| Chapter Twenty-nine |
| Unsure of where to go, Grace stumbled back into the Ron’s house. Everything was where she left it. People seemed a little drunker than she remembered, but other than that, nothing had changed. She was immediately hit with a need to get away and pushed her way through the crowd.
A few people took notice of her frantic movement, but nobody spoke to her as she passed except to say ‘hey’ or as one girl put it, ‘rude much’. At that moment in time, Grace couldn’t have cared less what they thought of her. She just wanted to be away from anybody and everybody. In record time, she was marching her way outside again. Her hands dove into her purse, grasping desperately for her cell phone. She could only hope Mindy wouldn’t mind the late night phone call. A hand clamped down on her shoulder causing her to jump and drop her purse. Her phone tumbled out along with a few other items. She bent down shoving everything back in. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” Trace quickly apologized. He knelt down and handed her a pack of tissues that had fallen out, “Were you a boy scout in another life?” He chuckled slightly as he surveyed the variety of items scattered on the ground. It wasn’t everyday he came across a woman lugging around a hairbrush, aspirin, and three red pens. He wanted to ask about the pens, wondering if she moonlighted as a high school English teacher but thought the better of it. Once everything was safely put away, Grace stood and offered her mumbled thanks and just as quickly she dismissed him clutching her cell phone like is was her last lifeline. “I don’t want to pry,” he tentatively began, “but are you alright?” Although she didn’t know him well, she was touched by his concern. “I want to go home,” her voice sounded pleading, “I just really want to go home.” He seemed relieved that her troubles were so small. “I can take you home if you want.” She clutched her phone wanting to be away from all things related to Justin. Trace was the last person on Earth she wanted to be around, yet she couldn’t turn down a ride especially when she wasn’t sure that Mindy would answer. “Thank you.” “No problem. I’ll just go in and tell Justin that I’ll be right back.” He must have seen the flash of alarm in Grace’s eyes because he quickly added, “I won’t mention you.” He turned to walk away but paused, “Do you want me to get Sadie or Olivia?” There was hint of hesitation in his voice as though he feared overstepping his bounds. She wanted to say yes. She was desperate to talk with someone that could understand, but she wasn’t ready to broadcast her humiliation. It was already embarrassing that Trace understood more about the situation than she wished. She shook her head. As though he understood her desperation to be gone, Trace left and returned in record time. She’d barely had enough to time to think before he was back and unlocking the door. She settled into the plush leather seat, feeling her whole body relax. It was comforting to be going home. She felt like she was finally escaping a nightmare. “Can you believe this is only the second time I’ve gotten to drive this?” Trace’s face was giddy as he put the key into the ignition. “Justin’s pretty anal about his stuff.” She tried to smile, but her face wouldn’t cooperate. She was sure she looked deranged. Sensing the lack of good company, Trace turned on the radio and scanned the stations until he found a hip hop one he liked. “Is it too loud?” Grace could barely hear him over the blaring music, but she shook her head anyway. They ignored each other the entire way home. He was wrapped up in the music and singing along to every song that played while she simply stared out window. Every once in a while, she turn to him and say ‘left at the light’ or some other direction. He’d nod to indicate that he’d heard, but he’d just as soon return to his music. Finally, they pulled into the entrance to her building. He finally turned off the radio and over the ringing in her ears, she heard him ask if she wanted him to drive in. “I can walk. It’ll be fine.” She started to open the door when he called out her name. She half turned to see him staring at her like he wasn’t quite sure what to make of her. “Are you going to be alright?” She nodded. “Nothing a little girl talk and a gallon of ice cream won’t fix.” His smile was rueful for a moment before returning to a frown. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out the way you wanted.” His eyes were cast down, embarrassed by his own actions. Grace imagined Trace wasn’t used to being the sensitive type. “Thank you.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, but she knew that he’d heard her. Having showed too much emotion, Trace returned to his usual persona. He leaned back in his seat and ran a hand across the steering wheel. “I think I’m going to drive around for a while. Pick up some Taco Bell or something. Want me to spill something for you? It’d piss him off like you wouldn’t believe.” For the first time, she produced a genuine smile. “No, but thanks.” He shrugged, “Suit yourself.” He reached for the radio again as she descended from the car. She managed to slam the door shut before the music woke up her entire building. She watched as the headlights disappeared in the distance before starting the short walk to her apartment. The building was eerily quite at night. She was usually at home and in bed by 9pm, so it was odd to see it so deserted. She really did feel like the only person in the world. With great ease, she opened her apartment door, trying her best to not disturb her sleeping roommate. Slipping into the darkness, she couldn't help but feel relief to be back in her comfort zone. She never wanted to leave again. "Grace, is that you?" Mindy's door inched open, revealing her tired looking roommate. Mindy yawned loudly as she flipped on the light switch. "I waited up for you. How was your night?" There was the hint of a smile on her lips as though she expected to hear nothing but good things. Suddenly, all the emotions caught up to Grace. She felt weak and tired like she'd spent five hours in a boxing ring. She must have looked it too because Mindy's whole demeanor changed. Once the tears started, they wouldn't stop. Mindy flew to Grace's side, immersing her in a tight hug. "I'll kill him," she murmured. ---------------------------------------- Grace’s head was pounding so hard she was sure it'd explode. She drove her car at a ridiculously slow pace, annoying every other driver on the road. She wanted nothing more than to crawl back into her bed and sleep the entire day away especially since she was running on three hours of sleep and two cups of coffee. She'd spent most of the night talking with Mindy only to remember that she actually had to get up in the morning. Mindy had literally pulled her out of bed this morning, threatening to throw water if it came down to it. As she pulled into Lynn's driveway, Grace was struck with a feeling of terror. She'd been brave last night, promising to start her life anew without Justin Timberlake in it. She’d meant what she’d said last night. They couldn’t be friends. Not now. If he tried to speak to her, she was going to politely excuse herself. It sounded like a good plan at 4 o’clock in the morning, but now, in the light of day, she realized the difficulty in the follow through. She’d never been able to ignore him before, so how on Earth was she supposed to start now? The need to flee pulsed through her body as she tentatively opened the door half expecting Justin to be waiting on the other side. When he wasn’t, she was filled with relief and worry. At the sound of the door, Lynn emerged clutching a cup of coffee. A wave of guilt washed over Grace. She was over 20 minutes late, and Lynn had resorted to making her own coffee. Despite it all, Lynn was more than happy to see Grace. "Hi, honey," she beamed. Grace croaked her response sounding like an 85 year old chain smoker. Lynn's maternal instincts kicked into gear, and she was immediately by Grace's side, her palm pressed against Grace's forehead, "You sound terrible. Are you feeling sick? You don't feel warm, but maybe you should rest in case." "I'm not sick." Not in the conventional sense at least. Lynn frowned deeply. Her entire face conveyed nothing but worry. "Maybe you caught it from Justin. You two spend a lot of time together.” There was a look in her eyes asking the question that Grace dreaded most. Of course, Lynn was far too considerate to voice it. “Justin’s sick?” She did her best to act uninterested, but a small part of her wondered if Justin was suffering from guilt. She was petty enough to relish the possibility. "He said he wasn’t, but I could see on his face that he wasn’t feeling too good. I told him he should stay in bed," Lynn continued sounding incredibly frustrated, "but when does that boy ever listen to me? He said he had some things to do. How does he expect to get better when he gets home at 4 in the morning and leaves less than three hours later? I don't know what to do with him." Like always, there was a hint of amusement in her voice. Grace pushed all thoughts of Justin from her mind. She'd decided last night to truly let go of her crush. More than anything, she wanted to go back to her normal life. She’d spent so many years wishing to be the life of the party. Everyday in high school, she prayed that some boy would look her way and see how beautiful she really was, and for a few weeks, it felt like Justin was doing just that. He’d look at her sometimes, and she’d feel like the only person in the world. Like it was possible to hope for more. Of course, now that she was at the end of it all, she realized that she’d been nothing but overeager. He’d kissed her, sure, but honestly, had he ever promised her more? She’d let her heart do the thinking, and she’d been burned because of it. After his rejection last night, her brains had started working, and she realized that she’d been nothing more than a passing fancy for him. She wasn’t quite sure why he’d chosen her, but she wasn’t going to find out. She didn’t care. He could more on with her life just like she planned to. She didn’t need someone who could treat her so callously. She’d miss him as a friend, but it was best for everyone if they went their separate ways. Mindy’s voice was suddenly in her head. Last night, after making so many unkind remarks, Mindy had made a suggestion that at the time seemed ludicrous, but as the emotions of today still burned in Grace’s stomach, she realized the truth in it. It was the only way she’d ever feel better. “Whatever you’re thinking, it must be very serious,” Lynn murmured watching Grace’s frowning face. Grace nodded, tears pricking her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders and announced, "I'm sorry, but I quit." |