CHAPTER THREE

"He got you what?" Chris laughed.

"Shut up," I yelled, smacking him upside the head.

"God, you're mom's weird," Teddy snickered and I slumped my shoulders, sulking.

"C'mon, Ann, you know they're just kidding," Gordie sighed and I wrinkled my nose.

"I don't even talk to the asshole, I've kept my distance, and he still fucking screws up my life."

"You're being dramatic, Riy," Chris stated and I folded my arms, stubbornly.

"Guys!" Vern's voice traveled up the trunk of the tree, "Guys, let me up. I got news. Sincerely, you won't believe it."

"C'mon, let him up," I muttered and they obliged. He was red faced and panting; he'd probably run here.

"What's up Vern-O?" Teddy asked, ruffling his hair.

"You guys wont believe it, lemme catch my breath." The three boys exchanged glances and I made a mental note to ask Chris about it later, because right now, I wasn't talking to any of them. Except Gordie. Oh, and Vern of course.

"What happened, Vern?"

"Okay, you guys, get this," he grinned, as if he were proud of himself, "Ace Merrill got a job."

"A what?" Teddy snickered, "Jesus, what a pussy."

"Hey!" I yelled, smacking him upside the head, "There's nothing wrong with wanting responsibility."

"Ace? Responsibility," Gordie repeated, scoffing, "There's probably just some babes there he wants."

"Yeah, where's he working, a strip joint?"

"You have one of those here?" I asked incredulously and they all burst out laughing.

"Actually," Vern interrupted insightfully, "he's working at the junk yard. Billy says Milo's gonna give him free parts and pay him pretty well."

"I'm sure there's another reason," Teddy stated, "He probably found out Milo was hiding a daughter."

"He doesn't have a daughter, you wet end," Gordie muttered, rolling his eyes.

"There has to be some reason. He wouldn't just up and decide he wants a job." He couldn't have heard the last half of my conversation with my mother, could he? No, it's probably just a coincidence.

"He can do anything he wants, why would he want a job if he can damn near get everything as well," Vern muttered.

"Maybe he really does just want to-."

"No," Chris shook his head, "There's a reason. There's always a reason, Riyane."

"Whatever." He gave me a look but I turned my gaze out the window.

"You're annoyed," he stated.

"No, really?" I gave him a look and he rolled his eyes, "Whatever, I'm leaving."

"Riyane-."

"No I was supposed to be home half an hour ago, my mom's gonna kill me. See you guys," I waved, climbing down the ladder. I found myself passing the junkyard. Oh god, I thought to myself when I saw the gate open but shrugged, What would it hurt? Biting my lip, I snuck into the, what seemed, abandoned junkyard before hearing a dog bark. Slowly, turning my head, I saw a somewhat mean looking golden retriever but stood my ground. "Hey there boy." I reached my hand out, letting him sniff at it before he deemed me worthy and nuzzled my hand, making me smile. "Good boy."

"Hey you!" a gruff voice shouted and I looked to see a man wobbling his way over, "What're you doing?"

"Is this your dog?" I asked, scratching the blonde animal behind the ear. He lay in front of me, twisting so his tummy was showing and I laughed. "He's cute."

"Chopper? Cute?" the old man repeated but looked at the dog, "Stupid dog."

"Good boy," I grinned when he sat up. Then he licked my face and I laughed, falling backwards, ruffling his hair.

"Hey girl," I looked up the man, "What'd you want!"

"Jesus, chill would you," I muttered, standing, "I just came by to see the place."

"You cause any trouble and I'll call the cops," he warned, pointing a chubby finger at me.

"Oh yeah, I'd like to see you try," I muttered, watching him walk away before I shook my head, "Stupid ass."

"What're you doing here?" an annoyed voice growled. I turned to see none other than Ace Merrill, what I wasn't expecting to see: his chest.

"Uh," I stuttered until that irksome smirk graced his face, "I came to see if the rumors were true."

"Rumors?" he repeated amused, as he picked up the pile of metal he'd been carrying earlier, "Didn't know people were interested."

"Didn't know you cared," I teased lightly and he glared at me, making me roll my eyes.

"I don't," he stated.

"Right," I laughed, shaking my head before he pushed past me, "Jeez, touchy."

"You're the only girl, no person, who talks to me like that," he told me, looking into my eyes, ferocity burning, "It's gonna stop."

"What makes you think that?" I yawned, portraying boredom but was in fact a little bit antsy due to his close proximity. I'm a girl, I couldn't help the fact he looked good without a shirt. Sue me. But then his smirk drew me back to reality. "Wipe that look off your face, you oversized chimpanzee."

"Oversized, what?" he was laughing now, "God that's original. You're different, girl, I'll give you that."

"Thanks," I raised an eyebrow but he just shook his head.

"I'll be done in a few minutes," he stated, "I plan on taking you home."

"Thanks for the warning, I'll be leaving now," I muttered but he grabbed my arm, whipping me around to face him, "Let go."

"What if I say make me?" he challenged.

"This isn't a game, Ace, let me go." My sudden mood change must have thrown him off because his grip loosened and I stepped back. Shaking out my arm, I avoided his gaze and instead, stared at the rusted fence. "Hurry up then, I'm in enough trouble as it is."

"What'd you do?" he inquired, starting back to his scrape heap.

"It's more of a 'what did you do'," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. He raised an eyebrow. "My mom sort of found out about the other day."

"She didn't like it."

"Took your side, actually. Apparently, I'm supposed to apologize to you."

"But you wont." I looked at him, noting a hint of something I couldn't recognize in his eyes.

"Course not."

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A/N: Okai, so I realize that the characters might not be in character . . . but the whole point of this is that he changes for her . . . somewhat . . . idk . . . it seemed like a good idea at the time and I still hope you like it. Please review!! :-)