Authors Note: It's been a long time, maybe too long I'm not sure. The last few months have kind of been weird for me. I've had a lot going on in my life and just didn't have time to write, but even if I did I don't think I would have been able to find the words since my minds almost been spinning out of control lately. But for the first time in a while things are looking up, and I actually feel like writing for once so here goes:

Chapter 14: If you need anything, anyone, I'm here

"Mum, Grace used all the milk!" Grace complained, slamming the empty container back on the counter she glared at her sister.

"So? You ate all the bread, what was I expected to eat?"

"Girls please, I don't have time for this" Lily pleaded rushing through the kitchen.

"Mum I have Drama club after school so I'm going to be late okay"

"But I need you to look after Zoë tonight" she said as she appeared to be searching for something.

"I'm not a little kid mom" Zoë cried indignantly from where she stood over the sink.

"I don't have time to discuss this Grace; please can you just help me out for this week"

"But I prom-"

"Lily?" Jessie's usually quiet voice pushed through the noise, "I was just planning to hang out with Tad after school today so if you want we could do that here and keep an eye on Zoë for you"

"Gotcha!" Lily straightened up with a smile keys in hand, "are you sure sweetie?"

Jessie nodded with a smile as Grace rushed out of the room eager to escape being drawn back into the conversation, "its fine".

Grace had run back upstairs to finish getting ready when she heard a knock at her bedroom door, rubbing her lips together gently she tossed the small jar on her bed with a satisfied smile, "Come in!" she called out.

Turning around she smiled at Eli who was lounging comfortably in her doorway.

"And to what do I owe this pleasure?" she said softly walking over to him.

"Dad's loaned me the car for the morning so I was wondering if you wanted a ride" glancing back into the hallway quickly, he leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips.

"What about Jess?"

"She's catching the bus with Tad"

"You worked it all out huh?" Grace teased playfully.

"I'll meet you out the front" Eli offered, touching her hand gently before leaving.

"God she pisses me off!" Grace groaned in frustration, slamming the door as she got into the car.

"Zoë? Younger sisters will do that to you" Eli laughed at the pained expression on Graces face.

"But that's just it, it's as if they don't realize that she's not a little baby anymore, she's ten years old for god sake"

"Yep, and she's like all other ignorant ten year old girls, all they want is to become a hair dresser, marry a prince and live happy ever after" Eli shot back, only half serious.

"I so did not want to be a hairdresser" Grace cried with an indignant look.

"Well what did you want to be then?" he asked, noticing the look of discomfort on her face.

"Uh, I don't remember"

"Come on Grace, I know that's not true"

"Promise you won't laugh" Grace blushed.

"I swear I won't laugh"

"A wedding planner"

"A what?" Eli snorted, a smile breaking out onto his face.

"See I told you that you'd laugh" Grace said, covering her face with her hands in embarrassment.

Eli bit his lip and shook his head, still struggling not to laugh, "and now what do you want to be?"

"Happy" Grace answered without a moment of hesitation.

"And are you?" Eli asked, taking his eyes of the road for a second to look into her eyes.

"What?"

"Happy?"

"More than ever"

Biting her lip anxiously Carla surveyed the crowded cafeteria that appeared before her, trying to decide whether she would risk braving the lunch line or whether she should just blow it off altogether.

"Are you just gonna stand there all day? Move it" she heard someone muttered from behind her, turning around she noticed that she'd managed to stop right in everyone's way.

"Sorry" she shook her head, tossing her empty tray back from where she got it she turned and made her escape.

Coop glanced across the cafeteria just in time to see Carla pushing her way back through the crowd. With a sigh he grabbed the chocolate muffin which was left on his almost empty tray and pushed back his chair.

"Where are you going?"

Coop shook his head having completely forgotten that Eli was sitting there opposite him. There was absolutely no way he could tell him that he was going after Carla, his friend had made it pretty clear about how he felt about her, and while he couldn't blame him, there was just something about Carla that appealed to him. It was like he was drawn to her.

"For a smoke, I'll catch you after school, band practice, your place?" he asked standing up, it wasn't a complete lie, there was no doubt in his mind on where he would find Carla, and even less doubt that she would be smoking.

"Ah yeah" Eli shrugged knowing that there was something Coop wasn't telling him but not wanting to push the issue.

"I was looking for you this morning" Tad called out to Jessie who was lying on her stomach under the tree where her, Tad, Katie and whoever else was around usually sat for lunch.

"I guess we must have just missed each other" He answered. Was that a hint of regret she could hear in his voice?

"Well I'm here now" Tad laughed as Jessie's face lit up in a smile and leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips.

"Mmm peanut butter" he moaned softly pulling back slightly.

"Are you sure?" Jessie asked playfully, knowing full well that he knew it wasn't peanut butter; they played the same game every afternoon.

"Now that I think about it I'm not" he whispered seriously, pulling her back towards him.

"Got a light?"

"What do you want?" Carla snapped from where she sat against the brick wall. She'd found the place a few weeks ago, not long after all the crap had started up at school.

Coop shrugged, "I saw you walking over here and thought you looked like you could use some company" he said honestly, "lighter?" he asked again, ignoring the glare she was sending his way.

"If I give you one will you leave me alone?" she asked, reaching into her pocket.

"If that's what you really want then yes, but I want you to know that" he said taking it from her, "if you ever need to talk, I'm here okay"

"I'm sure you are" she snorted at his comment, not even considering for a second that he may actually be serious.

"I mean it Carla" he assured her, sliding down so that he was sitting up against the wall next to her, you know all that shit I went through. I would never had sorted myself out if it wasn't for Eli, and I know it wasn't easy for him. I don't think he could have been there for me like he was if you weren't there for him like you were"

"I don't want to talk about him" she said softly, looking across at her he could see the tears glistening in her eyes.

"Hey, we don't have to talk about anything if you don't want, but I'm serious about what I said okay. If you need anything, anyone, I'm here"

Authors Note:Well the good thing is is that I am back in the writing mood again; the bad thing is that the chapter above is somewhat of what some people would call 'filler'. I think I just needed to write a chapter where everyone is getting on with their lives, and there isn't so much drama taking place just so that I can find my place in the story again. But anyway I hope you guys like it. I'd love your feedback on what you think about where the stories going, especially with Grace/Eli and Carla/Coop. The more feedback I get, the more motivated I am to continue writing.