Author: I know, no author notes in the other chapters because I already had them written out, and I was in a hurry and I didn't want to have to write it xD So, first of all, all chapters are going to be pretty short. Some are four pages, some are one page, it doesn't matter to me. I just write a chapter about one thing, and that's it. That's also why I'm updating with two chapters every time. But, to all you readers who put it on alert, I REALLY LIKE REVIEWS! xD I got three, two of which were asked for by me TT^TT I work really hard on this story, and you make me jump for joy if you just write one word. I accept anonymous reviews, so don't hesitate! PRESS THAT BUTTON! One more thing, I made a picture of Vignette, it's on my deviant art, my name is Tropicall-chan. There's a link in my profile, and I'm putting a link here but I'm not sure if it'll show up. Please take a look! ^w^

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I finally stopped my fleeing in my room. The door was locked, leaving an angry Ace outside. His fist knocked against the door.

"Let me in Vignette! What did I do wrong? I apologized!" Ace said, annoyed at me.

He didn't understand. Of course he didn't. He was only human. But the halls were empty, and Ace had stamina. For a long time, Ace stood there. I peeked out of the keyhole, and he was still there. I then finally opened the door, and with a sigh he came in.

"Why are you angry at me?" He asked, closing the door. "I don't get it."

"You apologized."

He was taken aback.

"How can you apologize for kissing me?" I cried, tears running freely again. Angrily I rubbed at my eyes, disgusted at them for showing weakness.

Then Ace realized what I was getting at.

"But you don't want some random guy taking your first kiss right?" Ace then asked, still not understanding completely.

"But you're not some random guy! You know!" I said.

"What would you like me to do?"

Kiss me like you want to. Kiss me in the most unaccidental manner you can. That's what I want. Could I say this however? No. No.

"Vignette? What would you like me to do?" Ace asked again, uncertainty showing itself again in his voice. His brow was furrowed.

"Kiss me in a way that isn't an accident. Give me a real first kiss." I whispered so softly that even I could barely hear it.

But he heard anyway.

"I can't do that. I can't." His voice was pained. Why? Because he would never kiss someone like me? Why? So many reasons for that question.

"I understand." I softly said, trying to smile. "It what I was expecting anyway. I mean, its me we're talking about." I cried again during my babbling. "And so many other things… I mean –"

Ace then pressed me close to him. So close I could hear his heartbeat. So close I could smell his delicious smell, all his. His skin was touching mine. But all I wanted was for his lips to slowly touch mine in a deliberate manner. His thumbs, rough, wiped away the tears, and he looked me in the eyes. I almost thought he was going to kiss me.

"Vignette, I can't." He said, his expression sad. Sad because he knew he would never do anything of that kind with me. Because his body would never yearn for mine the way I did for his. "I'm all wrong. Trust me. You'll find someone better. Much better."

"You're not wrong! I am! I mean, I understand! But you don't have to make up stuff to make me feel better!" I said, now getting angry. He was just sparing my feelings by making up things about him. "You're not all wrong! You're not! How can you stand next to me and think that you are worse?"

"Vignette, what have you ever done wrong?" Ace said exasperated.

"What have I ever done wrong? Everything is all my fault! Everything! If I hadn't, if I hadn't! If I just hadn't –"

"Nothing is your fault! Shit happens! But you can escape from it! You can change! What I did to be so wrong… It can never change. From birth to death it'll always be there!"

"If it isn't my fault Ace, then how do you explain that the only one who, w-who got the brunt of his rage, of his belt, was me! Mama got words, but all my sister got was praise! If only I didn't turn out so bad, if I hadn't been born wrong, then my papa would have never had to do anything! I was born wrong! Wrong for everything that I was supposed to do! But you! You're strong, and you're handsome, and you can run…" My chest shook with my sobs. "But I'm ruined! I can't even wear a simple shirt! I'm weak, and I'm not nearly as pretty as the other girls…"

"You're the prettiest on this ship." Ace interjected. "How can you think otherwise? All the other women here, they're jealous of you! The only thing that's in your way is your age. But when you look in a mirror, you can't see ugly. You just can't."

I blushed, staring at him with an open mouth. You're the prettiest on this ship. You're pretty. The compliment echoed and echoed in my mind.

"But Vignette, I can't. Maybe you'll understand someday."

"Make me understand now Ace! Because you understand! And you can't just say, I can't and then not explain!" I cried, angry again.

"You'll never look me in the eye again. And I don't wanna lose that." He mumbled.

"But you know my secret!"

I sounded like a petulant child, but it is unfair!

He pushed me against a wall, his hands on my shoulders. He was scary, so scary.