31 Chapter 31

Ana Louella

After Drake and Jandi left, I directly went home, and I spent the whole day thinking about what to say or how to act when I see Drake. That dimwit- he is just so rude to his sister.

How could he just lock up his sister in her own little world when she can actually explore the real whole world? Can't he just let Jandi live a normal life despite her condition?

It is true that some people will judge him, especially his sister, but I'm pretty sure that there will also be people who will understand his sister's condition. Can't he just trust those people?

"He's just so absurd." I mumbled as I pulled the coffee shop's glass door open.

I bought a cup of coffee for Ace because I wasn't able to bake some cookies for him yesterday. I was preoccupied with everything that is happening to me lately. I shook my head to get those thoughts out of my head, and I continued walking towards Ace's classroom.

I knocked on the door as soon as I reached the classroom, but Ace didn't respond so I twisted the doorknob open, and I entered the classroom. Ace is in his usual position. He is holding a paintbrush on his right hand and a palette on the other as he stares at a canvas that is attached to an easel.

"Hi. I-" He cut me off.

"What do you want?" He asked nonchalantly.

"I came here to thank you for saving me from embarrassment two nights ago." I said.

"Now that you're finished talking, you may leave now." He said without even looking at me.

"Here, have some coffee first." I said as I handed him the cup of coffee.

He stared at it for a few moments, but he didn't take it from my hands, so I just placed it on the table in front of him.

"What are you painting?" I asked as I peeked on his canvas.

"Could you just leave now? You're disrupting my work!" He said as he scowled at me.

I ignored what he said, and I went behind him, and there I saw what he was painting. I saw a sketch of a woman's face, and the only painted features were her chocolate-brown eyes.

"You-" Ace started as he pushed and pinned me against the wall.

"What the hell are you doing Louella?" He barked.

"I was-" I started, but he cut me off by punching the wall.

"I hate it when someone who's not my professor looks at my drawings." He said, and I bit my lower lip in shame.

"You like me, right?" He questioned.

I instantly felt the heartbeat quickened pace, and I just bit my lip harder.

"Am I right, Louella?" He asked.

I looked at him for a moment before I released my lip, and I nodded at him.

"Then, why the hell didn't you know that?" He growled.

"I- I am so sorry." I stammered.

"Now you know, birdbrain." He said as he roughly ran his hand through his hair.

"I didn't know. I am so sorry, Ace." I pleaded as I looked at him softly, but I only got a glare in return.

"You've just invaded my privacy, so get lost Louella. Get the hell out of-" He answered, but I cut him off.

"So, you only show your artworks to your professors. Why don't you want other people to see your artworks, Ace? Why?" I questioned as I looked at him deeply.

"It's none of your business Louella, so shut up." He growled as he clenched his jaw.

"No! You're a great artist. I've seen your drawings, and they're exquisite. Your artworks should be seen by everyone. The whole world should see how great you are." I replied.

Every artist wants the world to see their artworks and here he is, showing his works only to his professors. He is so unbelievable!

"Why do you care?" He asked and I was taken aback.

"Because- because you're great." I stammered.

Right! Why do I care?

"Well, I don't need your concern. Just get lost, Louella. Get lost!" He growled.

"Ace, I-" He cut me off.

"It doesn't matter if I show my artworks to the world. I'd rather paint for myself than to show my works to everyone. The world doesn't have to do anything with my artworks. They're my world and I don't want anyone to enter it." He replied.

"But I want to see and appreciate every artwork that you make." I answered as I looked at him and his eyes met mine.

"You're not welcome in my world. Find someone else who could let you enter their world." He said nonchalantly.

I straightened my position as I composed myself. I looked into his dark brown eyes before I voicing out what is really in my heart.

"Let me in, Ace." I said softly, and he just chuckled at me.

"I want to enter your word, Ace. Let me in." I spoke out boldly, and Ace looked away from me.

"Persistent, huh?" He answered, and I nodded.

"Make me fall in love with you. That is the only way you can enter my world, but I want to make things clear for you." He said as

I looked at him but I couldn't bear his stare. Now, I realized that I do like him. I wanted to be near him, I want this but then, why do I feel so weak? This is too much and I don't think I can handle this moment.

I gathered all the remaining energy in my body and pushed him away from me but he didn't move.

"I won't be with you because I will never fall in love with you, Louella." He said apathetically.

What is he saying and why does he sound so confident? Can't he really fall in love with me?

"Ace- I-" I started, but his stare cut me off.

I looked at him, but I couldn't bear his stare, so I instantly looked away from him. Now, I realized that I do like him. I wanted to be near him. I want this, but then why do I feel so weak? This is too much, and I don't think I can handle this moment anymore.

I gathered all the remaining energy in my body, and I pushed him away from me. Ace didn't move, so I ducked my head and slid away from him. I turned away from him and ran towards our classroom as I felt hot liquid streaming down my face.

As I was running, I bumped into someone, and I looked up to see who it was. It was Drake. A familiar scowl was plastered on his face. I tried to just ignore him and continue walking, but he grabbed my arm, stopping me from leaving.

"Let go Drake!" I yelled as I wriggled free from his hold.

Thankfully, there are only a few students loitering in the hallway. I'm not claustrophobic. It is just that I hate drawing people's attention.

"I can't keep on seeing you Louella. Could you try to avoid bumping into me?" He growled.

"Shut up Drake, and let me go!" I snapped at him.

He stared at me blankly as he loosened his grip on my arm, and I took that chance to get away from him.

"Dimwit!" I heard him curse, but I just ignored him.

I wiped my tears as I walked and when I saw Meg, I tried to act as normal as I could.

"Hey." I whispered to her, and she instantly smiled at me.

"What took you so long?" She asked.

"Uhh... I went to the restroom." I lied, and she just nodded.

I sat beside her, and we both waited for our professor. After a couple of minutes, he arrived, and he immediately proceeded to his lecture.

Soon, our first three classes ended, and we are now having our lunch. We were eating in silence, but someone interrupted our lunch or should I say, a devil, to be specific, Drake interrupted our lunch.

"Don't you have any other place to stay in?" Drake snorted.

I don't even have to turn my head to see who just spoke because I knew that it was Drake. The only reason I turned to him is to see if he is with Ace. I stared at him, and he looked at me nonchalantly.

I rolled my eyes at Drake and ignored his question. I took out Ace's sketchbook from my backpack, and I went in front of Ace.

"Here." I started as I held the sketchbook in front of him.

Ace looked at me confusedly and when he realized that it was his sketchbook, he glared at me.

"Didn't I throw that already?" He asked.

"I fixed it for you." I said.

"Did I ask you to fix it for me? I no longer need that!" He growled.

"But- you spent so much time working on these and-" He cut me off by snatching the sketchbook from my hand.

"This." He said as he raised the sketchbook.

"Don't you dare pick this up again and don't even give this back to me again! Did you hear me?" He snarled as he threw the sketchbook in the trash bin.

"Fine! I know, you won't make it easy for me to enter your world but no matter how hard it may be, I'll still try to enter your world. I'll do my best, and you can't stop me." I spoke out.

"You're right. I'll make it hard for you, and you won't make it so just give up, Louella." He spoke out confidently.

Ace turned back and started walking.

"Ace." I called out, and he stopped on his track.

"I will never give up, Ace." I said, and he shook his head before walking away.

"Dimwit-" Drake started, but he didn't finish what he was saying.

He roughly ran his hand through his hair before he turned to me. He bit his lower lip and then he scowled at me before walking out. Dane tsk-tsked before following Drake.

"What the hell is going on Lou?" Andrei and Meg simultaneously snapped.

Now, I'm doomed!