143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpUJ4E9qP6
Audrey waited by Ashley's car, deciding to call her friends before reading a text from them saying they couldn't leave due to other commitments. She was relieved, as this gave her time to come up with an excuse for her behavior at lunch, the girls wouldn't drop the subject.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdsTJvxgkr
Audrey was grateful for her friends, as her parents were never present, always busy with work or traveling. She hated discussing her parents, but she had similarities with her mom Katie in looks and character.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCVGEyp6dG
Audrey returned to the tree where she sat at lunch, waiting to see if Ace would show up when she suddenly overheard James and Ace arguing, and her heart raced as Ace pulled out a small blue box.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9gNS4OuhO
James punched Ace, and Audrey gasped, losing her footing before strong arms caught her. To her surprise, it was James who saved her from brusing.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatN3xPhqmn
Ace told James to release her, and James pulled her away, offering to drive her home. Audrey tried to convince him to not leave Ace behind, but James chuckled and warned her that she and Ace didn't belong in the same world.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8bpWA1YPi
During the silent drive home, Audrey asked James if Nancy had spoken to him about her. James replied that she didn't need to, as he already knew.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1WP9fummY
When James dropped her off, he warned her again, "Don't get too close to him, you don't deserve him." Audrey nodded, hiding her emotions, but as soon as she reached her room, she broke down in tears.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrC2zQ3D2H
The next day, Audrey couldn't concentrate in class. Her mind kept wandering back to Ace and James's confrontation. She wondered what James meant by "you don't deserve him." Did he think Ace was too good for her, or was there something more sinister at play?
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIHHlwYHou
As she walked out of school, she saw Ace leaning against his car, looking effortlessly cool. He caught her eye and smiled, and Audrey felt her heart skip a beat. She hesitated for a moment before walking towards him.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIZvTppPR7
"Hey," he said, pushing off from the car. "I was worried you'd avoid me after yesterday."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQCx1xT71E
Audrey shrugged. "I'm not one to shy away from drama."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuIdeGDGjg
Ace chuckled. "I like that about you."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIOWxmCCee
They stood there for a moment, the tension between them palpable. Audrey knew she should leave, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGkrDJj2Lh
"Listen, Audrey," Ace said, his voice low and serious. "I know James warned you away from me. But I want you to know that I'm not going anywhere. I'm interested in you, and I want to get to know you better."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Tax8J2Naj
Audrey's heart raced as she looked into his eyes. She saw sincerity there, but also a hint of danger.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63t6sqccNT
"I don't know, Ace," she said, trying to sound casual. "I don't want to get caught up in whatever drama you and James have going on."
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGKIQyo8rk
Ace's expression turned intense. "This has nothing to do with James. This is about you and me. And I promise you, Audrey, I'm worth the risk."
ns 15.158.61.16da2
