A/N: Hey guys! Sorry I didn't update yesterday. I would've updated but I had to go for my first day of school. 9th grade sucks. I've decided not to keep Magnet and Paws apart any longer. They're hooking up in this chapter. No one else, but you do discover something very sad about Ace at the end of the chapter.
Nicknames: Shayena is Blade because she stabbed her ex-boyfriend, Jadyn is Paws because she tried to steal a puppy, Taylor is Ace because she's good at cards, Bekka is Pin because she used hairpins to pick locks, Megan is Shamrock because she is Irish and Irish dances, and Kelly is Swing because she went from shy to talkative
Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize. Devon/Spike was suggested to me by gReeNeYedeLfguRL12, and Megan/ Shamrock is after maigain because she responded to the offer to be included in the story.
Chapter 6: Tough Love
It's official. Last night, Magnet asked Paws to be his girlfriend and she said yes. I was kept up till late hours of the night, or rather, early hours in the morning listening to her ramble on about how he asked her and how sweet he was. I wanted to smother her with my pillow. Ace has been spending a bit more time with her tent mates this week, but the majority of her time is spent with Spike. At first it was kind of cute, her always wanting to be around him. Now I'm starting to worry.
"It's starting to get sickening." Swing says. I look over to where Spike and Ace are sitting at his hole, eating lunch.
"Starting?" Zigzag asks sarcastically, raising his eyebrows.
"Yeah, well you're guys. Girls tend to find things like that cute. For a little while at least." Jadyn shoots back through her giggles. She's sitting at my hole between Magnets legs, and let me tell you this, they have absolutely nothing against PDA's.
"But of course he's a guy, so he doesn't know that." I add on, glaring at Zigzag playfully.
"Why do girls think all guys are clueless?" X-ray asks, throwing his trash in a nearby hole.
"Because they are." Kira replies.
"Exactly," Pin agrees, looking back to Ace and Spike. "Should we worry?"
"I don't know yet." And honestly, I don't. If this is a sign of what I think it is, I have every reason to be worried.
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"Hey guys."Ace says, walking up to join me Magnet and Zigzag.
"Oh, look who decided to grace us with her presence." Magnet says, throwing at handful of tiny rocks at Mr. Sirs truck.
"Yeah, didn't know we were good enough for you now that you have a boyfriend and all." Zigzag says, pulling out the lighter he stole from me and lighting it.
"Look. I'm sorry, okay? But I really like Spike. I promise to spend more time with you guys." She replies, giving us her puppy dog face. It works better for Magnet, but hey I can't say no to her either.
"We're meeting everyone else in the Wreck Room for a pool tournament in ten minutes. Can you come?"
"I can't," She frowns slightly before continuing. "I'm meeting Spike."
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I sit down with Zigzag and Squid on the couch of the Wreck Room. Ace told us she would meet us here after the tournament, but it's long over. So now, all of D-tent is around the T.V. talking. X-ray is talking to Kira and Armpit, Squid is attempting to hit on Pin, Caveman, Zero, and Twitch are talking to Swing and Shamrock , and Magnet is whispering what I'm assuming to be inappropriate things in Spanish to Paws. I really am starting to miss Ace. We had so much fun before she started going out with Spike.
"I''m not waiting anymore. I'll see you guys back in the tent." Zigzag says, standing up. One by one, my tent mates all leave, except for me and Zero. He smiles at me and comes to sit next to me on the couch.
"You okay?" He asks. I smile at him.
"No. I'm not," I shake my head. "I'm worried."
"About Ace?" He questions, looking confused. "Why?"
"You don't think it's weird that she spends every second of her free time with him?" I reply, turning away from the T.V. and facing Zero.
"Well, yeah a little, but why are you worried?" He says, looking even more confused.
"Because that's not a good sign." I say softly. My eyes are getting all teared up. This is what I get for caring about people.
"I'm sure she's fine." Zero says reassuringly. I shrug and he smiles at me before heading back to the tent.
"Hey chica." I look up to see Magnet taking Zero's spot.
"Hey Magnet," I say, smiling weakly at him. He hugs me and lets me cry on his shoulder for a good minute or two. I pull away and wipe at my tears, smiling at him again. "Thanks for that."
"It's not problem Blade. And don't worry. Ace is probably fine." He returns my smile and turns to the T.V.
"I hope you're right." I sigh and look toward the door with hope.
"Aren't I always?" Magnet jokes, looking back at me. I laugh. And laugh. And keep on laughing. I haven't laughed like this in so long, and it wasn't even that funny. I have to admit, it does feel nice to be able to laugh again.
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I head back to the tent, a smile on my face. My talks with Magnet and Zero made me feel a hell of a lot better about this whole Ace thing. As I walk by the showers I hear two people talking. One of the voices is very familiar.
"So, what do you want to do after we finish our holes tomorrow?" Spike asks, leaning against one of the stalls.
"There's not much to do here, Spike. Besides, I was hoping to hang out with some of my friends tomorrow." Ace replies.
"Which friends?" Spike sounds kind of angry. I think I'm right to be worried.
"You know, people from my tent. Blade, Magnet, Zigzag . . . D-tent people." Taylor says, half smiling.
"Magnet and Zigzag are guys." Spike points out, straightening up and glaring down at her.
"Yeah, so?" Ace asks, confusion evident in her voice.
"So I'm not going to have you cheating on me." Spike yells at her.
"Spike, you're being ridiculous. I would never cheat on you. I'm not dealing with this right now." Ace turns to walk away but Spike grabs her arm, pulling her towards him and twisting back. She cries out in pain and attempts to push him off her, but he grabs onto her hair and pulls her face close to his.
"Never, and I mean never, walk away from me." He spits out.
"O-okay." Ace stutters out through her pain and tears. He kisses her hard and then pushes her down.
"Now you're hanging out with me tomorrow." He insists.
"And what if I don't want to?" She asks bravely, still laying on the ground. He grabs her by the same arm he twisted and pulls her up roughly before slapping her across the face. I wait by the stalls, ready to step in if it gets too serious.
"Don't ever talk back to me." He says. He pushes her down and punches her in the shoulder a few times before walking off. I walk over to Ace, who is now in tears, and help her gently to her feet.
"Ace, what happened?" I ask looking at her through my own tears.
"Nothing." She whispers with absolutely no emotion. She walks off in the direction of the tent.
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Mom tells us it's time for lights out and exits the tent. Ace takes off her jumpsuit, revealing her black shorts and white tank top.
"Hey, Ace, what happened to your shoulder?" Paws asks, looking concerned,
"Oh, I uh, lost control of my shovel." She lies quicky, pulling a sweatshirt on to cover up the bruises. I look over at her and she smiles weakly at me, shaking her head. 'Don't' she mouths. I sigh and climb into bed. I need to help Ace. I need to stop this before it gets too serious.
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A/N: I feel bad for writing that now. Well, review and I'll update tomorrow or Friday.