I feel butterflies in my stomach when his eyes sweep over my form. My shirt is unbuttoned and loosely hanging on my arms, my navy bra on full display.

He sits in front of me and takes a piece of cotton, dips it in alcohol and holds the side of my neck lightly, to keep me in place. I wince when the cotton touches the cuts. His eyes move to mine and stay there for some time before moving back to my shoulders.

"Ow," I wince again. He sighs as he eyes me again.

Is that concern in his eyes?

"If cleaning is hurting you this much, God knows what you went through to get these in the first place," he says in a low voice. Scary voice.

"Tell me," he says as he looks at me in the eye, "please."

I shake my head 'no'. I wish I could tell him and he could beat Jackson's ass but I really can't risk it.

"Is there something I can do?" he asks and I look at the first aid box without replying. I don't think there is.

He sighs and gets back into cleaning which results in me wincing over and over again and him into looking at me in concern over and over again. After cleaning the cuts, he puts some medicine over them. I don't look down once for the fear of breaking down again.

"I'm so weak," my voice comes as a whisper.

"That's coming from someone who has more than a hundred fresh cuts scattered on her skin," Ace says with an eye roll.

"More than a hundred?" I giggle with my teary eyes.

"Yep. You're anything but weak," he tells me. I pass him a small smile. We just look at each other and even when there are no words spoken, there is understanding. Like he understands what situation I am in.

Maybe... maybe he can get me out of it? Jackson wouldn't know I told Ace, right? But what if he did? What if he knows and he sends the video to the entire school?

"What's going on in that pretty head of yours, kitten?" Ace asks as he sits next to me. I notice the first aid box is gone.

"Kitten sounds cringe, Ace," I giggle.

"Whatever, kitten."

"I want to tell you, you know Ace? I do," I mumble as I lean against the headboard of his bed.

"I know," he says as he pulls me to him by my stomach, his hands lightly grazing my stomach skin. The small contact makes me shiver. I lean against his chest and let him play with my hair. It feels oddly relaxing and comforting. I close my eyes, relishing in the warmth.

After some time, I hear soft snores. I sit straight, removing his hand from my stomach and look behind me to find Ace sleeping soundly.

His black hair is messed up making it look even better, his lips are parted. He is strangely intriguing, I realize I know nothing about him. From what Ava said, the school doesn't know anything either.

I smile a little when his expression turns into a frown, even in sleep. Sighing softly, I cover him up and stand up. After buttoning my shirt, I stretch a little before writing him a note.

Library tomorrow, same time. Thank you for everything, Ace.

I even make a cute smiley.

I look at him once more and I feel warm inside. What is happening to me? With a shake of my head, I walk outside his room. Just how good times never last, why do bad times not pass away as quick?

I walk to my home, trying my best not to think about tomorrow. Today, there were just cuts, who knows what's in store for tomorrow?

When I enter my apartment, I see Samantha sprawled on her couch. She's asleep. I go to her room and get her a cover before covering her with it. Then, just as I am about to go to my room, my eyes fall on Sam's cheeks. There are some dried tears. I sigh.

Everyone is fighting their own battle, isn't it?

The next morning I wake up with a slight headache. I freshen up and change into a baby blue blouse and black jeans. I let my hair down and don't bother wearing make-up because I don't care anymore.

I don't even bother with breakfast because I know I am most likely to end throwing up everything after my session with Jackson. I must try to not skip class today though.

When I reach the library, I wait for Ace for a while but he doesn't show up. I end up editing the whole assignment on my own. Maybe he didn't see the note I left.

I text Ace asking where he is but he doesn't reply. It worries me because that is unusual of him. I hate that someone has this effect on me. Someone I have known for less than a week.

Like usual, I walk to the classroom where Jackson is waiting for me. My heart beats erratically, like always, as I open the door. Jackson's eyes move to me, his eyes lighting up right away. He looks at me differently, his blank expression turning into an evil smirk that causes my blood to run cold.

"Come in, Venus."

Taking a shaky breath, I enter the class and close the door behind me.

An hour later, Jackson leaves, fully satisfied with me. He.. he touched me down there. After ages, I leave the room in tears. Usually, I would compile before leaving that classroom but after what happened today, I can't.

I walk outside the class. The air is knocked out of my lungs when my eyes fall on the figure leaning next to the door. Angry brown eyes glare at me.

Ace stands straight, his anger growing every passing second. His hands are fisted by his sides and his jaw is clenched painfully. His eyes focus on my face.

My blood runs cold. Ace knows.