When Zoe texted her that night and asked her whether she wanted to hang out a day later, she was curious what the younger teen had in mind. When she asked, the girl had knowingly dodged the question and mentioned that a few of her cheerleading buddies would be there as well which almost made Grace decline. On the other hand, she and Zoe had been officially dating for two and a half weeks so it was important to be on the good side of her friend's. Well, she already knew most of them, not by name, but by face. Like that cute shorty who was very much afraid of her and had no problems expressing it, "At first I thought you were really scary… like, you were going to eat me or something, but now I know you're really nice!"
"Yeah, I know… I hate when pink gets stuck in my teeth. Gets very hard to brush out." Which was later met with silence and, when she turned, an empty space. Now whenever she came the girl had taken to hiding behind her best friend who also didn't seem to like her all too much. But at least she stayed away from people she hated instead of pretending to like her. Then there was that girl who always had her hair in a bun, who was snappy and confident, and also a lesbian. Which she noted, grumpily, as she had caught her making out with her girlfriend plenty of times outdoors. She wished she could do that, but she knew it was close to impossible because, other than a few people (who walked in on them), there was no one in the world who knew about them. Which was surprising because Grace (and Zoe) both thought Maya would run her mouth almost immediately after walking in on them which Zoe had no problems with, but Grace sure as hell did.
"Hey Grace, hurry it up!" Grace never really did malls. She preferred much more quiet spaces where she could crack up her laptop. When she was shopping, she liked to go alone. And she hated, no, despised, waiting on people.
But she was already here, and she had no choice. Looking up from the ground, she saw Zoe and her team a few feet away, staring at her as they were waiting for her to get closer. She had lagged behind quite a bit though she didn't notice until the tallest cheerleader called her out on it. Damnit, it could have been her opportunity to escape. She walked faster to catch up with them, and when she did, stayed behind as the group continued chattering amongst each other forgetting her once again.
"Hey Grace, that you?" Grace blinked and turned as her elbow inked someone else's, turning to meet the woman's gaze. It took her a few seconds to realize who it was, glowering as the girl made an obvious attempt to take a slow double take over her figure, "Didn't think this was your kind of scene."
What was with people thinking that she lived in a box? "Yeah well, didn't think you were the type to go alone places. I thought you'd have a new boy toy after you holding your bags and kissing your feet."
"He's in the café buying me a latte."
Honestly, what was with boys going through with their girlfriend's every whim? Did they have no shame? Weren't they their own person? Didn't they know that they are allowed to say no?
She probably shouldn't be talking.
"Grace, what are you doing?" Grace blinked and turned her head over her shoulder to see Zoe, alone, walking up to her. She turned back to the woman who now had her eyes on Zoe, looking her over, and mimicking a sneered gesture. Even though their personalities were so close, Grace didn't see them getting along in the slightest.
"Just catching up with someone." She said. Grace sighed and accepted her fate realizing that neither girls were budging, "Zoe, this is Victoria, she used to come to Degrassi before she moved. Victoria, this is Zoe, a friend." She emphasized the word even though she didn't have too.
"Hi."
"Hello." Zoe said, turning her expression to Grace, "The girl's went to go get something to eat. I told them we'll catch up."
"Right." Grace nodded and sent Victoria a look, "Uh, see you around."
"Sure. You still have my number, don't you?" Grace shrugged, she was 99% she didn't even write it down, "Please say hi to Tiny for me."
Grace nodded and turned around as a man who looked about five years older than them walked over and gave Victoria her beverage. Grace noted the numerous bags over his wrists which already seemed to be causing red scars, and sighed.
Boys are stupid.
She snapped out of reality as she felt an arm link over hers, and looked down at Zoe who kept her gaze straight on their path, "Tiny?" She asked, wondering what he had to do with anything.
"Yeah, she was after him, but he never showed any interest. Said he's not a masochist."
Zoe chuckled in turn, but she seemed more giddy than usual as she skipped twice, "Well good. She seemed like she was stealing your attention. I thought there might be a past."
She wondered whether she should tell her Zoe was the first, well, person she dated officially, but decided against it. Zoe would never let her live that down.
Zoe, noticing that she had gone quiet, shoved her by the shoulder. Grace looked at her in confusion after collecting herself, but the girl only hmphed and began walking faster, dragging her along "Hey, let's go in here!" Zoe suddenly offered as she stopped in front of a store and turned to Grace for a reaction. Grace looked up at the sign– with pretty pink and purple lace lining the display, it was definitely a store she would usually pass, that's for sure.
"Sure, but what about your friend's?"
"I already told them we'll be a while. Come on!"
