Ace of Hearts

16| a good time to be anyone else

A/N: trigger warning. mature content ahead. Read ahead at your own discretion.
*****

     "So here's what's going to happen,"

    Nyara clutches my arm so she can discuss our plans without being overheard. Though to be fair, I don't think anyone cares to eavesdrop on us.

    It's a game day. It's a party night.

    And Nyara knows I don't plan to attend another. Well, not after last week. Not after the drama with Ace.

    "You can wait in the car. Or drop me off and come back and pick me up." I hear my best friend giggle while we walk.

    "I can't stand how dependent you are."

   "Hey- you know my pops would never let me take the car out that late."

    "Maybe that's a sign you shouldn't be going." I offer. Nyara's head is too filled with fantasies of seeing Rye to accept my reasoning.

   "Honey, you've been awfully against parties since last week. Is this about Ace?"

   "No!" I hiss.

   "You can hide from him."

   "Evidently not." My eyes are narrowed ahead. I see Ace and Rye talking in the hallway.

    Nyara fixes her hair, before noticing: "hey, that's the girl who was talking to Rye at the party."

   I raise a brow, seeing a blonde. "Wow- she came into the bookstore the other night. I thought it was weird."

    "She can have Ace, but she needs to stay away from Rye!"

    I roll my eyes. The girl tries to speak to them, but they pay no mind.

   "I don't think she'll be getting either."

   Nyara grins to herself. We continue our first conversation.

   "Anyways, it's not just about Ace. Even if he doesn't drag me home, my mom or Indie and Anson just might."

    Nyara snorts. "But It's fun when we are in it together." She whines.

   "Well," I shrug, "I'll drive. But I don't plan to go in."

*****

   "fine, I'll go in."

   I'm shivering, I can't stand being out in the car alone. I step out and lock the door. The party swells in the house up ahead.

    What am I doing?

    Nervously, I go up to the house. I hope to spot Nyara inside, but she's nowhere to be seen. I recognize several people, but I don't make an effort to talk to them.

    I shoulder through, my fingers are burning as they adjust from going from the cold to the warmth. I make sure to avoid the kitchen, to avoid drinking, too.

    When I see Nyara is well attended in the corner, the nerves in my chest melt away a bit. But something inside of me still feels off.

   Stop freaking out. I tell myself. You're not Indie. Nothing will happen to you, not if you're smart . Not if you're alert.

   I think about what Indie said, but it's an intrusive thought that I try to push away. This is why people drink! I huff, moving on through the house.

     My organs are vibrating when I move in front of the stereo. The bass jolts my heart out of rhythm. And in the corner, I see Ace.

   I hear his laugh; he's surrounded by cheerleaders. Wow.