I fidgeted about in Ace's car, flicking as many buttons as I could find. The more I thought about him being beside me, the more my nerves grew. I furiously switched the radio button on and off, on and off, on and off.

"What the fuck are you doing to my car?" A piercing voice erupted as the driver door opened suddenly. Oops. I hadn't even noticed the boys appear around the corner. I thought he was serious until he smiled slyly at me stuttering an apology. "You're cute"

Charlie and Billy jumped in the back. "What is it with you lot wrecking my car? Watch the seats you assholes". They started to stutter just like me but this time Ace didn't call them cute. I saw the rest of the group all huddle into Eyeballs car parked in front of us. I caught Eyeballs eye as he walked around the bonnet to the driver's side. I half expected him to give a wink, a smile; anything but he just quickly looked away.

There was less noise in the car than I had expected. I guess I expected it to go back to the way it used to be, laughing and joking around but nobody was saying a word. In fact, it was almost silent until the radio came on playing "Lollipop" by The Chordettes.

"Hey Baby" Ace said in a quiet voice close to my ear "You'll come to the dump yard for a while with us ok? I wanna' talk to you"

"Sure" I shrugged trying not to show my nerves which had just multiplied by a thousand.

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We pulled up at the dump yard just behind Eyeball and the rest of the gang. Billy and Charlie jumped out the car but Ace stayed in his seat. I kept looking ahead but in the corner of my eye I could see him watching me. I heard him light a cigarette and he snapped the radio off, cutting off the Impalas singing "Sorry".

"Hate that fuckin' song" He grumbled with the cigarette hanging from his mouth.

"I kinda like it" I smiled slightly "I like the words". He smirked at me with a raised eyebrow and edged closer.

"You're soft"

"What did you want to talk to me about?" I asked quickly changing the subject. He sat back and inhaled his cigarette deeply, blowing rings of smoke into my direction. I coughed a little which amused him.

"Well" he started to say casually "I was wondering how long you would continue to pretend like our conversation never happened"

"What conversation?" I replied reaching out and taking his cigarette from his fingers. He watched me, his mouth slightly ajar. I brought it close to my face.

"Oh, what you smoke now?" He grinned. "Wait, wait, hold it like this" He took the cigarette and slotted it in-between my fingers. His hands were warm and I noticed he was considerably closer to my face than before. He concentrated on my mouth as I slowly took a draw.

"Now breath out" he whispered, I could almost feel his breath on my skin. I purposely blew the smoke back into him. "Not bad" he smiled taking it back from me and placing it in his own mouth. By now the butterflies in my stomach had gone as I had forgotten how thrilling it was to be in his presence, so close and to get every ounce of his attention. It was exhilarating and addictive.

"Are you going to answer me then?" he growled breaking my train of thought.

"I do remember it, I remember what you said" I replied edging closer to him unintentionally. I saw him look down at my waist and legs approvingly, obviously noticing that I had come closer to him.

"Good" his voice was quiet and smoky, and his mouth was slightly turned up at the side. 'Wait, Darla! What are you doing? 'My head started screaming. Nevertheless I felt my eyes close, and a jolt in my body as I felt his warm hand skim my knew. I could feel his breath close to mine and a strong hand sweep under my hair...I was about to kiss Ace Merrill. TAP TAP TAP, a knuckle rapped at the window next to me. I jolted back from his face and he clenched the fist that had been at my knees.

"Ace! Ace!" Charlie shouted excitedly through the window "You gotta' come see this. Oh man!". I looked coyly to Ace who was sitting with his teeth bared; he was griping the steering wheel hard and looked livid. Without a word he stepped out the car and slammed the door shut. I watched out the steamed up windscreen as he grabbed Charlie by the collar.

"This better be worth it you little punk or I oughta' beat the shit out of you". Charlie continued to grin and point over towards the group of boys. I remained in the car, playing the moment over and over like a broken record in my head. Was I being foolish? Was this something I had wanted all along but had never realised? I couldn't make sense of it...all I knew was that whatever it was, I wanted it to happen again.

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