ACES (CH-5)

"ACES"

NEXT DAY

I woke up from the annoying sound of my alarm. What an idiot I am. I should have turn it off last night. But I was too tired and fall asleep on video call with Alex and Char. I unplug my phone from the charger and tried to turn off the alarm with my close eyes, which I normally do sometimes but today it was not just my day. I slowly open my eyes and saw it was not my annoying alarm but it was Char who was calling me.

I press the green button and put the phone on loud speaker and said "Heloooo". "Finally! You are awake. I have been calling you since morning" Char said. "Yeah, sorry for not picking up the call. I thought it was my alarm", "Alright, now open the door". As soon as he said that my eyes opened wide "Wait what? Are you outside my door right now?", "Yeah Koala unless you want me to climb into your room through the window, I would really appreciate if you could just open the door".

I cut the phone call and went towards the door and open it. Char was standing there; I told him to come inside and close the door. "Dang Koala you room is very neat and clean", "Thank you but what are you doing here?", "Because you told us that you have a plan for today and you were supposed to text us the details but we all fall asleep on video call. That's why I am here", "Right, sorry let me fresh up then we will go. Did you call Alex?", "No we are going to wake her up", "Cool ok".

I quickly took a shower and wore a black jeans, a black tank top with a navy blue demin shirt. I straight my hair a little bit. I came out of the bathroom and saw Char sitting on my bed, reading a book. It was the book where one of my story was published. He noticed me and said "I didn't know you were a writer, that to a published one. And this story is really nice". "Thank you. Now are we going or not?" I asked. He replied yes and we headed out to Alex's room.

When we reach Alex's dorm and was about to knock, she opened the door. "What are you guys doing here?" she asked both of us. "We are going out for breakfast. Come on" I said to her. She closed the door behind her and we headed towards the coffee shop, Monet's. Yeah, the same coffee shop where Alex and I had that intense talk with Char. That talk, that made us friends.

Not just friends, best friends. After we had our talk, we decided to name that place as our special place. We needed one but I had one more idea for a secret spot. We have our special place, Monet's but we need a secret spot too. A place only we three know about it.

We reach the coffee shop and sat on our usual table, near the window. We order our food and Alex asked me "So where are we going today Em?". Alex and I sat together and Char sat opposite to us. "I have an idea for a secret spot. And I think you guys will like it" I said. "A secret spot? For what?" Char asked. Alex and I looked towards Char he gave as a 'what' look. "I don't know about you but both of us need one. And Em found the place then it will be good" Alex say.

"Fine. Okay I may need one too. So where is this secret spot of yours?" Char asked. "I will take you guys there but Char if you take any of your minions there, I will end you at the first sight I see you. Am I clear?" I said, "Dang girl. Okay done" he replied. "Thank god! Food is here, I am starving and I am kind of bored watching you too guy's fight. Don't get me wrong it's entertaining but also annoying" Alex said and took a sip of her coffee. "What can you say? I am really interesting" Char said proudly and crossed his hands. "You wish" Alex and I said simultaneously.

When we were done with our breakfast, three of us headed towards the secret spot that I discover. After walking for 20 mins or so, we stop in front of a building. "This is our secret spot? Well done, Sherlock" Char said with an annoyed face. "No genius. Do you think I am an idiot?" I said and face towards Alex to see her reaction. "Well, I trust you and I am getting a feeling that this is not just it. Right?" Alex say with a smile on her face.

And by looking at the smile on mine she already got her answer. "Yeah, that's right. Now if you guys will follow me" I said and went to the right side of the house, to open a small gate at the corner. Alex and Char quickly came inside and I close the gate behind us. I leaded them to a fire escape that heads to the terrace. "And how are we supposed to climb that?" Alex asked me.

The fire escape is higher from the ground, I smile towards them and in return both of them give me a confused look. I took out a hidden metal stick from the bushes that was near the fire escape. The stick is a little bent on the top and I used it to pull down the stairs. "I am impressed" Char said. "Told you she is smart" Alex said and smile towards me. "Okay fellows follow me", I climb first then Alex and Char at last.

When we reach the terrace, Alex and Char were in awe. It was like any other terrace but with a really nice view of the city and the Empire State Building and it also have a swing. I turn towards them and asked "So? How is it?". "How did you find this place?" Char asked while looking around. "Well, I have my ways", "Em this is amazing but what about the people who live here? Are they not going be curious finding us on their terrace sometimes, as we don't live here?" Alex asked.

"It's a really good question Alex. This building is own by a friend of mine. He said I can come here whenever I want. The rentals here do not come to the terrace so much as they are a little elderly and if they see us just tell them you are a friend of Cody" I explained to them. "Does this Cody guy don't have any friends?" Char asked me. "He does. But he is also kind of a loner like me and he stays with his parents and he does not want his friends to know about this place. I didn't ask him why? I am guessing he have his reasons" I said and sat on the floor.

Alex and Char followed my action and sat near me. Three of us facing towards the city. "Well okay. I am fine with this place" Char said and turn towards us. "Cool, I am in. Good job Em" Alex said and hugged me. "Yeah, good job Koala" Char said. Alex smiled at my nickname. We sat there for a few minutes in silence.

Alex broke the silence and said "When I was at school….", Char and I turn towards her, "I was like this only. I didn't have many friends just a few you know. My best friend was the best. She was always there for me but she was really competitive and never say anything about how she is studying or what notes she is following. We share everything except for discussing how we study. And after our exams are over and we get our answer sheets, no matter how good I did she is always one step ahead of me. Which drives me crazy.

It makes me think if I am lacking behind something. And I got to know what it is after I meet Em. I was blinded to be number one for so long that I forget to have fun in life. But when I meet Em things changed". As Alex finished saying I was in tears, I hug her tight and said "You are the best and no body can be like you. I am so proud to call you my best friend".

"Me too heart". Alex and I call each other heart. A nick name for both of us. Alex pulled away and patted my back. We look towards Char, whose eyes were teary too. He wiped them and said "Something went inside my eye. But you guys were right to have a secret spot. I hang out with my so-called friends because I didn't want to be left alone. Sometimes I feel like I am losing my real self to be someone else so that people will like me. But when I am with you guy's I do not have to pretend to be someone else. I am just me".

"Char that was really deep" Alex replied. "You got us now. Now come here", Alex and I give her a big tight hug. We pulled away and sat back on our places.

"So Koala, as secret spot is getting all our secrets out, what is yours?" Char asked me sweetly. "Yeah heart. If you have something that is bugging, get it out you will feel better" Alex say to be. I never open up so much to anyone before expect for my family of course, but something tells me that we three are meant to be together and so I can share my secret too. I took a deep breath and started to say

"I was bullied a lot at school. And one time came that I couldn't even go to the bathroom because who knows who will search my bag. There were a few specific girls who did this, like check my answer sheet or what else was in my bag you know", I look towards Char and Alex who were listening intensely, "I was a lone wolf too at school. I didn't have much friends, just a few. And as things were getting a little better, one day a rumour was spread about me.

I don't know how that girl got to know one of my family secret and I don't know why but she told everyone. The look everyone gave me when I pass through the corridors, the whispers were so creepy and bad. But I kept myself strong, one of my classmate she really helped me overcome all those bad stuff. But it was not enough.

The things that I experience hurt me really bad and they scarred me for life. I was very close to quitting. Because it seems that it was the only way to take away the pain. After a while I started hurting myself. But as some say time heals everything and it really did. Remember the Phoenix, Fawkes from Harry Potter. I am like that.

Phoenix dies and rebirth from there ashes. The bullies killed the old me and this new me rebirth from the ashes. But still sometimes I feel weak and there is nothing I can do about it expect glamour it and fight strong". As I finished my darkest secret, Alex and Char pulled me into a tight hug.

Char pulled away first and said "I am so sorry. I had no idea you went through all this. Em you are the best girl ever. You are smart, intelligent and a bad ass like me. And I promise that I will fight with you for anything, Koala". Alex started saying, she is still holding me "Forget those bitches. If I see them somewhere I will kick their asses. No body deserve to be treated like this, especially you. My heart I love you so much and I am so happy that you are in my life".

I smile at both of them and said "Thank you guys. I am so lucky that I meet you too. I love you both so much". "I love you too" Alex said; "I love you three" Char said with a cute smile. "You know what guys we can open a YouTube channel and start posting videos" Char suggested. "That actually is a good idea. What say Em?" "I mean it was my idea so hell yeah I am in. What should we name our channel?", "ACES" Alex said. "Alex, Char and Em. What's the 'S' stands for?" Char asked. "Strength. No body can break us. Trio aka ACES" She explained. "Hell yeah" I said. "To the ACES" Char said.

"To the ACES" Three of us said together.

ACES BEGINNING OF A NEW JOURNEY.