Chapter 23

- Mia White -

When Friday came around and school was over, Sarah told me that we were going to the mall. She said she wanted to buy a new outfit as well as makeup for the party. Ace offered to drive, but I think he was starting to regret it when Sarah would non-stop talking about what she planned on buying.

I tried not to laugh when I saw Ace's annoyed expression. This was gold. I wanted to videotape the whole thing, but I was scared he'd grab my phone and throw it out the window.

When we reached the mall, Sarah opened the door and slammed it behind her before running to the building. Ace for our after, and made his way over to my side.

"How are you best friends with her?" Ace questioned, wrapping his arm around my waist. I shrugged, and we both walked into the mall filled with people. Ace told me that Levi and Ben would join us in a while after they finished errand he asked them to do.

Knowing that Sarah wasn't going to wait for us, I decided to go to a few stores and check some things out to kill time. Ace told me that I could get anything I want since he'd offer to pay for them. I just rolled my eyes. I don't want to use his money for anything.

I was checking out a few clothes when Ace walked over to me, holding an O-neck, sleeveless yellow dress in his hands.

"I want you to wear this," he said, giving me the dress. I just blinked at him as he dragged me to the dressing room. A worker led me to an empty room and unlocked it. Ace pushed me in and told me to hurry up.

Well okay then.

I followed his orders and stripped my clothes off. I slipped into the dress and looked in the mirror. I really like the dress because it was simple, something I can wear as casual clothing.

I walked out of the dressing room to see Ace leaning against the wall. A wide grin on his face appears as he eyed me from head to toe. His eyes landed on mine and he walked over to me. He grabbed my hand and kissed me gently on the lips.

"It's perfect," he whispered. "And you're beautiful, princess."

There was a series of 'awes' that filled the area, and I blushed. Ace chuckled when I slapped his chest and made way back to the dressing room. Jeez, why does he have to say thing like that?

Idiot.

I took the dress off and changed back into my regular clothing before walking out of the room. Ace took the dress from my hands and went to pay for it.

"Why did you buy that for me?" I asked him as we exited the store.

He shrugged. "I saw it and wanted to see what you looked like if you wore it. And as always, you looked beautiful, so I bought it."

Great logic there buddy.

We went to a few more stores until we found Ben eating like he hasn't eaten in a year when passing the food court. I guess Levi was used to his brother's behaviour because he wasn't annoyed with all the food that Ben spilt.

I texted Sarah and told her where we are. She said she was on her way before I put my phone back. When Sarah first met the twins, they got along well. It was weird seeing Ben all quiet and not making any jokes at first. He doesn't know Sarah at the time, so he doesn't trust her. Levi, on the other hand, was talkative. I don't know why, but it seems like they switch roles when meeting new people.

When we're with close friends, Ben will be the loud one while Levi sometimes stays quiet.

"Are you guys going to the party?" Sarah asked, and they both shrugged.

Eventually, we decided to exit the mall after another hour. Ace dropped off Sarah and drove off once I saw her go into her house. I noticed that Ace wasn't driving to my place for his, so we were probably going to Levi and Ben's place.

Or on another surprise date. I wouldn't mind though.

Never mind.

He stopped and Levi and Ben's house, saying that he would just have a quick talk about something that needed to be discussed at their place. I asked him why he couldn't just call them, but he just stated that they also had something of his.

Matthew - the red haired doctor I haven't seen since the day I was injured - showed me to the same room Ben locked me in.

"If you need anything, just give me a call," he said, giving me a smile before closing the door.

I know that I'm not supposed to leave the room, but James didn't lock the door so...

I'm gonna explore.

Slowly opening the door, I made sure that the hallway was empty before making my way out. I closed the door behind me, and walked down the stairs, making sure to not make a sound.

When I successfully made it down the stairs, I tried to remember the rooms I passed when Ben and Levi led me to the small hospital room Ace was in before.

Their house wasn't as big as Ace's house, but it was still big. Hopefully, I won't get lost.

x-X-x

"And I'm lost," I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

I shouldn't have jinxed it.

I don't really know where I am exactly, but I'm taking a big guy that I'm in the basement. Why? Because it's dark and cold, and I think someone's following.

Maybe it's just my imagination since I hate going downstairs after watching The Ring.

It happened when I was in middle school; eighth grade. Ben, Levi and I were downstairs watching a movie while Mr King called Ace upstairs for a small chat. He was lecturing about how Ace should pay more attention in class. The three of us just finished watching a Disney movie when Levi decided to watch horror.

I protested, but somehow they managed to make me agree.

I hid under the table when it played the scene where the girl was crawling its way out of the T.V. I hadn't realize until I called their names to turn it off, that Ben and Levi both left me there. Downstairs, in the dark, with a horror movie on.

You have no idea how angry Ace was about this.

Let's just say after that, Ben and Levi didn't dare go it again.

Anyways, I lost my pathway to where the stairs were, so I either have to find my way back if find someone who will help me. I regret leaving the safety of the room.

Every door was locked, and I didn't have the strength to forcefully push it open. So I was more than thankful when I saw an open room with a light. I really hope it was the way out.

But I was wrong.

Instead of a way out of this creepy basement, was a room filled with guns. There were selves that covered each wall that displayed all kinds of different guns. There were a few table display cases that also held knives and other weapons I wasn't familiar with.

What is something like this in Levi and Ben's place? Surely they didn't use this kind of stuff. Maybe it belongs to their father?

Even though I was in the basement, I could still hear my name being called by Ace. I rushed out of the room and tried to find my way out again. I turned a corner, and I bump into someone. I sighed in relief when I felt familiar arms wrapped around me, and pull me closer.

"Why were you down here? Didn't James tell you to stay in the room!" Ace exclaimed, his grip tightening. "I was so worried. I thought something happened to you."

He voice was laced with worry and a bit of something else, but I couldn't grasp what it was. It was like there was more to what he was saying when he said that he thought something bad happened to me.

I want to tell him about the room, but maybe it wasn't the best time. I could also and Levi or Ben about it because I'm not sure if Ace already knows.

"I'm sorry," I murmured.

"It's okay. You're safe now," he replied.

Ace showed me the way back upstairs and told me that I shouldn't wander off like that anymore. Honestly, Ace is my boyfriend, but he acts like a third parent at times.

Ben grinned when he saw me and pulled me away from Ace to embrace me in a tight hug. He was saying how worried he was, and that I shouldn't do that again. I laughed, and patted his back, only to be pulled back by Ace.

He had an annoyed look on his face as he pulled me closer to his chest. Ben rolled his eyes, mutter 'no PDA in the house' while Levi just rolled his eyes. But I did see the corners of his lips curve upwards.

I looked at Ace to see that he was already staring at me.

"Come on," he said, letting me go to take my hand. "Let's take you home."

••• - ••• - •••

I know that this chapter sucks, but I promise that the next one will be interesting!

Also, I'm so sorry I haven't updated! Wattpad was being mean to me and I had trouble logging in. I tried logging in on my computer, but it didn't work.

First, it said that I had to connect to the wifi when I had complete access to it, and then it never saved my work so I had to re-write everything!

It's still not properly working, but it's getting there.

Though it's a very slow process...

Also, I'm giving you guys a little heads up, but I may not update in a while because of exams.

Want me to add these more often?