That evening, both Grim and Francesca couldn't stop thinking about that morning. Although no kisses, 'I love you's or indeed any forms of romance were exchanged, they had both suspected the feelings they had for eachother.
Francesca just sat at her desk, staring blankly at her laptop screen. She was supposed to be doing her homework, but all she could think about was Grim, Grim, Grim...
I wonder if he really does like me? Or maybe its just my imagination. Perhaps he just thinks of me as a good friend that gives him a break from Billy and Mandy. Oh darn, how I wish I knew!
Filled with frustration, she shut down her computer, knowing that it was pointless to keep foolishly attempting to 'work'. All she could think of was him, and the futility of it all was making her quite mad.
Rather angrily, she slumped onto her bed, grabbed her favourite stuffed Moogle doll and just lay there, staring blankly at the wall.
Oh how I wish you loved me, the way I'm just passionately in love with you! Maybe we can be together, a couple, and stay together forever. After all, you're Death, so not even death can do us part!
But I...I just don't know how you feel about me...And if you were to reject me I'd...
Never one to control her feelings, she soon felt the tears beginning to roll down her cheeks. Her lip trembled and her heart ached. All this confusion had made her head hurt, and maybe it was time for a nap.
But one thing bothered her the most: Eris. She was the goddess of chaos and discord, and when she'd been with Grim, Billy and Mandy to the mall, they'd had their first encounter. Not for Grim of course, who unfortunately had a big crush on the young goddess! Well, she was pretty and divine, with her lovely blonde curls and her white, satin dress. That part of the day had been the worst of Francesca's life, and the only miracle in it was that she had actually managed to stifle her tears for once.
She had watched, barely able to bear the pain as her heart split painfully in two, as Grim had fantasised about her and openly declared how 'hot' he found her to be. He had begged her to go have a milkshake with him, but the unfeeling witch had called him ugly, and that she only had eyes for Adonis. That was when she ditched him to go and teach Mandy the tricks of chaos...
"Um, hey, Grim?" Francesca approached the poor reaper, who looked as miserable as she felt.
"Yes?" He sighed unhappily.
"Come with me...I'll have a milkshake with you," she offered.
Grim turned towards her and smiled, albeit sadly. It was clear that he appreciated, and so they went, even though she wasn't the company he had hoped to have.
As they sat together at their small, round table in the heart of the cafeteria, Grim began to confide in her.
"She is just so pretty! Her beautiful hair, her gorgeous face, she's just perfect!" (Francesca didn't agree with this point, as she had noticed that young Eris was missing one of her front teeth but anyway...)
Heartbroken, poor Francesca was forced to listen, sucking her strawberry milkshake while striving to keep the tears away.
"She thinks I'm ugly! Oh I mean come on, I know I don't have skin but I make a mean reaper! Besides, I don't see what's so special about that Adonis man! Sheesh!"
She knew this would shatter her, but she had to...to say it...
"Y-you, you love her, huh?"
"Yeah..." Grim nodded sadly: "Rejection really hurts."
It was too late, a tear had already escaped down her face. Cursing herself profusely, she made to wipe it away before he noticed, but he already had.
"Francesca, are you crying?" He asked.
"C-crying?! N-no! No I j-just, uhh...I f-felt sorry for you...you know, I-I know what its like t-to be rejected..." This wasn't entirely a lie.
"Oh, you too huh?" He said: "I'm glad someone around here understands how I feel."
"Yeah...You know, if you ever want to share your feelings with anyone, um, I'm always here...f-for you..." said Francesca.
Grim smiled, and her heart ached even more, because he was so cute when he smiled.
"Thanks Francesca...You know, you're the best human friend I ever had!" He said.
Yeah...just a friend...
But it meant the world to her all the same.
Meanwhile, Grim was watching television with Billy in the living room. It was a horror movie, and Billy had kept screaming and covering his eyes all throughout the show (much to Grim's annoyance). But now it had taken a more romantic twist and Billy had begun to make smooching noises as he watched the star couple kissing in the cemetery.
And that was when Grim remembered his small 'episode' with Francesca that morning at the park. He found himself wishing she was still here...
"Yo Grim! Hey earth to Grim! Whatcha thinkin' about?!" Billy waved his hand infront of his face to catch his attention.
"Nothing Billy! Can't I zone off without you butting in?!" Grim asked with annoyance.
"Nope!" Billy shook his head happily: "Is it about your giiiiiirlfrieeeend?"
"Girlfriend?! I don't have a girlfriend you silly buffoon!" Grim turned away to hide the blush creeping up his neck.
"Ooohhh yes you doooo! She comes to see you everyday!" Billy teased.
"Look, isn't it past your bedtime? If you don't want to be late for school tomorrow, I suggest you hurry upstairs!" Grim said angrily.
"Oh sure! Go ahead, change the subject! Lame-O!" said Billy.
"If you don't get to bed in five seconds I'm gonna chase you with me scythe!" Grim flared up angrily.
"EEEEK! Okay okay! I'm goin', I'm goin'!" That got him running up to his room faster than his little legs could carry him!