Acespike is an asexual orientation within the asexual spectrum. It describes someone who typically feels no sexual attraction but occasionally experiences rare, sudden, and intense spikes of sexual attraction for a short period before quickly returning to their usual asexual state. Acespike can stand as an orientation by itself or be combined with other orientations, such as acespike and homosexual, indicating that when sexual attraction occurs, it is directed exclusively toward individuals of the same gender. The romantic counterpart to acespike is arospike, and being both acespike and arospike makes one aroacespike. The opposite of acespike is acejump.
Mateo identifies as acespike and generally doesn’t feel sexual attraction. Most days, he’s content focusing on work, hobbies, and spending time with friends. However, every once in a while, Mateo experiences a sudden and intense wave of attraction that takes him by surprise. One day, while attending a concert, he felt a powerful, unexpected attraction toward a performer. It was overwhelming and disorienting, as such moments were rare. The next day, the feeling was gone, and Mateo felt like his usual asexual self. He confided in his friend Laura, saying, “It’s like a sudden storm that passes quickly, and then it’s calm again.” These spikes are brief but intense enough to be memorable, sometimes leaving Mateo to question his identity momentarily. However, recognizing that these are part of the acespike experience has helped him understand and accept these moments without confusion. For Mateo, acespike provides a way to describe the rare but real bursts of attraction in his life, affirming that his asexuality includes these fleeting spikes and that this does not make his overall identity any less valid.