Ace was the first person you had told the news to.

It was supposed to be a normal class as Ace took his usual seat next to yours. Deuce was missing due to Track and Field, while Grim hasn’t been feeling well. This class period it was just you two.

Ace complained about missing basketball practice, lamenting on how lame it was… albeit with a strange huge grin on his face. He spurred on how unfair it was as “Riddle would have my head!”, but it’s never stopped him before nor Deuce. You just think he wants to show off… but he seems to brighten when he bothers you.

Of course he tries to switch it to staying in your dorm, complaining when you won’t because Grim isn’t feeling well, making fun of Deuce for not being here, and amongst other things you had just learned to accept and smile. Though he definitely earned many giggles from you, which only spurred him on to be more crazy.

The class at this point was ran by Ace as he didn’t care how loud he was. He was interrupting the teacher with his loud voice, boasting on card tricks, his finger’s quick as they shuffled the cards, and then conveniently stopping on the Ace of Hearts. Cheeky.

But that wasn’t what got you. It was the fact he would ramble. Small little words to pass the time that would feel a little more intimate with just you, because you were the star of his words. His whispers about how he plans to sneak to your dorm, plans to find a way to steal a tart to share with you and Grim, future games he wants to see you cheer him on, and most of all had plans to cause mischief because he knows you’d be dragged out to clean it. Like always.

But things were going to be different now, and you could hold it in anymore.

You were going home.

You blurred out those final words, those words that would change everything, and he just stared dumbfounded. His eyes were wide in disbelief as he paused his shuffling. You didn’t realize how loud you two were until both of you were quiet.

It took a moment, but Ace finally moved as he continued to shuffle his cards. Usually he would grin, have that cocky, a look you’d wanna punch, but he didn’t have that. And he neatly put away his precious cards.

He sighed before scratching the back of his neck, “Guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You have been wanting to go home since you got here.”

And in a moment his mood switched. You assumed he was sulking earlier, but you could see that perhaps he just needed a moment to think. His grin wasn’t as wide, but it was there enough to convince you that it didn’t hurt at all

He continued on his usual ramblings, continuing to talk, and yet his words were still about you.

“Does that mean I get to have Ramshakle? Awww, c’mon prefect! Don’t be so stingy.”

“Next time- oh. I’ll just do it again. I’ll make these cards flip so impressively that even Grim won’t have anything to say!”

“Should I ask Trey to make you some snacks? Nah. Knowing him he’s probably already planning it.”

“C’mon let’s do such a big prank that will expel you! Cant expel a student who’s already leaving! Aw, c’mon! Just for old times sake. Okay, okay… I was kidding!”

Maybe… maybe he won’t miss you?

But soon came the day you were to go home. The day you were to finally leave this hellhole and continue your life that was so suddenly taken from you. Would you wake up on the streets you were hit? Perhaps a hospital? Maybe even your bed. Hopefully, it wasn’t in a busy road where you’d get ran over… again.

And as you stepped onto the platform, a crowd forming to see and send off you, your hand touched the cold glass.

SHATTER

As your eyes flew opened you had saw what you had hoped wouldn’t happen. The Great Mirror on the Wall, the same Mirror that was used by the Great Evil Queen, was shattering. Breaking into little glittery fragments right in front of your eyes.

You’re only way home. It was gone.

But now wasn’t time for the despair you felt as the mirror continued to crack before it completely collapsed onto you. You didn’t get a moment before-

Someone was on top of you.

“…you good?” Ace groaned, “Damn… that hurt.”