"So I got an email today," Ace told me, gaining my attention.
I looked up from my government homework and bit the eraser end of my pencil in concentration. "Yeah? What about?"
"Some college," he answered nonchalantly.
I perked up. "That's awesome, Ace! What did it say?"
"Just that I should check out the programs they have on their website. It's not like they sent it directly to me, they probably sent it to a bunch of kids," he started to make it sound less than what it probably was.
I set my pencil down and leaned closer to Ace, taking his hands in mine, lacing our fingers together. "I think you should check it out. Where is it?"
"Here in California; Sacramento to be exact," he murmured.
I tilted my head to the side. "Why aren't you more excited?"
"Because I promised I would go to Boston with you when you got into Emerson." His face showed signs of guilt and it made me feel queasy.
I shook my head. "Don't ever put my future above yours. Don't do that to yourself and don't do it to me. I don't want you to resent me one day because I was the reason you didn't go to college."
"I could go to college in Boston; a community college," he attempted to make me feel better.
"It's not the same if you don't want that," I reminded him. "Please look into it Ace. This could be really good for you."
When the time came for me to send in my college applications, Ace was still barely considering applying to Sacramento State. He was next to me when I hit send on my Emerson application and he gave me a long and lingering kiss after.
He had told me he was proud of me.
I never realized how badly and how often I needed to hear those words from somebody until Ace said them to me. Every time I got a good grade on a test, every time I sent in another college app, and even when I woke up on time in the morning. And I did it back. Because I was proud of Ace. I was proud when he did anything.
But maybe that was the love talking.
Kaz was a lot more friendly around me now. When I sat down at our lunch table and smile at him, he returned it. If I waved to him in the hallway, he rolled his eyes playfully and his lips would twitch up a little. It was progress I never thought would happen like it did.
Ace and I were better than ever. I was pretty sure we were deep in the honeymoon stage of our relationship. Lilli told me almost daily how gross we were with all the hand holding and cheek kisses before every class.
But I couldn't help myself when I was around him. I never wanted to be away from him and I wanted to be touching his skin all the time. Whether it was holding his hand, running my fingers through his hair or kissing him between classes, I wanted to be close to him.
And it wasn't like Ace minded. He was the same as me. It was rare that he wasn't looking at me when we were in the same vicinity. The amount of times he reminded me that he loved me was probably unhealthy.
Once again, not like I minded.
The only time we fought was when we talked about college. Ace was adamant on coming with me to Boston, if I even got in. But I felt it somewhere deep down that he wanted to apply to Sac state. But he hadn't yet admitted it to himself.
And that's when we would fight. Then again, our arguments weren't screaming matches or physical in any way. We would just get so incredibly frustrated with each other that there would be no kiss goodnight. And the next day, it would be like nothing happened.
"Wake up beautiful," I heard whispering in my ear.
I rolled over in my bed and snuggled deeper into my covers.
"Mellie Bear, wake up!" I heard again.
I stretched and then curled myself into a ball under my many blankets.
"Sugar pie. Baby. Boo boo bear. Honey bunch. Darling. Sweetie. Angel cakes. Princess. Babe," the voice spoke louder this time.
"Please don't call me any of those things," I muttered, my voice muffled by my pillow. And then I thought about it some more. "Except baby. You can call me that."
I heard a chuckle and I opened one eye, spying Ace standing in his pajamas next to my bed. "Alright baby, get up."
"Time and place Ace. There's a time and there's a place for you to call me baby, trying to wake me from a peaceful slumber, is not one of them," I scolded.
"Get up Melrose," he told me with a monotone voice.
I scoffed. "Well since you asked so nicely... no."
"Why not?" He frowned.
I opened my other eye and rolled over onto my back. "What time is it?"
"Eight," Ace replied.
I groaned. "It's Sunday. Why did you wake me up at eight o'clock on a Sunday?"
He hopped onto the bed, well really more onto me. I yelped when he accidentally elbowed my boob.
"Ow!" I shoved his elbow off of me and placed a hand over my now sore breast.
Ace cringed. "I'm sorry! That wasn't how I planned it, I promise."
"You elbowed my boob!" I emphasized for him.
"I'm sorry!" He whisper-yelled. His panicked face turned into a smirk. "I can make it better."
My eyes widened at his innuendo. "Oh no you don't, mister!" I smacked his hand away when it came closer to my chest. "Hands off the precious cargo!"
"That's why I want my hands on," his smirk grew.
"Go away! You woke me up early and then you jumped on me like some MMA fighter. I don't like you right now."
Ace frowned again. "I wanted to cuddle."
"Well I wanted my boob not to hurt this morning. I guess we can't all get what we want," I whined.
Ace readjusted himself so he wasn't lying directly on top of me. He wrapped his arm around my torso, his hand resting on the side of my hip. "I'm sorry, baby," he hit me with the strongest puppy dog eyes I've ever seen.
"See, like I told you. Time and place, this is definitely a good use of that nickname," I snuggled into him, closing my eyes again.
Ace held me a little tighter. "Do you wanna go on a date today?"
I brighten again, opening my eyes wide. "Yes! Where?"
"I can either take you out for lunch today and then we can hit up a movie, or we can get dinner and then we can both have dessert," he insinuated.
I pushed him playfully and rolled my eyes. "What is with you today?"
"I just want to kiss my beautiful girlfriend," he pleaded, his eyes glimmering in want.
I scoffed and cuddle into his body again. "Pretty sure you want more than to kiss me."
"I won't deny it," he shrugged.
"I'm just not ready, Ace," my voice changed, becoming serious.
He tucked my hair back behind my ear. "That's okay. I'll wait until you're comfortable. No matter how long it takes you."
"Even if we wait until we're married?" I tested.
His eyes opened. "Married?!"
"I'm kidding, but you failed the test," I pouted.
Ace kissed my neck and sighed. "Yes, I would wait for you even if it took marrying the shit out of you to get there."
"Do you think we'll get married one day?" I changed the subject completely.
He kissed my cheek. "I hope so. I can't imagine marrying anyone else."
"Good, you're all mine."
Hey guys! So there's over 1,300 words this chapter. Sorry for making you wait for like two weeks for this update. I got a little stuck.
This chapter is mostly just a bunch of fluff because that's what I enjoy writing but there's a little more drama coming soon.
Thank you for 11k!
See you next chapter!