This fan fic takes place a few years later -- Grace is going to
Northwestern, just finishing up her senior year. Hope you enjoy.
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Chapter One
"So the evolutionary question is, why would plants want to reduce their leaves even though light is reduced when submerged?" Dr. Drenten asked, in the same monotonous tone that he used for all of his lectures.
**Grace, slouched in a chair, with her head tipped back, pretending to snore.**
Grace tried very hard to pay attention, but couldn't help staring at her watch. It was her final semester at Northwestern. Majoring in English, she waited until this term to get her advanced science requirement out of the way. She had chosen Advanced Botany, figuring it would be pretty easy. And it had been! No hard labs. The tests and quizzes were straight from the readings and the lectures. The hardest part was listening to Professor Snooze drone on and on twice a week. Luckily for her sanity, her watch read that there was only one more minute left of class.
**Grace -- "This has got to be what Hell is like. Would it be impossible for him to have a little bit more enthusiasm? Wait... he does teach BOTANY."**
"This appears to be primarily to reduce drag. Large broad leaves would make the plant more vulnerable to being dislodged from water movement either due to current, in a stream, or wave action. With that, I will conclude today's lecture. Make sure you have a full understanding of Chapters 13-17 for the test on Monday. Then, we will start reviewing for the final examination. Have a good weekend," he concluded.
**Grace -- Jumps out of the chair and throws a handful of confetti over her head.**
"Yes!" Grace whispered to herself, as she quickly put away her supplies and left the classroom. The weekend was finally here for her. She didn't have much of anything planned, just studying and working at Book Lover's all three days. She didn't mind the commute back to her house on the weekends.
Grace dug out her keys to the apartment she shared with her friend, Heather. Heather was in the middle of her residency through Northwestern, which meant she was never at the apartment, including right now. Grace swore she lived at the hospital, but didn't mind as long as her half of rent and utilities were always paid on time. She went into her bedroom and finished packing her weekend bag when her cell phone rang.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Grace? It's me."
"Eli?" she asked.
"Yeah. Hey -- I'm downtown, finishing up some errands for the store, and your Dad told me to call and offer a ride home. I could bring you back on Sunday evening, "Eli offered.
"You know, that would be great. How far away from my apartment are you?"
"Probably five minutes. Can you be down on the street for pick up or do I need to find a parking space?"
"I'll be ready. Thanks Eli!"
Grace hurriedly threw the last remaining items into her duffel, turned out all the lights in the apartment, locked the door, and was waiting for Eli when he pulled up in his Black Jeep Wrangler. He gave her a big smile and quick wave as she ran to the vehicle.
"I would have opened the door for you, but I never know how the crazed drivers in this city will react to anything," Eli said.
**Eli, standing with his hands in his pockets casually -- "You know, while we were in high school, I knew she liked me. But she was so young! Then, our parents started dating and we grew closer because of it. And then, before the wedding, when we were in her bedroom... I was still trying to get over Carla, but I saw Grace in a new light and I wanted to kiss her so badly. I have regretted that from then on." -- He looks away, embarrassed.**
Grace climbed into the vehicle, through her bag in the back, and fastened her seatbelt.
"I appreciate this, E. I had the most boring botany lecture just a few minutes ago and the thought of driving home during Friday afternoon rush- hour -- well, I am sure I would have fallen asleep behind the wheel."
**Grace -- "It seems so long ago that I had feelings for him. Their gone now... the feelings... but I still don't feel like he's my brother. It's just... different. He's family, but more like a good friend." **
"Do you want to pull-over and get some coffee?" he asked.
"No. I'll be ok. I need to be, I have to work from 6 to close tonight," she said, wrinkling her nose. "Is Aunt Judy still writing the schedule? I swear she never wants me to have a social life on the weekends."
"Um... actually, I wrote it. It's part of my new responsibilities," Eli admitted, giving Grace an embarrassed smile.
"Oh. Right. I guess as assistant manager, you can take over the nasty job that makes everyone behave as I just did. Sorry, Eli. It doesn't matter... I don't have anything else to do this weekend, besides study."
"That's kind of what I figured."
**Grace raises her eyebrows**
"And what does that mean? Am I too boring to have an exciting weekend?" Grace asked, appalled by his statement.
**Grace -- "I know, I know. Everyone in the family predicts I will be the old, dried-up spinster. Need a babysitter for New Year's Eve? Call Gracie! She won't have plans!"**
"No, Grace. I didn't mean that at all," Eli started.
"Then what, prey tell did you mean, Eli?" she asked, taken aback.
"I just knew I could count on you. And, I have to work every night at Book Lover's too, so I thought it would be fun if we closed together. Come on, you know how young the other staff members seem!"
"Except for Victor!" Grace said. Victor was the old chef her father had found. He was an amazing cook, but he had to be pushing seventy-five.
"So you're not mad at me?" Eli asked.
"No. I'm madder at myself. I know I am boring. Here, I've been away at college for four years and, while I've dated, I have never found a guy who interests me long enough to have a relationship with. I'm hopeless, "she said, crossing her arms, and looking out the window.
"You? You're hopeless? Well, if that's the case, then I am pathetic. I have been out of school for almost six years and I still live in a garage at our house. I should have moved out a long time ago. I'm working on it, though."
Grace looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"Well, while I was downtown, I was also looking for apartments. I have some leads, but I'll have to find a roommate," he said, smiling.
"Eli, that's fantastic! What about Coop? Or the guys from the band?" she suggested.
"No. We sort of had a falling out a few months ago. Coop is still heavy in the club scene and he's pulling the other guys farther down with him."
**Eli looks directly at the camera -- "I have been drug-free and nicotine- free for almost two years now." He flashes a huge smile, impressed with himself. "Don't get me wrong, I still drink, but only a beer here and there, usually. I'm working on it." He smiles again.**
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah. Me, too. They were friends, but the more I thought about it, the only things we had in common were music and partying. While I still love music, I know I'm never going to do anything with it. Besides, I really enjoy my job."
"Eli, you have really matured!" Grace commented, squeezing his kneecap playfully.
**Eli looks at the camera, with a quizzical look. -- "Why did she do that?"**
**Grace looks at the camera, embarrassed. -- "Why did I do that? I am SO not flirting with Eli! I'm done with that. That was high-school Grace. This Grace does not have a thing for her step-brother."**
They drove in silence for awhile.
"So, why haven't you found anyone?" Eli asked, quietly.
"I don't know. Like I said, no one held my interest."
"Was it because of Mr. Dimitri?" Eli asked. He had known about Grace's feelings towards her English and Drama teacher for quite some time.
She looked out the window again, remembering. "No. Not at all. Mr. Dimitri. Wow. I don't even think I cared about him, really. He just had faith in me and saw something buried inside that was waiting for me. He challenged me. And I idolized him. No. It wasn't because of Mr. Dimitri." She looked at him again. "What about you? Dating any new hotties?"
"No. I'm boring. I dated too many flighty bimbos who were only concerned about partying and sex. I actually haven't dated anyone since I graduated last year." Eli said.
**Eli looks at the camera and shrugs. "I got a business degree. I studied my butt off... but it was important to me. I wanted to do something with my life."**
He turned the car onto the familiar street that they had spent the last seven years of their lives. Grace noticed Jessie's car was parked on the street.
"Jessie's home for the summer?"
"Yeah -- she and Katie are finished with school now. They came back four days ago."
"Good. I've missed them. I don't like that they live so far away."
"Me neither." He pulled into the driveway and put the car in park. Grace climbed out of the car and reached for her bag when Eli fetched it.
"Thanks, Eli."
"No problem. That's what brothers are for," he said, smiling at her.
She smiled back at him before walking into the house.
**Eli -- "Brother... family... Grace is my sister." He looked at the camera. "But I can't help regret not having that kiss...."**
*******************************************************
Chapter One
"So the evolutionary question is, why would plants want to reduce their leaves even though light is reduced when submerged?" Dr. Drenten asked, in the same monotonous tone that he used for all of his lectures.
**Grace, slouched in a chair, with her head tipped back, pretending to snore.**
Grace tried very hard to pay attention, but couldn't help staring at her watch. It was her final semester at Northwestern. Majoring in English, she waited until this term to get her advanced science requirement out of the way. She had chosen Advanced Botany, figuring it would be pretty easy. And it had been! No hard labs. The tests and quizzes were straight from the readings and the lectures. The hardest part was listening to Professor Snooze drone on and on twice a week. Luckily for her sanity, her watch read that there was only one more minute left of class.
**Grace -- "This has got to be what Hell is like. Would it be impossible for him to have a little bit more enthusiasm? Wait... he does teach BOTANY."**
"This appears to be primarily to reduce drag. Large broad leaves would make the plant more vulnerable to being dislodged from water movement either due to current, in a stream, or wave action. With that, I will conclude today's lecture. Make sure you have a full understanding of Chapters 13-17 for the test on Monday. Then, we will start reviewing for the final examination. Have a good weekend," he concluded.
**Grace -- Jumps out of the chair and throws a handful of confetti over her head.**
"Yes!" Grace whispered to herself, as she quickly put away her supplies and left the classroom. The weekend was finally here for her. She didn't have much of anything planned, just studying and working at Book Lover's all three days. She didn't mind the commute back to her house on the weekends.
Grace dug out her keys to the apartment she shared with her friend, Heather. Heather was in the middle of her residency through Northwestern, which meant she was never at the apartment, including right now. Grace swore she lived at the hospital, but didn't mind as long as her half of rent and utilities were always paid on time. She went into her bedroom and finished packing her weekend bag when her cell phone rang.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Grace? It's me."
"Eli?" she asked.
"Yeah. Hey -- I'm downtown, finishing up some errands for the store, and your Dad told me to call and offer a ride home. I could bring you back on Sunday evening, "Eli offered.
"You know, that would be great. How far away from my apartment are you?"
"Probably five minutes. Can you be down on the street for pick up or do I need to find a parking space?"
"I'll be ready. Thanks Eli!"
Grace hurriedly threw the last remaining items into her duffel, turned out all the lights in the apartment, locked the door, and was waiting for Eli when he pulled up in his Black Jeep Wrangler. He gave her a big smile and quick wave as she ran to the vehicle.
"I would have opened the door for you, but I never know how the crazed drivers in this city will react to anything," Eli said.
**Eli, standing with his hands in his pockets casually -- "You know, while we were in high school, I knew she liked me. But she was so young! Then, our parents started dating and we grew closer because of it. And then, before the wedding, when we were in her bedroom... I was still trying to get over Carla, but I saw Grace in a new light and I wanted to kiss her so badly. I have regretted that from then on." -- He looks away, embarrassed.**
Grace climbed into the vehicle, through her bag in the back, and fastened her seatbelt.
"I appreciate this, E. I had the most boring botany lecture just a few minutes ago and the thought of driving home during Friday afternoon rush- hour -- well, I am sure I would have fallen asleep behind the wheel."
**Grace -- "It seems so long ago that I had feelings for him. Their gone now... the feelings... but I still don't feel like he's my brother. It's just... different. He's family, but more like a good friend." **
"Do you want to pull-over and get some coffee?" he asked.
"No. I'll be ok. I need to be, I have to work from 6 to close tonight," she said, wrinkling her nose. "Is Aunt Judy still writing the schedule? I swear she never wants me to have a social life on the weekends."
"Um... actually, I wrote it. It's part of my new responsibilities," Eli admitted, giving Grace an embarrassed smile.
"Oh. Right. I guess as assistant manager, you can take over the nasty job that makes everyone behave as I just did. Sorry, Eli. It doesn't matter... I don't have anything else to do this weekend, besides study."
"That's kind of what I figured."
**Grace raises her eyebrows**
"And what does that mean? Am I too boring to have an exciting weekend?" Grace asked, appalled by his statement.
**Grace -- "I know, I know. Everyone in the family predicts I will be the old, dried-up spinster. Need a babysitter for New Year's Eve? Call Gracie! She won't have plans!"**
"No, Grace. I didn't mean that at all," Eli started.
"Then what, prey tell did you mean, Eli?" she asked, taken aback.
"I just knew I could count on you. And, I have to work every night at Book Lover's too, so I thought it would be fun if we closed together. Come on, you know how young the other staff members seem!"
"Except for Victor!" Grace said. Victor was the old chef her father had found. He was an amazing cook, but he had to be pushing seventy-five.
"So you're not mad at me?" Eli asked.
"No. I'm madder at myself. I know I am boring. Here, I've been away at college for four years and, while I've dated, I have never found a guy who interests me long enough to have a relationship with. I'm hopeless, "she said, crossing her arms, and looking out the window.
"You? You're hopeless? Well, if that's the case, then I am pathetic. I have been out of school for almost six years and I still live in a garage at our house. I should have moved out a long time ago. I'm working on it, though."
Grace looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"Well, while I was downtown, I was also looking for apartments. I have some leads, but I'll have to find a roommate," he said, smiling.
"Eli, that's fantastic! What about Coop? Or the guys from the band?" she suggested.
"No. We sort of had a falling out a few months ago. Coop is still heavy in the club scene and he's pulling the other guys farther down with him."
**Eli looks directly at the camera -- "I have been drug-free and nicotine- free for almost two years now." He flashes a huge smile, impressed with himself. "Don't get me wrong, I still drink, but only a beer here and there, usually. I'm working on it." He smiles again.**
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah. Me, too. They were friends, but the more I thought about it, the only things we had in common were music and partying. While I still love music, I know I'm never going to do anything with it. Besides, I really enjoy my job."
"Eli, you have really matured!" Grace commented, squeezing his kneecap playfully.
**Eli looks at the camera, with a quizzical look. -- "Why did she do that?"**
**Grace looks at the camera, embarrassed. -- "Why did I do that? I am SO not flirting with Eli! I'm done with that. That was high-school Grace. This Grace does not have a thing for her step-brother."**
They drove in silence for awhile.
"So, why haven't you found anyone?" Eli asked, quietly.
"I don't know. Like I said, no one held my interest."
"Was it because of Mr. Dimitri?" Eli asked. He had known about Grace's feelings towards her English and Drama teacher for quite some time.
She looked out the window again, remembering. "No. Not at all. Mr. Dimitri. Wow. I don't even think I cared about him, really. He just had faith in me and saw something buried inside that was waiting for me. He challenged me. And I idolized him. No. It wasn't because of Mr. Dimitri." She looked at him again. "What about you? Dating any new hotties?"
"No. I'm boring. I dated too many flighty bimbos who were only concerned about partying and sex. I actually haven't dated anyone since I graduated last year." Eli said.
**Eli looks at the camera and shrugs. "I got a business degree. I studied my butt off... but it was important to me. I wanted to do something with my life."**
He turned the car onto the familiar street that they had spent the last seven years of their lives. Grace noticed Jessie's car was parked on the street.
"Jessie's home for the summer?"
"Yeah -- she and Katie are finished with school now. They came back four days ago."
"Good. I've missed them. I don't like that they live so far away."
"Me neither." He pulled into the driveway and put the car in park. Grace climbed out of the car and reached for her bag when Eli fetched it.
"Thanks, Eli."
"No problem. That's what brothers are for," he said, smiling at her.
She smiled back at him before walking into the house.
**Eli -- "Brother... family... Grace is my sister." He looked at the camera. "But I can't help regret not having that kiss...."**