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I DO NOT OWN BAKUGAN OR ANY CHARACTER!


Chapter 7: The Boy I Use To Know

During the whole class Alice couldn't concentrate, she was scared because of that guy. She noticed him looking over at her every five minutes during the whole class. She also noticed how Ace glared at the guy every now and then. ´Do the know each other? Are they friends?´ Alice wondred as she couldn't stop remembering that night. The other guy, that was with him. Who was that? Was that one of the guys who came with him into the classroom, was it maybe Ace? Or someone else.

When bell finall rang Alice was so relifed. She sighed as she got up. She looked over to Ace and noticed he didn't looked at her, or said hi. It was as if he was ignoring her. Then she saw something she did not expect. He followed that guy and his friends. Could they really be friends? Maybe Ace doesn't know who he really is…but he glared at him so he must know…why then would he hang out with him? And others? Are they same as he is? She kept asking same questions in her head. She was afraid to ask him anything 'cause she knew that maybe she won't get the answer she's hoping for. She's afraid of losing another person she cares about.

She also didn't wanna say anything to Dan or Shun about that night or her tougts about him and Ace maybe being friends, because she knows they'd probably be worried and get over protective. She was sure for Dan, who she knew for 7 years now and who's like a brother to her, but she met Shun only few days ago. She doesn't know him that much, but he is bestfriend of Dan, so he's okay she assumed. He seems to care a lot about his friends, and would do anything for them. She concideres him a friend. They got alog pretty well from the start. Not to mention new and unknown feelings she started to feel ever since she met him.

She got lost in her toughts so much that she didn't even notice everyone have already left nor that Dan and Shun called out to her, many times already.

˝Alice…Alice….Alice….Alice! ALICE!˝

She finally heard them and snapped out of it. ˝Huh? What…What is it?˝ She asked confusedly as she looked around classroom and saw noone wa there eccept the three of them. ˝Where is everyone?˝ She asked.

˝Tha class is over. Everyone left.˝ Shun answered her question.

˝Oh. Then we should go too.˝ She started walking away, hoping to avoid many questions, considering that both Dan and Shun looked quite concerened.

˝Wait a second!˝ Dan stopped her as he looked her in the eyes.

˝Dan, we have to go. We'll be late…˝ She tried to avoid speaking to him, after seeing him so worried.

˝We're not going anywhere until you tell us what is going on!˝ Dan snapped, as usual being impatient.

˝There's nothing to tell…˝ She tried to speak but got cut of.

˝Yes there is! Something is wrong! We can see it! Just tell us what is it!˝

˝But, Dan…˝ She started to thing if she should maybe tell them, maybe they could help her. Or maybe better not to worry them.

˝Alice, we just wanna help you. Please, just tell us. We're here for you, you know that right?˝ Shun said with his calm voice.

˝I know, you are guys, but I assure you there is nothing wr…˝

˝Stop it Alice! Just stop!˝ Dan snapped again yelling even louder then before. Alice frightened at the tone of his voice, looked back and forth at two boys standing before her, wondering if she should tell them.

˝Dan calm down! We won't solve anything by yelling.˝ Shun stated as she looked at Dan.

˝I know….I'm sorry…Alice…look, we saw you during the whole class, you were distant, you'd get lost in your toughts, you'd just stare into empty space. Then from time to time you'd look over to that guy, who watched you the whole time. We're not blind. We see that there's something bothering you. Just tell us, so we can help you. Please Alice. If you trust us, please, just tell us.˝ Dan told her with calmer voice than before.

She looked at him and then at Shun, wanting to tell them, but she hasitated. She lowered her head. Her eyes filled up with tears that were about to fall.

˝I'm sorry, but I can't tell you…I…don't wanna talk about that!˝ She forced out those words and just ran out of the classroom as fast as she could.

˝A…Alice…˝ Both Dan and Shun watched her as she ran out. They were even more confused. Why couldn't she tell them. What is it that's stopping her from telling them? Is someone threathing her? Did someone hurt her? Is she in some kind of danger?

˝Why is she being like this?˝ Dan asked, not undarstanding why she didn't wanna say anything.

˝Maybe she's afraid of something or…someone…˝ Shun pointed out makin Dan even more worried than he was before.

˝You think someone's after her? Maybe that white haired dude? You saw how…˝

˝Yeah, I saw how he looked at her. And I didn't like it one bit.˝ Shun stated.

˝But, why would he…and who is that guy anyway?˝ Dan asked yet another question Shun could not answear.

˝I don't know, Dan. I don't know.˝ Shu shook his head and he kept thinking about Alice. ˝Let's go so we wouldn't be late for next class. Come on. We'll talk about this later.˝ Shun said as he walked away, followed by Dan they left the classroom.


Meawhile…

˝What the hell is wrong with you!?˝ Ace snapped as he pushed Shadow againts the wall in the boys bathroom.

˝Back off, you idiot! Who do you think you are pushim me like that!? You know what will happen…˝ Shadow pushed him away as he snapped back angrly.

˝Don't treathen me, you jerk! You know very well why I'm mad!˝ Ace yelled.

˝Oh, please tell me, 'cause I seem to have forgetten.˝ Shadow teased him as he crossed his arms and leaned on the wall with his back.

˝You looked at that girl during the whole class! Those two friends of hers have noticed something was wrong! If she tells them you'll be in big trouble!˝ Ace poined out to him as Shadow looked at him seeing he was concerend for the girl.

˝Why are you so worried? Do you maybe know her?˝ Shadow smirked.

´He can't find out…´Ace toughed. ˝No! Just don't get into any trouble because I won't get you out of it!˝ Ace hissed as he ran out slamming the door.

˝Tscc…..He's so obvous…˝ Shadow muttered as he walked out of the bathroom.


As Ace ran trough hallway he suddenly bumped into someone.

˝Ugh! I'm…so…ry…˝ Ace looked up infront and saw her.

˝A..Ace hi…˝ She started but he jut turned his head, but he stopped him.

˝Wait, Ace! What's wrong?˝ She asked him worriedly.

˝Nothing.˝ He said qickly as he was about to walk away but she stopped him again.

˝Wait, Ace! What did I do?˝ He looked at her when he said that. Why would se ask that? ˝Why are you avoiding me?˝ She asked.

He looked down. ´If only you knew…I'm doing it to protect you…´ His eyes filled with pain, saddnes and anger.

˝Ace…˝ She put her arm on his shoulder, gently. He stepped away, still looking down.

˝Look Alice, I'm…not the same person I was back then when we were kids! I'm not the same! I've changed! And…it's best for you to stay away from me.˝ Ace forced out those words.

˝Ace, what…˝ She was afraid, of what he's about to tell her.

˝Alice, you have to stay away! It's for your own good!˝ Ace said more lies knowing it would hurt her, but he had to do it.

˝But, Ace…˝ Alice was presistant. She wanted answears, but Ace wasn't planning on giving them to her.

˝Just stay away, Alice! I'm a bad person!˝ He snapped and she took a spep back.

˝I don't belive that!˝ She snapped back.

˝You remember that night when Shadow robbed and hurt that man?˝ He didn't want to bring that up but he had to, it was the only way to keep her away.

Alice's eyes widened. ˝How…do you know about that?˝ She asked, her voice shaking. Then she remembered the other boy, standing by the wall. ˝Wait, don't tell me…˝

˝Yes, it was me.˝ He said with a calm and cold voice.

˝It's not true…˝She shook her head. ˝That can't be true, Ace! Tell me you're lying! Plese! Tell me you're lying!˝ Alice yelled, and all the eyes were on them.

˝I'm not…˝ He lowered his head and turned around.

˝Ace! NO! I don't belive you! You're lying! That's not you, Ace!˝ She kept yelling.

Dan and Shun heared her and rushed over to where they were. ˝ALICE!˝

They both came over to her. ˝What happened?˝ Dan asked as he watched tears running down her face.

˝Ace…?˝ Shun looked up to where Ace was standing.

˝It would be best if you took her home for today.˝ He just said and walked away, as if nothing had happened.

˝ACE! Come back! Please!˝ She reched out for him but he left. He fell down on her knees, crying.

˝Alice…˝ Dan and Shun looked at her helpllesly as she cried.

˝Come on Alice. We'll take you home.˝ Dan told her as he and Shun helped her get up. She was still shaking. It was a shock for her, to find out her childhood friend changed so much. She didn't wanna belive that the boy she use to know was gone.


In the boys bathroom…

Ace rushed in and luckly no one was there 'cause he wanted to be alone at the moment.

´I'm sorry, Alice! I'm so so sorry! I didn't have any other choice! It0s the only way to keep you safe.´ He tought as tear fell down.


It happened what Alice has feared it would happen. She lost yet another person dear to her. She lost her friend.

Ace has changed.

He's different than before.

He's not the boy she use to know, and she had deal with that.