The few days after Christmas were crazy and never ending it seemed like. Grace worked doubles every day so she could have January first off, New Year's Day. Mainly because on New Year's Eve Nessie had planned a party that night which Grace was invited to. She hadn't seen Seth since Christmas but they did text when there was time. Seth would always ask how her day was going or if she was okay, things no one ever did. Grace would ask questions about his life, learning about how his father passed away and how his sister moved away recently with her husband. Seth would ask about her life in Brooklyn in which she would always describe as boring. Grace would ask what it was like growing up in a rainy state. Seth would ask how she learned how to become so hardcore with muggers, he finally found the scene funny. They both wanted to know everything about each other. Their favorites, their dislikes, their wants, their hopes, their fears.
New Year's Eve came around, it was noon and Grace was at the diner cleaning up a table that had just left. She only had to work until five because Nessie was suppose to pick her up and get her all dolled up at the apartment. Then they were going to head to the Cullens for the party. Nessie has said she found the perfect velvet navy dress that would look stunning on her and of course Grace didn't fight it.
"Hey, Grace! Table five is yours," the hostess told her as she walked by. Grace shouted out okay as she finished the table. The couple before only left her 2 dollars as a tip so after days of working opening to close she was a little tired and irritated. Even the cooks noticed and left her alone whenever she kept back to get a new cup of coffee for herself. She missed Seth's coffee, it was always delicious and warm. She tried not to think about how the coffee was just like him. She tried not to think about their kiss, the wine lingering on both of their tongues.
"Hey there, my name is Grace and I'll be your server. What can I get you to drink?" Grace looked from her notepad to see the old police officer along with Jacob, Seth, Bella, Edward and Nessie. Seth sent a big smile her way before placing a white styrofoam cup in front of her. Coffee.
"It's like you read my mind," Grace smiled before sliding it her way. She greeted everyone else at the table before writing down waters for them all. She walked to the drink station holding her new coffee cup with a smile.
"Is that the boy you've been taking time off for?" Lucy asked with a smirk. Lucy was Graces biggest enemy. For some reason she never liked her, even though she stayed out of her way and barely talked to her. Lucy had bleached blonde hair and sun kissed skin, she was skinny and perky. Damn near perfect except that her eyes told on her about being dead inside.
"That's him," Grace answered simply. She wasn't sure what to call Seth yet but whatever they were she was happy with.
"He's cute. You guys dating?" Lucy whispered as she took a cup before Grace could grab it. Grace just went ahead and grabbed another cup next to it, she was not going to let this girl do this to her today. She only had a few hours left and then she had the next day off. She could go back to working her normal schedule until the art show.
"Yup. Yup, we are now back off," Grace knew she was lying but figured it couldn't hurt, it would get the girl off her back. Grace finished filling up the last cup before placing them all on her tray. Unfortunately as Grace went to take a step away Lucy stuck out her foot, tripping her. Grace fell face first on the ground, the tray flying out of her hand and landing with a thud along with broken glass and water everywhere. Lucy laughed at her joke but no one else found it funny. All the regulars at the bar seats instantly asked if she was okay, peering over the edge. Nikki came running over from the back to help Grace stand, glass had somehow entered her hands. Jacob had to pull Seth away from the situation because he was starting to get too angry for his own good.
"Are you okay?" Nikki asked as she looked at Graces bloody hands. They were covered in the red liquid.
"I can help her," Nessie spoke softly at the bar counter. She knew how to handle this type of thing thanks to Carlisle.
"Are you sure? Grace do you know her?" Nikki knew she had to get back in the kitchen so lunch rush could run smoothly but she didn't want to leave the injured girl behind.
"She's my friend," Grace was trying not to cry. She was trying to hold the tears back, once she started crying she knew she wasn't going to stop.
"Okay then...go get cleaned up and go ahead home. You've worked your butt off since Christmas, you need a break," Nikki smoothed out Graces frizzy hair that was pulled into ponytail. Grace walked with Nessie to the bathroom as the whole dining room heard Nikki scolding Lucy. Charlie, Edward and Bella all sat still in the booth. Edward knew what was about to happen but he didn't warn anyone quick enough before it happened. Bella quickly got up and followed the girls to the bathroom, she would take this moment to help her daughter. Edward and Charlie sighed, they went to go outside to find their wolf friends. Charlie was not going to be getting any lunch before his shift then it seemed.
"Hop up on the back of the toilet," Nessie instructed as she pulled up her brown hair. Grace couldn't help but notice for the first time how much she looked like her.
"Are you okay? That was nuts," Bella asked as she came into the room and locked the door behind her. Bella took one looks at Graces hands and took control of her breathing. This was her daughter and she was going to help, not attack.
"I'm fine," Grace tried to laugh it off but instead she broke down. Tears started flowing and gasps took over. Nessie worked quietly while pulling the glass shards out of her hands while Bella took paper towels to the wounds. A knock came on the door when the last piece was almost out.
"I have the first aid kit," Seth called from the other side. He had calmed himself in the parking lot enough to be allowed to come back inside and help, both Jacob and Edward approved of it. They both were busy buying Charlie any baked good that was already made so he could head on over to work.
"Thanks Seth," Bella opened the door and quickly shut it again, not allowing Seth to see his imprint. He could hear her cries though, they ripped through his heart like a bullet.
"I feel like such an idiot. I'm so embarrassed. I mean who does that! I know she doesn't like me but why? I've work opening to close every day for the past six days. Seven in the morning to ten at night! I take anybody shifts that need covered. I never call in sick. I never talk mean about anyone. I do my job. Why did she have to do that? All because I said Seth and I were dating so she wouldn't hit on him! Now tonight is the party and I'll be coming in bandages, I'm so stupid," Grace was ranting as the tears flowed still. Nessie was busy cleaning the cuts and wrapping them to respond just yet. She was going to give that Lucy girl a peice of her mind when she sees her next.
"I'm so sorry honey, that girl is just childish," Bella rubbed her back in soothing motions trying to calm her. She felt awful as she watched her cry. Grace was so innocent and sweet, she didn't deserve mean girls.
"All done. Now, you will still look gorgeous tonight. No one will even look at your hands trust me. As for that girl, she's going to pay. No one treats my sister like this," Nessie didn't realize what she had said until she heard Bella suck in air. Grace was wiping her eyes when she also froze. Sister?
"What do you mean?" Grace asked as she took Bella's hand to get down from the toilet and stand. She took her ponytail out, letting her hair down to breathe for the first time in days. She's been too tired at night to even shower or even eat most nights.
"Just...like, I don't know. Sisters. I'd consider you family," Nessie cringed at her lie. She was just digging herself a deeper hole.
"You know what...I'm too tired and hungry to really do this right now. Thank you for the help, I really appreciate it. I will see you guys tonight," Grace gave both of them a hug before leaving the bathroom. She just wanted to go to bed until it was time to get ready.
"I'll be at your apartment at five still okay? Go nap," Nessie called out behind her as Grace gave an okay symbol above her head telling her that she heard the words.
"Need a ride?" Seth called out to her as Grace came out of the building. Nikki had given him all her belongings she had brought for the day along with her tip money.
"No, no I can walk," Grace was so frazzled and drain that she wasn't thinking straight. Her stomach was growling. Her eyes were red from crying. Her hands were aching. Her wet clothes cold now from the weather. Her bronze hair whipping in the wind.
"No, no you can't. You literally can't walk a straight line right now. Come on, I'll drive you home. I'll get you into bed and then leave," Seth gripped her elbow gently before steering her towards his truck. She didn't fight. She could barely even think. Seth helped her into the passenger seat and sat her things on the floorboard. He waved to Edward and Jacob who was sitting in their car waiting Nessie and Bella. Edward still didn't know how to be around Grace like everyone else. He was still trying to find a common ground. Alice told him to try piano so he might do that tonight. He just needed Nessie to do digging and see if she knows anything he would, any classics or duets.
"Come on, let's get you into bed," Seth helped Grace unlock her front door and walk to her bedroom. Grace kicked off her work shoes and climbed into her messy bed. The apartment looked like a train wreck due to her business the last week. Grace never let it get like this but right now she was too tired t care. Seth pulled her comforter to her neck before leaning down and kissing her forehead. Her eyes were already closed and her breathing was already evening out. Seth wanted to stay there forever just listening to her heartbeat.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said we were dating. That's what started this," Grace whispered before letting out a few whimpers. Her hands were killing her but sleep was winning the battle.
"You did nothing wrong sweetheart. She is just a bitch. I'll see you tonight and hey, if you say we're dating then we are," Seth chuckled to himself because he knew she was already aslee by the time he responded. He closed her door before going to leave. Before he did though he turned around and started to clean. He did the few dirty dishes in the sink, they showed him she wasn't eating much. He wiped her counters down before going to fluff the pillows on the couch. He folded the blanket he used the other night and laid it on the coffee table. He picked up the dirty clothes that were all over the room and bathroom and threw them in the washer for her along with the other dirty stuff in the hamper. He did a quick sweep before telling himself that was enough. Seth knew he didn't have to do any of this. She felt the pull which meant the imprint was there and alive but he felt like the should. She was working her ass off after all to spend more time with him and her family, this was the least he could do. Seth left and locked the door knowing that Nessie can get into the apartment if need be. Right now he needed to go do a quick patrol before he himself had to get dressed to bring in the new year with the love of his life.