Skipping the wall (Ace Copular x reader)
Notes: (PPg era, reader's gender is not specified, teen days, self deprecating thoughts)
(This is just a scene of how imagine reader and ace first met, might make one in Ace's pov soon)
First note, then the second, and then back to the verse.
Nothing really special there, just the same melody that can be heard in other songs, ones that had more care and thought put into them, far from what you're playing right now.
Not that it was a problem, that's actually the whole point, just mindlessly strumming to fill the silence, yet even still, this is much more bearable than that whole classroom.
Its monotonous sound is still ingrained in your thoughts since the first day you stepped foot in that school, though there wasn't much to complain about, it was still a major improvement from being shoved in the locker, trash water being thrown at you, or even opening your bag to see your math homework in shreds.
Thankfully none of them followed when you left, but it seemed this whole scenario has flipped, no longer were you the hopeless nobody, apparently you're now the troubled delinquent who was expelled for starting a fight.
Well... that part is true, not sure about being the one who started it though.
Guess something really did follow here huh? not much you can do now, if that's how they see you, then so be it.
Despite that, this place was already much nicer, even with the occasional monster or super villain attack, there was still a semblance of peace here.
If only those two would start anew too, maybe then they'll actually act like parents again...
Geez... When did this even start...Or was it always there? going through the past barely showed its absence, even when things were simpler, there was always something wrong, even when they don't tell or say otherwise, it was always there, like a shadow looming over your shoulder, only becoming apparent as time passes.
If only it wasn't like that, then maybe things wouldn't be so bad...
Whatever, getting hung up right now is missing the point on why you're here in the first place.
So you strummed the strings of your guitar, going back to the simple tune stuck in your head.
"Well well, look what we have here boys?"
Your hands paused, attention turning behind you, only to be greeted by a group of teens, their green skin telling you exactly who they are.
Great, as things weren't already annoying, might as well just turn the other way, and you did, pushing any thoughts of them in the back of your mind.
"Ehh, Ace, it looks like they're playing some kind of guitar"
The one with the shades nodded, "And so they are, hey"
You spared him a glance, raising your brow to prompt him as your fingers continue to strum.
"I don't think we've met before,"
He raises his hand towards you, "The names Ace,"
It took a moment but eventually, you shook his hand, giving your own name as well.
Ace then gestures to the others behind him, "This is billy, lil Arturo, Snake, and Grubber"
They all greeted you back in their own way, so far they were....fine, nothing too hostile, just... suspiciously nice.
"Can't say I've seen you around, ya new here?" he asked, placing himself next to you.
You paused for a moment, "Not really, been here for a while now"
"Ohhhh! Now I ssss remember"
The gang, including you, turned to Snake, curiosity now etched in your expressions.
"They're the new ssstudent from that sssschool."
"Student eh?" Ace said, amusement clear in his tone.
"Whatcha doing out here all alone? not exactly the place you should be in, heh"
You gave him a look, wondering (or dreading) what to say next.
"Didn't feel like sitting all day," you simply answered, tuning your guitar.
"Oooh, a rebel," Ace chuckles, "Bet mommy and daddy dearest would be very disappointed if they found out,"
There was a snap in your voice, albeit subtle, it was enough to raise a brow from the leader.
Despite knowing better, you gave an answer anyway, "Everyone already thinks I'm trouble, so what's there to lose?"
You stop yourself from saying more, knowing if this goes further, who knows what wound you'll end up opening. You begin to play another tune, drowning the reality of who you really are.
Or who you were told to be...
A sudden force pulled you from the melody, looking to see who it was, you see Ace's arm has now wrapped around you, pulling you in a side hug.
"What?" you asked, completely lost on what he meant.
He then shifted your attention to the others, gesturing to them to make a point, "You see, me and my gang are some sort of a... family of trouble makers, when no one wanted us, we have each other, right boys?"
The gang nodded and agreed.
You looked at them then back at Ace, suspicion and confusion still lingering in your thoughts, "And you're telling me this because...?"
"I'm just saying that maybe," he pauses, "You'd like to join us"
"Yeah, I don't think so" you moved his arm away, returning to playing your guitar,
"Why not~?" Ace pouts, "You said it yourself, you got nothing to lose! So what's the harm in it?"
"The 'harm' would be getting looped up into your shenanigans, I'd rather save what little peace I have left," you shot back.
Your answer was immediate, not leaving any room for protest, yet your strumming began to waver as you gave it more thought.
"Besides, why should I? it's not like I meet the criteria for your 'gangreen' gang,"
A shallow reasoning to be fair, one that didn't even seem to matter since Ace already asked you to join the first time.
"O c'mon~ your trouble, we're trouble, I say it's a good fit, skin color don't matter there" Ace reasoned.
"But bosss, are you ssssure-"
"I'm sure. Snake" Ace cuts in, "Besides, it'd be nice to have a new member, right boys?"
"Si definitely!" Lil Arturo said.
"Same here boss," The big one followed up.
Grubber blew raspberries, not really sure what they mean, but from the looks of Ace, he most likely agreed.
"What about you Snake?" Ace asked, didn't really sound like a question though.
Snake looked between the gang and Ace, going back and forth until he sighed and gave his answer, "Ssss, yessss"
"See!" Ace pulled you into another side hug, "We'll be happy to have you part of our gang, so what do you say?"
Your answer was locked and loaded, a simple 'no' and that was it, but....
The offer was honestly a little tempting, and as he said, what's there to lose? the non existent respect from your peers? your parents? Yet the habit of building walls over took every single impulse to say 'yes', with each reason building the wall brick by brick until you could no longer see.
A terrible habit, one that cemented your isolation in the first place, it was cowardly, repulsive even, but it was comfortable, where you can't see it changing anytime soon.
Yet that firm 'no' never left your lips.
"I'm gonna have to leave you on hold for a while," you said.
It should've been out right refusal, done and done, but like a coward, you answer sits on the fence, non committal but also serves as an invitation.
How selfish, but hey, that's what you are anyway.
"Fine, fine," Ace said, raising his hands in defeat, "But if you ever change your mind, you can find us in the dump"
"Uh huh, don't worry, you'll be the first to know." you said.
A smirk made it way to his lips, giving you one last wink, he went back to his gang, "C'mon guys, let's go to the mini mart"
Once again you were by yourself, left to ponder what just happened.
Honestly, what were you thinking? to even consider their offer was completely stupid itself, you know what they're like, especially Ace-- the news did a great job on painting a picture,
And yet just seeing them... You couldn't erase the reflections that stared back at you.
Every glance you give them, you see the same face mirrored in every glass you see. Maybe that's why you didn't say no, but maybe you're just projecting again, that could be it too, but there was a part of you... that says otherwise.
Well, you can think of it more later, time to go back to the peace you came for.