“Jacey? Jacey, wake up.” I found my consciousness awaken after I felt someone shake me and whisper those words unto me. I could open my eyes… but what the hell I'd rather not…
“Jacey! Jacey wake up.” The shaking is rougher and the sound is louder this time that even though I hate to, I moved and tried to open my eyes. I looked up in some sort of confusion but it didn’t take a minute or two for me to realize that I am still in Ace’s van. I looked at Mysti. She’s awake now and she seems to be waiting for me.
Her look was of that with question. “You go left by the Bee Restaurant right?” I nodded in affirmation.
“So yeah, that’s right Mr. Martin, you turn left at the sight of Bee Restaurant.”
“Before the Bee Restaurant?” The driver assured.
“Yeeeeeep!” I confirmed as I stretched out my arms, fully waking up. The old man raised his arm up to acknowledge then went on. We weren’t actually there yet but we are close. Ah finally…oops…NO. NO!!!
I clutched Mysti’s hand. The question still lingers and so as the fear. “What should I say to them?” I whispered to Mysti.
Mysti’s look was definitely confused. “I thought it’s the staircase?”
“Yeah but I mean---“ I covered my mouth before the thought could even escape. I just realized I’m with Ace and if in any case he would find out…speaking of which, where’s---
Well I shouldn’t have looked for him. Because the minute I did, he rose from the back seat like a zombie rising from the dead. His eyes were definitely groggy. With his eyes close, he massages his eyebrows after which pinched his glabella to fight the drowsiness that kept on coming in. He stayed like that for about 4 to 5 seconds before he finally opened his eyes and fully woke up.
Mr. Martin turned left already by the time he used his ipad as a mirror and fixed his hair.
“At the first intersection turn left.” I instructed once again. I gripped Mysti tighter. She’s staying her cool…and so as he…seriously? Am I the only one panicking right now?
The closer we get, the colder my palms get. I am so not ready to lie, let alone show them my current state…and there's the fact that Ace brought me here and all…
“Here…” My breathing stopped as the van stopped. Ace opened the van then went down.
“You can do it.” I heard Mysti whisper to my ear. I took a deep breath. Well, here goes nothing.
I took my crutch and hopped my way out.
“No, no, don’t!” I literally shooed Ace’s hands away.
“Wha—“
“I can do it. Okay?” I explained and he raised his arms up backing out. “Okay.” He swooned.
Well, I have to do it. Though my armpit still hurts with the crutch I have to bear with it. He watched as I slowly hopped my way into the gates…there is this one problem though.
It’s locked. I know I’m a bit tan but I can definitely visualize how pale I’ve looked like after seeing the lock.
“Shoot.” I whispered but it seems it didn’t escape Ace’s nosy ears.
“What?” He came unto me then looked upon where I was holding. He was surprised too I guess.
Despite the curse, I wasn’t really upset about the lock. In fact I was actually happy. My parents will not be able to see Ace and to that they wouldn’t hold on to the idea that I’m having him or anyone else as the secret boyfriend or whatever jumbled idea they have that I never really understood…
“It’s alright. Just go ahead. I’ll just wait for them here.” I happily answered as I tried to sit down by the ledge by using the crutch as the handle to sit down. Bad move though, really what was I thinking? The ledge is too low my trick couldn’t account for that.
And so, to prevent from stumbling, for the first time since it happened, I used my right ankle to support. It wasn’t really the wisest thing to do though.
“Ah—aww…” My moan is a mixture of hurt and comfort. I mean, finally I am settled here and I’ll just have to wait for my parents. Hurt, because moving or even touching my right ankle really hurts.
Mysti opened the window from the van. “What’s happening?” She didn’t seem to catch up.
“Jacey’s parents aren’t home.” Ace answered as he stopped before the window where Mysti is.
“What?” She too is surprised I think.
“No, it’s really okay! Just leave me here, I can manage on my own.” And I mean it. I mean for them to leave. Ace most specially.
“Nooo, we can’t leave you here like that.” He answered loudly. He then asked Mysti to give his ipad by the window.
“Well, did you contact your parents yet?” I was alarmed at once by that idea. Of course. Why didn’t I think about it? Stupid me. I rummaged upon my bag.
“Haven’t. Wait---gonna---umm…can anyone please ring my phone? I think I’ve lost it again.” I shyly shouted.
“Ringing ---oh here…see?” Mysti partly scolded as she handed me the phone ringing by the van.
“Sorry. Thanks!”
The minute I was contacting my parents, Mr. Martin brought down his windshield and gave a suggestion that both Mysti and Ace agreed upon…well except for me.
“So, what time are they going to come back?” Ace was kind of irritated now. By the looks of it, he’s definitely bored now.
I massaged my temples. My parents went somewhere far and they won’t be home ‘til sundown. I’ve got no keys and yes, Mr. Martin’s suggestion of taking Mysti home first before going back here is definitely the wisest thing to do…but I don’t want my parents to see Ace and ACE ALONE! They would not only suspect him as my boyfriend, they would THINK HE IS MY BOYFRIEND –and that’s the LEAST I WANT from my life right now.
I sighed ---one, long, deep sigh and fully hope that the decision I made wouldn’t be for the worst. “My parent’s won’t be home ‘til sundown.” I finally let out which, in some twisted way, earned a smile upon Ace’s face. Well, he’s the happy one.
“There! Then, hop-up! Let’s go take Mysti home.” He said then went on to assist me as I stand up. I grabbed on to his arms and he pulled me up to stand. I was about to hold my crutch and continue on but seeing his stance, I raised my eyebrow and responded.
“No. Not another one.” I was talking about nothing else but the way he was offering to carry me back princess-style.
“Well, then suit yourself.” He said then turned his back.
“Wait.” Because I’m tired, so I took upon the liberty of embracing his back. Yes. As of the moment, I’m too stressed about the worst thing that is bound to happen so I got tired of hating him as of the moment.
“Ow---wait!” I think I kind of choked him as he coughed up, and as much as I wish to continue choking him, I stopped. He glanced back to point my position, and went down to give me the piggy-back ride.
“Settled?” He asked.
“Yep.”
“Okay let’s go.” And even though it is just a short ride. I kind of enjoyed my piggy back ride. In a matter of time I was back at the van and sitting, once again, next to Mysti’s, and Mr. Martin drove off.