- Mia White -

When I woke up the next morning, it was still pretty early, but because I wasn't in the mood today, I stared at the ceiling until I decided it was time to get up.

Walking downstairs, I saw my mom flipping some pancakes while my dad was reading the daily newspaper. Not many people read it anymore, but my dad still does. He has so many of them in his office framed on the wall or in a pile on the floor.

"Good morning, sweetie," Dad greeted, placing his newspaper down on the kitchen table. My mom greeted me as well, and I kissed them both on the cheek.

I grabbed two plates, for me and my mom. Dad always woke up early and ate without us because he had to leave for work. Before he left, he usually spends the little time he has with us.

Since my dad's a mechanical engineer, he's very busy, so I don't see him often. Same with my mom since she's a nurse. She either works night shifts or morning shifts. Someone's both when needed. Mom was kindhearted, and people knew bag. Whenever someone calls in sick, and they needed someone to cover their shift, they knew my mom would volunteer.

So whenever they were home, I was happy. Their only day off was yesterday when I was with Ace. I'm glad that they decided to have a date night since they're both too busy to see each other anymore.

Once I set up the table, and my mom was done with the pancakes, dad kissed mom and me on the forehead. He said goodbye before leaving for work.

"How was school?" Mom asked as she put a few pancakes on my plate.

"Same as always," I shrugged, grabbing the syrup and putting it on my plate. Ace thinks it weird that I like to separate the syrup and pancakes.

I glanced at my mom as she ate, and frowned when I saw the dark circles under her eyes. She was probably tried form working.

"Mom, why don't you rest. You're tired."

She shook her head. "I have to go to work soon."

"Mom, don't worry. I'll call Mrs Wells and tell her to give you a day off."

"But—"

"Please," I begged. "I'm sure I can convince her.

I hated that my mom wasn't taking care of herself. She sighed and nodded her head, knowing that I wasn't going to change my mind. After we both finished breakfast, she walked into her and dad's bedroom while I called Mrs Wells.

Mrs Wells was my mom's boss. She's a cheery lady, but get on her bad side and it's hell. She's a very strict woman and likes to do things independently. Although, she had a soft spot for me. I've known her ever since I was a child.

I would always go to the hospital as a kid when my mom couldn't find a babysitter, so I practically knew the whole place like the back of my hand. I helped out there a lot as well for my volunteer hours.

I dialled the number, and after a few rings, she picked up. "Hello? This is Mrs Wells speaking."

"Hi, Mrs Wells."

"Mia! What are you calling? Do you need something?"

"No, no, Mrs Wells. I just wanted to ask you something."

"Anything."

"I was wondering if my mom could have a day off. She's been working very hard, and it's stressing her out. She's tired," I explained.

"She has been working a little to much lately..." Mrs Wells' voice trailed off. "Oh, alright! But she has to come back soon."

I grinned widely when she said that she could take the next few days off, but on Wednesday mom would have to go back. Thanking Mrs Wells, I ended the call and wrote a note for mom that she had a few days off.

I didn't want to wake her up, so I quietly tiptoed into the room and placed the note beside her reading glasses on the nightstand.

I went to my room and decided to call Sarah. Yesterday, when I went to her house, she said that her brother Max was coming home. He's eight years older than us, and is part of the military. The Air Force to be exact. She hasn't seen him in over four years, so she was thrilled when he called home and said he was coming back.

"He's coming on Sunday, can you believe it! That's tomorrow! I can't wait!" Sarah squealed.

"I can tell," I laughed. We talked for an hour or two until Sarah had to hand up because she was going to her grandpa's farm to help out.

Out of nowhere, someone was calling me, but it was unknown. Hesitantly, I answered it and hoped that it wasn't a murderer out to get me.

"Hello?" I muttered quietly.

"Hey," the voice said. It was masculine and strangely familiar. Where have I heard this voice before? "Is this Mia?"

"Yes?"

"It's Jacob."

"Oh! You're the new kid, right?"

"Correct."

I sighed in relief knowing it wasn't a complete stranger, but how did he get my number? I was just about to ask him when he said Ace gave it to him.

Why would Ace do that? He literally made me change my number eight times when a few guys found my number.

"Are you sure he gave it to you?"

"Yup. We're friends now. I'm actually staying with him for a while."

So that's why Ace was annoyed because Jacob was the one staying at his place.

I mean, Jacob doesn't seem bad. He's actually very nice. I still can't judge him though. For all I know, he could just be acting, and his real personality could be a disappointment.

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!"I heard Ace yell.

Before I could hear anything else, the call ended. I looked at the phone, a confused look on my face.

I needed to know what was going on, and what Ace was going to do with Jacob. He seemed really mad, and who knows what Ace could do. He'll probably kill Jacob.

I put in a pair of washed skinny jeans and a baggy red sweater before writing another note to my mom saying that I was going to Ace's house. I slipped on my white converse, and locked the door behind me once I got out. It was a bit chilly out, but I didn't mind because I wasn't walking far anyways.

I made my way to Ace's house to hear yelling from the second floor. Ace's window from his room was open. I could hear them yelling, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. However, from the time of his voice, I can tell Ace was not happy.

I pressed on the doorbell, and expected Mrs King to open the door, but I was surprised to see it was Ace. His face was a clear expression of anger. His jaw clutched tightly. He opened his mouth to yell, but I guess when he saw me he stopped. His eyes were wide as he closed his mouth.

His eyes softened when he saw me. "Mia, what are you doing here?" He asked.

I inwardly smiled.

"I can leave if you want." I was going to turn around when he grabbed my hand and pulled me inside.

"That's not what I meant," he stated. I heard footsteps making their way downstairs, and Ace squeezed my hand, pulling me so I hid behind him as he closed the door.

"I know she's here, no need to hide her," I heard Jacob say.

"Fuck off," Ace growled.

"Be nice," I whispered, and he scoffed. I managed to move so I was beside Ace, but he still made sure that I was pressed against his side.

Jacob smiled at me, and I returned the gesture. "Why were you guys fighting? I could hear you from outside."

"Oh, we just had a disagreement," Jacob answered.

"Where's your mom?" I asked Ace. He said that Jacob's parents and his mom went out to some restaurant. I knew he was irritated, so I decided not to ask him any more questions.

"Well, since you're staying," I say to Jacob. "and you have no choice but to socialize with him," I turned to Ace who narrowed his eyes at me. "why don't you guys talk and be friends."

"Not happening," Ace hissed.

"Too bad. You're gonna have to while I make brownies!" I knew there was one way to get out of his hold, so I went on my tippy toes - because he was much taller than me - and kissed him on the cheek. He froze, and his grip loosened, allowing me to slip away and skip to the kitchen. I heard Jacob laugh behind me while Ace muttered a few unpleasant words.

It always works. Why? Because I'm practically a distraction to him. And really, he doesn't seem to mind. Whenever I kiss him on the cheek, he forgets about everything and it always gives me the chance to get what I want. Not that I take advantage of it though. It's only situations like this I do it.

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed everything I need. Peeking through the kitchen door, I saw that Ace and Jacob were seated across from each other on the couches, somewhat talking to each other.

Well, at least they're getting somewhere.

But, I can't help but feel that somehow this whole thing was going to end up badly. And I'm not talking about the brownies.

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