Run Before Sunrise …part 3
Ace looked Dior up and down before smirking. “I don’t,” he said casually. “I’m just visiting somebody.”
Dior adjusted the strap on her backpack. “Oh.”
There was an awkward silence between them. The kind that felt heavy for no reason. Ace kept staring at her like he wanted to say something else but kept stopping himself.
“Why you acting weird?” Dior finally asked.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
Before Dior could respond, a black SUV rolled slowly down the block and stopped right beside them. The windows were tinted dark. Ace’s entire expression changed instantly.
“Go in the house, Dior.”
“What? Why?”
“I said go inside.”
The passenger window rolled down halfway. A girl leaned out wearing long acrylic nails and oversized sunglasses.
“So this who you skipping out on me for?” she snapped.
Dior frowned. “Excuse me?”
Ace rubbed his face. “Kayla, not right now.”
“Nah, because you told me you was at practice.” Kayla climbed out the truck, slamming the door behind her. “Whole time you outside flirting?”
“We was just talking,” Dior said defensively.
Kayla laughed bitterly. “You always say that until you messing with somebody’s man.”
Dior’s face twisted up. “Girl, I don’t even want him.”
Ace stepped between them before things escalated. “Both of y’all chill.”
But the tension only got worse when another voice shouted from across the street.
“Ace!”
Everybody turned.
A tall boy in a ski mask jogged toward them holding his side like he’d been running for blocks.
“They found your brother,” he said out of breath. “And it’s bad.”
Ace froze.
The entire mood shifted instantly. Kayla stopped yelling. Dior’s stomach dropped seeing the panic spread across Ace’s face.
“What happened?” Ace asked quietly.
The boy hesitated before answering.
“He got shot.”
Ace stood there frozen like the words didn’t register the first time.
“What hospital?” he asked quickly.
The masked boy shook his head. “He ain’t make it to one.”
Dior felt her chest tighten.
Kayla covered her mouth. “What?”
“Ace, they left him in the alley behind the store on Madison.”
For a second Ace didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Nothing. Then all at once, rage flashed across his face.
“Who did it?” he snapped.
“Nobody knows for sure, but people saying it had something to do with them boys from Bergen.”
Ace cursed under his breath and started backing away. Dior grabbed his arm before he could leave.
“Ace, don’t go over there angry.”
“He was my brother, Dior!”
“And if you go looking for revenge right now, you gone end up next to him!”
Kayla rolled her eyes through tears. “So what he supposed to do? Cry about it?”
Dior turned toward her. “This not helping.”
Ace snatched away from Dior’s grip and paced down the sidewalk, pulling at his braids in frustration. People were starting to come outside their houses now, watching the scene unfold.
Then Ace’s phone rang.
He answered immediately. “Hello?”
Nobody heard the voice on the other end, but Ace’s face slowly changed from anger to confusion.
“What you mean she was there?”
Dior frowned.
Ace looked directly at her.
“What girl?” Kayla asked nervously.
Ace swallowed hard before speaking.
“My brother was with a girl before he got killed.”
Dior crossed her arms. “Okay… and?”
Ace stared at her for a long moment.
“The girl had red hair.”
Everything in Dior’s body went still.
Because earlier that afternoon, Dior had been with Ace’s brother.
And she never told Ace.
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Running into situations filled with tension and secrets can truly change the course of our relationships and perceptions. Reading this chapter reminded me of the times I've experienced unexpected revelations that completely shifted my understanding of people I thought I knew well. The complex emotions Ace and Dior face—the awkward silences, the sudden confrontations, and the heartbreaking news—really resonate with anyone who’s dealt with family crises or trust issues in close relationships. I recall once overhearing a heated conversation between two friends where hidden feelings and misunderstandings surfaced unexpectedly, turning the atmosphere thick with tension. Similar to how Ace’s shock and fear about his brother’s shooting propel the story, real-life moments like this demand us to carefully choose how to react—whether to seek revenge or find a way to heal. This part of the story also highlights the importance of honesty and the painful consequences when truths are hidden, like Dior not telling Ace about her meeting with his brother. It’s a reminder that transparency—even when difficult—is vital to prevent further pain and misunderstanding. For readers drawn to emotional drama intertwined with suspense and urban realities, this installment deepens the narrative in a gripping way through relatable, raw experiences. Overall, Run Before Sunrise Part 3 offers a vivid look at how quickly life can change and how complicated human connections become when faced with loss, betrayal, and survival instincts. It inspires reflection on the value of communication and the strength required to confront harsh realities without letting anger dictate our decisions.
