Chapter 26

- Mia White -

"It's been five hours," I groaned, glancing at the clock. "They should've been back by now."

Jacob and Sarah had already left to go home (since their parents were getting worried), wishing us luck that Ace and Levi would hopefully arrive. So now, I'm sitting alone on the couch, with Ben in the kitchen trying to find something to eat.

Ben told me not to worry, but I couldn't help but do just that. What if something happened to them?

On the other hand, Ben seemed to have complete and utter faith that they'd be back. I did as well, but I was the kind of person who'd always worried. When we were younger, Ben would call me the 'worry bug' and always tease me when I would question the simplest things.

I looked at the clock again before glancing at the door.

I averted my eyes from the door when I heard Ben cry triumphantly. My eyebrows knitted together, and I stood up to walk to the kitchen.

When I entered, I saw Ben holding a large bowl filled with Lucky Charms while he held a large spoon. I gave him a weird look, but he only shrugged.

"There weren't any small bowls," he replied.

"Then why the spoon?"

"Because it looked cool."

I rolled my eyes, and I could feel a small smile tug my lips. Whenever you're feeling down, you can always count on Ben to make you feel better.

But right now, all I want is Ace. To be in his arms as he whispers sweet nothings in my ear like he does when I'm upset. I miss that special smile he gives just for me. I would do anything to see him walk through that door. I just need to know that he's safe.

That he's alive.

I frowned at the thought of him never returning. He's always been with me, through thick and thin. There's never a dull moment with him. Sure we've had our ups and down, but in the end, nothing would come between us. Nothing would separate us.

Not even a contract for an arranged marriage.

Ben seemed to notice the way my mood changed and placed his bowl of cereal down on the counter.

"Come on," he said, smiling softly at me. "Why don't we watch a movie before they come home."

He didn't give me any chance to protest when he turned me around and pushed me out of the kitchen. He made me sit down on the couch while he went to the self that was beside the T.V showing me movies and putting them back when I shook my head.

"Let's watch The Maze Runner," he suggested, but I shook my head. "What about... Now You See Me?"

"Sure."

Ben took the disc out of the case and inserted it into the DVD player. Knowing Ben, he would say that he's too lazy to get up from the couch to make popcorn, so I did it myself. I searched through the cabinets and eventually found where they stored the popcorn bags.

As I waited for the popcorn to finish in the microwave, I looked at my phone checking if there were any missing texts or calls from Ace. But there were none.

After Levi left to get Ace, I called Mrs King and told her what happened. Just like the day I saw her yelling outside on her front porch, she sounded furious.

Mrs King was not the kind of person to curse, so when I heard her say words I never thought I'd hear from her, I was shocked.

But how else would you react when you find out that your husband cheated on you, forced your child to get married to cover up for his mistake, and then attacking him?

Yeah, I'd be pretty mad too.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when the beeping of the microwave went off. Since there were no bowls, I grabbed two containers and filled each of them up with popcorn. I threw the bag away and went back into the living room with the containers of popcorn.

Ben thanked me, and just as the movie started, I glanced back at the door again.

"Don't worry so much," I heard Ben say. "You're such a worry bug."

"I know," I replied.

x-X-x

"Jeez, Mia," Ben scoffed. "It's just a roller coaster. Why are you so scared?"

"I hate roller coasters!" I yelled. "What if I fall off?"

I've always hated roller coasters. They made me sick. I hated the feeling of being so high up in the air. Or maybe it was because I watched a few rides break down on YouTube one day.

Our parents let us go to the amusement park right after school since it was the last day. They trusted us enough to let us go by ourselves.

Next year, I'd be a freshman in high school. To say I was scared would be an understatement. I'm was completely terrified. But Ace said that everything would be fine since he would make sure that nothing bad would happen to me.

I felt someone wrap their arm around my shoulders, and I looked to see Ace with a grin on his face.

"Come on, I promise you won't fall."

"But what if I do?"

"Trust me, you won't."

Giving him a small smile, I ended up agreeing. In the corner of my eyes, I saw Ben making a heart shape with his hands and looking at us while one of his eyes were closed. Levi flicked his forehead, making Ben glare at his brother. I blushed when I realized what Ben was doing.

Can't he see that Ace and I will never happen?

Speaking of Ace, he took my hand and led me to the roller coaster that Ben suggested we go on. We waited in line, and I couldn't help but regret my decision the more we got closer to this death contraption.

"You'll be fine," Levi assured me, and I just pray that he's right.

When we got on, I sat beside Ace while Ben and Levi sat behind us. I flinched when it started to move, and I grabbed Ace's hand. I could see the smile he had on his face, but I was too busy praying to god that I didn't have time to feel embarrassed.

The higher up we went, the more I started to get anxious. And to make it ever worse, the ride stopped.

"Oh my God, we're gonna die!" Ben cried. "Mia was right, we shouldn't have done this!"

"We're not going to die," Levi replied, annoyed.

It stopped only for a few seconds to build suspension, before it dropped down, fast. I could literally hear Ben screaming like a madman, and Levi yelling at him to let go of his arm.

Practically clinging onto Ace, I knew he was laughing at me by the vibration I felt through his chest, but I didn't care. My eyes were closed, and all I could hear were the cheers of people through the wind.

Thankfully, the ride soon ended, and Ben and I ran away from that horrid ride, never wanting to do that again.

"See? I told you you'd be fine," Levi chuckled. I narrowed my eyes at him, sticking out my tongue which only caused him to laugh.

"Where's Ace?" I asked, looking around to see he was nowhere in sight.

"He said he was going to get something," Levi answered. "Why don't we play a few games before he gets back."

I didn't want to just leave Ace. However, I didn't get a chance to say anything before Levi grabbed my wrist and dragged me away with Ben following behind. We played a few games, Levi offering to pay when I wanted to. I felt bad for using his money, but he said that it was fine.

Anything for a good friend.

Minutes passed and Ace was still missing. I was worried that something may have happened to him. Ben and Levi told me not to worry, but I did. And I can't stop until I know he's here.

Then, an hour passed, so I tried calling him, but it went straight to voicemail. I texted him multiple times, but he wasn't replying.

Levi and Ben looked at each other nervously, as if they knew exactly where my best friend was. I had asked them, but they said that they didn't know. Knowing that they were lying, i grabbed Ben's phone just as he took it out of his pocket.

"No! My baby!" Ben pouted.

"Tell me where Ace is, or I'll 'accidentally' throw your phone in the lake."

Ben glared at me before looking at Levi. It looked like they were having some sort of secret brother communication, so I stay silent. They were still at it, and I was growing impatient. I was about to speak when I saw him in the crowd. My eyes went wide when I saw his appearance clearly.

He looked beaten up.

Ben and Levi noticed my shocked expression, and their eyes went to Ace. Ben covered my view of him while Levi ran towards Ace.

When he took his phone out of my hands, I got out of my state of shook. I tried to walk passed him, but he wouldn't let me.

"Ben, please move. I need to see Ace."

"Sorry Mia, I can't do that."

"And why not!?"

Ben sighed. "I just, can't."

"You can't, or you won't?" I question.

He opened his mouth to say something, but he immediately shut it. I was about to pass by him but he grabbed my upper arm and pulled me back.

I let out a huff of irritation and slapped his arm. Usually, he'd be joking or fake cry, but he just looked at me with a blank expression.

It's kind of scary seeing him like this. This is not the Ben I know.

I was able to get a quick glance behind him and frowned when I didn't see Levi nor Ace. I pulled my arm away from Ben's grip and told him that they weren't there anymore.

"What about his mom and dad?"

"We'll make up some lie. Just please don't mention this to them."

Since everyone was at my place, it was easy to lie and say that we were all going to Ace's house. None of our parents suspected anything.

Ben and I quickly headed towards Albert - the King's chauffeur - and he asked where Ace and Levi were. Ben told him that they already home, but wanted to walk instead since they were going to stop by a few stores. Luckily, Albert believed us.

When we arrived at our destination, I thanked Albert before Ben and I went into the house, assuming that Ben brought me here because Ace and Levi were already here. And I was right. When we walked into the living room, I was Ace lying on the couch while Levi was on his phone talking to someone.

When Ace saw me, he gave me a small smile. I was instantly by his side, asking how he ended up like this.

"Ben's right," he chuckled. "You are a worry bug."

"Ace, stop joking around. I was so worried about you."

I saw something flash in his eyes as he slowly moved his hands to caress my cheek. "You don't have to worry about me."

I shook my head. "That's not really an option."

x-X-x

My eyes snapped open when I heard a door slam. I looked around and noticed that I was not covered with a blanket as I laid on the couch. I guess I fell asleep sometime during the movie. I quickly got up and tried to spot any sign of Ben.

"Ben?" I called out his name, but no one answered.

I pulled out my phone, and tried to call him, but with my luck, he didn't answer. I swear, if that boy left me here alone, I'll kill him.

I walked into the kitchen and noticed that the once clean counter now had five bottles of beers. Great.

Searching the house for any signs of Ben, I made sure to check every room, besides the basement rooms. After a few minutes passed, I started to worry again. Man, so far this day has been the worst. So many problems have arose.

I doubt Ben left the house to go look for Levi and Ace since he had alcohol in his system. But, if he did, why didn't he take me with him?

He did even write a little note that he left.

I began to walk my way back to the living room when I felt someone grab my arm. My scream was muffled because the person placed their hand over my mouth. I struggled against their hold before I tensed when they spoke.

"Mia, it's me. Please don't scream."

••• - ••• - •••

I'm sorry for the late update! So to make it up for you guys, I made it extra long!

I just want to say thank you to all those people who said that my story was okay and that I shouldn't take it down. I'm glad to know that even though my story isn't realistic, some people still want me to continue.

You guys keep me motivated to write, and even if there are people who hate my story, I'm glad to know that there are people who enjoy reading it. I've read all your comments (the good and the bad) and it was great to know your opinions about this story.

So, I won't be taking it down!

FUN FACT: I'm Filipino 🇵🇭