Grace's footsteps were light as she backtracked out of the kitchen and away from the sight that left her reeling. Her heart had dropped and a pit instantly formed in her stomach. Dazedly she felt herself turn and slowly go back up the stairs towards the safety and sanctuary of her bedroom. The only reason her footsteps didn't alert the two people she left in the kitchen was because of her slow reaction and calmness as she walked up the stairs.
Her hearing returned to her as she laid back on her bed and she realized her ears had been buzzing and ringing for the last few minutes. What was this she was feeling? Shouldn't she be happy for her mom? And for Sam too?
Pulling her knees to her chest she admitted to herself that she did know the answer to these questions. Yes, she really should be happy for them both for finding happiness with each other, but no she really couldn't bring herself to feel it and for a very good reason. It was her own feelings that had grown very strong and were harder and harder to ignore everyday that she spent with them. No, not them. Him. She couldn't be happy for her mom because the man she had just kissed in the kitchen was Nick's father. Nick, the boy who had somehow become her best friend and wormed his way into her heart and soul. She didn't think she could separate him from her even if she tried.
Grace sat and sat, arms wrapped around herself as if that would be enough to hold her together. It wasn't until she heard approaching footsteps and a voice calling her name, repeatedly, that she started to come back to her senses. Eyes finally focussing again for the first time since she curled up on her bed she was able to see Nick poke his head inside her door, a confused and almost worried look crossing his face.
"Hey, you okay?" his eyes roamed as he looked her over. "I was calling for you like a bunch." His frown deepens as he notes that her knees are to her chest and she looks like she's been stuck in her head. "Grace?" he asks, letting the door close behind him as he approaches her.
Involuntarily she feels herself tense. How is she going to tell him that the problem is their parents kissing downstairs when her heart had already decided it belonged to him. Humming almost absently she stumbled crawling off of her bed. Her cheeks burning as he reached to steady her, still frowning. His hands were gentle on her waist, keeping her from falling while she still managed to fall face first into his chest. "I've got you." his voice was soothing, but as she relaxed into his hold an image flashed through her mind again. The image of their parents.
Grace sucked in a breath and forced herself to stand straight, slipping out of his arms, her eyes anywhere but on him. His hands seemed to follow her for a moment and she could feel his fingers slip over her waist before dropping their contact. She swallowed thickly and wrapped her arms around herself again without even thinking about it. "Yeah, uh, yeah" she started, "I'm fine, totally fine." she added a nod, trying to be convincing.
"Grace." he started again and she could hear that he wasn't going to let it go.
"It's nothing, really." she repeated, "I'm fine. It's just some stupid stuff that got to me today is all." she tried to look up and even managed a small grimacing smile in his direction.
"No." he shook his head, and her heart jumped into her throat. Did he know? Was he going to call her out on it or get angry at her for her inner heart's feelings? No, she didn't think so, but he certainly wasn't pleased about something. "No Grace, it's not nothing and it's not silly and stupid things bothering." he placed his hands heavily on her shoulders. "It can't be nothing if it's bothering you. You know you can tell me anything, right?" he ducked his head slightly in an attempt to get her to look at him. When she didn't budge he sighed. "I'll drop it for now, okay?" he relented, "But only for right now. We're going to talk about what's actually bothering you later." he promised.
"Hmm…" she hummed a response before he opened the door. A gentle hand on her lower back nudged her when she remained in her place, feet glued to the floor. "You coming?" he raised an eyebrow at her. Humming again she tried to nod and slipped away from him, wide eyes glued to the floor.
Well, now she had at least a whole dinner's worth of time to come up with something to tell Nick. But, as she neared the dining room, she realized something else. She was going to have to look both of their parents in the eyes and be reminded of exactly what she was trying to block out and avoid. For a split second she wondered if she could still play hookey and run back to the safety of her room. "There you two are." she heard Sam say, "Let's eat!"
Trying to put on a brave Merriwick face, she tilted her chin and held her head high while she took her urual chair- right next to Nick. She could make it through one dinner, right?