The storm before the calm

We ride back down the highway and my hands start feeling so cold that they are itchy, and my body shivers uncontrollably. The sun is no longer out, and the cold air is much more unforgiving.

As we stop at a light, off the highway, I feel Ace’s hands rub mine tenderly. It makes my heart melt. How is it that i just met this guy and he already has me feeling like this?

He pulls his visor open to speak to me and I do the same.

“You need to keep your hands warm, I’m sorry I forgot to get you some gloves. Put your hands under my t-shirt, Cupcake.”

I do as he says already loving my new nickname. I pull his tucked in t-shirt up and pause.

“Are you sure this is okay with you Ace?”

He nods.

“As long as it’s okay with you. I just don’t want your hands to be so cold to the point that they won’t be able to hold on to me.”

I pull his shirt up and slide my hands over his toned abs, he feels so warm and he jolts at my ice fingers making contact with his skin.

I keep my hands still, trying not to cross any line and he relaxes under my touch. The light turns green and he peels off again.

I lay my head on the back of his shoulder, as I close my eyes and imagine myself flying, but my heart actually flies at the sound of his. The thump thump thump of his heart against my ear makes me tune out the sounds of the bike.

Soon we come to a stop, and I feel him tapping my leg.

“We’re here Cupcake.”

I open my eyes and see we are in front of his house again.

“Oh, ha, sorry,” I say embarrassed.

He stands up, and I swing my leg over and hop off the bike.

He follows me inside and someone calls out to him.

“Ace, my man! Come here and do some shots with us.” A guy standing next to a few girls says lifting a glass.

“I’ll catch you later Heather, my sister should be outside.” I nod feeling slightly disappointed as he walks away.

I walk out the back door and see a large pool filled with drunken dancing people, the I see Clara sitting next to a handsome guy, giggling and whispering in his ear. I decide not to interrupt her and go back inside but then she sees me and calls me over.

“Heather! Come here babes!” I turn back around and smile awkwardly at her, as she motions me to sit next to her on the edge of the pool.

I sit down and she introduces me to the guy.

“Heather this is Cameron, Ace’s best friend for years. Cameron, this is MY best friend Heather.” He smiles as he shakes my hand. He’s got a cute baby face with multicolored eyes. I can't tell if his eyes are green, blue or hazel, but he has a fit body. His hair is dark blond and wavy.

“Nice to finally meet you Heather, but for the record I'm also Clara's bestfriend.”

“Nice to meet you too Cameron.” I smile back but my smile fades as soon as I see Viper popping out of the pool water shaking his hair like some kind of model. It’s too bad I don’t find him attractive. His personality is rotten, yet a bunch of girls looks at him from afar like they want a piece of him.

Ridiculous.

His eyes lock on mine for a split second and he flashes an evil grin at me. I look away feeling uncomfortable, and to make matters worse he swims up to me and pops himself up on the edge of the pool next to me. His eyes haven’t left my face yet, and now they are moving down my body slowly.

“Hey cutie did ya miss me.” He says in a predatory voice. His breath reeking of rum.

I shake my head no, and he laughs as if I said something funny.

“Then why were you looking at me just now? I know you want me. Every girl at this party does, but I prefer you because you are more of a challenge.” He moves hair out of my face and I flinch.

“Don’t touch me please. I’m not interested in anything with you.” I try to say this politely but I can see it has affected his massive ego.

Clara is distracted with Cameron to even notice Viper being a creep.

“Not interested? If I tell you everything that I want to with that sweet ass of yours, I’m sure you will be.”

I gasp and look at him like he just slapped me.

“Ew, please go away.” I stand up and walk back into the house, I decided to make a beeline towards the bathroom, and as I’m waiting I see a girl flirting with Ace. I shouldn’t be jealous but for some reason I am a little. I ignore it as I open the bathroom door and slide in, but before I can close it, a hand stops it and Viper pushes me into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.

“Viper... I will scre...” he holds a strong hand to my mouth.

“No, you won’t scream. Not until I have you in my bed. I’ve always liked the innocent ones.”

“You’re fucking sick!” I say against his hand. I rarely cuss unless it’s necessary.

He laughs deeply.

“Now you’re catching on cutie.”

Gross. I push him and try to kick him, but he is so much stronger than I am. It’s like I’m fighting a brick wall. I start to cry as I continue to push him.

Then I hear a knock at the door.

“Heather? You in there?”

Ace’s voice sounds concerned. Maybe he saw me run in here. He probably thought I was sad or something. Hearing his voice nearby makes me feel better.

I try to call back out to him, but Viper places two hands against my mouth.

“You don’t say a fucking word, and I might just let you out. Got that?”

I nod, and he grins.

“She’s not in here bro, it’s just me.” He says loudly.

“Viper! Open this fucking door right now or I’m breaking in!” Ace says not believing a word that comes out of his mouth, thank God.

“Why would you bust in on a guy using the bathroom, bro? Just wait till I’m finished!” Viper yells back and I hear Ace stomp away.

No, no, no! Ace don’t leave! Viper stares at me grinning.

“Well that was easier than I thought. That boy is an idiot sometimes. His loss.” He trails his fingers down my face, and out of nowhere the door flies off its hinges in a loud bang, and slams against Vipers back.

Viper looks at me annoyed. As Ace stands behind him with his fist clenched.

“Get the hell off of her, Viper, and get your predatory ass out of this fucking house!” Ace’s voice sounds deadly, and Viper simply laughs.

“You just want her all to yourself don’t ya Ace? Always a sucker for the swee...”

Ace doesn’t let him finish his sentence as he yanks him off of me and punches him square in the face. Blood spills from Viper’s nose and his evil grin is back as he charges after Ace, and Ace punches him in the face again, this time knocking him out.

“What the hell is going on in there?!” Clara yells from down the hallway, and I suddenly can’t move, feeling all kinds of things... scared, humiliated, confused.

“Heather, you’re shaking. Come with me, every will be okay.” I hear Ace’s voice but I can’t move my eyes off the floor covered in blood.

“Woah, what the hell happened?” Clara’s voice fills the bathroom as she slowly approaches me.

“Heather?” She says softly, and concerned.

“He... He... He tried too...” I can’t finish my sentence as I feel a sob coming.

“Oh my God. Shhh, it’s okay, you don’t have to explain right now, let’s just get you out of here. Ace, kick Viper out of here once he wakes up.” She says sounding pissed off, then she reaches out to hold my hand.

“Come with me.” I silently follow her to the rec room and I realize only a few people are actually observing what happened, while the vast majority of the party continues oblivious.

This is why so many men and women get harassed and raped. People are too busy getting shit faced to even realize something is wrong. I hate parties, I always have, but especially after tonight.

She shuts the door behind me and walks over to a nearby wall and pulls down a hidden bed that I didn’t even realize was there. The bed has a thick black quilt on it and looks comfy.

“Come lay down for a bit Heather, and tell me what happened.” She sits on the bed and Pat’s the space next to her.

I slowly make my way over, sit down, and tell her everything, while choking up.

“I’m sorry that happened to you Heather. It won’t ever happen again. Viper is not allowed here anymore. I’ll take you home soon, I promise, I just need to sober up.”

She sighs and falls onto the bed, then I jump a little at the sound of the door clicking open. But then relax when I realize it’s only Ace.

He slowly, and silently walks up to me. He kneels on the floor in front of me and wraps his arms around me tenderly. His hands rub my back and I let out all the tears I’ve been holding in. He pulls me off the bed bringing me closer to him. I can hear his breathing quickening, as he places a soft kiss to my head. He doesn’t say anything for a long time, he just holds me, and I feel safe in his arms.

“Thank you Ace,” I say wiping my tears against his shirt. He doesn’t seem to mind.

“I told y’all, I wouldn’t let anything happen to either of you. I’ll make sure that asshole learns his lesson.” His voice is cold but his hands on my back are warm and caring.

“Hey, Hansel... why don’t I hear anyone out there?” Clara asks and I forgot she was laying there. I pull away from Ace flushing.

“I kicked them out. I told them the party is over. They weren’t too happy about it, but ask me if I give a shit.”

I can’t believe he actually did that... for me. I just met him today, and he has done more for me than any boyfriend I’ve ever had. Why me?

Clara snickers and looks between Ace and I smiling.

“I knew you two would get along.”

Ace blushes and looks away from her as he helps me up.

“I should... uh... go clean up the mess I made.” Ace says sounding embarrassed.

“What mess Hansel? You broke the bathroom door you can’t just clean that up with a mop.”

He rolls his eyes at his sister and walks out.