Marissa Gold was the kind of human being you read about but never really met. She was a law unto herself but had morals of steel. Slightly bendable steel when she wanted it to be, but steel none the less. I think that's why I took to her, she was so sure of who she was, while I was still feeling things out.

"I really like this one." She held up the dress against me and I looked down.

"It's bright red!" I said laughing. "I can't wear that!"

"why not! It's just a colour."

"I haven't… I don't have… I can't wear that." I repeated not sure of what to say.

"Grace it'd be lovely."

"Mom's wearing red."

"Ah ok. You don't want to match." She looked at me, eyebrow raised.

"No that wouldn't be good." I smiled weakly.

"Oh! I see it!" she ran past me across the store and almost attacked a rail of dresses. "This is the dress!" she pulled out a royal blue dress and brought it over. "go! Go try it on!" I took it handing her my bag moved to the changing room.

It was stunning, I had never felt so elegant.

"Well how is it!" she said from outside the curtain.

"I love it!" I shrugged and pulled back the curtain.

"Oh Gracie look at you!" Marissa clapped her hands.

"Is it ok?" I looked down at myself suddenly feeling very exposed.

"It's perfect." Her grin eased me completely. "That's it you have to get it!"

"I…"

"No arguing! We're getting it! Job done." I was pushed back into my cubicle.

"Come on hurry up we're meeting Zach for lunch.

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"I can't believe we came to the best pizzeria in town and you get a salad! Come on Grace." Zach rolled his eyes at me.

"It's a pesto and goats cheese salad. It's amazing!" I replied holding up a sundried tomato on my fork.

"Whatever!" he took Marissa's hand and smiled at her.

"Could you two not do that while I'm here." It was my turn to roll my eyes.

"Oh sorry are we making you jealous Gracie." Marissa stuck her tongue out.

"As if." I looked back into my salad.

"you get clothes for dad's campaign dinner?"

"She got the most amazing dress!" Marissa had a habit of answering for others, but we were used to it.

"Yes I got a lovely dress."

"Oh good. Am…" he started saying something but stopped. "… is Will going to go?"

"I think so. Dad invited him anyway." A smile broke out across his face.

"Good"

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We were leaving lunch when someone bumped right into me.

"ouch…" I said almost immediately.

"Oh my I'm so sorry!" a voice from over me said.

"It's ok, I'm not hurt." I said brushing myself off.

"Grace?" I looked up

"Ethan hi." I turned to my brother and friend. "Zach you remember Ethan from my class in school?"

"Yeah I do. Hi." They saluted each other.

"It's so great to see you Grace, I didn't see you much at the graduation party." I frowned slightly, we'd never really been friends. We had the kind of relationship where you just greeted each other in public.

"Oh yeah good to see you too." I smiled.

"Talk soon." He said waving. We walked away and I was just more puzzled.

"So something you want to tell us?" Marissa grinned at me.

"what no?"

"Well from over here they looked like googoo eyes!" she shrugged.

"Oh hush." I put my head down and kept walking.

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"Thank you Mr Sutton, nice to meet you." I grinned and shook another hand. My cheeks were getting very sore.

I stopped by the piano and took a glass of water off the tray on it.

"It's been a year and a half and that still makes me feel uncomfortable." I chuckled as Eil rested against the piano beside me.

"It has been a year and a half and I still can't believe she's put up with him."

"touché." Eli held out his glass and clinked mine.

"So what have I done wrong?" I asked taking a sip.

"What do you mean?"

"You sought me out. You stared a conversation. You're waiting to tell me something." He smiled.

"No not this time. You're doing great. And you…." His eyebrows almost met in the middle. "…you look lovely." I smiled and crossed my arms

"Thank you Mr Gold."

"I'll pretend I never said that if you tell anyone." I saw a small smile cross his face. "I'm going to go check up on your brother."

I played with my bracelet and looked around the room, glancing at the door just as my mother walked in. She was breath taking as always, a bright crimson cherry dress that wrapped around her seamlessly, her curls were pinned to the side and were framing her face perfectly. She was so beautiful. Her smile widened as Will came up beside her and took her arm. The whole room turned to look at her as they came down the steps. I could already see the papers tomorrow talking about how strong the Florrick bond is, how great it is that after their divorce they can both still support each other. The usual drivel.

After dinner was my least favourite part. I was always terrified that I'd make a mess. After that it was all much less stressful.

"May I have a dance with my darling grown up daughter?" my dad took my hand and led me out to the middle of the floor. "You look so stunning Grace, I have never been so proud of you."

"It's been a lovely evening Dad, congratulations."

"Thank you Grace."