Open Up

Chapter Three

As I exit the school, I watch as everyone goes off to their fancy cars and trucks while I head to the back of the school, where I and my gang meet. I, Ace, am the leader of the most ruthless gang in the school. We don't have a name for ourselves yet, but we do have a reputation.

"Aye! What's up boss?" Harry said to me as I walked up to them.

Harry is the youngest one in the gang but is a needed asset. He is the clueless one of the group most of the time, but we would do anything for him. He tends to just say whatever is on his mind without thinking it through. I swear that boy has no filter.

"Dude, that's no way to speak to Ace. He could kick your ass on any given day," Ernie said as he lightly slapped the back of Harry's head.

Now, Ernie's the smarter one in the group but he tends to have a temper. He once punched the principle for calling him out of his sagging pants. I tried to tell him that he needed to pull them up when we pass the teachers, but he didn't want to "ruin his reputation".

"You got that right," I said as I sit down on the tree stump that the school never removed.

I look around and notice that we are missing one person, Dylan. He was my best friend ever since Freshman year. Although he was the gang's first leader, he brought me under his wing and made me the new leader. I never understood why he would give up his leadership for me, but I never asked.

"Where's Dylan?" I asked, looking around at the others.

They just shrug and that's when I see him. Dylan is carrying a bourbon bottle wrapped in a paper bag and is slowly making his way over to us. I sigh and give a sharp nod in his direction, which he returns.

"I'm here," Dylan said to let the others know of his arrival.

They all both wave and Harry stands up when he sees the covered bottle in his hand. Ernie doesn't really care about the whole drinking thing, he is more of a drug guy. Me? I just smoke. Although. I do like to drink, but only when I'm in the mood. And right now, I am so I get up from the stump and head over to Dylan. He already gave the bottle to Harry, who just finished taking a swig of the liquor. He hands me the bottle and I take a swig of my own.

I would have waited until the party to get drunk, but with today's events, I needed it now.

* * *

I know it's a little short, but I figured I would give a small glimpse of Ace's look on things.

I'll be posting Chapter Four soon!

-Marissa