**Ash's point of view**

As I walked into my house, my pulse started speeding up. I wasn't really ready to face Drew, but I knew I had to, and I also needed to fix things with Macie.

I made my way to the lounge room and spotted Drew lying on the couch. I jumped up next to him, causing Drew to startle.

"Hey, brother." I said with a smile, because Jace had put me in a good mood, and I was happy that we were what we were, whatever that was.

"Hi, why'd you go to Jace's house? I thought you hated him."

"I grew up and moved on."

"Uh-huh." Drew said sarcastically, nodding. "You didn't seem so grown up when you barged out of the house the other day."

"I had every right to do that!" I yelled, then lowered my voice. "I'm not in the mood to fight. Let's just move on, 'kay?"

"Macie is mad at you. She wouldn't tell me why though." He told me, changing the subject.

"I need to talk to her." I replied, sighing. I think I needed to tell her about me, but not about Jace and I. Jace was far from ready and I wasn't going to lose him.

"Talk to who?" questioned a voice from behind me.

I turned around and saw Macie coming through the front door. I looked back at Drew and raised an eyebrow. "You knew she was coming?"

Drew nodded and sighed. "I'm going to Jace's. He got into trouble at school today and I have to save him from death. You two have fun talking!" He got up and grabbed his keys.

"Why death?" Macie asked, sitting down beside me.

"His parents are going to shoot him, because he got into trouble. They're trying to stop him from becoming like Damo, but I don't think they realise that Jace is already like him." Drew explained.

"I'm glad you're not like that, Drew." Macie said, smiling at Drew.

Drew smiled back, shooting Macie a look that made me slightly nervous. He waved goodbye and left the house.

I turned to look at Macie, my mind set on asking her what that look was about, but instead she asked, "You're gay?"

I blinked at her and rolled my eyes. "Oh my god, why's everyone in my life so straightforward?"

Macie punched me in the shoulder. "Stop avoiding the question. Though, to be fair, I already know the answer."

"How?"

Macie let out a laugh and looked at me like I was crazy. "You look at Louis like he's a sex God, and Jace like you actually like him. It's a little obvious."

"A little, hey?" I mocked, blushing from the mention of Jace and Louis. God, I can't believe this is happening.

"Okay, fine, a lot obvious." Macie corrected herself.

"This just happened." I said in disbelief. "So you're not mad at me anymore?"

"Nah, I wasn't really in the first place. I was just frustrated that you were being so careless about Drew's feelings. Anyway, let's watch Perks." Macie suggested.

I nodded and put on 'Perks of Being a Wallflower'. About halfway through the movie, I heard the front door being slammed shut.

"Hey kids! Where's Andrew, Ashy?" Mum asked. I rolled my eyes and got up from the couch, after glancing at a sleeping Macie. God, her sleeping habits scared me.

"Hush, woman. Mace is asleep." I said, sitting down next to Mum on the bar stool. "And Drew's gone to Jace's house. Something about saving him from death."

"That boy is always in trouble. He cracks me up, Ashy."

"Same." I said, smiling at the thought of Jace and his rebellious attitude.

"What, no complaints about me using your nickname this time?" Mum teased, ruffling my hair. I pushed her hand away and scowled.

"I was just getting there; MY NAME IS ASH, SO USE IT." I whisper shouted.

Mum just rolled her eyes at me, and asked, "How was your day?"

"Perfect!" I said, thinking back to what happened between Jace and I, while pushing down the thoughts of Macie and I fighting earlier.

"That's good." Mum told me, giving me a stern look. "We need to talk about you not going to your father's."

I groaned and rolled my eyes. "Not now, Mum."

"Yes now. I don't like your father contacting me, so it would be easier if you just went. Okay? And what's this I hear about you not coming home last night?"

"I was at Macie's!" I said, defensively.

Mum shook her head. "I don't care where you were. Andrew was worried sick, Asher!"

"Maybe I should get into trouble more often; it's the only time you use my real name!"

"Do that and I'll send you to live with your father!"

"Whatever." I mumbled, getting up from my chair and making my way up to my room, not caring that I was acting like a brat. No one seemed to get that Dad was a horrible person who had hurt everyone in our family. Didn't Mum and Drew see that?

And she wasn't serious about sending me to live with Dad, right?

I sighed and jumped into bed, pushing my thoughts away. After a moment of hesitation, I decided to call Jace. He picked up after three rings.

"Hey, Ash!" He said happily through the phone. I was glad at least one of us was happy. Although, he did sound a bit tipsy, so that was probably the reason for his happy tone.

"Care to meet me at my window with your fake ID and a bottle of vodka?" I was in the mood to get wasted, kiss and just have fun.

"Always am." He said. I could tell he was smiling, which boosted my mood a little.

"See you in fifteen?"

"Yep. It's a date!" Jace slurred, then groaned realising what he had just said. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

I laughed, brushing off his apology. "Yeah, Jace. It's a date."

Maybe everything was going to be alright after all.

~~~

"So, what happened?"

I sighed and looked up from the ground, looking at Jace instead. He was looking forward and swinging a vodka bottle in his right hand. After we met at my window, Jace had suggested we just go to the park and drink our problems away. And I was more than happy with that.

"What makes you think something happened?"

Jace stopped in the middle of the road, and looked me in the eye. "Drew's the one who calls me up out of the blue to drink and go clubbing, not you, so something must have happened to make you call me up to go drinking."

I smiled a little at Jace's words. You could see how he was trying. How he was struggling to keep his walls up, and continue being the rebellious, carefree Jace I knew. It made me bitterly happy.

Jace and I reached the park, sitting down at the bottom of the twin slides, and I explained everything that had happened. Jace sat and listened, not interrupting me, which I was grateful for.

"She wouldn't do that, Ash. Your mum loves you too much than to ship you off to that bastard." Jace said, taking a chug of the vodka and wincing at the strong taste. I grabbed the bottle from his hands and gave him an easy smile.

"Maybe. Maybe not. Just wait till she finds out I'm a fag." I said with a humorless laugh.

Jace shot me a concerned look.

"You're not a fag."

"I like you, you like me. Like it or not, we're considered fags, Jace." I stated, laying down on the slide.

Jace copied me and reached his fingers out to brush my cheek. He smiled and leant forward to kiss me. I moaned as he deepened the kiss. I really like this boy; more than I could have ever liked Louis.

"It'll be okay." Jace reassured me, pulling away.

I reached out to grab him with one hand, and passed him the empty vodka bottle with my other hand.

"Okay."

"Okay." Jace said, then scowled at the empty bottle. "You drank it all."

I laughed at him and shook my head. "No, Jace. You drank it all."

He glared at me but kissed my forehead. "Maybe I did. Or maybe you're lying."

I gave him a sceptical look. "Have I ever lied to you?"

Jace groaned and pulled me up. I leant my head on his shoulder, as he admitted, "No."

"Exactly."

We sat in that position for a while longer, just staring into the darkness. This wasn't how I'd imagined to spend tonight, but I was happy it turned out this way. For once, I didn't feel lost or confused, every-

Bbbbrrrrrrrrgggggg

"I believe that's your phone, Ash." Jace said, standing up.

I stood up after him and gave him a look that said I thought he was a moron. "Smart observation, dumbass."

"Don't get sarcastic on me. Just answer your phone, you wanker."

"You can't even stay sweet for one night, go figure." I said, rolling my eyes and answering my phone without looking at who was calling.

"I hope you get picked up by a child molester." Growled a deep voice. It took me a moment to realise who it was, but when I did, I scowled.

"Dad. What's it to you, anyways?" I snarled. Who did he think he was, calling me like this?

"Where are you?" He asked, ignoring me.

"At home. It's close to midnight, what you doing calling me at this time, or at all, for that matter?"

"At home huh?" Dad pressed, with an amused tone.

"I think I just said that."

"Don't lie to me, Asher William Sage." Dad said sternly.

"It's Ash to you!" I retorted lamely, struggling to find a good

"Your mother and brother have searched the house for you and have failed to find you." Dad said patiently.

I felt my face pale and I closed my eyes. Of course they called Dad. They knew I wouldn't answer their phone calls. My mother and brother are smart motherfuckers.

"Ashy, where are you?" Dad asked kindly. I started tearing up at the sound of his voice. God, I missed him. I missed the good times.

I mentally groaned and looked over at Jace, who was watching me with a sad look. Great, I was crying in front of my boyfriend, who wasn't actually my boyfriend. I looked away from Jace and composed myself. Those good times with dad were gone, I reminded myself harshly.

"I have to go." I said quickly, hanging up to the sound of his voice telling me not to hang up.

Jace came over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Are you okay?

I shook my head at him.

"You know something? I wanted to save you, but I think I need saving too." I whispered, looking into his eyes.

Jace gave a small smile. "I don't need saving."

"Everyone needs saving sometimes."

Edited by: @LarryShipSails

Hi guys!! I'm so sorry for not editing for the past few weeks. I just got my phone back like a little over two weeks ago, and I had to go for an overseas immersion trip last week. And the week before that, I was busy packing, so I didn't have time to edit. I went to Xi'an, China, and China blocks all Google apps, so I couldn't use any social medias while I was there :( . But I actually had fun without checking my social media. And the weather was really cold there, the lowest it dropped to while I was there was about 4℃(idk what that is in ℉, sorry). But I liked it, coz it's constantly hot and humid, about 27-30℃, where I'm from. Wow, that was really long haha, I don't blame you if you skipped it. Anyway, I'm back now, with my phone back too, so I'll be editing hopefully every day. Bye!! :)