Chris was waiting outside Alex's last class as she left.

"You stalking me?" she smirked raising an eyebrow. He shrugged.

"We didn't choose a time, gotta make sure you don't flake on me" they walked out the gates together deciding to meet at midnight much to Alex's protests about sleep.

As she got to the carpark she saw Ace parked out front with his feet rested on the dashboard and a cigarette hung lazily from his mouth.

"Shit" she groaned. Chris raised an eyebrow again.

"So I was right, there really is tension. Wait till the boys hear this."

"Shut up!" she snapped alerting the attention of a few around her, Chris looked taken aback and apologetic, he went to say something but couldn't when he felt the shadow of Ace Merrill hang over his head.

"Well this is a surprise" he drawled adjusting the collar on his leather jacket "Run along Chamber's don't want a repeat of last time you pissed me off"

"Yeah whatever Ace" he grumbled walking off. Now Ace's full attention was on Alex and she had nowhere to go.

"Since when were you and Chamber's buddies?" he asked scornfully

"Science class" he laughed at her answer shaking his head slightly.

"Get in the car" he said handing her a cigarette. She ignored it turning to walk away, he held her back by the shoulder "We both know you're gonna end up in that car no matter what so why not do it the easy way and save me the trouble" She looked up ready to give him hell but saw his face was softer than usual. She sighed taking the cigarette and climbing into the passenger seat.

They drove to the junk yard, Alex expected to be greeted with a group but instead it seemed like Ace wanted her alone. Once he turned off the engine neither of them spoke, Alex thought to but could tell by Ace's face he was choosing his words carefully.

"I was angrier than I should've been before." Alex blinked a few times, it was the closer she'd ever heard Ace come to an apology. "Just cause I'm stuck here shouldn't mean I should drag you down as well"

"You're not stuck, you can go anywhere you want" she protested, he looked at her, studying her face for any trace of sarcasm. He half smiled.

"Why would I ever need to go anywhere, I'm already king here" he said gripping his cigarette with his teeth.

The silence fell again. They could both feel the weight of the other night on their consciences.

"The other night.." he started but Alex cut him out off.

"I get it you were drunk or tired or caught up in the moment, it didn't mean shit. I just need some time to get my head together then I'll be back to normal"

"Lex-" he started again

"It's fine. I know I'm not your type, plus I don't want to be another Merril throwaway"

"LISTEN" Ace shouted so loud Alex nearly jumped out her seat. He kept his eyes glued to the spot on the steering wheel as he ran his hands through his dirty blonde hair. "Listen to me Alex cause this has me every fucking way of messed up as well okay?" she nodded looking at him as his face fell soft in a way she'd never seen "I don't know why I kissed you the other night but I did and it was different.. I felt something. That doesn't happen to me Lex. I could have any girl in Castlerock but they don't mean shit. I can't get you out of my head, I realised the only reason I don't hate every second in this shitty town is cause of you. You're the best thing I got."

Alex fought to stop her mouth from falling open. She stared at Ace and couldn't move as she processed what he'd just said. She couldn't form words so she did the only thing she could think of. She leaned out her seat taking hold of Ace's chin pulling him to face hers and kissed him gently. The same spark ran down their spines but this time neither of them planned to pull away. Ace ran a hand up her back tangling his fingers in her messy brown hair. Alex gripped the collar of his shirt pulling them closer, they didn't stop until they were both breathless. The familiar smirk spreading across his face.

"I guess you like me too"

"Shut up John."