AN: here's chapter 14. Enjoy, people.

Ace's POV:

When I reached home, I had a pounding headache. Sweat was dripping from my forehead and my thoughts were consumed by the blue-eyed girl from the fair. Lexi...

"Sweetie, are you okay?" Mum asked.

"I don't know," I whispered, "um, I'm gonna go to my room... I'll have dinner later than usual today," my gut feeling was telling me not to tell Mum about Lexi.

I locked myself in my en suite and leaned against the sink. Something in my pockets rustled; I took out the paper Lexi dropped and unfolded it.

It was of me leaning against a tree, looking up at the sky. A girl was curled up with her head in my lap. It was Lexi.

I clutched my head and winced, flashbacks playing through my mind.

***
"I'm Ace," I stuck out my hand.

The little girl's face was filled with tentative hope as she accepted shyly, "I'm Alexandra, call me Lexi."

***
Me and Lexi were in her kitchen. It reeked of alcohol and drugs and she was sitting on the counter. I noticed some white scars on the ten-year-olds arm.

"Lexi, what's this?" I asked, pulling her arm in front.

She averted from my gaze, "I'm sorry, Ace, I couldn't help it. It hurts."

I grabbed a knife from the kitchen counter and pressed it against my palm, hard enough to draw blood.

"What're you doing?!" Lexi gasped and pulled the knife away. She began fussing over my bloodied palm.

"It hurts doesn't it? Watching someone you love hurt themselves," I gently cupped her cheek with my other hand, "please don't do it again."

***
"Ace!" A seven year old girl ran into my arms.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked, hugging her back.

"Some kids were mean to me at school," she mumbled, "they made fun of me because I don't have parents."

I kissed the top of her head, "if a person throws stones at you, pick them up and build something stronger. Stand up to the bullies, Lexi. You're a strong, amazing girl- don't let someone blow out your candle."

She looked at me, the tears drying on her face, "thanks Ace!"

***
We were lying down on the grass, looking at the starry sky above us. Lexi was pointing out the different constellations she'd learned in her book and I was listening carefully.

Suddenly, she stopped, her hand dropped to her side and she stared at the sky in quiet contemplation.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I asked.

She looked at me, "I was just thinking... everyone in my life has let me down or left me. My parents didn't want me, the kids at the orphanage hated me, hell even Liam and Isla hate me," she turned her gaze back to the sky, "am I really that horrible that I don't deserve any happiness?" She whispered.

"Look at me," I said sternly, "I don't ever want you to say that again. You're the best person in the world, Lex- you deserve all the happiness in the world."

"You'll leave me one day," she said quietly, "they all do."

I reached over and squeezed her hand, "I won't, I promise you. I love you Lexi."

"I love you too, Ace."

***
I gasped and gripped the white basin, panting heavily.
***

"Ace, put this blindfold on," fourteen-year-old Lexi said eagerly, handing me a black cloth.

I raised an eyebrow, "planning on murdering me?"

She fake gasped, "how did you guess? Seriously, put this on- no peeking."

I did as she asked. I heard something dragging across the floor and some squeaking.

"You can take it off now."

I did and gaped. In front of me was the most amazing guitar I'd ever seen in my life. I had a passion for music and singing.

"Happy birthday Ace," Lexi was grinning from ear to ear, "do you like it?"

I shook my head and her smile faltered, "I freaking love it!" I engulfed her in a bear hug, "thank you so much!"

She laughed lightly and patted my back, "no worries, Ace. Anything for you. We're meeting up with the gang in a few, so get ready."

"How did you manage to buy this?" I asked in amazement.

Her smile wavered, "a question for another day. Now come on!"

***
I still had that guitar... Mu- no, Karen said she'd gotten it for me, knowing how much I loved music.
***
"Where were you?" Greg aka 'Dad' asked me.

"With Lexi," as soon as the words left my lips, I wish I could snatch them back.

Greg scoffed, "that little *****?"

I tensed, "don't say a word against her."

Greg looked at me, "alright," he held his hands out in mock surrender, "no need to get testy."

"Ace sweetie, is that you?" Karen aka 'Mum' called.

"Yeah, he just got back from hanging out with Lexi," Greg rolled his eyes.

Karen came out of the kitchen wearing an apron and a look of disapproval, "forget about her Ace, she'll just drag you down."

I let out a harsh bark of laughter, "no, Mum, she's the one keeping me afloat. You and Greg are the ones dragging me down."

"You insolent boy!" Karen seethed and I felt her slap me. However, I didn't even flinched- too used to the pain.

"Karen is right, Ace," Greg said, "you should forget about her."

I scoffed and went to my room, slamming the door behind me.

***
Lexi and I were hanging out at my house. Her foster parents were out- thankfully- and I brought up something I'd been thinking of for a few years- since she told me she was abused.

"Hey Lex," I said casually, "when I turn 18, what if I adopt you and we run away together?"

She looked at me, "What's brought this on?"

I shrugged, "I've been thinking about it for a while now."

She smiled, "well, if you're sure I'd love to, Ace. But four years is a long time... you sure you won't change your mind before then?"

I shook my head adamantly, "I'm sure."

"Well, then, I just have one condition. I want a dog."

I rolled my eyes, "fine."

***
I collapsed on the floor and leaned against the door, my head between my knees. Flashbacks streamed through my mind and my breathing became more erratic.
***
I'd gone out of the room to get some water, leaving Lexi alone with my parents. Biggest mistake ever.

"Leave my son alone!" Karen shouted.

"You're just a pathetic orphan," Greg added. I entered the room just in time to see him slap Lexi.

Immediately, I sprinted to him and punched his stupid face, hearing a satisfying crunch upon impact.

Karen shrieked in horror and hit me. Lexi grabbed her hair and pulled her harshly away from me. My 'parents' were screaming and looked ready to kill Lexi.

I held Lexi's hand and we sprinted out of the house, hearing shouts behind us. We ran and ran until our legs were sore, but we didn't let go of each others hand.

"I'm sorry," Lexi whispered, tears filling her blue eyes.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," I panted, "they just don't understand."

"But-"

"No buts," I cut in, hugging her, "want some ice cream?"

"Do you even have to ask?"

***
"Hey guys!" I said, walking towards their table.

"Hey Ace," Xavier waved at me, "how are you?"

"Awful," I laughed lightly, "school finished. History sucks."

"I know, right?" Sav threw her hands in the air, "I mean, it's just learning about a bunch of dead dudes and dudettes."

Lexi rolled her eyes, "it's a great subject!"

"Yeah that's because you actually enjoy it," Sav retaliated.

"Here," West came to our table, holding a tray of food, "chocolate muffin for Lexi, some black drink for Diana, a vanilla shake for Xavier and a smoothie for Savannah." Sav accepted the drink and West kissed her on the cheek.

"Alright, break it up," Xavier grumbled, "that's my sister."

We laughed and joked around for the rest of lunch.
***
"I love you!" I called out to Lexi as I was forced into the car. I fought tooth and nail, but to no avail.

"SHUT UP!" Karen screeched, slamming her hand on the horn, "SHUT HIM UP GREG!"

Greg pressed a cloth to my nose. My eyes widened and I tried to not inhale, but I eventually needed to breathe. Black ink stained my vision and soon, I was unconscious.

I next awoke, tied up, in a kitchen with a pounding headache, "what the hell happened?"

"Sweetie," Karen appeared in front of me, holding a cup filled with something, "drink this."

"Where's Lexi?" I asked.

Karen slapped me, "DON'T SAY HER NAME!" She screamed and then calmed herself, "drink this."

"No," I replied, trying to break out of my ties.

Karen pressed the cup against my lips and forced the liquid down my throat. I gagged and tried to throw it up, but it didn't work. My eyes rolled to the back of my head and I shuddered violently. Then, everything went black.

***
I woke up in my bed. My headache was gone, but I couldn't remember what's happened.

"Sweetie are you okay?" Karen asked, worry filling her eyes.

"What happened?" I croaked.

"You got into an accident," she sniffed, "you and your father were out driving, but he didn't make it."

"I- I don't remember," I whispered.

Mum cupped my cheek, "don't worry, I'll help you. I love you."

"I love you too, Mum," but the words felt unnatural and forced.

***
I gasped, the scales falling from my eyes. The memories flooded through like a broken damn.

We've got a damn hole, my conscience said, and I ignored it.

I remember...

Fury bubbled inside of me like a hot volcano. Karen had lied to me for over a year. She lied to me that I was in an accident. She lied to me about Greg- my father. Most of all, she lied to me about Lexi.

I chuckled drily and exited the bathroom, lying down on my bed. My own mother lied to me about my life. Carefully, I picked up the picture and stared at it.

I broke my promise to her, I thought, I told her I'd find her again. What will she think after that little scene at the fair? I miss her...

"Sweetie?" Karen called, "are you okay?"

I badly wanted to rip her head off, but I composed myself, "yeah Mum," gah, the word tastes like acid, "I'm pretty tired and I'm not feeling too great right now."

"Okay! I'll send Dean up with your dinner and you can have it in your room."

Wait didn't Dean say that he was friends with Lexi?

"Hey," Dean came in my room, holding a plate, "you okay?"

"I remember everything," I said, "about Lexi, my real life, my so called 'mother'."

"What're you talking about?"

I told him everything. It felt so good to get it off my chest.

When I finished, Dean whistled lowly, "wow... that's something."

"Yeah," I let out a breathless chuckle, "and I don't know what to do."

"I do," Dean smirked when I raised an eyebrow, "I'm meeting up with Lexi at school. I'll tell her that- after school- you guys can meet up and sort everything out?"

"That might actually work," I mused, "but not a word to Dad and Karen."

Dean mimed zipping his lips, "your secret's safe with me. Now eat up, you look awful."

Lexi's POV: (just after meeting Ace)

"Lexi what's wrong?" Will asked as I walked away from my best friend.

"Nothing," I said shortly, "I'm fine. Let's just go." I power walked towards the car, tears flowing freely down my face.

Why doesn't he remember me? I thought. I screamed through gritted teeth and kicked a stone, watching it clatter across the ground.

Feeing angry and confused, I sat in the car, resting my head between my knees and my hands clamped over my ears. Dimly, I noticed some people enter the car and I sensed someone sitting next to me.

"What's wrong, Lexi?" Simon asked softly.

I shook my head. My phone buzzed; with shaky fingers, I opened the message, still crouched over. The text was from Dean.

Hey
It's me, Dean

Hey
What's up?

The sky but also Ace. He says he remembers everything
He wants to meet up after school

My heart skipped a beat.

What?

It's too complicated to explain over text
So what do you say?

Hesitantly, I typed out 'ok' and sent it before putting my phone away. I sat up and exhaled deeply. I realised my brothers were looking at me expectantly. All 13 of us were crammed in one car, but I had enough space around me.

"I'll explain tomorrow after school," I murmured, "I need to sort some stuff out."

"Is it illegal?" Thomas asked.

All our heads snapped to him.

"What, no!!" I exclaimed, "where did you get that idea from?"

Thomas shrugged, "dunno, thought it was a valid question."

I cracked a smile at that, "rest assured, I'm not doing anything illegal," yet, "just... catching up with someone. Can we go home now?"

"Sure," Hayden replied, "alright DeLescos, go to your car, it's crowded enough in here already."

Grumbling slightly, they left. I leaned back in my seat and gazed out of the window, yawing. I forced myself to stay away, however.

"You can sleep, you know," Kyle said gruffly, "we won't hurt you."

I chuckled, "thanks," I brought my knees to my chest and tried to get into a comfortable position, but it was difficult.

Sighing, Kyle gently pulled my head into his lap. He patted my head to a rhythmic beat while humming a calming tune. Soon, I was asleep, sent into the world of dreams.

End of chapter 14.

I hope you guys liked it!

Stay safe and thanks for reading :)