Chapter Six: My Heart Only Burns for You
Ace zoomed down the highway, going about 80 miles per hour. He weaved in out of the traffic and soon, Alice was feeling lightheaded.
"Um, Ace! Can you slow it down a bit? I don't feel good," shouted Alice. The air whipping around them made it difficult to speak.
"What'd ya say?" Ace pretended that he couldn't hear her and continued driving dangerously fast. Alice just smacked her forehead and pressed her face further into Ace's back, which made him smile. However, Alice frowned.
He wanted to do this…. Ugh…. I can't believe I'm relying on someone like him!
Soon, Alice felt the scenery change as she felt the cool ocean breeze and the sound of the ocean waves gently crashing against some kind of wall. "Ace, are we near the beach?"
"Hmm, I don't know! Go look yourself," he laughed.
"I can't see stupid!" Alice wanted to hit him for his insensitivity, but instead decided to soak in the rest of the scene with her other senses. The smell of the saltiness of the sea spray reached her nose while the tickle of the breeze continued to move around the two of them. Not to mention the soothing sounds of the gentle ocean waves suddenly made Alice sleepy.
Ace could feel Alice's entire body relax against his.
Bingo.
"Alice, we're almost there~" said Ace. There was no response. "Alice?"
Ace turned around for a split moment and realized that Alice had fallen asleep.
"Ah, this is even better," muttered Ace. He smiled again and laughed as they crossed the bridge to a nearby island.
"Alice, don't do that!" scolded Mrs. Liddell.
"I'm sorry, I won't do that again!" Alice apologized profusely, but Mrs. Liddell didn't want to hear it.
"I told you that you need to stay in your room. Am I clear? I can't let the Dupres know about you!"
Alice hung her head low and continued listening to her mother scold her and rage about the Dupres. It was the same old thing. Her parents were overprotective and always kept her away. She was an embarrassment to the family.
"Don't worry Alice, I'll always love you," said Lorina as she comforted the crying Alice.
"I just want to be normal, I just want to be—"
"—lice?"
"Alice?"
Ace was trying to shake her awake and Alice moaned a bit as she opened her eyes. Of course…. What was I expecting? The sun's rays to hit my eyes? I can't even see the sun…
"Oh good! You're awake!" Alice sat up and realized that they were no longer near the ocean.
"Ace, where are we?"
"Hmm…. I think the place is called Heart Island Park?"
Alice took a minute to register that. "Heart Island Park?! Are you an idiot? That's a two hour drive away from the city! Why did you take me out here?! Take me home!" Alice got up and tried to walk away, but Ace grabbed her by the waist.
"Oops, I'm afraid I can't let you go Alice," said Ace. "That would be—"he leaned in her right ear and whispered, "dangerous."
Alice blushed and pushed him away. "Well, if I had my walking stick then I could just—"
Ace interrupted her.
"Well, the sun's almost setting and it's about a two mile trek back to the information center for the island. If I were you, I would just stay." Ace smiled and Alice sighed.
"I guess I have no choice do I?" muttered Alice. Ace hugged her tightly. "Yep!"
"But where will we stay? Is it even safe out here?" Alice gently pushed him away.
Ace looked down at the troubled young woman. "Don't worry! I got all the supplies we need for camping! We're on the camping site for the island, so the only dangerous thing would probably be a garden snake," chuckled Ace. Alice gulped. She knew that wouldn't be the only dangerous thing she would have to think about tonight.
The sound of crickets chirping filled the air and Alice sat on the makeshift log seat and sighed.
All her attempts to set up camp were in vain.
A few hours earlier…
"Alice, are you sure you want to help me set up? I think I can do it by myself," said Ace. Strangely enough, Ace was trying to be nice. But Alice didn't care.
"It feels weird if I just sit and wait for you to set up camp. This is the least I can do," said Alice.
"Okay, suit yourself~"
Alice fumbled as she tried to help Ace set up the tent.
"Alice, you're supposed to grab the corner and then use the mini hammer to drive the pic into the ground," Ace instructed. "I can do this if you want, ya know?" He smiled.
Alice just scowled and continued fumbling with the corner. She finally gave up when Ace tried to lift up her skirt as she set up the corner.
"Are you cold Alice?" Ace tried to touch her, but she just moved away.
"I'm not… I feel fine," said Alice. But of course, Ace knew this girl was lying. She was shivering.
A few moments later, Alice could feel a calm, warm heat radiating in front of her.
"There! Camp's done!" Ace plopped down next to Alice. Alice began to feel irritated as Ace leaned on her shoulder.
"Ace, why?"
"Why, what?"
"Why…. Why are you all being so nice to me?" Alice didn't know what else to ask. Everything just felt too unreal. The suitors and the attention she received from them.
"Well, it's cause we all love you! Well, I love you the most," commented Ace. Alice scoffed.
"Oh really? Are you sure it's not my father and mother's money that you're in love with?"
Ace didn't respond.
"Ace?"
Suddenly, Ace pulled Alice into his chest.
"H-hey! What are you doing?" Alice could feel herself blush as Ace kept her in his warm embrace.
"Can you hear it Alice?"
"Hear what?"
Ace placed his hand on Alice's head and gently turned her head towards his heart.
"Can you hear my heart?"
Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump.
The sound of Ace's heart began to resonate in Alice's head. The heart beats were not that slow, but just quick enough to create this eerie, yet calm feeling.
"Alice?"
Alice felt herself drifting away. Maybe Ace wasn't such a bad guy. Well besides his perverted side, he's not so bad.
"Oh, sorry," Alice blushed. She pushed him away. "I didn't mean to stay like that for long."
"No problem Alice, just for you. My heart only burns for you," said Ace. Alice blushed.
Such a corny line… but... it's sweet. It made Alice feel special.
Alice took that back.
Once they entered the tent to rest, Ace pushed her down.
"A-ace! What are you doing? Get off!" Alice struggled and suddenly felt his hands unbutton her blouse.
"Get OFF!" Alice tried to push him off, but he was too strong.
"Alice, I just want to listen to your heart," replied Ace. He gently placed his ear against her chest. Alice turned a deep tomato red.
"Alice, do you like me? Your heart is beating quite fast," teased Ace. He smirked and continued listening.
"Stupid… I'm just….nervous…"
Soon, Alice relaxed and her heartbeat began to slow down to a normal pace.
It was a weird sensation for Alice. All she could do is feel Ace's touch. There was no image, but just the gentle touch of Ace's hand holding onto her waist and his soft hair tickling her chin. And oh yeah, his head which was leaning against her chest.
Morning...
Alice groaned and tried to get up, but realized that Ace fell asleep on top of her.
Great… now I have to deal with him in the morning as well…
Alice shook Ace several times but he refused to get up. "Ace, I know you're awake! Time to get off of me!" She finally gave one more shove and Ace got up, laughing.
"Geez Alice, you're so… so…"
Oh great… I'm not like a lady… I'm not like Lorina.. so of course he would think I'm—
"… cute in the morning!"
Alice couldn't see, but Ace was referring to her bed hair and rumpled up clothes. Again, she couldn't help but blush.
"Well…. Nevermind… can you take me home now? I was supposed to pick up some books from the library yesterday. And my back really hurts," said Alice.
"Aww, are you sure you don't want to be with me?" Ace hugged her. Alice already got used to his touchy antics.
"No, I don't. So please take me home," deadpanned Alice.
Suddenly, they felt something brush against the tent.
"What was that?" Alice sat up straight, feeling scared. Ace smirked. Alice heard a nearby bush make a rustling noise.
"Ace?" She tugged on his shirt.
Ace smiled at Alice. "It's nothing Alice~ It's just a lizard!"
Using his pocket knife, Ace ripped a giant hole in the tent and a loud clanging noise was made.
"Ace?!" Alice was terrified now. Is someone trying to attack us?!
"I knew you would be following us, lizard."
Ace pushed his pocketknife against Gray's pocketknife. "What are you talking about?' Gray strained against Ace as Ace pushed against Gray further. "I just wanted to make sure Alice was okay," Gray remarked.
"Gray is that you?" Alice turned towards their direction.
"Alice, good morning," Gray smiled. "Urgh!"
Ace kicked Gray in the stomach. "Hey~ you should be paying more attention to me instead of Alice here~" Ace smiled darkly.
"I suppose so," Gray smiled back.
"Alice, stay her for a moment," said Gray. He lifted her up and placed her on the make-shift log seat. "Now, shall we finish this?"
I'm baaaaack~~ It feels so good to be writing fanfiction again! I apologize for my long absence, but I'm back now :) I will be making at least one update each week (depends on which fanfic though). If there are any suggestions for the story or any constructive criticism on my writing (grammar, etc.) please PM or write a review!
Thanks for reading! ~Seo Hyunee