Noticing Ace's posture as he fired the shotgun and the smooth way he handled the weapon, Luke said in disbelief, "Al, there's no way this is your kid's first time using a gun. I'd sooner believe you if you told me he served."
Alwin wanted to retort, but he couldn't ignore the same nagging thought. Skeptically, he asked his son, "Ace, you haven't been hitting the gun range in the city without your mother's or my knowledge, have you?"
"Dad, are you seriously doubting me right now? With my knowledge from first-person shooter games, handling a gun isn't that hard," Ace argued, handing the shades and shotgun back to Luke. However, nobody seemed convinced, and Ace didn't seem to care.
Ignoring their gazes, he walked to the Ford pickup and picked up an M16 assault rifle. Cycling the action to eject any rounds in the chamber, he visually inspected the chamber to confirm it was empty. Then, extending his hand toward Lola, he said, "Add it to my uncle's tab!"
Lola leaned back to glance at Dan, and after receiving a nod of confirmation, she handed Ace a magazine loaded with 5.56x45mm NATO cartridges. Taking the magazine, Ace skillfully located the magazine well on the underside of the rifle, just in front of the trigger guard, and inserted it in one smooth motion until it locked into place with a satisfying click in a single try.
Next, he pulled the charging handle back forcefully until it locked in the rear position, chambering a round as he slowly released the handle. Then, engaging the safety, he headed to the range.
Watching this, Lola rolled her brown eyes, concluding that Ace was lying—this wasn't his first time handling an M16 rifle. It was impossible for a first-timer to handle a weapon so smoothly, especially under so many watchful eyes. As her curiosity about the handsome transfer student grew, she couldn't help but scrutinize him further.
Lola was in the same grade as Ace but in the class next to his. So, it didn't surprise her that he didn't recognize her. However, she knew him because he was the school's new hot topic. All the school and class chat groups she was part of had mentioned him several times.
Apparently, he had stomped on the hood of Brooke's G-Wagon after she body shamed his cousin over a parking spot. Brooke's brother had tried to retaliate by beating Danny but got caught by Ms. Matthews. The principal called their parents, and Brooke's brother was suspended from school for two days.
Taking his position at the range, Ace set the M16 to semi-automatic mode and disengaged the safety before taking aim. The range featured 12 target dummies made of rusted iron, shaped to resemble human heads and torsos. Behind them stood a four-teeth-thick brick and concrete wall.
Ace opened fire, each bullet hitting its target squarely in the center of the head. Starting from the rightmost corner, he hit all the targets one by one, repeating the process until he was out of rounds.
Seeing this, Alwin and Luke stared at the targets, their jaws hanging open in sheer disbelief. Dan, who had been casually leaning against his Polaris, slowly walked toward them, equally amazed. Lola stood frozen in shock, watching Ace hit every target with perfect precision, each shot landing squarely in the head.
She was now even more certain this wasn't Ace's first time handling a firearm. He had lied, but she couldn't fathom how someone could be so shameless. Yet, she found herself looking at him with an admiring gaze, unable to look away from he handsome and focus face she bit her lower lip.
Ignoring the attention on him, Ace turned to walk to Lola and handed her the M16. She gestured as if to ask if he wanted another gun, but he shook his head handing her the earmuffs too and said, "I've had my fill for today, and it'll be harder to collect the spent casings if it gets any darker."
"The boy's right. Let's call it a day," Luke agreed, signaling his daughter to start collecting the casings. He then turned to Alwin and said, "So, Al, are you sure you don't want a gun? I'll give you a great deal on that M16. Your son seems to handle it better than you, you need more practice."
"Not today, Luke. But if I ever do, I have your number," Alwin replied reluctantly, recalling his wife's stern warning about the gun range.
Meanwhile, Dan turned to Ace and ordered, "Boy, don't just stand there. Go help the girl collect the casings."
"No, Dan, I can handle it—" Lola started, but Dan interrupted, "I paid for the bullets. The least he can do is clean up the ammunition he used."
Before heading to help Lola, Ace turned to his father and demanded, "Dad, I want that 1874 Sharps rifle."
Alwin's eyes widened as he scolded his son, "Boy, have you lost your mind? Or are you scheming to get your mother to leave me?"
"Dad, I just want it as a prop to display in my room. You can even keep the springs," Ace pleaded hurriedly. Realizing it was impossible to convince his father, he turned to his uncle with an innocent expression and said, "Uncle Dan…"
"Al, buy the boy the gun. Just be happy he's not asking for dolls—action figures—to decorate his room," Dan said, supporting his nephew. He saw in Ace someone who could carry the responsibility of leading the next generation of the Lander family.
Getting the hint, Luke hurried to the pickup, retrieved the 1874 Sharps rifle, and handed it to Dan, saying, "That'll be $3,200."
"Dan, it's a gun, not some toy! Unless you want me to stay at your house for the foreseeable future, stay out of this," Alwin warned, knowing his wife would lose her mind if she found out he'd bought their son a gun—even if it was to be a prop.
Ignoring Alwin's warning, Dan inspected the rifle before turning to Luke and saying, "Send the entire bill to my number. I'll settle it."
"Dan—" Alwin began to protest, but his brother cut him off.
"Al, let me do this for my nephew. I'll explain it to Mary," Dan assured him.
"Okay, boss." Luke grinned from ear to ear, making the sale. Then he asked, "Do you want me to spring it for you?"
Dan looked at Luke as if to confirm he was serious and replied, "I think I can handle it. Don't you?"
Alwin dropped his head in dismay as he watched his brother buy the gun. He knew there was no stopping Dan once he made up his mind. But then there was his wife to consider—sigh. He braced himself for lonely nights ahead.
Ace, meanwhile, happily hurried to the range to help Lola collect the casings. She had gathered most of them in a can and was searching for the ones that had previously eluded her.
"Hi, I'm Ace Lander," he introduced himself with a gentle smile, easily spotting a casing and placing it in the can Lola was holding.
Lola was taken aback, a subtle blush spreading across her cheeks, highlighting her freckles. Collecting herself, she replied, "I'm Lola Loren. We go to the same grade."
"Sorry, I didn't recognize you."
"It's okay. We're in different classes."
"No wonder. For a minute, I was worried—how could my eyes have missed a beauty like you?"
"Wow, you're too modest for someone beautiful."
"You know, my dad is right there, right?"
"Don't tell me he's standing right behind me, listening."