Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 133655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
“If you’re sure,” my mom says softly. For a split second, the hesitation in her voice makes my heart falter. But then she steps back and says, “Then, we’ll begin.” Her tone has returned to normal, and I let it go—trusting that the universe will work everything out between Julia and me. It has to. We’re meant to be.
“Ace Tobias Kelly, you hereby pledge your secrecy and devotion to the Computare Caterva at Dickson University from now until your successor takes their position. You will harbor, protect, and defend this organization against those who seek to destroy it. You will uphold our honor, and you will continue to create the magic this organization brings to this prestigious university,” the mystery man who’s still cloaked and standing next to my mom says.
Lexi walks toward me with a lit candle, and my mom hands me one of my own that, as of now, is flameless. Lexi comes to a stop in front of me, her long cloak trailing behind her.
“Ace, do you accept this pledge and the undeniable responsibility of the title of President of Computare Caterva?”
“I do.”
“Do you swear your life to the secrecy required of you for both your position as president and the organization in its entirety, from this eve forward, until your death releases you?”
“Intense,” I mumble teasingly. “But yes, I do.”
“Then I hereby pass the torch. You, Ace Tobias Kelly, are officially the acting president of Computare Caterva at Dickson University. Wear your new role well.”
Hell yeah, baby. Here comes the new president…motherfucking me.
Looks like it’s time to celebrate.
“You know I will,” I agree. “Come on, Lex. You and I are going for a drink.”
Saturday, September 6th
Julia
It’s nearly two in the morning, and I haven’t heard from Ace since our last class at three yesterday afternoon.
No texts or calls from him and no responses to any of my texts or calls to him. And no sound from across the hall.
I even reached out to Finn and Scottie and Blake, but no one had heard from him. It’s been radio silence and the worst-case scenarios building one by one in my head for the last few hours.
Drew texted me earlier to see if I wanted to go to a party on Frat Row, but I declined because I wanted to make sure Ace was okay. And I don’t know, I guess I felt more excited about doing something with Ace on Friday night than meeting up with Drew.
But what if Ace is lying in a gutter somewhere after being violently mugged? Or he’s been kidnapped by some kind of drug cartel gang and held for ransom?
My heart lurches. I’m so close to calling the cops and reporting him missing, it’s not even funny. I even grab my phone and text him exactly that.
But when no response comes back, no Read notification underneath my words, I start to really consider contacting the authorities. Though, I guess I should call his parents first. Maybe my parents too.
I’m mere seconds away from calling Cassie when Yoko barks at a sound in the hall. I jump up from my spot on the couch and run toward the door. Unbolting the lock and undoing the chain, I pull it open just in time to see Ace turn his key in his lock and twist the knob.
“Hey,” I call, my heart in my throat as I work to calm down the racing feeling of it. He’s obviously physically okay, which is what I’ve been the most worried about, but I’m still wondering where he’s been—almost to the point of desperation.
He turns around slowly, loosely, almost like he can’t really keep his feet beneath him, and his eyes are big and bloodshot. It hits me then that he’s drunk—very much so—and if possible, my stomach plummets even more than before.
“Heys, Lia,” he greets affectionately, his whole body swaying toward me as Yoko and I step out into the hall.
“Where were you?” I ask, cutting to the chase for the sake of my tired, stressed-out mind. “I’ve been worried. I…I tried to call you, but you didn’t answer. And when I texted Finn and Scottie, they didn’t know where you were either. I didn’t want to text Blake because I know he has the big game against Pennington later today, but I’ve basically been waiting around here all night, worried about you.”
He frowns. “Sorries, babe. Forgots my phone here. You were callin’ my apartment, I’m afraid, not me.”
He forgot his phone? What the hell? Ace Kelly never forgets his phone. Hell, what human being on Planet Earth forgets their phone nowadays?
I rub at my arms until Yoko jumps on my leg, and then I lean down to pick him up in my arms. He’s getting heavy, but somehow, holding his flaily body feels less awkward than standing here, vulnerable, without him.