Ace left Hazel's house early in the morning, sneaking out through her window as the first rays of dawn touched the horizon. He had stayed with her as long as he could, holding her until she fell asleep, her breathing soft and steady against his chest. Now, as he rode his bike back home, his mind was filled with thoughts of her. The night they had shared, the words they had exchanged, filled him with a sense of purpose and determination. He would prove to everyone that his feelings for Hazel were real.
But as he pulled up to his house, his heart sank. His father was waiting for him on the porch, arms crossed and a scowl etched on his face. Ace sighed, bracing himself for the confrontation that was about to unfold.
"Ace," his father barked as he got off his bike, "where the hell have you b
