Let Me Save You Then

HELLO, NEIGHBOR

ACE's POV // Present.

Right after Ace got inside the car, her phone rings; indicating that someone is calling her. She grabbed her phone and looked at the screen where the caller ID is. Seeing that it was Neesha - one of her best friend, she answered the call

"Hey, Nee! What's up?" she asked, and out of nowhere, Ace's head turned to look out the window. Eyes scanning for a particular curly headed lady with eyes as blue as the morning sky

When Ace spotted her, her smile automatically formed within her face. The girl who bumped into her earlier was still standing on the same spot Ace left her. Face flushed pink, it's more visible now that the sun's light was hitting her. Ace had just noticed that the girl was wearing a black turtle neck long sleeved shirt, paired with a faded black tight jeans and a blue vans shoe. Simple yet effective. Ace smiled at her own thoughts

She had totally forgotten that she was on the phone, talking to someone when she heard a shout on the other line

"ACE HARRIET ARE YOU STILL f*****g ALIVE?! OR SHOULD I NEED TO CALL 911?!" Ace needs to take her phone away from her ears to save her eardrums from getting damaged. She rolled her eyes and sighed before responding

"Yeah yeah. Calm your t**s, Neesha Jasmin. 'm still here" Eyes trailed back to the girl with beautiful blue eyes who's now walking towards a car. The driver went out and helped her with her luggage.

Ace's ride finally move after getting caught from a quick traffic. Philippines really has some bad traffic management, not gonna lie.

"Oi! Piss off. Where are you? You back from Palawan?" She heard her friend ask from the other line. Voice thick with Irish accent.

Ace adjusted her position in the car to get more comfortable. She straightened out her crumpled long sleeved summer polo before responding, again

"Yes, though I'm still at the airport. Damn this traffic" She sighed again, responding with much lower and slower voice than usual. She's getting quite annoyed

"Yeah, this traffic is really getting into our nerves too. Anyway, you still coming to school? Or you're ditching Mondays again?" Right when she said those, as if on cue, their school bell rings and she heard incoherent noises on the other line

"'m ditching it, obviously. First period's done?" Ace asked. Both her and Neesha’s first class starts at nine and ends around eleven, so she's guessing her friend's about to go to lunch.

With a sigh, she turned her head to look ahead, averting her attention to the driver in front of her. She covered her phone before speaking to her driver

"Let's take a quick stop at Starbucks" 's all she said before turning her attention back to her friend when she saw her driver nodding as a response

"Sorry, what was that again?"

"I said, yes. But 't was postponed since Ms. Mariano called a sudden meeting for all of the Seniors in all departments" Ace scrunched her nose, forehead creased. Who would call a gathering on Mondays? Ace then clicked her tongue, their school's really weird.

"f**k yeah! No class for today, bitches!" Ace then heard noises of cheering on the background. Oh? That's a first

"Said something about having a teachers conference or something like that. Didn't quite heard it though" Neesha explained as if she read her mind

"Hey, Nee. Who's that?" Ace then heard a familiar voice talking right after her driver parked the car outside Starbucks. She unbuckled her seatbelt, grabbed her wallet and got out the car after saying 'Wait for me here' to the driver

"It's Harriet" Ace groans in annoyance upon calling her name. She rolled her eyes and continued walking inside Starbucks

"Oh, she's back? Let me talk to her. Hey, Ace!" By the tone of it, she's hundred and one percent sure it's Zarri - her other best friend.

"Hey, Zee. Vas happenin'?" Ace smiled as she heard her chuckle

"We missed you. Two days without seeing you feels like eternity, love" Zarri sighed dramatically, making Ace chuckle while rolling her eyes fondly

"Whatever you say, princess. .. One venti iced latte to go please and a burnt cheese cake" Ace ordered as soon as she was on the counter.

"So what's the plan? The class is suspended." Zarri asked while she was waiting for her order

"Hm you guys wanna hangout at my place?" She offers. Eyes scanning the crowd inside the shop

"Yeah, sure. We'll be there in a few" Zarri agreed, and then she heard her informing Neesha about their planned hangout on her place

"Great. See ya" She then ended the call right when her order came. She offered her card to the cashier, then walks out of Starbucks when she's done paying and headed straight on her car

As Ace was walking towards where her car was parked, she felt that something pulled lightly on her polo's hem. She looked down and saw a girl; hair disheveled, face and clothes stained with dirt, with a hand stretched towards her

"Do you have any spare coin?" The kid asked, arms still stretched out. Ace smiled at her. She took out her wallet, and gave the poor girl a bill - including her favorite cheesecake.

"Here" The little girl's face lit up, eyes twinkling in delight and lips stretched wide in a smile, revealing her teeth.

Ace giggled lightly when she saw that some of her teeth are missing. She pats the girls head when she said her thank you and continued walking to where her driver is waiting

When Ace arrives at her car, her driver was already outside, holding the backseat door open for her. A warm soft smile plastered on his face. Ace just offered him a small smile and a quick shrug, knowing that her driver saw what she did to the girl

The moment she settled on the backseat, her driver asked her where to go

"To the complex. Zarri and Neesha are coming." She took a sip on her latte and stared outside the car window. Mind cleared with thoughts and just enjoying the scenery flashed before her. She still can't quite grasp at the reality that she's no longer living in London, though it's been three years since they moved out.

It was her mum's idea to move and live in the Philippines - since they also have a business there - trying to have a fresh start again since that happened three years ago. She shakes her head, trying not to remember what happened.

When her two best friends - Zarri and Neesha - found out about it, they begged her mum to change her mind and that they'll just stay in London. They tried sweet talking her, but of course, her mum is too stubborn to listen. She said it was for Ace's own good that they're moving out. And that's when her two best friends made the most ridiculous decision they could ever make in their entire existence, they forced their mums to let them go with them and live with them in the Philippines. Of course, at first their mum scolded them; asking if they were out of their minds. And alas, after tons of begging, crying, forcing; maybe even threatening their mums and dads that they'll go rebellious if they wouldn't let them go with Ace and her mum in the Philippines, they finally agreed. Making them promise to well behave, and stuffs like that.

That's how they ended up in the Philippines. And Ace was grateful enough for her friends for sticking with her despite everything that had happened. She thought that maybe that's the reason why they're stronger than ever.

She snapped out of her deep thoughts when she heard the door of the backseat opened. And so they're back at the complex. Ace sighed as she stepped out of car, her driver taking her bag for her. She throws away her now empty latte to the nearest bin

As soon as she walks out of the parking lot of the building, she was greeted by a sudden gust of warm air and two running ladies, arms wide open and a wide smile all over their face

"Ace!"

"Harriet!"

The two shouted at her in unison, jumping in on her for a tight hug. Ace having a quick stumble while trying to get a good grip of the two, trying not to fall on the ground. The three of them laughing at the stance.

"Hey now. Calm down you two, will ya?" Ace said still laughing, steadying them. When they calmed down from their shared laugh, the three of them stood there for a good second, smiling fondly at each other.

It was Zarri who broke the silence seconds later. "How's the trip?" She asked, one arm wrapped around her waist

They started walking inside the building, with two of her best friends each by her side.

"'s fine. Just a lil' bit tiring. Mum made me do rounds around the resort, wanting me to check what's there to fix or change and wants me to have an inventory. She also wants me to check the staffs and the resorts' overall" Ace explained, nodding at the security guard in the entrance door when he greeted them a good morning.

"It's quite boring though. You two should have come with me."

Both Neesha and Zarri looked at her apologetically while Ace pouted.

"Sorry, love. Ya know we would love to go with you, yeah?" Neesha said nodding. Hands wrapped around her arm while Zarri's right arm were still wrapped around her waist.

"Yeah. If weren't for the project we're making, we'll go with you. You know that" Zarri looked at her, eyes apologetic, while pressing her waist lightly. Ace sighed and offered her best friends an understanding smile

"'s alright though. I just thought that maybe, it would be less of a boring trip if you were there. But of course, I understand. It's a school matter, 's important." They smiled at each other while they continued to walk inside the building

Just when they were about to turn around to go to her mum's office - so she could give her the 'report' that her mum asked her to do, Ace saw something that made her heart skipping a beat. Or maybe she was just hallucinating or something because how could that beautiful blue eyes be here, in the same complex that Ace is? But she still stopped walking, and green eyes frantically searching for that specific head of curls

"Ya alright, babe?" Zarri asked. The three of them now stood in the center of the lobby, two pairs of eyes watching her in confusion while she scan the place

"Yeah yeah. Uhm, I just .. Yeah, 'm fine" Ace responded, eyes still wandering around

"C'mon, what's wrong, H?" It was now Neesha's turn to ask, her eyes now looking around. Not sure what she's actually searching for.

"Uhm 's just .. Uhm, I don't know. I uhm I just thought I saw someone" Shaking her head, she turned her gaze back at her friends. They continued walking when she said, "Come on"

But of course, one of her friends has to push the topic more. Ace sighed. Eyes fixed in front of her

"Someone? Didn't know you knew some 'someone', H" Neesha said. Voice holds a teasing tone, while poking her side. Ace rolled her eyes and it landed on her other side

Zarri eyed her suspeciously. Eyebrow raised questioningly. Ace sighed again before shrugging.

"'s nothing, really. Just this someone I bumped into outside the airport while waiting for my ride, 's all." Ace saw Zarri nodding, forehead still creased. While Neesha on the other side has some annoying smirk on her face

"Piss off, Nee" She said, nudging her friend. Neesha laughs at her, cheeky grin permanently plastered in her face

When they arrived at the corner right wing of the lobby, the three of them entered the elevator - The only elevator leading to her mum's office, which is by the way, exclusive for them only. The building staffs are only allowed to ride that particular lift only when they have some important matters to discuss with her mom. And yes, the complex building they're staying at is owned by Ace's mum.

Once they're at her mum's floor, they stride down the hallway and went directly to the only door present in that floor. Ace pressed the doorbell and put her palm on the biometric security. After it lit green, the door opened. They walked inside and they saw her mum at the corner of her office, watering her plants.

"Hey, mum." Ace's mum instantly turned to meet them, plant sprayer still in her hand. She smiled at them before putting it on the table and gave them a hug

"Hello, Anne." Both Zarri and Neesha greeted her mum, they then went to kiss her cheeks

"How're ya, fine ladies?" Her mum asked, the four of them each settled on the couch inside the office. Feeling comfortable.

"We're fine. Just a tiring week at school and projects they're giving us" Zarri said, voice full of exhaustion.

Neesha agreed by nodding before ranting

"Yeah. Who gives projects twice a month? Damn. This school is draining all my energy" She sighed dramatically, head hung at the back of the couch. Ace's mum laughed at her, patting Neesha's lap

"That's what schools are made for, hun" Neesha just shrug. Anne shakes her head before averting her eyes on Ace

"And how 'bout you, baby? How's the trip?" Ace shrugged, crossing her arms on her chest

"Kinda of boring but 's fine, I guess. I've already sent you the files and reports you needed regarding the resort. As I've seen by Clara's report and summary of the month's data, the resort is booming. Everyone seemed to like the place, since the website's database still at 5 stars and we're still at the first spot. So yeah, that went well"

Ace stood up from the single sofa she's seated at and went directly to her mum's fridge to get something to drink.

"Y'all want one?" She asked. Back still facing at the three ladies inside the room. Her eyes scanning the insides of the fridge, deciding what she'll be having. She then settled to just have an iced tea

"'s there some beer? I'm kind of parched" Neesha asked, now stood beside her in the fridge. Looking for her drink, once she got one, she sat back on the couch. Ace just rolled her eyes, already immune to her Irish friend. She turned to face her mum and Zarri

"How 'bout ya?" Her mum shakes her and said, 'm good

"Just water, please. Thanks" Ace hums, smiling back at Zarri before facing the fridge again. She takes two bottled water and gave one to Zarri

"We're heading back to my room to hangout, mum. Wanna join us?" Ace asked, leaning down the table to grab her keys and phone

"Nah. Still has a lot to do. You guys enjoy your hangout though" Anne gave them a sweet smile before she stood up, and goes back to her plants

"A'right. We'll see you later, then?" Ace asked as they were walking towards the door. Her mum faced them again, smile not leaving her face

"Yes, babe. All four of us will be having dinner at roof deck tonight, how's that?" Anne clasps her hands in excitement when all three girls agreed.

"Bye, mum"

"Bye, Anne"

And then they exited the room, they then strolled back towards the lift.

They talked and laugh inside the elevator until it brought them back to the lobby. They smiled back to anyone greeting them while they walk towards another elevator

Zarri pressed floor nine once they were inside the elevator. Luckily, the lift isn't as crowded as Ace thought it would be. There are only five of them riding it, the three of them and two elderly couple. All five of them shared a quick smile.

They were the last ones to hop out of the lift when it reaches nineth. Once they're out, Neesha can't stop talking about one of her classmates who always throws banters with her. They stride down the long hallway towards their flat's floor, then turning left.

Neesha and Zarri were still talking, laughing and pushing around as they walk and Ace just listens to them. Laughing or chuckling when she deemed it fit.

When they were almost at their flat, Ace instantly smelled a familiar scent, brows crossed together, she popped her head up; frozen at her track when she saw a familiar face. She can almost hear her own heart beating as she stares at the person in front of her. Ace blinked her eyes, suddenly feeling dizzy

Her mouth dropped open, eyes can't believe that the person running unwillingly in her mind since the moment she laid hers into is standing in front of her. Ace's breath hitched, as the blue eyed curly headed girl stared back at her. Blue eyes widens in shock

And just as things couldn't get any more awkward, Zarri and Neesha - who's still goofing around, laughing and pushing each other - decides to include her and they accidentally pushed Ace. Her eyes widens as she stumbled on her feet towards the girl whose eyes makes her lost every time she stares at her.

But thankfully, Ace's clumsiness didn't failed her as when she was about to fall directly to the girl, her arms grasp at the door frame; locking the blue eyed girl in place. Ace gulped as she stared down at her, eyes still wide open in shock. Veronica's mouth parted open in shock at the situation they're in. Mind not processing properly

"Oops" Ace uttered shakily, her hands now holding her weight against the door frame, balancing herself not to fall and hit Veronica. Green eyes wide open as she stared down at her

"Hi" Veronica mastered to say despite the loud and rapid beating of her heart. Hands ready to catch the lady in front if her. She swears to god, her face is as red as a tomato

Ace found herself getting lost in the curly hair's blue eyes, lips parted open and hands trembling as she continues to stare down at her. She was only brought back to her reverie when she heard someone clearing their throat

Ace's face flushed pink in embarrassment. Struggling to stand still and steady herself, she uttered another shaky "Sorry" to the other girl

"Oi what're ya doing there, H?" Neesha asked her, voice holding a teasing tone. Ace turns her head and glared at her

"What the f**k was that for?" Ace roared at her. Voice deep and slow and a little bit shaky, face still red in embarrassment

Neesha shrugged while she turned her gazed towards Zarri - who was looking intently at Veronica, making her face red and making her shiver a bit at the way she looks at her.

"'s not me. Zarrina pushed me" Zarri smacked her head, earning a groan from Neesha

Ace sighed as she rolled her eyes in annoyance. And Neesha being Neesha, she pushed Ace aside - who then glares at her - and walks closer to Veronica, making her fidget and shrunk at where she stands.

"Hiya! The name's Neesha, Harriet's best friend. And you are?" She offered her hands towards Veronica. She hesitates to hold it and make a shake hands at first, but she still does it nonetheless

Neesha instantly smiles at the contact, making Veronica flushed more

"Ver- I uhm I mean, Louise. 'm Louise" Veronica blushed and let's go of her hand when Neesha said "sweet". She then averted her eyes towards the two fine looking ladies in front of them. The one with the green eyes she always got herself lost into, and one with chocolate shade eyes who's still looking at her intently. Observing her - or maybe judging her, Veronica thought

Veronica shake the negative thought away and was suddenly alerted when the girl with sharp chocolate eyes stretched out her arm towards her. She only relaxes when the girl spoke, introducing herself

"I'm Zarrina, but you can call me Zarri or Z. Whichever you prefer. Hi" When Zarri offered her a small smile, Veronica shakes her hand while uttering a quiet hello

She instantly looks up expectantly to the girl who always makes her heart beat abnormally and takes her breath away - but of course, she's not gonna admit that. Nope.

The girl whose eyes holds the most beautiful shade of green with a bit of blue and gold when a light hits it, opens her mouth, but no words came out.

Ace gulped, looks away and stared back at her. When she tried speaking again, Neesha interrupted her. Introducing her instead

"This fine lady right here is my friend. Her name is Harriet. Harriet, this is Louise. Louise, Harriet. You may now kiss- no I mean, shake hands. But you can also do that if you'd like though" The girl named Zarri smacked Neesha's head again making her groaned in annoyance while glaring up at her. While Louise on the other hand, blushed, now hesitating to shake Harriette's hand

Harriet hm. Beautiful name for a beautiful lady. Her name suits her. Veronica smiled at the thought

When she looked up again, she saw that Harriet was already staring at her - or maybe eyes not leaving her. Her face also painted red

So Louise gathered up all of her courage, and reached out to her

"Hi" Louise offered a hand shake, and smiled shyly at the girl staring down at her.

She just realized how tall Harriet

is. She haven't actually noticed it earlier as she was both mesmerized and lost at her green eyes. It's like Louise is getting lost inside a garden whenever she look straight in her eyes.

Harriet cleared her throat, eyelashes sweeping gracefully as she blinks. She took Louise's hand, making her flinch at the sudden bolt of electricity sparking at the contact

Her hand soft and smooth against her.

"Hello again" Harriet spoke, not breaking the eye contact nor even letting go of Louise's hand

Louise smiled shyly at her, neither of them wanting to let go of each other's hand. Their hands fits perfectly with each other, Harriet thought. A smile now threatening to creep out her face

"Yeah. Sorry again 'bout that" Her eyes now wandering around, except Harriet's. She heard her chuckled before saying "'s alright". Louise found herself ghosting a smile when she heard her chuckle, it's like a melody of her favorite song. Making her want to hear it over and over again

But of course, they have to be interrupted by a girl with what Louise guess is an Irish accent

"Woah there, mates. What do ya mean, 'again'? Have ya guys met before? And ya know, as much as I find ya guys cute, will you please let loose of your hands?" Neesha's face now shows confusion as her eyes flickered from Louise's to Harriet's - though her voice sassy and teasing

Both Harriet and Louise's face blushed. They instantly lets go of each other's hand. Harriet stepping back a little to give her space.

It was Harriet who answered.

"Ahm yeah. I guess? Ahm we've.. We've kind of bumped into each-" Harriet couldn't finish her sentence because Neesha decided to interrupt her again

"Woah woah. Hold on. Bumped into each other you say? Woah don't tell me, she was that 'someone' whom you were looking for earlier-" Harriet suddenly covers Neesha's mouth and pulled her closer to her, whispering something on her ear making Neesha laugh

Someone? And what did she say? Harriet was looking? For me?

Thinking about what Neesha has said, Louise's face instantly heat up. She looked away to hide her flushed cheek

Louise saw Zarri looking at her, small smile appeared in her lips when their eyes met. Louise smiled back at her, but she noticed that there's something weird about Zarri's smile, and when she looked up at her again, Zarri's eyes holds an emotion that Louise can't quite comprehend

But that emotion only lasts short as when Zarri noticed her staring back at her, she smiled widely. Eyes crinkling on the side. Attention now on her two friends who's still bantering about something

Zarri clear her throat to get their attention, and when the two stood up straight, Harriet's eyes instantly found hers

Neesha also cleared her throat, and Louise just know that she'll start talking again. And no one can stop her.

"Anyway, Louise, if you don't mind me asking, what're ya doing here, love?" Neesha puffed an 'oof' when Harriet nudges her side

"I uhm. I just moved here, and was about to go inside when you know. We met" Louise hides her hands around her back to stop herself from fidgeting

"Oh? So you're the new occupant of that flat, I see. Guess we're all neighbors now then" Neesha gave her a cheeky smile, brows wiggling as she moves her eyes from Louise and Harriet

And again, Louise blushed. Gosh, can I not blush even just for a f*****g second?

"Yeah. I guess?"

"Mm. Neesha's flat is this" Louise looking at where Zarri is pointing at. Room 927. "Mine is that" She then shifted her gaze to the other side of the room, the door says Room 930. "And of course, the door next to yours, is Ace's"

Louise brows furrowed.

"Ace's?" she asked confusedly

Both Zarri and Neesha chuckled at her question while Harriet just stared at her.

Can she stop staring?

Can't she see I'm melting in here?

But of course, she didn't say it out loud.

"Yeah. Ace. Ace Harriet." Zarri looks up at Harriet. Chocolate eyes holding adoration as she stares up at the girl with green eyes

"Ace Harriet" Louise's eyes widens at Harriette when she realized that she said it out loud. Harriet's cheeks suddenly turns pink

I don't like it when people calls me Harriette, but why does my stomach flutters when she says it? Ace asked at the back of her head. Eyes still bore at Louise

Zarri cleared her throat again, making them break their eye contact.

"Louise, we'll be hanging out at Ace's flat today. Do you want to join us, darling?" Zarri asked her. Voice thick with accent. Must be British, Louise wonders.

Her voice holds seriousness in it, though Louise feels it in her gut that Zarri's kind of friendly and approachable.

Louise hesitated for a second. Debating with herself whether to accept the offer or not. But much to her dismay, she has to choose the latter.

"'m sorry. I can't. I uhm .. I'm kind of tired from a thirteen hour flight .. I uhm .. I planned to sleep the whole day, I guess" Louise shrugged slightly. She wants to join them, and hang out with them. Especially that Harriet was there, and that Zarri said they're hanging out at her place.

"A'right then. See ya around, hun. It was nice knowing ya" Zarri gave her a soft smile. Waiting for Harriet to put on her hand for her biometric security

Louise was surprised when she saw Harriet lean down. Eyes directly facing her biometric scanner

"Don't be surprised. This one's an i***t. Said her eyes were too unique for people to use her pictures for scanning or whatsoever" Harriet nudges Neesha on her side again before stepping back as her door opens

"Yeah. Right. Uhm. Nice knowing you guys too. I uhm, I think I'd probably go inside too. I uhm .. I still have to unpack my things"

“Alright, babe, if ya need anything, just knock yeah? Nice to meet ya, love” Neesha smiled at her while winking. Louise just shook her head then proceeded to insert her keys when she saw both Zarri and Neesha entered Harriet's flat

She was about to push her own door open when she felt someone's presence staring down at her. And of course she knows who that was

As she looked up at Harriet, her blue eyes met her green ones again. They stayed like that for a good second before Harriet broke their silence

"Nice seeing you again, Curly" A small smirk appeared on Harriet's face again, a ghost of her dimple is threatening to creep out before she turned around and entered her flat. Closing the door behind her.