Something There

Chapter 11: don't ignore me

Frankyfitzfuck (10:43) I've heard from good sources (Alo) that there was a lot of drama last night?!

Frankyfitzfuck (10:43) Apparently you stormed off angrily (which I don't believe because this is you)

Frankyfitzfuck (10:44) AND THEN RICH WENT AFTER YOU

Frankyfitzfuck (10:45) did you and shitface finally get together?

Frankyfitzfuck (10:45) GRACE?!

Frankyfitzfuck (10:50) don't ignore me

Frankyfitzfuck (10:54) when you get over your hangover, ring me to tell me you're with shitface, okay?

Apparently waking up anywhere but in your room is the most confusing moment you can ever imagine. I woke up on two separate occasions this morning and both were confusing. The first time was at around 6am and my head was pounding far too much for me to even move an inch from the position I was in, and well okay, I didn't particularly want to move an inch from the position I was in. Somehow, at some point in the night, Rich and I ended up curled up together. His arm was lovingly placed around my shoulder as my head was shoved comfortably in the crook of his shoulder. I smiled as his chest moved up and down with his breathing as I nestled my head even closer to his skin if that was even possible at this point.

Obviously due to the fact that I was probably a little bit drunk still I was wrapped in the bliss of that moment, I was not considering the repercussions of anything that was happening. Now though – I can see clearly. I've been awake maybe two minutes and only just now finally getting out of the warm safety of Rich's bed. I must have woken up by the sound of him leaving the room because he's not here now. Hopefully when he woke up we weren't still entangled, because I don't want him thinking I cuddled up to him – I wouldn't do that! Rich has Jade and I feel terrible… That's his girlfriend, not me! Why do I keep getting myself into romantic situations with him?! The only solution for this is to admit I'm a terrible friend and escape now.

I dig through my tiny bag, which I had stuffed with sleepover preparations like my mary jane flats, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, a banana and a jumper. For some reason I was extremely concerned about my breakfast when I was packing this bag and not the fact that I have to now return home, to where my Mum and Dad are, in the dress I was wearing the night before. That sounds very wise. I shake my head, placing on my mary janes and slipping my jumper on over my head. Pulling my dress as far down as I can, I start to leave his room. I can hear the sound of Rich's shower on and the faintness of Iron Maiden playing over the running water which brings a small smile to my lips. At least with him in the shower it makes my escape easier. I begin my descent down the stairs, already able to hear the chatty Mrs. Hardbeck in the kitchen. As long as I tiptoe towards the door where conveniently my coat and high heels are, I should make it safely out –

"RICHIE BOO!" I freeze in my spot on the stairs with my eyes wide as I see Mrs. Hardbeck standing before looking equally surprised for just a moment.

"Oh."

"Uh… Good morning, Mrs. Hardbeck." I say, trying to give a pleasant enough smile. She keeps opening her mouth to say something but then shutting it again. Maybe I should just do a ninja roll through the door whilst she's confused.

"Oh, hello Grace. What a nice surprise," This is Mr. Hardbeck who came bustling out when he heard the exchange (or lack of one) between me and his wife.

"We thought that might be your coat hung up, but then we figured his new girlfriend might be here…" An awkward silence fell as she basically subtly asked 'why the hell are you here when you're not dating him?" And I literally have no answer for that.

"Well… Yes, we were watching a movie last night, but I ended up falling asleep. Alo was supposed to join too." I added the last sentence as a sidenote, so she would know nothing went on between us, because of course -

Oh shitty shit shit… I just had a vision. Maybe visions are for the future, but this is from the past. Okay, well, he tucked my hair behind my hair and I felt like we might… kiss, but I ended up vomiting in that helpful bucket of his. I didn't miss the bucket which I think appeased Rich enough to hold my hair back for me. What happened after that though? It must have been when I passed out, because I can't remember a single thing after that. Almost kissing though? That's a new level of terrible and I really must escape as soon as possible.

"Right," She looks over my outfit, very clearly not believing a word I just said. "Well anyway, come have breakfast, dear."

"Oh, no, no… Thank you, but I really must be getting home. I wasn't expecting to stay over the night." I say, trying to look as grateful for the offer as I can, but the frustration of still being trapped in this house when all I want to do is leave is slowly making me come across as more antsy.

"Don't be silly, you need your morning nutrients – I've made pancakes!" She says in a very over excited manner, but I simply give a soft laugh before shaking my head once more. "I'll just ring your father, I'm sure he'll be fine with it."

"NO!" I am surprised when not only do I say that word, but another voice behind me on the stairs does too. I glance up to find Rich staring at his Mum with the most aggravated look on his face I have seen in a while. I can't look away as I try to analyze how we are going about last night and the whole cuddling debacle. I guess him not even giving me a look is a sign that we are simply ignoring it.

"Just let her fucking leave, Anita." He says, continuing on with his aggravated behavior. I can't tell if this anger is directed at me, his Mum or a combination of the two. I don't understand why he would be annoyed at me though? At the end of the day, I wasn't the one who invited myself over, not the one who was stroking the other's hair and I most certainly didn't have my arm wrapped around his shoulder (mainly because my arms are too tiny for that business). So this doesn't seem exactly fair.

"Richard! Watch your language."

"Yes, apologize to your mother this instant." This is Kevin. I had kind of forgotten he was standing there because he was being so quiet.

"I'm awfully sorry, Mrs. Hardbeck, but I really must go back home. Another time I'm sure I'll have pancakes, thank you." I beam at her, hoping to relieve some of the tension between all current parties.

"Of course, dear, don't be silly! I must ring your mother today as well; it's been a while since we went on a shopping trip." Strangely my mum and Rich's get on quite well. Rich's mum is a bit intimidated by Alo's I think. My mum is much more… tepid.

"Excellent," There's another silence as I glance at Rich who is rolling his eyes at his Mum rather than paying me any sort of attention. "Right, well I'll be off. Bye Hardbecks!"

I finally complete my descent and try to hurriedly put my coat on without looking like I'm in a rush. I don't know how successful I am in that aspect. As I place my heels from last night into my bag, I dare to glance up at Rich again to find him finally looking in my direction. His face is closed off though and he manages to look away once more at lightning speed.

"Bye Rich," I say softly, completely unmoving for someone who is in a massive rush to escape the house. There's a moment silence where I can just see him chewing on the inside of his cheek.

"Richard, honestly, be polite." His Mother obviously grew extremely impatient with the long pauses between everything that we've been saying. I offer up a small smile as Rich finally groans and turns to look to me.

"Bye Grace," My smile broadens just a tad and I see he can't help but imitate my expression. Deciding I've suffered from enough awkwardness today, I give a final wave and exit the scene.

Well… It wasn't too bad. I think – and I don't want to jinx anything – that I may be on the road to getting closure with Rich. I know, I know – it doesn't make any sense and that everything that happened last night should be making my feelings grow with intensity and make me hopeful that Rich and I can be something. However I've always been a firm believer in happy endings and I just know that with or without Rich I'll get a happy ending. Most importantly he'll get his and we'll still be best friends. My love can be converted back into a non-romantically involved kind of love over time. It'll just have to.

"Grace, Grace, is that you?" I hear my mother call in a slightly concerned voice as I shut the front door behind me. There goes my plan for hurtling my way up the stairs. I wonder who else she would expect to come through the door seeing as I'm 99.99% sure my father will be here waiting for me.

"Yes, Mum, it's me," I instead say cheerily enough. My headache has just started pounding again though, so it's surprising I'm able to act happy right now.

"No phonecall. Worried sick. Up all night. No texts even!" My father begins to rant in nonsensical sentences. He has just walked into our foyer and is now looming over me as I clutch onto my bag even tighter than before. Okay, one more big breath, Gracey, and then recite everything you just prepared on the way over here.

"Daddy," I begin with a placating smile on my face as I try to speak in such an airy tone to attempt to make him believe he's being extremely silly. "My phone ran out of battery and as you refused to buy me a new phone, it's exceedingly difficult for me to get a charger for it. Also you knew where I was, so I'm a little confused why you were so worried about me. I'm completely fine and it's only ten AM."

I finish with a little smile which I hope exudes innocence before side-stepping him and beginning my ascent up the stairs to my room where I can hopefully ditch my bag and shower.

"What about this attire of yours?" Of course I knew I couldn't get away without being asked this question.

"The girls and I played a game of dress-up and I fell asleep in these clothes. Mini's Mum is so helpful that she washed my other clothes this morning, but I knew I should rush back home, so…" I gesture to my outfit, hoping he will understand without further questions. He opens his mouth to say something, but closes it again so I know I've won. I grin happily at both him and Mum before turning back around again.

"Get ready for our walk."

The walls of happiness crumble inside of me at the utterance of this sentence.

No, no, no, not the family walk! I can barely stand it on days when I'm not hungover, lovesick and going through a series of teenage issues, let alone when I am suffering from all three things! I want to spend the day with my dear Mr. Ben & Jerry and a marathon watching of ANTM.

"Uh… But Daddy," I begin, my pleading already completely obvious. "I've got far too much homework to do!"

"Hmm… Shouldn't you have considered this before a sleepover, Grace?" Grrr… This is a relevant question.

"It's a Blood family Sunday tradition and that's the last I'll hear about it." I inwardly groan, but outwardly I am once more surprising myself with my upbeat attitude.

"Of course! I'll just go and get ready then." I run up the stairs, regretting this choice almost immediately as the elephant jumping on my head is about to invite one of his friends over to do the same. However I am grateful for the one second of peace I now have.

Well, I'm grateful for a second until I find messages from Franky demanding to know what happened last night. It's like everywhere I turn I am reminded about it all and about Rich… I shut my laptop screen angrily before preparing myself for the next few hours of hell.

"A footprint! I wonder what kind of animal made this?" My mum curiously asks, as my dad takes this opportunity to take out his nature guide and start examining it. Meanwhile I am pressing my entire being against a tree trying to get over the feeling of wanting to pass out and just the want to evaporate by the sun's rays.

"I think it is a fox." My Dad concludes, giving my Mum a further explanation as to why it is, but I am blocking that out, because I can't actually stomach any talking at this moment in time. Birds are too noisy for me, so I don't know how I'm supposed to handle my Dad's raised voice.

"Right, let's move. Keep up, Gracey!" My Dad then yells and I realize they have already set off and left me on this tree. I try to keep moving forward, but I feel my bones ache beneath me and… no, no, not again. I can feel the upwards movement in my throat and before I can give any sort of warning I collapse to the ground and am vomiting all over a bed of dandelions.

"I knew it! You're hungover, aren't you?" My Father yells in a triumphant manner instead of giving me any sympathy at all.

"Grace!" My Mum cries, sounding completely shocked and disappointed all at once.

"This is terrible behavior. Next we'll be seeing you on the news promoting the use of contraceptives and how having a child at sixteen has ruined your life!" I would laugh quietly if this were under different circumstances. I am a lover of the arts and drama, but I don't think I live it quite so much as my father does. I weakly stand up from where I had just been cowering and turn to my father.

"Can you please now admit that you were wrong about my friends being bad influences?" He leans back a little in shock at my defiance. Never would I normally argue with my father without apologizing first.

"This is a matter of your friends -,"

"Yes, but the wrong friends. You said Rich, Alo and Franky were the issue with me and would lead me astray. Have I ever once come home drunk since I've been friends with them? Or name a time when I haven't got an A in a subject? Or gotten a less than perfect grade in a ballet exam?"

"Hmm…"

"I would like you to stop making judgments about my friends and see them for what good they are, okay? They are shaping me to be a better person and I wish you would see this too. From now on, please approve completely of my friendships and in return I won't slip up in a single test."

"What about this Mini and Liv? I don't think -,"

"This isn't anything to do with them…" I end there, my eyes flitting between my Mum and Dad, gaging their next reaction.

"Fine."

"I'm sorry, Daddy, for lying about last night. You won't find me in this state again."

As we walk past the gates that guard our house, I see two figures standing near our front door. My stomach drops as I remember other parts from last night, some parts that felt insignificant compared to the joy of making things right with Rich… and hair tucking and things, but now in the cold light of day – and also now that I can see the two people who this directly involves – it is becoming more and more significant by the second.

It doesn't surprise me that they would be waiting for me even though were not at home, because my father always puts a note on the door saying where we are and what time you can expect our return and he is always accurate. Rich says this nearly doubles our chances of being robbed, which he has raised to my father once and of course my father disagreed with him, but nearly the second after Rich left that day he called up for some additional security features to be installed.

Great… After my conversation with my Dad about being hungover, I doubt he's going to be too happy with this little visit from the two friends he probably now believes led me to a life of hardcore drinking. I glance up at my father who looks less than pleased with the situation.

"You can have a conversation with them outside. I don't want these girls in my house," I can't help but laugh at the dramatics. I don't know what's happened to me, but hungover!grace sure enjoys arguing back with her father and winding him up.

"Come on, daddy, it's not like they're going to forcefeed me vodka in my room, are they?" I ask in such a light-hearted manner that I hope he sees the comedy in his rules, but I know my father well enough to know this will be far from the case.

"They're not—,"

"How about I make them a cup of tea or something?" My mum surprisingly enters the discussion with a calming statement that stops the discussion completely. I turn away from my parents, a small smile growing on my face at this. Now time to deal with this overwhelming guilt over getting angry at my supposed new friends.

"Hi," I say, approaching them cautiously. They, to my great surprise, don't seem to be angry, but look like a reflection of my own nervousness over this conversation.

"Hey," They both say in unison, standing away from the wall they had just been leaning on. I awkwardly stare on as I wait for my Dad to unlock the door. They greet my Dad in more of an upbeat tone, obviously trying to make it seem like nothing is wrong between us all.

"Let's go upstairs," I state, leading the way silently to my room. Once there we all awkwardly stand around, Liv glancing between Mini, who is looking at the floor determinedly, and me. Liv eventually lets out an annoyed sigh.

"Mini has something she wants to say," Mini looked up at Liv and I can't tell whether it's with a look of annoyance or she's just trying to get some courage to talk.

"Uh… yeah," She finally looks up at me and all I can pay attention to is the fact that she is nervously wringing her hands together. "So… I'm sorry about everything. I think I've been so rude about your friends is out of jealously or something… Well mainly because you and them – you're so cool and alternative, you know? I don't really have anything going for -,"

"Okay, Mins, you can shut up now." Liv says, her eyes becoming more and more narrowed as Mini makes her dramatic monologue.

"No, no, that was lovely." I say, raising my eyebrows in shock and forming my mouth into a genuine smile. "And I'm sorry too for having a go at you and storming off."

"So, friends again?"

"Absolutely, silly!" Mini opens her arms up to engulf both Liv and I into a big group hug. I giggle as I feel myself absolutely squished by the both of them. Mini finally releases us and gives me a curious look.

"I've got to ask though… You and Valha- I mean, Rich, you like him though, don't you?" I must immediately cringe and start to blush, because Mini starts to smile.

"It would be cute as fuck," Liv states, nudging my shoulder slightly.

"I don't think it's ever going to happen." I say in a small voice, looking down at my feet.

"Why not? Because of that stupid whore he's with?" Mini asked, letting out a small laugh.

"We both think he likes you too, just so you know." I look up once more, giving them both a slightly incredulous look.

"Yeah, because we both have fully functioning eyes." Mini adds, laughing further.

They both stay for a few more hours doing the typical cute girly stuff I thought I would do with a pair of girlfriends and I love it! TOTALLY! The only reason they leave is because I had promised my Dad I would work on any extra homework and practice my ballet recital for a few hours. Also, Mini and Liv are now 100% coming to it as well now. I told them I could waggle two extra tickets out of my teacher tomorrow and I'll leave them at the door for them. It would be nice to have friends turn up that have some appreciation for my art. Franky has been the only person who really seems enthusiastic about seeing my performances. This reminds me I must reply to Franky later with the –almost – full story of what happened last night.

Anyway I finish off a run-through of my ballet routine and am about to turn to brainstorming my Shakespeare theme essay. I have already decided to focus on how the comedic attributes of his plays can be more powerful than the tragic elements, but I must form a title as this is always where I start with essays. Unfortunately something comes to disturb me as I hear my phone ringing and I know who it is before I even look at the screen. I picked this 'my little pony' ringtone for him as a joke.

"Rich?"

LIFE HAS BEEN BEYOND HECTIC, BUT THERE YOU GO :D hope it was somewhat worth the wait. Next chapter is Rich's and I won't make any promises about when it'll be out, but just know it'll be out at some point in the near future! GAH thank you for being so patient with me and sticking with this story. You guys are the reason this is still going strong.

BIG LOVE XOXO