"Yo Ace!"

A basketball player with a weird pep in his step Ace recognized from Veronica's math class, made his way towards him.

A basketball toyed back and forth from his hands and he lazily leaned against the locker next to Ace's in a "we're obviously old friends" fashion.

Ace gave him a look before chuckling. "What's up?"

This was on of the few times they'd spoken to each other and most likely first where the junior was properly sober.

"I saw Dimitri, you know the quarterback? No luck this season dude," AJ laughed before chewing his gum. "Anyway, I saw him talking and laughing and shit with your girl," he paused, expecting a reaction from the older guy. "Just thought I'd let you know." A shrug rolled after Ace's silence.

Ace raised his eyebrows while nodding, sincerely aloof. He stretched out a hand to AJ to show his manners. "Thanks man, Veronica can talk to anyone though." His index finger extended at the younger sports lover to further his point.

"Yeah bro, I get it, but like I thought I'd tell you."

"No, it's cool, thanks." A tight smile overcame the soccer player's features.

This happened to him more than he would like. Veronica was an overly approachable individual, Ace was the first to compliment her on that. People were constantly around her, some were acquaintances, some strangers. As long as it didn't bother Veronica, then it didn't concern her boyfriend. While that did mean that some found her sociable trait as a way to hit on her, Ace trusted nothing would cross any line neither were uncomfortable with. At the end of the day, he was never the possessively jealous type.

What did trouble him and make him sick to his stomach was the fact that a girl's sexual assault at their school was made public a couple of days ago.

In an unexplainable way, the young man found everyone a threat. It could happen to anyone. It could happen to Veronica. One of his purposes was to protect her and even though she could hold her own, some extra help from him wouldn't hurt.

He saw her finishing up the conversation with said quarterback in the school's parking lot.

Some cars littered around, mostly from students still at practice or completing their extra curricular's, but it was still relatively empty.

Veronica entering his line of vision, broke him from his gory thoughts. The aroma of a distinct sugary perfume instantly made his head clear. "Hey princess."

"Hi." Her smile was the most beautiful sight Ace had ever laid his eyes on. "How was your day?"

Their hands were immediately intertwined, his massaging hers, but they kept a distance.

"It was good, I killed my history test, how about you?" The sun shined behind her and Ace couldn't get enough of staring at her.

"It was okay," she giggled once Ace teasingly tugged her closer. "How's your knee? I talked to coach you know?"

His arms circled around her waist and he clicked his tongue. "And as an avid soccer fan what did you advise?"

"Oh shut up," she narrowed her eyes. "You have to take it seriously Ace and I need to know how to help."

"Yes Ronnie, as serious as possible. Want ice cream? You're always nicer after." He poked fun at her no-nonsense behavior.

"I'm always nice, what are you talking about? Give me the keys, I'll drive you home after." She snaked her fingers at the back of his neck, grazing his buzz cut.

"How will you get home?"

"I'll get an Uber or something, come on." She impatiently urged, noticing the way his hold on her waist tightened.

"Ah, no, you can drive my car to your house and then I'll go home. Yeah?" Ace's gaze was on anything but her.

"Cariño, you should drive as little as possible right now, come on." The young latina chewed on the inside of her mouth. Something was definitely up.

Ace was always practical.

"Yeah but still." He clicked his tongue, looking at the other side of the lot.

"Yeah but still?" Veronica chuckled, eyes full of questions. Getting him to explain when he acted like this was like pulling words with pliers out of him.

"Honey, would it kill you for me to act chivalrous and take you home?"

Veronica didn't hesitate. He was trying to flirt his way out. "Yes it would. Let's go hotshot, like you said, I'm always nicer after ice cream." She heavily dropped her palm onto his and dragged him to the passenger side.

He whistled. "Hot damn!"

Ace grinned at her, body facing the door, legs stretched out as Veronica rested one elbow on top of the car and the other loosely around the inside handle.

"Don't be cute." Her raised eyebrows and pissed off smile made Ace's heart race.

He rolled his eyes playfully before lazily slinging his arms around her waist and pulling her forward in his lap. "I didn't get a kiss."

Veronica pulled back to look at him, raising a hand to hold the top of the car for balance. "Maybe after ice cream." She quipped.

An offended look immediately crossed Ace's features but before he could get a word out, Veronica leaned in, placing a sweet kiss against his jawline. "That's not the same thing."

"You've becomes too greedy, I swear." She started to stand up only to get pulled closer. A giggle escaped and the boy's smile couldn't possibly get larger.

After an abundant amount of toppings were in place and enough time was spent taste testing each flavor, Veronica announced they were set to go. Her duty as passenger was