As Grace set up her laptop to connect with her television, Zoe looked around the room in astonishment. It wasn't large like hers, but it wasn't small either - a middle-class house with three bedrooms and three bathrooms (one for each level). The interior of the house was questionable to say the least - when she first came across the living room, Zoe could not help but take note of the glass case mounted over the wall above the fireplace which encompassed several portraits of dozens of foreign faces which she could have sworn were following her every step she took. The walls were painted spring green and smokey grey. The lamps were off, but the light from the back yard enriched them with enough sunlight. And as she sat on the couch, she could not help, but take note on how great it felt against her bottom.

"Where are your parents?"

"They're both working. They should be back by the time the movie's done." Grace announced as she got up. The television turned blank before it revealed her computer screen, showing a list of movies in her document folders organized in alphabetical and titled under "Zoe." They were all potential horror movies which Grace had considered, "Do you want something to drink?" Zoe didn't respond as she was too busy coddling the couch in all positions to really care.. about anything, "Um.. okay. I'll go start on the popcorn, you just.. lay there." Grace shook her head and walked to the kitchen as Zoe waved her off.

She grabbed a pillow and brought it to her face, the smell of incense delighting her senses. Because it smelled like her.

She just couldn't believe she was here, in her house. A different atmosphere from what she was used too, but she wasn't uncomfortable. Far from it, infact. A little voice in her head wondered whether Maya or Zig ever came over. The thought made her eyes narrow in jealously and possessiveness. She made a note to ask her later.

Eventually, after the food and drinks were served, the movie was on. The curtains were closed which darkened the entire room. The entire house was silent except for the movie which played. Grace found herself in a trance - unable to concentrate on the movie. Eyes glued to the television screen and rarely blinking as her companion tightened her grip around her arm, nuzzling her head within them.

/I wonder whether she's really scared./ Grace thought to herself as she tried not to look to make it obvious that it was bothering her. Slowly wiggling her grasp away, yet she kept finding herself in the same position. There was no helping it.

She didn't know how it happened. One second she was clinging to her arms and the next they were suddenly holding hands with Zoe's head laying ontop of her shoulder. Their eyes trained on the movie while their attention was (most definitely) not. With the transformation in Zoe's behavior, it forced Grace to forget a lot of parts hence why she had no idea what the hell was going on. She wondered whether Zoe did either. Even so, the movie was something at least due to the random pop-up faces every now and then.

As nine marched around, the movie was long over. The pair were now searching different trailers on youtube until the front door squeaked open and the lights were turned on signalling her parents arrival. A surprised couple stared at the girl beside her daughter, smiling awkwardly, while their own daughter was looking down with something in her eyes they couldn't quite figure out.

Her father was fairly tall and tanned. His hair tied into a low ponytail and his eyes - Zoe noted amusingly - closely resembled Grace's own. His wife looked young. Her features were soft while her skin was fair. From the two, Grace looked much more like her father.

"Hello there." The father greeted with an expressionless face, "I am Joseph and this is my wife Linda. We are Grace's parents."

"Hi" Zoe said, returning the gesture with a smile as Grace kept her mouth shut, "I'm Zoe Rivas, Grace's friend."

"Zoe Rivas?"

"Friend?!"

Grace placed her hand over her face in embarrassment, "She just came over to watch a movie."

"Oh.." As her father nodded in approval and disappeared up the stairs, Linda smiled a smile which lit up the entire room, "We won't get in your way, we hope you can stay for dinner. "

Zoe dually took note of the time, nine-o'clock. Who has dinner at nine?! She shook her head in response, "It's getting late, I should get going."

"Oh? Are you sure? We'd like it if you would join us. It's not everyday Grace brings.. well, anyone home."

Zoe blinked and turned to Grace who refused to look at her. A wave of happiness washed over her at the thought of being the first one out of the entire school to visit her house, "Thanks for the offer, ma'am, but I must get going. My mother will be mad." She strolled passed towards the front entrance and began to put on her boots.

"I never knew you had such a beautiful friend." Linda commented softly as she elbowed her daughter. Grace shrugged her shoulders in response.

"See you on Monday, Grace." Zoe waved, straightening her bag over her shoulder and walking out.

"See her out. Come on, shoo" Grace rolled her eyes, but followed her anyway. /You don't have to tell me twice./

Zoe didn't seem to notice her existence as she skipped the rest of the way towards the gates. She paused before she turned around revealing a large smile and the fact that she knew Grace was after her, "So you've never brought anyone else other than me?"

Grace blinked, rubbing the back of her head awkwardly, "Well, no."

Good. Zoe noted, as she leaned back against the small gate.

"You sure you don't want to stay for dinner?"

"I don't think that's a good idea. I might jump you in front of your parents."

"Oh." Grace nodded in acceptance before her eyes widened, "Oh!"

Zoe scoffed. She could no longer contain her laughter, "Geez, have you already forgotten?" She mumbled as she stepped forward and swatted her nose teasingly, "I'm just kidding, (Are you really?) But my mom's honestly waiting for me."

"Okay..." Grace said with a dazed expression.

Zoe nodded and turned to the gate. Opened it slightly before she turned her head back towards her for one last question, "So are you going to tell me the reason why you invited me?"

"Well, we did say we would do this-"

"-Right after I confessed my feelings for you. Come on." Zoe wiggled her finger in front of her face, "Were you jealous?"

Grace glared at her. How long would she keep this up? She was seriously starting to... A thought suddenly crossed her mind and she blinked, "... You did it on purpose."

"And I thought you were the genius."

"Why you sneaky little-"

"I knew Zig would tell you."

Grace crossed her arms over her chest, a look of annoyance crossing her face, "I can't believe I didn't see this coming."

"Well, its your fault for underestimating me." Zoe grinned slyly, "And you also like me too."

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you totally do."

"No, I don't."

"Yes. You do."

"No, I-" She was cut off by the lips which were suddenly on hers. Surprised as her hands dropped to her sides, Grace stared down at her with indifference. Her eyebrows twitched, her body stiffening... before she found herself responding too. Snaking her arms around her and deepening the kiss, leaning her back against the gate as she proceeded to take control. These passed few weeks had made her feel like she was wrapped around her little finger, like she was growing weaker everytime she saw her, but this was her moment to shine.

As they broke apart, they were both panting for air. Grace's hand immediately went to her mouth, dropping her head as if she surrendered. An utterly flustered Zoe leaned forward beside her ear and breathed a sigh,"Have fun thinking about this moment all night, because I surely will."

Grace's face went red as Zoe thrusted her hips back to open the rest of the gate. She turned around and skipped away. Grace could only stare at her retreating form helplessly, her hand bawling into a fist against her mouth. Damn... She muttered to herself and turned around. And through the window she could see her mother staring back at her silently.