Party Time!
Grace examined herself in the full-length mirror and shrugged, she scrubbed up okay.
She was dressed in a pair of flared black trousers matched with a short and strappy deep red dress – something Silver had brought back from the city. The dress was silk and clung to her attractive figure, hugging her in all the right places, brushing against her skin when she moved. The red set off her generally dark appearance but she screwed up her nose briefly at her shapely form, a curvy figure that would never be as frail as Beth's or Mali's.
Her long dark hair had been caught, pulled back and twisted tightly into two long French-braids dressed with red sparkly clips. Her make-up was simple, only with a touch of glitter and her usually white tribal stripes had been replaced with black ones.
Black to match her outfit, black to match Jay's markings.
It was her type of sign.
Grace found herself thinking about Jay for the tenth time that minute and if he'd ever really liked her as more than a friend…perhaps it had just been her overactive imagination that day on the beach when they'd been so close to…
"Don't complicate things Jay." I pleaded quietly. "It's breaking my heart enough already…"
Grace sighed; maybe she did want things to be more complicated. Maybe she wanted more, maybe she should stop with all this petty arguing with Jay and just tell him straight out. It had been over a year of hiding her feelings, of pretending, of play-acting 'just best friends' and it was time to stop.
Grace looked again at the girl in the mirror. She looked older than Grace felt, and wise if only because of what she'd been through over the past few months. The girl looked brave and determined with pretty eyes that told Grace that it was now or never.
Grace laughed at herself, the girl was her…
Outside the picnic area was beautifully decorated with papery lanterns and streamers and candles, blinking in the dark. Numerous fires burned as Scott played softly on his guitar so that people could dance to some music.
Grace's eyes fell on the "Happy Birthday Ally!" banner and smiled at the sight underneath it: Ally was smiling from ear to ear and hugging Cooper and Tammy while Kuger circled her feet, wishing happy birthday in her own way…
Lance waved and beckoned her over and Grace took three steps towards him until someone else caught her eyes. Jay.
Jay was standing alone and looking into the dancing flames of a fire, even though he was dressed formally in a dark suit (that Silver must have gotten from the city) and his back was to her she recognised him instantly – after all this time his image was etched in her memory.
Her steps were light as she came up behind him and raised her heels. "Hey." She whispered softly in his ear. "How's our great leader?"
For a moment he didn't move as she rested her hands on his shoulders so she could whisper in his ear and just felt her warm breath touching his neck. Did this feel good…right? Did he never want it to stop…?
Jay turned to face her and couldn't hide the surprise that rushed through him when he saw her. He felt different as he looked at her now, as though he was seeing her for the first time, seeing what he had always over looked as affection for a friend…
"Do I look alright?" She said softly.
Jay couldn't stop the smile playing on his lips from turning into a huge grin, which made her smile in turn. Grace's smile lit up her whole face, a smile much like the one she'd given him on that first day at the beach, and that was when he knew.
She was a beautiful person, inside and out.
"Gracey…" He grinned. "You look…" He struggled for any word that would do her true justice as his eyes ran over every part of her body.
She shivered.
The touch of his gaze made every inch of her tremble in the dark. "Stunning." He finished with a tilt of the head.
Grace shrugged, embarrassed. "I look okay." She smiled wider, praying that he didn't notice that her cheeks were scarlet in the dark.
"You look better than okay – and you know it!" He rebuked her still not moving his eyes from hers.
Grace winked and broke the gaze. "No slushyness huh?" She cursed inwardly as it slipped from her gentle lips. "It's a party!" She laughed. "We're supposed to be having fun!"
Jay laughed back softly, throatily and took her hand in the way he had many times before. "Well then – I suppose we'd better dance!"
"Cooper?" Tammy's voice sounded unusually uncertain as she followed the dark-haired boy into the shadowy and almost empty house, she didn't know quite what she was doing but for once she let the moment control her.
He stopped and turned to face her with interest his eyes burning into hers. "Yeah Tams?" He used her playful nickname, which made her blush and smile shyly.
He was doing things to her that no one else ever had, and she wondered with interest, if he could hear her heart pounding against her chest.
"Tammy?" His voice pulled her out of her thoughts especially when he touched her arm softly.
She flinched.
"I think…what you did for Ally was really nice; the party and stuff…" This sounded so stupid, it was all coming out wrong…but he didn't laugh at her, something about him was different she couldn't help but find herself wishing he was closer so she could feel the warmth sure to be radiating from his body.
Cooper smiled that smile all for her. "We both did it."
The silence replaced his smile, replaced everything in her mind as she watched him for the tiniest movements. How would she tell him this? It sounded so young, so vulnerable…
"I like you." Her voice was no more than the tiniest whisper.
"I like you too." Cooper nodded but Tammy shook her head.
"I really like you." Before either of them knew what was happening Tammy had stepped forward and gently brought her lips to his cheek, softly, hesitantly.
"Thank-you." Cooper touched her arm again reassuringly.
Tammy put her face close to his again, this time nearer his lips, so close that she could almost taste him, she closed her eyes and…
"I can't Tammy." Cooper stepped away and her eyes fluttered open, what?
She stared at him wide eyed a frown forming on her pretty lips, as she wrapped her arms around herself, protectively – defensively.
"You're so nice and…gorgeous, but…I just don't feel like that about you."
She didn't move as he spoke, she was glued to the spot and felt her cheeks burning as if she'd been slapped in the face, in some ways she wished she had been. Pain like that would go away…this embarrassment wouldn't…She closed her eyes and cursed herself for being so ridiculous – of course he didn't like her – of course she'd been stupid to let her guard down for a few seconds.
Tears of awkwardness filled her eyes as she turned to leave.
"I'm sorry…" Cooper whispered reached for her arm.
"No I'm sorry!" She pulled free from his hand and stormed out of the building – Kuger quickly following.
Cooper sighed and lowered his eyes. "Don't be."
Ved sighed to himself dejectedly, some party this had turned out to be. Stupid songs, nothing fun to do, no pretty girls up for a good time…Ally had spent most of the evening hanging from Coopers every word, Grace danced with Jay, Beth sat on her own looking as though she was at a funeral rather than a party…
Ved rolled his eyes, boring, and made his way to the table filled with food and drinks. "Hmmm…" He muttered lifting up an unlabelled bottle and examining it. "This ought to do." He smiled to himself, taking the alcohol and disappearing into the shadowy forest.
After he'd finished a rather upbeat song, Scott didn't start another, he just stood and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Hey all! I'd just like to say a big 'Happy Birthday' to Ally!" Everyone cheered and clapped and whooped and whistled as Ally smiled modestly, blushing. "And to give you your present…"
Ally's eyes widened, hadn't they done enough already? She had no idea what was happening now.
"Grace?" Scott bowed and smiled as the pretty girl made her way to the 'front' of the group and sat next to Scott.
They smiled at each other as Scott began to play his guitar and both moved slightly in time with the music, as soon as the first few cords were out of the way Ally felt a laugh slip from her lips as she recognised the song.
Grace smiled at her with caring eyes and opened her mouth to sing…
"Put on my blue suede shoes
And I boarded the plane
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
In the middle of the pouring rain
W.C. Handy - won't you look down over me
Yeah I got a first class ticket
But I'm as blue as a girl can be…"
Jay smiled as he saw something that he'd never seen from Grace, she obviously loved to sing and her whole face lit up as she did so.
Scott was watching her too and nodded in approval as Grace sang better tonight than she ever had when they'd practised it, he joined her with the chorus…
"That I'm walking in Memphis
Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel?"
Grace pointed at Ally as she sang the words quietly to herself and smiled, happy birthday… she mouthed silently as Scott continued with the song.
"They've got catfish on the table
They've got gospel in the air
And Reverend Green be glad to see you
When you haven't got a prayer
Oh you've got a prayer in Memphis..."
Scott's voice was deep and throaty – perfect for the song actually – and complemented Grace's well…both seemed so happy to be doing something they obviously loved and the crowd loved it.
"Now Scott plays his guitar, Every Friday at the Hollywood..." Grace smiled as she changed the word slightly.
"And they brought me down to see him
And they asked me if I would -
Do a little number
And I sang with all my might
And he said -"
"Tell me are you a Christian child?" Scott managed through his own laughter.
"And I said "Man I am tonight!"
The crowd applauded and cheered as they finished their duet, laughing also Grace put her arm around Scott and whispered in his ear. "You rocked!"
He kissed her forehead, she was like a little sister to him – and she treated him like an older brother. "So did you kid." He winked as everyone laughed and chatted about what they'd just seen.
"Gracey?" Ally's voice was quiet and eyes slightly teary as she tapped on the older girls shoulder, embracing her as she turned around. "Thank-you. It was lovely! My mum would've loved it..."
Grace nodded and turned Ally to face Cooper. "You shouldn't be thanking me." She whispered in Ally's ear. "You've got a good friend there."
"Cooper..."
"Guys like him don't come along too often." She said more to herself as her eyes met with Jays.
Jay, who had been watching her with knowing eyes, felt himself blush slightly as she saw him. She was wonderful singing that song, had lit up in a way she hadn't for a long time, looked hopelessly happy and her smile although aimed to everyone seemed to be directed to everyone as Jay couldn't help but lose himself in her inky eyes as she made her way to him.
"You were great." He offered, she didn't say a word but caught him in an embrace. "Dance with me?" He asked nodding at Scott over her shoulder.
"But there's no music…" Grace began, and as in on cue, Scott began strumming a slow and all-too familiar ballad.
Grace's eyes opened wide. "Jay…this song…I don't think that's a good idea do you?"
"That's exactly why I think it's a great idea." He whispered as Scott played 'Wonderful Tonight…'
She laughed but couldn't resist as he gently took her hand and twirled her before pulling her close, and moved her slowly as she looked up at him with curious eyes. He smiled down at her. "Stop worrying…just enjoy it…"
So she closed her eyes and pretended that it was all never going to end, that they'd be like this forever. Grace shivered as Jay put his lips near her ear his breath caressing her neck as he whispered gently. "It's late in the evening…she's wondering what clothes to wear…she puts on her make-up, and brushes her long brown hair." He could feel her trembling as he was so close that his eyelashes stroked her cheek, but Jay also felt himself shaking – shaking because he'd never really savoured being this close to her. "And then she asks me…"
"Do I look alright?" Grace repeated what she had said earlier in the evening without even realising it.
"And I say 'yes, you look wonderful tonight'…" He touched warm lips lightly to her cool neck and heard her sigh blissfully.
"Gracey…" He whispered so softly it was nothing more that a wonderful sigh in her ear. "I'm having a really great night…"
She pulled back slightly, looking at him with longing eyes, a longing that was mirrored in his own as she touched his cheek with her fingers…Jay brought his own fingers to her lips as both closed their eyes and…
"Grace! Where is she?" Malaika's voice yanked them apart guiltily. "Grace…it's Sara…"
Guilt at having forgotten her sister was ill flashed across her face. "Oh God is she okay?" She whispered not taking her eyes off of Jay.
"Come quickly…She's asking for you…"
Grace allowed herself to drift away from Jay, the unobtainable one who'd she'd almost… "This has got to stop." She pleaded with him, tears clearly visible in her eyes as she turned and left him on his own in the middle of the dance-floor.
Tammy sat all alone in the darkness of the forest, where she could still her the faint hum of noise, on a fallen over tree by the lake. She was stroking Kuger absently with closed eyes and cursing herself over and over…
She'd waited almost sixteen years to kiss a boy, and when she finally did think she'd found the right one, he'd not wanted too. A laugh escaped her mouth, a bitter laugh.
A laugh at herself.
Kuger stood on all fours her ears standing up too, had she heard something in the bushes? Tammy listened and sighed. "Sit girl…"
Kuger didn't and kept growling lowly.
"Ssssh!" She told her sharply. "If you don't shush Kuger I'll put you to bed!" Tammy threatened moodily.
All of a sudden she was plunged into total darkness and the hands covered her eyes. Kuger barked furiously and made a lunge at the person.
"Hey!" Ved protested backing off as Tammy turned, heart racing in fear, watching her dog attack the stranger.
"Kuger!" She screamed and the dog stopped in its pursuit. "You?" Her eyes flashed questioningly at Ved. "What do you want…?"
Ved cracked a smile and sat on the log next to her. "The party was more boring than math-class." He rolled his eyes. "Who wants to watch Cooper and Ally being all friendly? It's bad enough seeing Grace and my brother!"
Tammy laughed in spite of herself, she was glad she'd gotten away whilst she could.
"So anyway…" Ved produced the bottle. "I thought I could have a party all by myself." His eyes flicked over her. "Care to join a cute blonde in a drink?" He cracked the bottle open and took a hearty swig, wiping his mouth and the bottleneck afterwards. "Well?" Ved offered her the bottle.
Tammy looked at it for a moment, she'd never touched alcohol in her life mainly because of her father, and what it did to people, but as she looked into Ved's eyes shining in the dark she wondered how much harm it could really do… "What is it?" She asked cautiously.
Ved smirked. "Some sort of spirit." He shrugged. "It's okay." The bottle was offered again, and again she hesitated. "You've never had a drink before…" He commented suddenly.
Tammy's eyes flashed as he smirked at her. "Yes I have!" She snapped snatching the bottle and gulping down a little too much. It was bitter on her tongue, but didn't stay there long enough to have impact, it was when it hit her throat she noted it scratching its tiny claws along her insides and burning all the way down her body. Then came the choke as her body felt something new and her eyes became watery and she spluttered.
Ved patted her back whilst taking another mouthful.
"It's foul." Tammy managed scrunching up her nose.
Ved smiled, soaking her up with his eyes. "It gets better." He reassured her as she took another gulp. "I promise."
Back at the camp Scott continued to play, slowing the pace now, singing songs which were more relaxed. The mood had changed dramatically, Grace hadn't returned from upstairs and Jay sat on his own, scowling when Louisa tried to talk to him. Ved had disappeared long ago and Tammy wasn't in sight, Lance had disappeared too…Ally had gone inside for a jumper and Cooper was talking to Silver, and Scott's eyes widened when the two moved to the dance floor.
He looked back to his guitar and continued with the song, but it didn't stop what was happening, didn't stop Silver resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes as he held her close, not even paying attention to the words of the song Scott was singing…
"How are you still, like the stream
When I know you feel my gaze, so heavily
Touching you with my eyes,
It's a lot – but it's not enough, girl,
This is my simple confession:
You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen…"
Louisa plopped herself down next to Scott and whispered in his ear. "I've never heard that song before…" She commented as he finished the ballad his eyes looking up to see that the two carried on dancing, even though the music had stopped.
"Not surprising." Scott snapped. "I wrote it."
Louisa grinned and run her index finger up his inside leg, whilst looking at him with flirty eyes. "For me?"
Scott stood and scowled. "I don't write songs for little sluts!" He bit out storming past Silver and Cooper, who had now stopped dancing, and slammed the house's door behind him.
Louisa felt tears stinging in her eyes as Silver watched her with arched eyebrows. "Don't look at me like that!" Louisa screamed at the pretty girl. "Little …" She muttered venomously.
Tammy laughed and shook her head fiercely. "It feels funny!" She giggled as Ved watched her ponytail swishing when she spoke.
"Funny?" Ved smirk grew wider and wider. "Funny how?"
Tammy dragged him in with her eyes, and this shocked him. "Funny, good." She said harshly.
The bottle was rapidly decreasing in contents and had been tossed to one side as Ved decided they'd both had too much. "I'm glad…"
"Y'know what Ved?" Her voice was raised in the night-time silence and he shushed her gently. "Ssssh!" She giggled putting a cold finger to her lips. "I'm…shhussshed."
He smiled at her, in the little light they had, he could tell that when she wasn't scowling but smiling, she was one of the most beautiful things he'd ever seen. "What?" He was curious now.
"I tried to kiss 'im…coopie…coops..cooprrr…" Ved rolled his eyes. "…an' he didn't like me…want me…"
Veds eyes were surprised at why anyone would turn down the attractive girl as his arm curled around her waist to stop her falling from the log. "Do you think I'm…perty? Pritty…pretty…?"
He looked at her and questioned himself, for some reason wanting to give her a truthful answer instead of his usual and immediate 'yes'. The moonlight fell on her shiny hair and caught her large almond-shaped eyes as she looked intently. Ved smiled. "I think you are…" He whispered never taking his eyes from hers. "…your eyes are so pretty…" His tone was soft with truth. "…they have the strangest, tiniest violet flecks in them…"
Tammy felt herself blushing from more than mere alcohol, and felt giddy from more than just the goldfish bowl sensation that was settling over her from hot liquor. "Ved…" She whispered her nose brushing his as they moved closer, her breath touching his mouth softly. "…I've never kissed a boy before…"
Ved moved his mouth the tiny fraction so that lips touched lips with the tiniest amount of pressure. He held her like that for long moments before opening his lips slightly and kissing just s little harder. I'll be gentle with you…
Jay was lost to his thoughts and there was no way back now.
"This has got to stop."…her voice rang in his head, did it? Was she right?
He shook his head defiantly, no he couldn't believe that, he had to show her, she had to know. Standing from the picnic table he made his way to the living room with stealthy strides.
Grace looked at herself in the mirror as she removed the tribal marking from her face, instantly making herself look younger. Her shoes had been casually tossed to one side and she padded around the room tidying up her things. Sara had been frightened, that was all, woken from a bad dream in tears and nothing would console the tiny girl but the safe arms of her sister…
Grace smiled faintly, she'd returned to her room straight after and stayed listening to the goings on outside. She just didn't feel in the party mood anymore. One of the few candles she was burning flickered and died and for moments she just stared at it intently…
I've always cared for her and I've never denied that. Grace is a great girl and she makes me smile, but tonight… Jay sighed to himself, one hand poised to knock on the door. Tonight had made me see her with fresh eyes…All through the time I've known her she's done nothing but stand up for me and help me and believe in me… He sighed. Was it possible to fall in love with someone without noticing it?
Without anymore hesitation Jay knocked on the door and opened it to a soft who is it…?
Grace looked up and couldn't help but smile when she saw him stood in the doorway, covered with shadows, looking so unusually purposeful.
"Jay…" She whispered slowly rising to her feet.
He looked at her and nodded to himself, yes, yes it was possible… She had let her hair from the plaits and it framed her face and streamed down her back as she bathed in the glow from the candles.
She looked like a fallen-angel…
"What if I don't want it to stop?" He startled her with this strong question and she looked at him shocked eyes wide.
"Huh?"
"What if I don't want it to stop Grace? Us. You and me."
Grace shook her head, telling him she didn't know what he was saying…she didn't understand him this time, she didn't know what to say…
Jay's tone softened as he took steps towards her letting the door shut. "What if I want what we've got…" He looked deep into her eyes and searched for that same longing he had seen earlier. "…What if I want more?"
Grace exhaled and closed her eyes, feeling his presence, breathing in his warmth, trembling as he put a gentle finger to her lips, as finally his contact shocked rushes of adrenaline through her body. She didn't open her eyes as he slowly ran the tips of his fingers pensively over her mouth, over and over as she shook beneath his touch, the feel of him touching her sensitive lips with nothing but than his hands made her ache for more, so much more…
His nose brushed against hers as he leaned closer and touched it to her cheek stopping it when it reached her own nose, nuzzling them together slowly their lips only fractions apart. "Gracey…" His breath teased her willing lips. "…can I kiss you…?"
For the first time her eyes fluttered open and their eyes held each other caringly, as her insides melted away to nothing. She didn't answer, she couldn't speak, not now…they talked too much, now was a time for actions – and her eyes told him all he needed to know.
Shutting his eyes and parting his lips Jay placed them, finally, against hers for their first kiss…
It only lasted a few sweet seconds, before Jay pulled away briefly to look at her, his best friend and so much more. They watched each other, aware more than anything that this had changed everything between them forever…
