Bad Boy Chemistry

43. The Pizza Palace

Charlie's POV

We arrived at the all-night cinema thirty minutes later, exactly seven minutes before my birthday was officially over.

"Ta-da!" Ace gestured to the building.

"I didn't even think all-night cinemas existed."

"Well, they do."

Hmm. I wonder how many girls Ace has brought here.

I text came through on my phone.

Where the hell are you? Nora wondered.

Went for a walk. I lied.

Another text came through. Charlie! Get your ass back home!

I'll be home later.

I tucked my phone into my pocket and started inside. "Do they do popcorn and stuff all night?" I wondered as we walked through the door.

"Yeah."

We walked up to the counter where a girl was currently turning off the popcorn machine.

"Are you guys closing?" Ace wondered.

The girl turned around, smiling when she saw Ace. "If it isn't Ace Caldwell, haven't seen you here in awhile."

Her eyes lingered on Ace for a moment before they turned to me.

"The projector's messed up, so yeah, we're gonna be closed for a few days, until we can get another one." She said.

I'm starting to think this day is cursed.

"Okay, see you next time, Ruby." Ace smiled and waved before turning back to the door.

I followed disappointedly behind him.

"Damn that movie was quick." He joked.

I sighed into the cold night air, my face tingling. "Just my luck."

He turned around, his breath lingering in the air like smoke.

"There's a twenty-four seven diner across town, we could go get something to eat?" He suggested. "Their milkshakes are to die for."

It was tempting. I mean, who wouldn't want to have a midnight dinner with Ace Caldwell? Probably a lot of people. It sounded so romantic.

I shivered. "It's getting late."

"Okay, I'll take you home."

~

When I arrived back home, my entire body numb from how cold it was outside, the house was spick and span, and Nora was waiting in the living room like a disappointed parent catching their child sneaking in.

"Where were you?" She stood from the couch and approached me aggressively.

"Where is Ella and Clayton?" I answered her question with a question.

"They went home." Nora sighed. "Charlie, can we please talk?"

"I'm tired." I said. "Maybe we can talk tomorrow?"

I ascended the stairs, turning back to see a disappointed look on her face before continuing to my room.

All I needed right now was a good night's sleep. Who knows, maybe next year my birthday will be better.

When I got into my room, I slumped down on my bed, thinking about today's events.

I pulled out my phone.