel myself grin lopsidedly, not expecting his answer. He notices.

“Not the answer you were looking for?” His megawatt smile crinkles his eyes just the smallest amount, and his whole vibe makes me laugh.

“Not at all.”

“I guess now though, my reasons have changed. Now I just love to spend time with Ace. I gotta keep my eye on him, the little firecracker. He’s always getting into trouble. I have to rein him in, you know? And Levi is my friend too, though sometimes he’s a stupid asshole and I have to put him in his place. Him and Ace…” He stops and clears his throat, playing with the small piercing in his brow. “They have nasty fights. I’m like the unofficial mediator for those two.”

I nod, understanding him a little better with this information. “You’re very close with him. I can see that. How does Levi feel about you—”

“Nah,” he says with a smirk. “Levi knows him and I aren’t like that. Ace and I are close friends. He knows I’d never hurt him.” He shrugs, tapping my shoulder with his own. “Levi is complicated to explain, but he and Ace go way back. I know it doesn't look like it a lot of the time, but Levi cares for him. He's protective of him.” He gives me a look that's insightful, as if debating something. “I think Ace should tell you that story though.”

“There’s a story?”

He snorts. “A long one.”

“And what's your story?”

His eyebrows raise high. “My story? I don't really have one.”

“We all have a story, Grady.”

He blinks, tilting his head to the side. “Fuck, man. What is my story? I mean, I'm eighteen; I'm young and living my life to the fullest, you know? I've got my family, my friends, senior year is almost over. After that, who knows?”

I smile at his explanation. “Do you have someone you love? Like a partner?”

He coughs, eyes widening at my question. “Jesus, Noel, you're really talkative tonight. I don't hate it, but shit.” He laughs. “I love lots of people, probably too many, but like I said, I'm just living my life.” He bites at his lip playfully, pausing to think something over. “I'm pansexual.”

I can feel the wrinkle form in-between my eyes, not sure what that one is. “Oh. Thank you for telling me. I, uh, don't know what that is, but I respect you.”

He barks out a laugh, holding his can up to me. “See, this is why I like you, man; you say the funniest shit.”

I smile, unsure of what to say to that. “I like you too, Grady.”

My phone buzzes in my back pocket, distracting me from our conversation. I get butterflies as I open the text, already knowing who it is from.

Alex: Look to your left

When I do, he’s nowhere in sight. Behind me, I feel a whispering breath on my neck. “Got ya.”

I spin around and smack his chest. “Prick.”

“Always so mean to me, calling me names.” He grins, mouth begging to be kissed. He looks edible tonight. Black on black, loose pants with a large jacket. All the dark color makes his blond hair stand out even more. It's messy, and I want to run my hands along his head to make it even messier. “You’re not very subtle, are you?” Alex speaks low so only I can hear. I blush and look away, sipping from my drink to have something to do. He chuckles and turns his attention to Grady.

“Hey big daddy, where’s your mini at?” Alex grins up at him, and I mean up. Grady is tall. Six foot two to be precise.

“Big Daddy?” My eyes widen incredulously at the nickname.

“You have to be blind to miss that anaconda in the locker room after practices.”

Grady grips his junk in one hand. “My anaconda don't want none unless you got buns, hun.” He jerks his hips forward while Alex chuckles.

Ace chooses that moment to return back to us, jumping on Grady’s back. He doesn’t even flinch; he just accepts his easy weight like a little gremlin backpack. “Oh, are we talking about Grady’s fat, monster co—”

I slap my hand over his mouth before he finishes. “Okay, no more drinks for you.” He licks my palm, and I jerk my hand back while he laughs. “Gross.”

“Hey, Alex!” Ace laughs, looking down at him and he climbs off of Grady.

“I saw Levi a second ago,” Alex says in lieu of a greeting. “Who’s the brunette?”

“Someone I’m trying my best to forget. Thanks for that. You owe me another drink for bringing it up.” Ace pouts.

Alex looks down at our cans and turns around, walking back to the truck with the cooler.

“I didn’t think he’d actually do it,” Ace replies, impressed.

“He has his moments.” I grin, watching him pay and then carry back three large cans. Grady takes the top one, Ace the second, and he hands the last one to me. I take it, staring at him the entire time. It’s like we’re sharing a secret, which I guess we kind of are. We haven’t talked about telling the others that we’re… together.

“Incoming,” Grady alerts us, annoyed. I don’t understand his tone until Levi and his date join us, holding hands. I watch Ace’s reaction, his happy demeanor suddenly shifting to tense dejection, and it pisses me off.

“What are you fuckers doing?” Levi’s gruff question has me rolling my eyes. I’m not his biggest fan right now, especially when he’s showing off his date around Ace, who he has to know is crushing on him. Fucking idiot.

“Waiting for the ball to drop.” Grady looks pointedly at him, a double meaning in there somewhere if the way Levi reacts is anything to go by. His eye twitches as his mouth curls into a snarl.God, what does Ace see in this asshole?

“I’m Abby!”

We all turn and stare at his date. Except Ace. I shift my gaze back to him and watch his jaw clench, along with his knuckles.

“I’m going inside,” he tells us, as chipper as he can manage.

“Me too,” I say, following after him. Alex and Grady stay back, and I’m grateful because I have something to say, privately. Ace keeps walking ahead. “Ace, wait up!” He halts, turns around and smiles.

“I’m okay; I get over it quickly.”

“You shouldn’t have to.”

“I can’t help it. I love him. Always have.”

Something about that feels familiar and too close to my own situation somehow. I reach for his hand, and he takes it gently, shocked at the contact. I can feel the slight tremor, and I hate that I don’t know how to make him feel better.

We open the glass doors and step into the main lobby of the theater, where it is packed.

There are way more people here than the last time, when I was getting my shit rocked by Alex and his temper.

I notice a couple freshmen and seniors from KVA, some wearing their ties like a badge of honor or something. There are some girls wearing glasses with the new year on them, others in sparkly dresses or shiny hats.

There's lots of chatter, kids speaking to their friends in small groups rather than dancing, which I don't care to do tonight. We shuffle past them as Ace leads me to the long countertop where the large letters above spell out CONCESSIONS. Behind it, we find a pink-haired girl sitting on the ground, texting. I lean over the counter to see her better. It's River with newly dyed hair.

“Hey, cutie,” Ace greets her flirtatiously, hopping up on the counter to sit cross-legged.

She pops her head up from her phone and laughs. “Ace! Oh, hey Noel!”

“Do they still keep candy back here?”

She turns around, rummaging around in a cabinet. “There's a box of stuff someone brought in for tonight. Twizzlers and…” She whips out suckers, giving one to Ace, who quickly snatches it out of her hand.

“Want one?” She asks me, holding out a blue one. I shake my head. She pops it in her mouth.

“What are you doing back here, anyway?”

“Hiding.”

“What'd you do now?”

“Oh no, it's hide and seek! We're not fighting tonight,” she giggles. “Come play with us later! Both of you!”

Ace spins around the counter and hops off while giving her a thumbs up. He grabs my hand, and we walk to the left of the wide hallway.

There's a group by the broken game machines smoking, and I walk through it, coughing deeply. “Shit,” I wheeze, using my hand to waft it away.

Ace tugs my hand. “Which theater should we try? Or should we go downstairs? It's too loud in here.”

“What's happening in the theater rooms?”

“Last time I was here, there was porn playing on the screens so—”

“Downstairs,” I cut him off, and he laughs.

We head downstairs into the basement, where there's even more happening than the lobby. There are people surrounded by a projector screen looking up at a heated racing match and a trampoline covered in UV light paint with a group of girls bouncing around. Someone even added LED strips around the room to bring more of a party atmosphere. It's all one massive building code violation. But it does look insanely cool.

Ace leads me down the steps, and we sit down on two empty theater chairs.

“Can I ask you something?” I question, staring at the match on the screen.

“Yeah, go ahead,” he tells me, intrigued that I'd ask him anything.

“Grady… mentioned you and Levi earlier. What's your story with him?”

He blinks a few times, his mouth parting open. “Oh.”

“You don't have to tell me… I was just curious.”

He exhales in a gust. “No, I want to; it's just a long story.” Ace bites his lip then tugs at his jacket zipper. “Well, you know how Levi is my neighbor?” I nod. “Well, I grew up with him, basically. I'd always sneak over to his house late at night or he'd come to mine. We had so much fun back then. We were really close.”

His smile is faint, reliving old memories. It drops suddenly.

“Something… bad happened to me, and after that, we grew apart. We got older. He didn't want me coming over anymore because he had a new group of friends. One day he just… locked the window, and it stayed that way. That was how I usually snuck in. It really fucking hurt.” He inhales deeply. “When we entered our freshman year and I saw he'd joined the Knights, I had this crazy idea that if we were on the same team, we'd be friends again. It took some time, but I'd say we are. However, as you know, I want to be more than that. I guess it's a shitty secret that I want him, huh?” He looks at me, grinning, but it doesn't reach his eyes. “It also doesn't help that he's straight, I know. But I can dream, can't I?”

“I’m sorry, Ace. You deserve—”

“No,” he interrupts me like he can't take what I'm about to say. “Levi is a good person. Please don't tell me what I deserve.”

After a long moment, I nod. “You're right. I don't know Levi all that well. I just wish you could be happy. I want that for you, because you're so kind. And this year has been so amazing because you insisted on being my friend.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, I did. You’re a really good person, Noe,” he tells me, and I turn incredulous eyes on him.

“I am?”

“You don’t say much, but when you do, it means something. I’m really glad I have you.”

Warmth envelops my chest, a heat rising into my face. Ace and I have really become friends.

He smiles up at me, a big genuine grin that makes him light up. “What a night. It started out so shitty, but now… I’m actually okay. Things will get better when school ends and I head to college.” He turns to look around the room, content with whatever he’s feeling. Until a wrinkle forms between his eyebrows and his eyes pop open wide. “Oh no…Noel, we need to go—”

“Hey, Theo. It's been a while.” A boy our age comes over, wearing a football hoodie with the Knight's Valor Academy sigil. He's tall and broad. He sits down next to Ace.

“Kai,” Ace mutters, head bowed down as if he's nervous. Kai reaches out and gives him a hug, arms wrapping around his shoulders awkwardly. Ace stays still, not hugging him back.

"Aww, that's not very nice. We haven't seen each other in so long, and this is how you treat me?”

“Don't do this. I don't want to cause a scene. Just leave me alone.”

Kai looks over at me, head tilting in question. “Who the fuck is this?” He asks with a laugh.

“This is my friend. Now please leave us.” Ace stands, and he does the same. Ace pushes gently at his chest.

Ace looks tiny beside this guy. He also looks afrai d. I stand as well, taking his hand.

“A friend? You always did have so many friends, Theo.” Kai looks over to me with a smirk, at our joined hands. “Have you fucked him yet? He's always so damn easy. A pretty little slut for all the boys to stick their dicks in.” He laughs some more.

I turn my attention to Ace to see what his reaction is to this person calling him by his real name, but he's a blank mask. Completely deadpan.

I clench my jaw. “Don't say another word about—”

“Let's go, Noel,” he talks over me.

“No, you don't.” He grabs Ace's wrist.

I step forward, pushing him away. He staggers back, but let’s go of Ace's wrist. His demeanor changes from playful to downright demonic.

“Kai, don't,” Ace pleads, looking from him to me with a pleading expression.

I can hear the whispered chatter of a crowd becoming interested in our not-so-civil conversation.

It happens too fast. Kai rushes me, throwing a punch at my face. It lands harshly, and my whole head snaps to the side.

Shit, fighting is not fun. It stings, making my eyes water. I can hear Ace yelling at Kai, but I'm distracted by the pain.

I've been in one fight my entire life, and now, not long after the first one, I'm fighting again. When did I become such a delinquent?

But for Ace, he’s worth it.

I right myself to find he's turned his attention to Ace, not bothering to keep his eyes on me, and I use that to my advantage quickly, throwing my own punch. It hits him in the jaw, catching him by surprise, and my hand feels like it breaks. He immediately kicks my stomach with his knee, which knocks the breath from my lungs. I drop to the ground, clutching my stomach.

Ace jumps on his back, trying to choke him out, but Kai whips him off. Ace drops to the floor.

Kai spins around, puts his hand around Ace's throat, and squeezes. His eyes widen, hands clutching at Kai’s, trying to stop him, to get him to release his hold, and I watch in horror as I try to catch my breath.

The next thing I see is someone punching Kai in the head from the side, making him stumble away with a horrible, painful scream.

Ace coughs, clutching his throat with trembling fingers, looking up at Levi with a shimmering, lovesick gaze. like he's his hero.

Levi stands there with a clenched jaw, looking down at Ace with an expression I can't decipher.

“Levi, it's okay. I'm okay,” Ace calmly tells him, never letting their eye contact waver. It's like he's talking down a cornered animal.

Levi's shoulders slump, relaxing as he looks around, spotting me. “Take Ace and go upstairs,” he says to me, voice rough and gritty.

I finally get a breath in, gasping out, “Hell no, you'll kill that guy.”

Ace rushes over to me and helps me up, turning towards Levi. “Come with us. I'm not leaving you alone with him. He's already down; look at him.”

We all turn to where Kai is being helped up by his friends, holding the side of his face. He still looks pissed, but so far no one makes a move to continue fighting.

“Noel, are you hurt?” Ace asks.

I try to take in another breath of air, and it’s a success. “Nope.” It comes out fast and squeaky.

“C’mon, let's go upstairs.” He helps me up, and I graciously accept. Levi comes up with us begrudgingly, but at the top of the stairs, he walks to the right, leaving us alone. Ace looks like he wants to say more, but ultimately lets him go.