Isaiah Ace Campbell was excellent at the entirety of things he did.

If he wasn't superior or didn't naturally surpass the normal level, then in his eyes it wasn't worth his time. He didn't do anything unenjoyable.

His middle name wasn't Ace for nothing.

He made the soccer team freshmen year but that was a given, seeing he skillfully played the game since six years old. An acceptance letter from every college he'd applied to was mailed to the Campbell's the first week of spring. Surprisingly, he didn't win prom king but being valedictorian was remarkable enough.

The young man's future was gloriously promising and vividly brilliant.

Academically and career wise, the last few years of his life had been outstanding, what he didn't expect was for his love life to go down the drain while he was riding the magical high of excelling at everything.

Every part of him screamed achiever. He was a doer, a fireball on the field and a whiz kid. The term golden boy bothered him more than people thought it would. Sure, it all seemed gold like from afar but it wasn't just purely luck, a lot of hard work and labor went into his accomplishments and success.

Ace had been doing his favorite thing in the world when he met her.

A newly turned seventeen year old Veronica stood far from where him and the group of pre teens had been passing the ball for half an hour now.

His dad had been promoted to head of their town's sport center last summer so he'd been volunteering more than usual. It also got him back to basics, which was what he needed while he taught little kids the fundamentals of soccer.

That was what seemed important to him, that's essentially why he did it.

His coach on the other hand thought it'd look great on a college application.

A flash of dark brown hair tied up in a pony tail with stylishly cut messy bangs got caught up in his peripheral vision. A girl clad in black biker shorts and a baggy white shirt stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the uniformed team.

"Hi." She smiled warmly at the prepubescent teens. Their reactions were diverse. A few totally loved the hot new girl who interrupted their practice while others seemed visibly annoyed to have someone intrude.

A chorus of greets was the response nonetheless.

"Can I help you?" Ace's eyes finally dragged away from the field beneath his feet to meet chocolate orbs.

"I'm new here," she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "There's also been a new schedule on the bulletin board since last week. This is the U16 time slot."

Ace distinctly remembered seeing the piece of paper stuck on the board with five red pins. His eyes casted over it once but it didn't concern him.

"We don't do schedules." He beamed graciously. "The center is on a hunt for a soccer coach and until then the guys from my team and I are volunteering. We discussed with Gabriel about it," he referred to his dad. "We can't really do specific days and hours so it's talked over with the kids every week."

The brunette's dark eyebrows furrowed and she slightly cocked her head to the side. "And you all smoothly agree every time?"

Ace tipped his chin at the kids in front of him, giving them a knowing smile and giggles floated around. The hardest part of every practice was getting them to all settle. They did crazy activities all week long but Ace knew they all had a soft spot for his soccer practice.

"It takes a little time but yeah, these monsters aren't half bad." He throws a wink at them.

There's a twitch on her cheek alongside her narrowed eyes for a split second but she stopped herself from saying anything. "That makes things a little counterproductive but if it works out for you then it's all good. I'll just take you off the timetable."

She seemed done with any further questioning so Ace had to find a way to keep her around, just for a bit longer.

"Me and the kiddies are sorry if it mixes up anything but come on, we all know soccer's what matters."

Roars and loud playful howls broke throughout all the children as they toppled over each other dramatically just to prove Ace's point.

She amusingly rolled her eyes at their antics alongside a grin. "If that's true don't let me keep you from exercising what really matters." Her feet took a step back.

Ace wanted her to stay.

"Trust me, these guys are the best in their division no doubt, but if you really wanna see me shine I have to be with my own team." The encouraging words only made the kids' happy expressions deeper.

"I go to your school Isaiah, even been to a couple of games. You're alright." She teased, hands coming down to adjust her shorts.

The intense and blaring gasps only add to Ace's exaggerated facial expression. His mouth is left gaping somewhere between actually being shocked and even slightly impressed.

"Just alright?" One of his eyebrows arched up and a smirk overcame his lips.

The new volunteer took some more steps backwards, taunting smile never leaving her face. "I mean if you could even say that."

Those words had been replaying in his mind all throughout practice and even as the pre teens all fought over what time they'd meet up next week.

Little miss sunshine had a snarky, feisty side he thought was insanely hot.

He liked flirting with girls more than actually doing anything with them. Going back and forth all in a lighthearted way always left him pleasantly entertained. The teasing and jokes were a turn on for him and he loved a good chase.

This time though it was so thrillingly natural and effortless that Ace knew he had to run into her again.

And he did, the following week.

After pestering his dad about switching cars because his needed a boost at the mechanics and a pile of homework waited for him at home, he exited the office with a little dance in his step.

"Dancing another one of your talents?" The soft spoken question came from the dark haired girl who stood in front of the infamous bulletin board.

Her back faced him and she turned to look at the piece of wood with scattered pieces of paper all over it. This needed some serious organization.

Ace would be lying if he said his eyes didn't stop longer than a beat on her jean shorts covered butt, but he couldn't help himself. Bronzed legs blurred his line of sight.

"Wanna find out?" Pearly teeth caught his bottom lip.

A gentle sigh left her mouth. "You know what, I think I'll pass, maybe another time." She looked over her shoulder at him, upturned eyes full of mischief.

"So what I'm hearing is there will be a next time?" A proud smirk rested on his face as his gaze studied the pattern on her top.

A melodic laugh escaped her glossy lips and Ace's eyes lingered there for a second.

"I don't know. You're the one who keeps running into me."

Ace clicked his tongue, looking at the floor coyly before focusing on her again. "Consider yourself lucky." His words were full of humor.

She turned around fully this time, hands settled on her hips. "I already do." Her lips pursed to the side.

"Am I lucky enough to get your name?"

He was smooth, she'd admit to that.

She lightly shook her head while laughing and turned to her task. "Are you?" She played the game a little longer.

The grip on the strap of his backpack tightened just a bit as he neared the door. "I'd say so."

She met his eyes one last time. There was a look on her face that Ace couldn't exactly pin point, entangled someplace between being completely entranced on her smile and excited by their banter.

"Good. Hope it lasts long." Her tongue darted between her teeth and she threw him a wink.

A chuckle escaped but the buzz on his phone reminded him that the amount of school work sitting on the desk would be unbearable if he didn't get home sooner.

Ace was almost out of the building completely when he heard soft steps behind him and name being called.

"Veronica. My name's Veronica."

One leg was out the door, sunshine warming his body that was halfway inside. "Bye Veronica."

"Bye Isaiah."