"But in the past, not anymore." Stacy concluded.

My blood ran cold. Crimes? Delinquent? What did they mean?

"What sorta crime?" I asked nervously.

"Weeds and stuff," Stacy answered. "And twice did he attempt homicide."

Alright, so this was unforseen by me. I had no idea that I had been falling for a criminal.

"But he ain't like that anymore," Stacy clarified upon seeing my pale face.

"Now that you know the truth," Jess said picking up a Dorito, "it's up to you to make the right choice."

I sat comfortably, letting my thoughts wander through me.

Although Ace had commited crimes in the past, it doesn't mean that he hasn't changed yet. Of course he can get fierce occasionally, but that doesn't mean he is not a good human being.

Besides, Ace has always been welcoming and friendly to me, then what did I have to fear from him? Besides, these bad boy vibes were kinda...appealing.

As my thoughts wandered on how sexy it sounds to be with a delinquent, a smirk appeared on my face.

"Looks like someone's imagining things!" Sandra commented.

"Oh no, I...I wasn't-"

"Cut it Nayan," Jess intercepted, "keeping all the shady stuff aside, you must agree how hot Ace is. And don't you forget the bad boy vibes!"

Everyone laughed as it made sense to me. Ace was a nice guy. Maybe he got misguided before, but that doesn't mean he hasn't learnt his lesson. Upon learning this new side of Ace, I felt more attracted towards him.

"So...uh...," I said, "in case I were to agree for him, what about my parents?"

"What about them?" Cat asked.

"I've mentioned how homophobic they can get," I explained. "And if they came to know about any of this, I'm certainly doomed."

"Then don't tell them!" Stacy said. "If they don't come to know about any of it while you guys continue with your 'thing', then I guess things would end well!"

Maybe Stacy was right. If neither mom nor dad were to know about any of this, things would turn out to be well. Right?

"So...what have you decided?" Sandra asked.

"I think I'm ready to try things out," I replied honestly. Everyone cheered at my declaration.

"This is such an amazing news!" Jess said joyously. "My besties hooking up together? Oh, what more can come true!" She wrapped her left arm around my neck and with the other, shook me violently.

"Aaaarrgh!" I yelled as she left me dizzy while I regained myself.

"So when are you going to confess your feelings to him?" Cat asked curiously.

"Probably once he returns." I said.

"That means tomorrow," Stacy said gloomily. "Oh, this day is gonna be the worst of my life! How hard it's gonna be for me to not spill the beans to him."

My eyes widened. "Don't you dare!"

She laughed saying, "Nah bro, I won't! I know how much it matters to you. But you've gotta promise me something."

"What is it?"

"I wanna see the two of you kiss one another!" She cried as everyone laughed once more, making me blush.

"I-I'm not doing that!" I said standing up. "I need to go now. Thanks guys."

I turned towards Stella. "Do you mind?"

"Of course not, come along."

Stella drove me back home where dad had been waiting for me. Bidding her goodbye, I entered home, hugging him gently.

"Oh my boy, how was your hanging out with friends?" he asked.

"It was so fun!" I exclaimed. "We had quite a lot to discuss about."

"And what would that be?" he smirked.

"You won't understand!" I waved as I tried on avoiding the question.

"Tomorrow starts my night shift and your mom's day shifts," he informed as I chewed on the pasta he had made.

"Oh no," I said in disbelief.

Dad laughed, patting me. "I know dear, she is a bit strict, but it's all for your own good. Don't worry, it's a matter of two weeks more after which both of us are going to have night shifts for quite sometime."

That was a relief. I wasn't interested in being left home alone with my mom, knowing how irritating she could get. Dad was the best to be around with. He always understood me.

The next day, I hurried to the school, hoping to meet Ace on the way. Unfortunately, I didn't. My friends ensured that the two of us could get considerable time for me to communicate my feeling. But as you know, when we really want something, the universe often conspires against it.

I couldn't catch up with Ace throughout the day. Even with multiple efforts by me and my friends, we couldn't get a hold on him. Why, if you may ask?

The soccer competition which Ace had participated on the previous day had been won by his team. That resulted in a whole bunch of greetings by the entire school. From students, to the staff, to the principal. Considering all of this, he remained caught up with someone or the other. Being the team captain does cost a lot of attention!

By the end of the day, I had given up the idea. If I hadn't been able to talk to him about my feeling even during Chemistry when he stood right beside me, how did I have chances after the school? Of course he would crash with his teammates at someone's place for their victory. My plans were ruined.

But were they?

As I grumpily exited the school, someone pulled me by the bag, making me almost fall. However, my back landed on someone's chest, as the person's arms wrapped around my abdomen.

Shaken, I immediately broke off, turning back to see Ace with Stacy beside him. She winked with her right eye as she left the two of us alone. Well, if you call it alone among the crowd of hundreds of students exiting the school.

"Hey." I said.

"Hey!" he exclaimed. "Stacy said that there was something you wanted to speak of?"

"Oh-oh yes, there was. I...err...can we go somewhere else and talk?"

"I don't mind!" he replied as he caught my arm, leading me further ahead the road where very few moved about.

"Speak it out," he asked, closely watching me.

"So, it's sorta complicated," I began.

Ace caught my shoulders. "Nayan, I want you to be honest with me. Be clear and chose your words wisely."

I gulped. Why was he speaking so weirdly? Had Stacy broken her word?

"I-I-I think I...like you."

Ace's eyes widened in shock as he released my shoulders as if he was not expecting that coming.

"What did you just say?" he asked, brows creased.

"I like you Ace, and I'm developing feelings for you." I spoke clearly.

Ace was baffled. "But Stacy said..." he shook his head. "Never mind!"

Turning his gaze at me and smiling gently, he said, "Nayan, I adore you. But this is not the right place and the right time to speak of these things."

Placing his palms against my cheeks and lifting my face against his, he continued, "Let's meet at five. I'll be coming to your house. We can talk about this at that time."

With that, he gave a gentle kiss at my forehead, making me shiver instantly. Looking deeply into my eyes, he smiled and turned away, walking off. Twice he looked back, a beaming grin appearing on his face while I stood there perplexed, unable to comprehend at what had just occured.