Ace's POV

I sit in my car and lean my head back against the seat. I close my eyes and sigh. I open my eyes and pull out my phone.

Two missed calls and one voicemail.

Sophie called me? Huh.. I wonder why. I hope nothing is wrong.

I play the voicemail and stare out the window.

"Hey, Ace. It's Sophie. Just was wanting to invite you to play basketball. I'm on my way right now. You must be busy so I will talk to you later, I guess."

I click on her contact and call her. I buckle my seatbelt and start the car. I roll the windows down and start to drive to my apartment.

"Hello?" Sophie says breathlessly.

"Hey, Soph."

A door shuts in the background. "Hi, Ace."

"I wish I could have been with you today, but I started my new job today."

"Really? What job?"

"Mechanic."

"Are you getting paid well?"

"Yeah." I change my course and head to her apartment. "What are you doing?"

"Avoiding social interaction."

"At your apartment?"

"Yeah. Sonya's boyfriend has his friends over."

"Is Sonya your roommate?"

"Yeah."

"Would you like to go on an adventure?"

"With you?"

"Yes."

"Aren't you tired?"

"A little." I park outside her apartment complex. "I want to see you though." I turn my car off and lock the doors onve I'm standing beside of it.

"If you really want to see me, I won't stop you."

"I'm glad." I say and take the stairs two at a time.

"Should I wear anything special?"

"No. Just something comfortable."

"Good that means I don't have to change."

"I'm standing outside of your door if you are ready to go."

She ends the call and I hear noises from inside. A minute or so later, Sophie steps outside of her apartment. She smiles and shakes her head. "You are something else."

----THE YEAR OF HELLOS----

"Hey, Max!" Sophie exclaims and Max jumps up from his bed. He runs to her and knocks her over. He licks her face and she giggles. "I missed you too."

She sits up and rubs his head with both hands.

"I'm going to take a quick shower, okay?"

"Okay." She smiles up at me and then starts playing with Max again.

Fifteen minutes later, I head into the small kitchen to get me something to eat. I smell something cooking.

Alfredo?

Sophie is standing in front of the stove and stiring something in a pot. She glances behind her and sees me.

"Hungry?"

I nod and grab a bowl from one of the cabinets. "You didn't have to do this."

"All of this isn't for you. I'm hungry too, Mister."

I smile and grab another bowl.

"I don't mind though. I figured you would be hungry since you've been working all day."

"You were right. I have been up since five this morning. I wanted to get to work early."

"What about Max?"

"He stays here."

"I could go by and take him on walks if you want me to."

"He would probably like that a lot."

She nods. "It would give me something to do."

----THE YEAR OF HELLOS----

"Ace?" Someone says and shakes my shoulder.

"Hmm."

"Come on, sleepy head." Someone pulls my arm around their shoulders. I open my eyes and yawn. The person stands up and I stand up too. I rest my head on their shoulder.

"Who are you?"

"Sophie."

"That's good."

"It is?" She giggles.

"Mhmm. I like her."

She lets go of me and pushes me back gently. I land on my bed and she pulls the covers over me. "I like you too," she whispers to me and kisses my forehead.