Chapter 158 - Meant To Be

Just as Winter didn't expect to get a genuine offer to hang out from Bianca's best friends, she also didn't expect that she'd be rejecting it the moment she received one.

Back then, she was so desperate to be one of the popular. She'd do anything to be part of them – to gain acceptance. Now, however, she's already sure where she belongs, and she's not going to leave it for anything else.   

"We can do it on another date, though I can't promise anything since I'll be busy these days. I might have to free my schedule for a bit," Winter continued to explain. 

The disappointment is almost palpable on Lacey's and Amanda's faces. They're pouting sulkily - like children who didn't get any candy. Though surprised at first, Courtney and Maxine can't help but smile to themselves. They knew they couldn't compare themselves to them in terms of wealth and fame – heck, they totally look like celebrities, but hearing her rejection to their offer has somehow boosted their confidence. 

"Well, then, we'll just see you later," Amanda relented with a defeated smile. 

"I'll call you, okay? Let me know when you're free. I'll also make sure we won't take too much of your time. Oh, and you can still choose where you want us to go," Lacey rambled hastily, determined to see their outing through. 

With that, they finally drove off.

As soon they left, Maxine reached a hand out to pat her back approvingly, making her turn around to look at her. She then found her and Courtney beaming brightly - like children who got to receive the candies. 

"So, ummm… Shall we go?" Winter blurted out, suddenly not sure what to say.

"Yeah!" Maxine chimed and nodded.

"We shall," Courtney added, grinning.

--- 

"Hey, Ace! Wait up!" 

Ace jolted up and turned around to find Xander running down the hall. 

His face dropped a little. Not really in the mood to talk with anyone, he decided to keep on walking. He was just too energetic, and at that moment, he wouldn't be able to keep up with him. 

"Ace! I said wait up!"

Yet, soon enough, he did have to stop. He lets out a sigh as he looks at his reflection on the window beside him - he looks like crap. His hair is messy, his face pale. There was no doubt that the lack of sleep was getting to him. The whole situation was driving him insane.

"What the hell is your damn problem…!?" Xander hollered, slapping Ace hard in the back. 

"You heard me calling, and you ignored me?! Why? Why did you ignore me?! Huh, Ace?!"

"Shut up, Xander. You're making my head hurt." 

Ace shut his eyes closed. He didn't want to have Xander near in fear that he might end up telling him everything. 

"Hey, Ace," he then suddenly said a bit more seriously. 

He knew that tone. The last time he heard it was when he figured out that he was seriously falling for a certain someone. Now that he thinks about it, he's the only one who's aware of how lovesick he is – he is his best friend, after all. 

"What's the matter with you? You've been acting weird the whole day - not to mention, towards Winter. I noticed that you're keeping your distance, and I've had a feeling that you're planning to go home without telling her and the others. Why's that? Did you have a fight or something?" Xander went on to address his concerns.

"No. We didn't get into a fight," Ace said through his teeth, clenching his hands into fists. 

He then lowered his head so he wouldn't see his eyes. He didn't want to show him how affected he was by everything. 

"I haven't told you about this yet, but I was already rejected by Winter..." Ace confessed, and he could see that Xander wanted to say something then but he didn't let him speak.

"At first, I was able to accept it. I even made peace with her and invited her to my next photoshoot, but after learning about what happened to her, I started asking myself if I was that unreliable – and if that's the reason why she turned me down. I didn't know she's going through so much, and I felt ashamed for not being able to do anything for her. Maybe I don't deserve her even as a friend-"

He was abruptly cut off when he got slapped on his back once more – this time, harder. Hissing, he staggered forward for a bit before spinning around and glaring at him.

"The heck?! What was that for?!" Ace bolted out.

"You're overthinking, idiot!" Xander shouted back.

"Well, I can't help it!"

"Can't you see? The reason why she didn't tell you was that she didn't want to get you into trouble. She'd approach us if she chose to. Until then, all we need to do is to be there for her. Sometimes, friends don't need words nor actions to help each other. Our presence is enough. But if you decide to put your distance, you're just going to make it worse."

Ace could not say anything to oppose that. So, he kept quiet, contemplating. Xander does have a point. It makes sense, and it kind of scares him when he talks wisely like this. 

"It's not just you, Ace. Even Maxine and Courtney are worried sick for her," he continued.

"Yeah. I guess so," he said quietly, still pondering.

He slapped Ace on the back again, much to his surprise. Laughing out loud, Xander then proceeded to boast, "You're such an idiot! I swear! What would you do without me!? You wouldn't stand a chance in this world if you didn't have an amazing person like me to guide you! It's totally pathetic but understandable! Not everyone can be as smart as me!"

"Sure you are," Ace commented, rolling his eyes. 

There was no doubt that the usual idiot was back and that the serious one was gone. It seemed to him that Xander was only like that when it was convenient or important. 

"You may have not worked out as an item, but hey, you're able to influence each other for the better. Look…" he told Ace before pointing something outside of the window.

"Doesn't this scene remind you of that time when we're still in high school? We saw the three of them together, but unlike back then, they weren't this close with one another."

Only when he got to take a look outside that he understood what Xander was talking about. He found Winter hanging out with Courtney and Maxine, talking among themselves with a smile on each of their faces. It took Ace back to that time when there was a huge girls' fight near the school's gates – of the time when these three were still nowhere near friends.

"Don't you know? Because of you, those girls have gotten this close. It started out with the three of us trying to hook you two up together, but even though it didn't end up the way we wanted, it still made us friends…" Xander said with a warm and mellow smile.

"There are other categories to the words 'meant to be.' So, don't beat yourself up about it. If you're friends, then that's it. Don't mess it up by being such a ball of negativity." 

Ace falls silent once more, his eyes widening a little. Then, he takes his turn to slap Xander on his back, earning a loud yelp from him. 

His words made so much sense that it scared him. Maybe, for once, he should think about cutting himself some slack. 

"Damn, Xander. You're such a dope," he remarked, smirking.

"Hey! That's no way to talk to me!" he exclaimed while rubbing his back to soothe the pain. 

"What about you, huh? When are you gonna tell Maxine that you like her? You can't deny it anymore. It's all over your damn face-"

"Me?! To that delinquent?! No way! I never said something like that! You're making things up!" 

Try as he might, but Ace can see right through him. He's more than aware that he's been spending more and more time with Maxine. Even when the whole gang is not there, they'll still hang out. Yet, of course, he won't admit that so easily. Xander scratched the back of his head before looking down at his wristwatch and pretending to check the time. 

"Oh, shoot! Look at the time! I should get going, Ace! I'm glad to see you feeling better! Hope everything works out…!" he rambled on, turning around frantically.

"See you tomorrow! Bye-"

"What're you talking about? We're meeting up with the girls, right…?" he deadpanned, talking him out of it – somehow, their positions somewhat switched.

"Don't worry. I'll be your wingman this time, though I don't think I can help much since she's been a little obsessed with Winter lately. It'll be tricky to win against my ex-crush."

"Shut up! I said I don't like her! How could I like a delinquent?!" 

Ignoring Xander's furious denials, Ace just grabbed him and started making his way out of there – to where Winter, Maxine, and Courtney are waiting.