The Promise
Aisha’s off-campus apartment buzzes with low music and steady conversation. The scent of expensive candles hangs in the air, mixing with pizza boxes and cheap vodka. String lights glow warm against the ceiling, throwing lazy shadows over a crowd of familiar faces.
Victor leans against the kitchen counter, golden hair a mess, varsity jacket slouched on his shoulders. He spins a bottle cap between his fingers as Ethan laughs at something he just said.
“I swear, the guy completely wiped out mid-game,” Victor grins, his voice loud enough to carry over the music. “Like, straight-up faceplant. And I was laughing so hard I missed my own shot.”
Jordan nearly chokes on his drink, slapping Victor’s back. “Bro, you’re a menace.”
At the couch, Aisha sits with one leg tucked under her, phone in hand, white hair falling over one shoulder. Her violet eyes stay glued to her screen, thumb scrolling without pause. Mira is perched beside her, snapping selfies from low angles, making sure to catch Aisha in the background.
Across the room, Lexi and Kayla are draped over the loveseat, half-tuned into the conversation. Cody mans a game controller near the TV, while Kayden and Amber debate something pointless by the balcony.
Ace sits on the corner armchair with a drink balanced on one knee. Her presence is largely unnoticed, conversation flowing around her like she isn’t there.
Victor’s gaze catches on Ace once, his grin softening. “Hey, you—”
“Eyy, Vic!” Ethan shouts, cutting him off. “Tell ’em about The Hollow night!”
Victor laughs, shaking his head. “Oh man, alright, so check this—”
The moment slips away. Another story. Another burst of cheers.
The door opens, and Rina steps inside, a book still in hand. Her cool, gray eyes sweep the room, unsurprised. She crosses to the kitchen, grabs a drink, and perches on the couch’s armrest next to Lexi.
“You didn’t wait for me,” Rina says flatly.
Victor smirks. “Saved you the last slice.”
“Wow,” Rina replies, raising her glass in mock appreciation.
Mira giggles, leaning in closer to Aisha. “See what you missed? Nothing worth showing up for.”
Aisha doesn’t look up. Her thumb keeps scrolling.
Victor launches into another story, the group falling into laughter again. Ace raises her drink with the others a beat late, but no one notices.
Mira’s gaze slides toward Ace, and a slow, smug grin curves her lips.
“You coming to the next party, mystery guest?” She calls across the room, her glass lifted in a lazy half-toast.
She doesn't wait for a reply, already turning back to Aisha, whispering something that makes them both smirk.
Victor is deep in conversation about football rankings. Ethan and Jordan argue about stats. Lexi begs Rina to swap the playlist. The room stays warm, loud, and full of motion.
Ace remains seated, unseen in the center of it all, a relic no one speaks about but everyone still feels. “No. I’m not coming.” Ace says as the last of her emotions slip away. She just gets up and leaves without saying anything else. She feels completely empty and worthless because of the abandonment. Her expression is blank as she goes up to the roof and sits on the edge. “My parents are right about me.” She says as she stares at the street. “I’m a worthless mistake that no one likes. No one would care if I jumped right here.”
Behind her, the rooftop door bangs open. Heavy footsteps approach, pausing a few paces away. They're Victor’s footsteps, measured and uncertain.
“Hey...” He says softly. “What are you doing up here all alone?”
He steps closer, pausing a few feet away. He's close enough for Ace to feel the warmth radiating off him, but he's far enough to leave space, like he isn’t sure if she wants him here.
“You okay?” Victor asks, his brow furrowed in concern. His gaze drifts over her blank expression, taking in the way she grips the ledge like it's the only thing keeping her anchored. “Talk to me, Ace. What’s going on?”
“Leave me alone.” Ace says in an emotionless tone as she stares at the sidewalk below. “You guys seem to be pretty good at that.” She says as a single tear rolls down her face. “You guys are so good at breaking promises and crushing hearts.” She mumbles. “Especially Aisha.”
Aisha’s name hangs in the cool night air between them. Victor stiffens, a flicker of old guilt crossing his handsome features. He steps closer until he's standing right beside Ace on the roof’s edge.
“Ace...” His voice is low, almost a whisper. “Don’t say things like that. You know that’s not true.”
He reaches out, hesitating for a split second before resting a gentle hand on her shoulder. His palm is warm, a stark contrast to the chill in the night air.
“Aisha cares about you. We both do. We’re still friends, right?” Victor says, searching her expression for any sign of the Ace he used to know.
“You’re both liars.” Ace says as she slaps his hand away. “You promised that I would always have a place with you, but you abandoned me without a second thought.” She says as tears finally start streaming down her face. “That’s not what friends should do. Real friends don’t abandon each other.” She says with a choked sob.
"You guys were family to me...." She says with a small smile. “But you left me behind without a care in the world. You guys just abandoned me when it mattered most.” She says as she sobs. “You guys abandoned me when I needed you the most.”
Victor recoils as if struck, Ace’s words hitting him like a physical blow. His hand hung in the air for a moment before falling to his side. He stares at her, his blue eyes wide with a sudden, aching realization.
“Ace...” His voice cracks, thick with emotion he rarely lets himself feel. “I... I’m sorry. I didn’t... I never meant to abandon you.”
He swallows hard, searching for the right words. In the end, there are none. Only the cold, harsh truth of what they’ve done.
“You’re right. We... I fucked up. I got caught up in all this shit and I... I forgot what really mattered.” Victor’s gaze drifts to the street below, unable to meet Ace’s tearful eyes. “I’m sorry, Ace. I’m so fucking sorry.”
He pauses, struggling to find the courage to say his next words. “You’re right. You’re family. We should have been there for you. I should have been there for you.”
Victor’s hand inches closer, hovering uncertainly before coming to rest on Ace’s shoulder again. This time, he doesn’t pull away when she flinches.
“I fucked up, but... it’s not too late. We can fix this.” His voice is low and fervent. “Tell me what you need, Ace. Anything. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this right.”
He turns to face her fully, his icy blue eyes filled with remorse and a desperate, pleading desperation. “Please... don’t do anything rash. You’re not alone in this. You’ve got me, Ace. You’ve still got me.”
“I just want you to stop acting like I don’t exist.” Ace says between sobs as she buries her face against his shoulder. “I just want to be included again.”
Victor’s arms wrap around Ace as she breaks down, holding her close against his chest. His strong hands rub soothing circles on her back, trying to offer what little comfort he can.
“I’m sorry, Ace,” he murmurs again, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. “I’m so fucking sorry we made you feel that way. That’s never what I wanted.”
He tips her chin up with a finger, forcing her to meet his gaze. His ice blue eyes shine with unshed tears and unwavering sincerity.
“From now on, things are going to be different. I promise you that,” Victor vows solemnly. “You’re not going to be left out anymore. I’ll make sure of it.”
He glances back towards the apartment, a flicker of old guilt crossing his face. “I know I can’t speak for everyone, but... I’m here for you, Ace. Always. No matter what.”
Aisha’s name hangs unspoken between them. Victor knows he has a lot to make up for with her too. But in this moment, all that matters is Ace, making things right, and being the friend she needs him to be.
“I’ve got you,” he repeats softly, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “And I’m not letting go. Not this time.”
Victor’s arms tighten around Ace, holding her close as she cries. He knows it won’t be easy to win back her trust, but he's determined to try. He's determined to be the friend she deserves, no matter what it takes.
"Promise?" Ace asks as she looks at him.
"I promise," he says with a smile as he holds her close. He silently vows to himself, right then and there, that he will always be there for her. No matter what.
