Wednesday morning had begun just as tumultuated as usual. Rick left real
early because he had a meeting with Colin and his friends. Lily was a
little too nauseous that morning; just looking at anything eatable made her
vomit her stomach out.
"Morning.", Eli sluggishly greeted Lily, Zoe and Jessie as he entered the kitchen.
"Anything to eat?"
"Cereal. again.", Zoe lightly joked and Jessie mouthed to Eli that Lily wasn't feeling very well. He nodded then opened the refrigerator and took an apple out.
"Mom, is the baby kicking yet?", Zoe inquired, looking real hard to her mother's womb.
"Oh, no, sweetie. It's soon for-"
"Morning family! What a wonderf-", Grace brightly made her entrance in the kitchen but when she saw Eli sat next to Jessie, storm clouds appeared above her head. "What is he doing here?'
Lily, Jessie and Zoe looked at Grace in surprise and Eli just couldn't believe how such a pain-in-the-ass she was being. "He lives here. Duhhh.", Zoe mockingly stated.
"Shut up, Zoe.", Grace ordered.
"Thank you, Zoe.", Eli quickly added, knowing his words would piss Grace even more. And he was right, everybody there could see she was about to lose control.
"No food?", Grace changed the subject after reluctantly swallowed her anger.
"I'm nauseous. I can't even think of food.", Lily shrugged with a smile. "Hey girls, Jake is driving you today. Okay? Um, you too, Eli.", as Lily finished her sentence Grace and Eli cast a single glimpse at each other.
"Where's dad?", quizzed Jessie.
"He left early."
"Knock-knock.", Jake opened the kitchen's door. "Morning."
"Morning.", they all replied.
"Oh? Hey guys, I need to talk to you before you leave. To all of you.", Lily announced.
"Later mom.", Grace said rushing upstairs. "I need ten minutes, dad.", she cried.
"Lil?", Judy invaded the house nervously. She became a statue when she saw all those eyes staring at her. "Um. hi. every-one."
"Hi, Judy.", Lily greeted back, knowing that something was not going pretty well to her sister.
"Grace!!!", Jake called her really loud. "You're ten seconds are over."
"I said, ten minutes.", Grace disputed, hollering from upstairs.
"Come on, I gotta go.", Jake stated. "Everybody please, get your teen bodies into the car right now."
Jessie and Zoe stood up, put their bowls in the sink then headed out to the car. "Bye.", they got out together.
"Grace!!", Jake called again. "Bye Lily. See you at the bookstore, Judy." Jake left. Eli stood up and went to drink some water. When he turned around to take his coat he face Grace who was coming down. They swayed a little then stopped, glaring at each other.
"Bye.", Eli snorted, leaving and Grace walked out without casting one single word to her mother and aunt.
When Eli and Grace got to the car, Zoe was already sat on the passenger's seat and Jessie was sat by the window on the left. Eli felt an urge to tell Jake he'd rather walk to work than sit next to Grace in the car but he was running out of time. The two of them got into the car, never looking at each other. Jake noticed there was something odd about their behavior but didn't ask. He just started the car and drove off.
Back in the kitchen, Judy was standing next to Lily. She was speechless, all she did was watch her sister do the dishes with a very confused look on her face. Lily stopped, turned, looked at Judy and said, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong."
"Really? So what brings you here so early?', Lily made a face, knowing her sister too well. Judy snorted heavily then walked to the table and pulled a chair, sitting down. "Sam?", asked Lily taking a seat next to her.
"He still wants me to go to Australia with him.", she began. "He said Jamie is going to live with him and that his son would need someone like me around."
"What's wrong with that?", Lily's face puzzled. "Is it because you two don't get along that well?"
"That too.", she bitterly snorted a laugh. "I'm getting the feeling that the only reason Sam wants me there, in Australia, is just to take care of his son."
Lily frowned in surprise. "I don't believe that's the only reason. I mean, hugh. Sam likes you, Judy. He really does."
"I know. I know.", Judy snapped. ", he said he loves me, that he's ready to settle down but I'm not sure if *this*, Sam, Jamie, Australia. I'm not sure if they're the right thing for me."
"What's going on with you?'
"I don't know.", Judy stood up then placed her purse on her shoulder. "Um. what about your trip? Are you going?", she switched the subject.
Lily could see that her sister was really unsure of what to do with her life and that she just needed someone to listen to her and not judge her. "We're going."
"Oh, that's, that's really great. Well, I gotta go. Bye, Lil.", Judy left then after a few minutes Lily left too.
Jake dropped the girls at school then drove to the BookLovers. When him and Eli where about to leave the car, Jake asked, "Is there something wrong between you and Grace?"
"You don't wanna know.", Eli tried to escape from answering.
"Why? It can't be that bad. Com on, tell me.", Jake insisted.
"You really wanna know?", Eli warned and Jake nodded. "Your daughter is crazy. She completely insane. I'm telling you, she's not mentally healthy.", Eli said in annoyance.
Jake looked at him oddly. "But, um. Why do you-", Jake didn't finish his next question. Jake noticed the warning look Eli was giving him. "Um. No, I rather not to know." Eli shook his head in agreement and the went into the bookstore.
*
*
*
The school bell dismissed everybody for the day. Jessie looked for Grace to offer her a ride home; Katie was driving Jessie. They searched every corner but couldn't find Grace then they assumed she had taken a bus home. They didn't now know the real reason Grace wasn't around was because her and Cynthia had skipped their last period to go to Chicago State University to see Mr. Dimitri.
Cynthia paid the taxi driver then he took off. The girls walked in the campus. They strolled around for a while then Grace stopped and Cynthia asked, "What? Why did you stop?"
"It's insane. This place is huge. We're not gonna find him.", Grace's fears spoke out.
"Grace?! He's an English teacher.", Cynthia stated, trying to be supportive. Grace walked some inches away from Cynthia who just stood there, glancing around the place 'til she stopped when she caught a vision in the corner of her eye of two men talking. She looked at them hard then she got out. "Grace?", Grace turned around, stepping closer to her again. "Guess, it's your lucky day.", she smirked, pointing to the two men talking. Grace felt her stomach flip as she recognized one of the men. It was Mr. Dimitri. Grace's face was covered with embarrassment. She turned and slowly began to walk away. "Where you're going?"
"We shouldn't have come. I'm going home.", she barely spoke.
"What? No, you can't.", Cynthia rushed and grabbed her arm, trying to drag her back.
"I can't do this. I almost ruined his life.", Grace ashamedly stated, looking down. "I have to get out of here before he sees me."
"Oh-oh! Too late for that.", Cynthia exclaimed, nearly smiling. "He saw you already."
Grace had a feeling that what she was doing was bad, really bad. She lifted her face and their gazes met. Mr. Dimitri couldn't believe it was really her. He thought it was some girl that looked like her but then she shyly grinned at him and he was sure it was her.
"Go. Go talk to him.", Cynthia encouraged her. Grace took a deep breath and began to walk towards Mr. Dimitri. The other teacher he was talking to had already left the scene by then. The expression on Mr. Dimitri's face was a mixture of joy and concerning. "Hi.!", Grace only got out as she approached him.
"Hi, Grace.", Mr. Dimitri stammered back in a low voice. "What, what you're doing here?"
Grace couldn't tell him the truth so she lied. "I'm accompanying Cynthia. She wanted to take a look around. You know, she's doing a college research and she asked me to come with her."
"Oh.", he didn't buy her excuse. "I'm working here now."
"Really?!!! That's great!", she pretended surprise.
They remained in an awkward silence for an instant. Neither one of them knew what to say. It was too weird.
"I'm writing a new story, you know.", Grace broke and he slightly smiled. "I'm having troubles in writing the end."
"Grace.", he warned, predicting what she was about to ask him. "We can't see each other anymore."
"Why not? You're not my teacher anymore. It's not a crime.", she quickly spelled. "Can you help me to write the end of my story?"
"Grace, I would love to but.", Mr. Dimitri snorted then he stopped and changed what he was saying. "What's the story about?"
"It's about a girl and a boy and their really, really bizarre relation.", she began explaining. "It's kind nice. I think. . Is there anywhere we could get together so you could. take a look. at my story?"
Mr. Dimitri laughed in embarrassment. He knew what she was trying to do but he was powerless against her. She was special and he could never deny her help. He took a piece of paper out of his briefcase then wrote something on it. "Here", he handed her the paper. "It's Christine's address. I'm meeting her tonight. Why don't you come by. um. around seven?"
"Okay.", she agreed immediately.
"Then you can show me. your story.", he added.
"Right. At seven. I'll be there."
"Good. I must go now. Bye.", Mr. Dimitri started to leave but then he paused and got out. "I missed you.", Grace allowed herself a smiled as she watched him walk away.
*
*
*
"Stop!! Stop!! Stop!!", Coop demanded and Eli jolted.
"What?"
"You're hurting my ears.", Coop teased him and his face puzzled. "Have you forgotten how to play the guitar or something?"
"Oh, come on. It wasn't that bad.", Eli retorted as he strummed his guitar once more.
"*It wasn't that bad*?", Coop teasingly mocked him. "If my grandfather wasn't already sleeping peacefully in hell, he would drop stone dead if he listened to the crap you just played."
"Oh, shut up, Coop.", Eli tossed his guitar aside then threw a coke can on his annoying friend. "I'm bored. Where the hell are Ted and Wink?"
"They said they'd be late.", Coop reported.
"They're almost two hours late already.", Eli disputed, checking his watch. "Go call them."
"Okay, okay, ma'am.", Coop stood up and went to phone their friends. He came back after a couple of minutes then thrown out the news. "They're not coming."
"Shit!", Eli exclaimed annoyingly.
"Now, let's cut the crap.", Coop smirked widely. "Spell it."
"Spell what?"
"I'm not blind. It's obvious you're going through some kind of issue. And knowing you like I do, it's a girl issue.", Coop added and Eli confusedly shook his head.
"I don't wanna talk about it.", Eli vaguely replied.
"It's that Nina girl, right?", Coop insinuated the went on with his teasing. "She's totally hot. You guys moved to next base yet?"
"We are not a couple. Okay.", Eli burst out, snorting.
"It doesn't mean you can't-"
"That is it. I'm out of here.", Eli laughed as Coop did it as well.
~ ~ ~
"Grace, I really loved your story.", Christine complemented her. "You're very talented."
"Thanks.", Grace shyly blushed as she put her papers in her backpack. "It's getting late. I better get going."
"It was an honor to have you in my house.", Christine beamed at her and Mr. Dimitri smiled.
"Okay. Bye then.", Grace said and Mr. Dimitri told her he would walk her to the car.
"Thanks for doing this.", Grace murmured out as they reached her mother's car.
"It was my pleasure.", Mr. Dimitri said back, nodding.
"I'm really sorry.", Grace sadly spoke again. "I'm sorry I made you lose your job. I'm sorry. If I could turn back time, I would do everything so differently."
"Well, I wouldn't.", he softly mumbled, surprising her.
Grace lifted her eyes that were fixed on the ground in shame. She looked at him and he was slightly smiling back at her. "Do you know why we went through those things?", Mr. Dimitri questioned, already knowing the answer.
"I guess.", she mouthed.
"It's okay. Say it."
"You and I, we're the same.", Grace lowly stated.
"I'm you. just twenty years older.", he tried to joke a little. "You and I, Grace. We see the world through the same point of view."
"Sorry I'd mixed up the feelings.", she apologized one more time.
"It's okay.", he assured her then helped her to face her feelings again. "Grace, I know who the guy in your story is. You've mentioned him to me before."
"You know him?", she quizzed confusedly.
"When I started to read it I thought the character was based on Orlando from * As You Like It. * but then I realized it was about someone else.", he went, opening her eyes. "The boy you wrote about is someone you've mentioned in your journal once or twice. I know who he is but I'm not sure that you do.", his last words made he puzzle. "That's why you can't figure out the ending..."
~ ~ ~
"Hey! See you tomorrow??!!", Coop beamed as Eli walked out his house.
"Sure!", Eli replied.
"Hey, don't forget to give my number to Nina.!", Coop teased him again then went back in.
Eli walked to his mother's car and placed his guitar in the trunk. Eli was feeling very weird because of what he was going through with Grace. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath then exhaled, trying to ease the tension inside of him. When he was about to open the car he saw a pictures right across the street. A picture that took him three or four minutes to believe it was real. He saw Grace with Mr. Dimitri.
He didn't know what he felt when he saw them. He just felt... strange. He felt like a knife had penetrated his heart or something. He was really confused. He didn't know what to do so he swiftly opened the car, got in and lid down a little bit. He stayed there, hidden in the car watching Grace and Mr., Dimitri. He couldn't hear what they were saying but he had perfect view of the scene.
~ ~ ~
"... the answer to what you're looking for lies inside of you.", Mr. Dimitri muttered touching Grace's chest, pointing to her heart. "You're special, Grace. Don't let the fear take over your life. Don't let * Gracie * take the wheels of your life again.", Grace understood why she needed to see, at least one more time. A single tear rolled down her cheek at that moment.
"Thank you.", she mouthed, smiling. Grace stared at Mr. Dimitri and he understood what her eyes were asking so he nodded, allowing her to do what her heart told her to. Grace widely smiled then she gave him a full embrace.
~ ~ ~
When Eli saw then hugging, he felt his blood burning in anger. He had no clue why that scene bothered him so much. He only knew that he wanted to jump out of the car smash Mr. Dimitri real hard. Eli for an instant tried to control the urge of killing Mr. Dimitri but didn't succeed. So he decided to take off before he couldn't help himself from doing something he would probably regret later. He quickly started the car then made the tires sing along the road.
~ ~ ~
The sound of the tires made Grace and Mr. Dimtri part from each other. "What was that?", she frowned, gazing at the road.
"Some kid... probably drunk.", Mr. Dimitri figured.
"Thanks... again.", Grace stumbled, opening the car. She looked at him one more time and said. "Farewell, Mr. Dimtri."
"Farewell, Grace.", Grace and Mr. Dimtri knew that it was the last time they would be seeing each other, that * it * was over and that it was time to move on. Grace started the car and drove off as Mr. Dimtri watched her with the feeling of blessing. He felt blessed because he got to know her.
* * *
Grace got home and found everybody in the living room, including Eli. "Grace, where were you?", Lily quizzed as Grace shrugged her coat off.
"At Cynthia's.", she lied.
"Yeah, right. And I'm Scary Spice.", Eli thrown out his poison in a low teasingly voice.
"What did you say?", Grace heard him and she wanted some answers or start another fight.
"I didn't say anything.", Eli snapped making an innocent face which made Grace groan in anger.
"Don't you two think you're taking this little issue too far?", Rick tried to bring back their common sense.
"It's not a little issue.", Grace disputed, glaring at Eli. "I despise him."
"And I'm giving a shit about that.", Eli mumbled directly to Grace.
"I'm going to my room.", Grace announced.
"Grace, wait. We need to talk to you. To all of you.", Lily stated.
"Not now, mom.", Grace dismissed her mother, trudging up to her room.
"Did you see that?"
" What do you want to talk to us about?", Jessie asked.
"Well, we-"
"I'm tired. I'm going to my room.", Eli didn't let Rick begin to speak.
" Eli, we need to-", Lily pleaded.
"You're going to talk to * her * tomorrow, right?", he made a face and Lily and Rick nodded in frustration. " Okay, then. Goodnight.", Eli snorted then left.
Lily looked at Jessie and Zoe who were still waiting. "Do you want us to talk to you tomorrow too?"
"Now. Let's talk now.", Zoe demanded. "I'm curious."
"Well, Rick got a new contract.", Lily started. "A very good deal."
"That's great, dad.", Jessie smiled.
"And, well, he want us to celebrate all the good things that have been happening to us.", Lily went on. "Rick suggested that we could-"
"That we could spend then days in heaven.", Rick brightly cut Lily, adding. "There's this place called Fernando de Noronha... in Brasil."
"It's a very beautiful place. Well, at least that what we've been told.", Lily grinned at the girls. "I've heard that you don't even have to dive to see the fishes under the water. They have lots of beautiful beaches there."
"So... what do you say?", Rick hopefully asked.
"I'm packing right now.", Zoe popped up in excitement.
"There's no need to rush, Zoe.", Lily laughed at her daughter's reaction. "We've got fifteen days to do it."
"It's not enough. I wanna be pretty. I have to.", Zoe snapped, making Rick, Lily and Jessie laugh. "A boy in my school said that I was the most beautiful girl he's ever seen. And there's a lot of beautiful girls in Brasil. I have to look better then them."
"Sweetie, you're thirteen.", Lily nodded, finding the conversation very amusing.
"My point, exactly.", Zoe spoke again. "I need to get myself a boyfriend soon. I don't wanna end up like Grace."
"Okay. Okay!! Time to go to bed little Missy.", Lily led hr daughter to her room, leaving Jessie and Rick alone.
"What's wrong, Jess?", Rick noticed she wasn't that thrilled with the news.
"I don't wanna leave mom."
"Your mother is fine now."
"I know but, hugh. I just don't think it's right for me to leave her. I mean, her leg still hurts and all.", Jessie explained, not telling the whole truth to her father. Jessie didn't want to leave Karen alone, that was a fact but didn't want to leave Katie either.
"There's nothing for you to worry about. Henry is taking a real good care of her.", Rick reasoned and she sluggishly nodded. "Why don't you call her. Call your mother and ask her if you can go. If she agrees, great and if she doesn't you stay here with her. Deal?"
Jessie thought about it for a while then agreed. She picked up the phone and called her mother.
"Hello?", Karen answered on the other line.
"Um, mom?! It's me.", Jessie identified herself.
"Oh, hi, honey. How are you?"
"Fine. Um. mom?", she began. "Would you mind if I go to Brasil with dad and everybody else?"
"Um, um, um. When they're going?", Karen stammered not very pleased.
"In fifteen days.", Jessie responded. "Dad got a new contract and they want to celebrate.. with the whole family. you now. So can I go?"
Karen remained in silence for an instant. She didn't want o let her daughter go but what else she could do, Jessie was Rick's daughter too.
"Mom? Mom?. Are you there?"
"Yes, I am.", Karen got out, clearing her throat. "Sure you can go, honey."
"Really?", Jessie suddenly felt very excited about the trip.
"Sure."
"Thanks mom. um. see you tomorrow. Bye.", Jessie happily said then hung up the phone and went up to her father's room to let him know her decision. "Dad?", she softly opened the door.
"What?", Rick replied.
"Mom said it's okay. So. I'll go."
"Good."
"Um, dad?", Jessie said in pleading voice. "Katie can come with us?"
Rick and Lily found Jessie's request a little bit odd. But soon they remembered Jessie and Grace were not the best of friends, Zoe was too young to hang out with and Eli, well, Eli was a boy that was enough. They weighted their options and thought that it would be unfair to Jessie so they said *yes*. Jessie's smiled reached her ears when they agreed. Rick told Jessie to call Katie and make sure she would bring to school on the next day her passport, parents' permission, ID and all she needed to get out of the country.
*
*
*
On the next day, Lily and Rick tried several times to talk to Grace and Eli about the Brasil trip but they didn't give them the chance to. Both, Eli and Grace, spent the whole day out just not to accidentally bump on each other.
The night came and Eli was in the living room alone. He was watching an old movie. he looked at his watch and saw it was eleven-thirty. Eli turned off the TV, stood up, stretched a little and when he was about to leave he heard some noises, laughters to be exact, coming from outside. Eli thought it was odd because he knew everybody else was already asleep or at least that was what her thought. He went to the window and opened the curtains a little so he could see what was going on out there. He saw Grace, A.J and Cynthia. Cynthia was standing next to A.J's car and Grace and A.J were having fun. It was their laughters Eli had heard. A.J kept trying to get Grace, he wanted to tickle her sides.
"A.J, I have to go home.", Cynthia remembered him but he didn't pay attention.
Eli kept watching A.J and Grace playing, laughing, touching each other and suddenly he felt his anger growing inside of him.
"Come here.", A.J laughed out loud.
"No.", Grace playfully disputed.
A.J pretended to be leaving so Grace let her guards down. A.J turned around and rushed, grabbing her then lifting her up. Grace screamed in surprise. A.J leaned her down as if they were dancing tango. From Eli's spot, he only could see them very close to each other and to him they were about to kiss. Eli was furious, he shut down the curtains, exhaling in anger. Outside, A.J had Grace's but face the lawn.
"I'm going to kill you, A.J.", Grace pretended to be very mad at him. But he was already leaving by then. A.J and Cynthia got into the car then took off. Grace came into the house from the front door. When she got in he living room she found Eli sat on the couch. his face was covered with hatred. She took off her coat and went to the stairs but she was stopped from going up by Eli's filled-hatred words.
"You know, Grace. I never thought you were so low."
"What?", she snapped, glaring at him. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that you are making those scenes, fighting with me just to cover your own dark acts.", Eli stood up and pointed his finger to her face.
"What are you talking about? Are you out of your freaking mind?", Grace stepped down then walked to the couch.
"What were you doing with that guy outside?", he smirked forcedly. "Weren't you supposed to be in bed?"
"I don't own you explanations, Eli.", Grace groaned furiously.
"What about Lily?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"What would your mother think if she knew you were with Mr. Dimitri last night.", Eli ironically raised his voice.
"Shut up!", she nervously ordered.
"Oh, come on, Grace.", he continued. "I never knew you were a liar. a cheater."
Grace was blinded by anger when she heard his last words. "You're not judging me, are you, Eli? I mean, *you*.", Grace glared at him, sarcastically laughing.
"What's the laughter about?", Eli yelled.
~ ~ ~
Lily and Rick were woken up by Grace's and Eli's yells. "Rick? Rick? Wake up.", Lily called, her voice filled with sleep.
"What?", he yawned.
"Do you hear that?"
Rick sat up and listened more carefully. "It sounds like Eli and Grace."
"They're fighting again.", Lily figured, getting up.
"Where you're going?"
"Make sure they won't kill each other.", she lightly joked then Rick followed her.
~ ~ ~
Grace was still laughing, ironically laughing. "Why are you laughing? Are you crazy?", Eli annoyingly inquired.
"Crazy? No. I'm not crazy. I'm laughing at you.", she firmly stated.
"Why?"
"You're a joke, Eli.", Grace attacked him and he frowned. "You said I'm a liar. a cheater."
"And?", he snapped, doing the best he could to not do anything stupid.
"Who are you to judge me, Eli?", she shouted again. "You're a loser."
"Stop it!", ordered, yelling.
"You don't know what to do with your life. You're worthless. A pot addicted . The only reason you're still working at the bookstore is because my father and my aunt feel sorry for you."
"Shut up, Grace!", he screamed louder, trying to make her stop.
"You are a loser, Eli.", she laughed meanly again. "You are nothing, a zero, nada."
"Shut up!"
"What? Are you angry? What you're gonna do? Hugh? Hit me?", Grace mocked his reaction then she realized he was *this* close to actually be aggressive to her. "You are going to hit me, aren't you?"
"I said, shut up!"
"Oh, come on! Show me what you've got, Eli.", Grace kept pushing him "Bring it on!"
"Grace, I'm telling you STOP IT!", he warned her one ore time.
Grace furiously looked into his eyes and got out. "Aren't you man enough?"
"I SAID, SHUT-THE-HELL-UP! DAMN IT!!!!", Eli couldn't help himself anymore. He out of the sudden, angrily grabbed the little table that sat in front of the couch then throw it on the first thing he saw which was the wall. His furious action made Grace shiver in fear, not only her but also Rick, Lily, Jessie and Zoe, who were watching the whole scene without being noticed.
"ENOUGH!!! ENOUGH!!", Rick jumped in, yelling at them. Grace and Eli gazed at him I surprise.
"Jessie, Zoe. go to your rooms. Now!", Lily didn't give the girls no choice but go to their rooms. They left silently, knowing their presence there would only make things worse. "What got into you?", Lily turned to Eli and Grace who were with their eyes fixed on the floor, not in shame but because they didn't want to his parents see how angry they were.
"Eli?!!", Rick shouted.
"Gracie!!!", Lily did the same then they glared at their parents.
"Are you nuts?", Rick inquired, not understanding the reason why their stupid fight got to that level. The teenagers remained in silence.
"I can't. I don't wanna deal with this right now.", Lily spoke. "Grace, go to your room. now."
"You too, Eli.", Rick added and they began to leave then Rick said again. "But don't you think you're going to get rid of this because you won't. We're going to seat and talk about this tomorrow so get prepared.", Grace and Eli walked out the scene then Rick and Lily went back to their room.
~ ~ ~
"URRRRRURRRR!!!!!", Grace groaned angrily as she fell heavily onto her bed. "I HATE HIM!!"
~ ~ ~
"Did you hear that?", Lily quizzed at Rick when she heard Grace yelling that she hated Eli. "What are we going to do about them?"
"Nothing.", Rick replied, placing the covers over their bodies.
"*Nothing* is not an answer.", Lily sat on the bed. "I don't think we should go to Brasil anymore."
"What?", Rick snorted lowly, seating up too. "Why?'
"You saw what just happened. We can't go. at least not until we solve the Grace and Eli problem.", Lily pleaded.
"He's nineteen, she's seventeen. They're old enough to take responsibility for their stupid acts.", Rick reasoned.
"What if something like that happened in Brasil?", Lily's concerns spoke again. "I don't wanna go and have to worry about them. It's too much. We're not going. I'm calling the hotel in the morning to cancel our reservations.
"No, you're not.", Rick got out, thoughtfully and she raised an eye brow.
"What?"
"We're going."
"I don't think that I. Grace and Eli, I mean-", Lily confusedly try to express her thoughts.
"I said *we*, *we* are going.", Rick got out, emphasizing the word *we*. Lily got what he meant but was still confused so he explained. "I know what to do. Don't worry.", Rick began to explain his plans to Lily.
~ ~ ~
"It doesn't sound like a punishment to me, Rick. It sounds more like an exotic vacation.", Lily stumbled after Rick had finished his explanation. "Do you think it's going to work?"
"Oh, yeah.", Rick nodded, smiling.
"Don't you think it's a little risky?"
"No. Remember, they'll have each other.", Rick joked.
"That's exactly what I'm worried about.", Lily sighed, laying down.
"I'll call Sam tomorrow morning then we'll talk to them.", Rick laid down as well, turning off the lamp.
* * *
Eli was sitting on his bed, Grace's words kept echoing in his brain as he saw the picture of Mr. Dimitri and Grace hugging then Grace and A.J together over and over on his mind. It wasn't helping him. Those thoughts only increased his fury. He was dreadfully furious. He couldn't think clearly that night. He knew he was mad at Grace but, in the beginning he was mad at her because he didn't know why she was mad at him and now he thought that the only reason for her to act like a lunatic was because she wanted to direct her mother's attention to their fight so she could secretly see Mr. Dimitri. He felt used as that thought haunted his mind.
"I HATE HER!!!!", he hollered angrily.
Eli felt like his heart would burst out if he didn't find a way to release his anger. He wanted to talk to her, he wanted to clear things out but he knew if he went up to her room, he would end up being extremely aggressive to her.
He exhaled then glanced around his room. He saw his guitar then he remembered he was never good in dealing with his problems but it always helped when he sang them out. He stood up, took his guitar in his hands and began to strum a few notes. Eli felt like a light bulb shone above his head. He reached for a paper and a pen then he wrote.
After about twenty minutes Eli had a brand new song written down. A song about his feelings at that moment. He couldn't remember what he had written, he just remember the melody. He again took a deep breath, place the paper in front of him so he could read it then started playing and singing...
*I wish I could see into the dark of the world
Where lays all that you want
To transform myself into what you care
Then maybe I could see...
What are the colors and the stars
That will lock you up to me
I dreamt we were apart and now I'm crying
That's why I need you here
I wonder if you still care for me
I wonder if you still care...
There are times that I hate you for almost a second
Then I love you more
Your eyes, your smile and all about you
That haunts me day and night
What are the colors and the stars
That will lock you up to me
I dreamt we were apart and now I'm crying
That's why I need you here
There are times that I hate you for almost a second
Then I love you more
Your eyes, your smile and all about you
That haunts me day and night
What are the colors and the stars
That will lock you up to me
I dreamt we were apart and now I'm crying
That's why I need you here
I wonder if you still care for me
I wonder if you still care... la, la, la, la, la, la....
"Morning.", Eli sluggishly greeted Lily, Zoe and Jessie as he entered the kitchen.
"Anything to eat?"
"Cereal. again.", Zoe lightly joked and Jessie mouthed to Eli that Lily wasn't feeling very well. He nodded then opened the refrigerator and took an apple out.
"Mom, is the baby kicking yet?", Zoe inquired, looking real hard to her mother's womb.
"Oh, no, sweetie. It's soon for-"
"Morning family! What a wonderf-", Grace brightly made her entrance in the kitchen but when she saw Eli sat next to Jessie, storm clouds appeared above her head. "What is he doing here?'
Lily, Jessie and Zoe looked at Grace in surprise and Eli just couldn't believe how such a pain-in-the-ass she was being. "He lives here. Duhhh.", Zoe mockingly stated.
"Shut up, Zoe.", Grace ordered.
"Thank you, Zoe.", Eli quickly added, knowing his words would piss Grace even more. And he was right, everybody there could see she was about to lose control.
"No food?", Grace changed the subject after reluctantly swallowed her anger.
"I'm nauseous. I can't even think of food.", Lily shrugged with a smile. "Hey girls, Jake is driving you today. Okay? Um, you too, Eli.", as Lily finished her sentence Grace and Eli cast a single glimpse at each other.
"Where's dad?", quizzed Jessie.
"He left early."
"Knock-knock.", Jake opened the kitchen's door. "Morning."
"Morning.", they all replied.
"Oh? Hey guys, I need to talk to you before you leave. To all of you.", Lily announced.
"Later mom.", Grace said rushing upstairs. "I need ten minutes, dad.", she cried.
"Lil?", Judy invaded the house nervously. She became a statue when she saw all those eyes staring at her. "Um. hi. every-one."
"Hi, Judy.", Lily greeted back, knowing that something was not going pretty well to her sister.
"Grace!!!", Jake called her really loud. "You're ten seconds are over."
"I said, ten minutes.", Grace disputed, hollering from upstairs.
"Come on, I gotta go.", Jake stated. "Everybody please, get your teen bodies into the car right now."
Jessie and Zoe stood up, put their bowls in the sink then headed out to the car. "Bye.", they got out together.
"Grace!!", Jake called again. "Bye Lily. See you at the bookstore, Judy." Jake left. Eli stood up and went to drink some water. When he turned around to take his coat he face Grace who was coming down. They swayed a little then stopped, glaring at each other.
"Bye.", Eli snorted, leaving and Grace walked out without casting one single word to her mother and aunt.
When Eli and Grace got to the car, Zoe was already sat on the passenger's seat and Jessie was sat by the window on the left. Eli felt an urge to tell Jake he'd rather walk to work than sit next to Grace in the car but he was running out of time. The two of them got into the car, never looking at each other. Jake noticed there was something odd about their behavior but didn't ask. He just started the car and drove off.
Back in the kitchen, Judy was standing next to Lily. She was speechless, all she did was watch her sister do the dishes with a very confused look on her face. Lily stopped, turned, looked at Judy and said, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong."
"Really? So what brings you here so early?', Lily made a face, knowing her sister too well. Judy snorted heavily then walked to the table and pulled a chair, sitting down. "Sam?", asked Lily taking a seat next to her.
"He still wants me to go to Australia with him.", she began. "He said Jamie is going to live with him and that his son would need someone like me around."
"What's wrong with that?", Lily's face puzzled. "Is it because you two don't get along that well?"
"That too.", she bitterly snorted a laugh. "I'm getting the feeling that the only reason Sam wants me there, in Australia, is just to take care of his son."
Lily frowned in surprise. "I don't believe that's the only reason. I mean, hugh. Sam likes you, Judy. He really does."
"I know. I know.", Judy snapped. ", he said he loves me, that he's ready to settle down but I'm not sure if *this*, Sam, Jamie, Australia. I'm not sure if they're the right thing for me."
"What's going on with you?'
"I don't know.", Judy stood up then placed her purse on her shoulder. "Um. what about your trip? Are you going?", she switched the subject.
Lily could see that her sister was really unsure of what to do with her life and that she just needed someone to listen to her and not judge her. "We're going."
"Oh, that's, that's really great. Well, I gotta go. Bye, Lil.", Judy left then after a few minutes Lily left too.
Jake dropped the girls at school then drove to the BookLovers. When him and Eli where about to leave the car, Jake asked, "Is there something wrong between you and Grace?"
"You don't wanna know.", Eli tried to escape from answering.
"Why? It can't be that bad. Com on, tell me.", Jake insisted.
"You really wanna know?", Eli warned and Jake nodded. "Your daughter is crazy. She completely insane. I'm telling you, she's not mentally healthy.", Eli said in annoyance.
Jake looked at him oddly. "But, um. Why do you-", Jake didn't finish his next question. Jake noticed the warning look Eli was giving him. "Um. No, I rather not to know." Eli shook his head in agreement and the went into the bookstore.
*
*
*
The school bell dismissed everybody for the day. Jessie looked for Grace to offer her a ride home; Katie was driving Jessie. They searched every corner but couldn't find Grace then they assumed she had taken a bus home. They didn't now know the real reason Grace wasn't around was because her and Cynthia had skipped their last period to go to Chicago State University to see Mr. Dimitri.
Cynthia paid the taxi driver then he took off. The girls walked in the campus. They strolled around for a while then Grace stopped and Cynthia asked, "What? Why did you stop?"
"It's insane. This place is huge. We're not gonna find him.", Grace's fears spoke out.
"Grace?! He's an English teacher.", Cynthia stated, trying to be supportive. Grace walked some inches away from Cynthia who just stood there, glancing around the place 'til she stopped when she caught a vision in the corner of her eye of two men talking. She looked at them hard then she got out. "Grace?", Grace turned around, stepping closer to her again. "Guess, it's your lucky day.", she smirked, pointing to the two men talking. Grace felt her stomach flip as she recognized one of the men. It was Mr. Dimitri. Grace's face was covered with embarrassment. She turned and slowly began to walk away. "Where you're going?"
"We shouldn't have come. I'm going home.", she barely spoke.
"What? No, you can't.", Cynthia rushed and grabbed her arm, trying to drag her back.
"I can't do this. I almost ruined his life.", Grace ashamedly stated, looking down. "I have to get out of here before he sees me."
"Oh-oh! Too late for that.", Cynthia exclaimed, nearly smiling. "He saw you already."
Grace had a feeling that what she was doing was bad, really bad. She lifted her face and their gazes met. Mr. Dimitri couldn't believe it was really her. He thought it was some girl that looked like her but then she shyly grinned at him and he was sure it was her.
"Go. Go talk to him.", Cynthia encouraged her. Grace took a deep breath and began to walk towards Mr. Dimitri. The other teacher he was talking to had already left the scene by then. The expression on Mr. Dimitri's face was a mixture of joy and concerning. "Hi.!", Grace only got out as she approached him.
"Hi, Grace.", Mr. Dimitri stammered back in a low voice. "What, what you're doing here?"
Grace couldn't tell him the truth so she lied. "I'm accompanying Cynthia. She wanted to take a look around. You know, she's doing a college research and she asked me to come with her."
"Oh.", he didn't buy her excuse. "I'm working here now."
"Really?!!! That's great!", she pretended surprise.
They remained in an awkward silence for an instant. Neither one of them knew what to say. It was too weird.
"I'm writing a new story, you know.", Grace broke and he slightly smiled. "I'm having troubles in writing the end."
"Grace.", he warned, predicting what she was about to ask him. "We can't see each other anymore."
"Why not? You're not my teacher anymore. It's not a crime.", she quickly spelled. "Can you help me to write the end of my story?"
"Grace, I would love to but.", Mr. Dimitri snorted then he stopped and changed what he was saying. "What's the story about?"
"It's about a girl and a boy and their really, really bizarre relation.", she began explaining. "It's kind nice. I think. . Is there anywhere we could get together so you could. take a look. at my story?"
Mr. Dimitri laughed in embarrassment. He knew what she was trying to do but he was powerless against her. She was special and he could never deny her help. He took a piece of paper out of his briefcase then wrote something on it. "Here", he handed her the paper. "It's Christine's address. I'm meeting her tonight. Why don't you come by. um. around seven?"
"Okay.", she agreed immediately.
"Then you can show me. your story.", he added.
"Right. At seven. I'll be there."
"Good. I must go now. Bye.", Mr. Dimitri started to leave but then he paused and got out. "I missed you.", Grace allowed herself a smiled as she watched him walk away.
*
*
*
"Stop!! Stop!! Stop!!", Coop demanded and Eli jolted.
"What?"
"You're hurting my ears.", Coop teased him and his face puzzled. "Have you forgotten how to play the guitar or something?"
"Oh, come on. It wasn't that bad.", Eli retorted as he strummed his guitar once more.
"*It wasn't that bad*?", Coop teasingly mocked him. "If my grandfather wasn't already sleeping peacefully in hell, he would drop stone dead if he listened to the crap you just played."
"Oh, shut up, Coop.", Eli tossed his guitar aside then threw a coke can on his annoying friend. "I'm bored. Where the hell are Ted and Wink?"
"They said they'd be late.", Coop reported.
"They're almost two hours late already.", Eli disputed, checking his watch. "Go call them."
"Okay, okay, ma'am.", Coop stood up and went to phone their friends. He came back after a couple of minutes then thrown out the news. "They're not coming."
"Shit!", Eli exclaimed annoyingly.
"Now, let's cut the crap.", Coop smirked widely. "Spell it."
"Spell what?"
"I'm not blind. It's obvious you're going through some kind of issue. And knowing you like I do, it's a girl issue.", Coop added and Eli confusedly shook his head.
"I don't wanna talk about it.", Eli vaguely replied.
"It's that Nina girl, right?", Coop insinuated the went on with his teasing. "She's totally hot. You guys moved to next base yet?"
"We are not a couple. Okay.", Eli burst out, snorting.
"It doesn't mean you can't-"
"That is it. I'm out of here.", Eli laughed as Coop did it as well.
~ ~ ~
"Grace, I really loved your story.", Christine complemented her. "You're very talented."
"Thanks.", Grace shyly blushed as she put her papers in her backpack. "It's getting late. I better get going."
"It was an honor to have you in my house.", Christine beamed at her and Mr. Dimitri smiled.
"Okay. Bye then.", Grace said and Mr. Dimitri told her he would walk her to the car.
"Thanks for doing this.", Grace murmured out as they reached her mother's car.
"It was my pleasure.", Mr. Dimitri said back, nodding.
"I'm really sorry.", Grace sadly spoke again. "I'm sorry I made you lose your job. I'm sorry. If I could turn back time, I would do everything so differently."
"Well, I wouldn't.", he softly mumbled, surprising her.
Grace lifted her eyes that were fixed on the ground in shame. She looked at him and he was slightly smiling back at her. "Do you know why we went through those things?", Mr. Dimitri questioned, already knowing the answer.
"I guess.", she mouthed.
"It's okay. Say it."
"You and I, we're the same.", Grace lowly stated.
"I'm you. just twenty years older.", he tried to joke a little. "You and I, Grace. We see the world through the same point of view."
"Sorry I'd mixed up the feelings.", she apologized one more time.
"It's okay.", he assured her then helped her to face her feelings again. "Grace, I know who the guy in your story is. You've mentioned him to me before."
"You know him?", she quizzed confusedly.
"When I started to read it I thought the character was based on Orlando from * As You Like It. * but then I realized it was about someone else.", he went, opening her eyes. "The boy you wrote about is someone you've mentioned in your journal once or twice. I know who he is but I'm not sure that you do.", his last words made he puzzle. "That's why you can't figure out the ending..."
~ ~ ~
"Hey! See you tomorrow??!!", Coop beamed as Eli walked out his house.
"Sure!", Eli replied.
"Hey, don't forget to give my number to Nina.!", Coop teased him again then went back in.
Eli walked to his mother's car and placed his guitar in the trunk. Eli was feeling very weird because of what he was going through with Grace. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath then exhaled, trying to ease the tension inside of him. When he was about to open the car he saw a pictures right across the street. A picture that took him three or four minutes to believe it was real. He saw Grace with Mr. Dimitri.
He didn't know what he felt when he saw them. He just felt... strange. He felt like a knife had penetrated his heart or something. He was really confused. He didn't know what to do so he swiftly opened the car, got in and lid down a little bit. He stayed there, hidden in the car watching Grace and Mr., Dimitri. He couldn't hear what they were saying but he had perfect view of the scene.
~ ~ ~
"... the answer to what you're looking for lies inside of you.", Mr. Dimitri muttered touching Grace's chest, pointing to her heart. "You're special, Grace. Don't let the fear take over your life. Don't let * Gracie * take the wheels of your life again.", Grace understood why she needed to see, at least one more time. A single tear rolled down her cheek at that moment.
"Thank you.", she mouthed, smiling. Grace stared at Mr. Dimitri and he understood what her eyes were asking so he nodded, allowing her to do what her heart told her to. Grace widely smiled then she gave him a full embrace.
~ ~ ~
When Eli saw then hugging, he felt his blood burning in anger. He had no clue why that scene bothered him so much. He only knew that he wanted to jump out of the car smash Mr. Dimitri real hard. Eli for an instant tried to control the urge of killing Mr. Dimitri but didn't succeed. So he decided to take off before he couldn't help himself from doing something he would probably regret later. He quickly started the car then made the tires sing along the road.
~ ~ ~
The sound of the tires made Grace and Mr. Dimtri part from each other. "What was that?", she frowned, gazing at the road.
"Some kid... probably drunk.", Mr. Dimitri figured.
"Thanks... again.", Grace stumbled, opening the car. She looked at him one more time and said. "Farewell, Mr. Dimtri."
"Farewell, Grace.", Grace and Mr. Dimtri knew that it was the last time they would be seeing each other, that * it * was over and that it was time to move on. Grace started the car and drove off as Mr. Dimtri watched her with the feeling of blessing. He felt blessed because he got to know her.
* * *
Grace got home and found everybody in the living room, including Eli. "Grace, where were you?", Lily quizzed as Grace shrugged her coat off.
"At Cynthia's.", she lied.
"Yeah, right. And I'm Scary Spice.", Eli thrown out his poison in a low teasingly voice.
"What did you say?", Grace heard him and she wanted some answers or start another fight.
"I didn't say anything.", Eli snapped making an innocent face which made Grace groan in anger.
"Don't you two think you're taking this little issue too far?", Rick tried to bring back their common sense.
"It's not a little issue.", Grace disputed, glaring at Eli. "I despise him."
"And I'm giving a shit about that.", Eli mumbled directly to Grace.
"I'm going to my room.", Grace announced.
"Grace, wait. We need to talk to you. To all of you.", Lily stated.
"Not now, mom.", Grace dismissed her mother, trudging up to her room.
"Did you see that?"
" What do you want to talk to us about?", Jessie asked.
"Well, we-"
"I'm tired. I'm going to my room.", Eli didn't let Rick begin to speak.
" Eli, we need to-", Lily pleaded.
"You're going to talk to * her * tomorrow, right?", he made a face and Lily and Rick nodded in frustration. " Okay, then. Goodnight.", Eli snorted then left.
Lily looked at Jessie and Zoe who were still waiting. "Do you want us to talk to you tomorrow too?"
"Now. Let's talk now.", Zoe demanded. "I'm curious."
"Well, Rick got a new contract.", Lily started. "A very good deal."
"That's great, dad.", Jessie smiled.
"And, well, he want us to celebrate all the good things that have been happening to us.", Lily went on. "Rick suggested that we could-"
"That we could spend then days in heaven.", Rick brightly cut Lily, adding. "There's this place called Fernando de Noronha... in Brasil."
"It's a very beautiful place. Well, at least that what we've been told.", Lily grinned at the girls. "I've heard that you don't even have to dive to see the fishes under the water. They have lots of beautiful beaches there."
"So... what do you say?", Rick hopefully asked.
"I'm packing right now.", Zoe popped up in excitement.
"There's no need to rush, Zoe.", Lily laughed at her daughter's reaction. "We've got fifteen days to do it."
"It's not enough. I wanna be pretty. I have to.", Zoe snapped, making Rick, Lily and Jessie laugh. "A boy in my school said that I was the most beautiful girl he's ever seen. And there's a lot of beautiful girls in Brasil. I have to look better then them."
"Sweetie, you're thirteen.", Lily nodded, finding the conversation very amusing.
"My point, exactly.", Zoe spoke again. "I need to get myself a boyfriend soon. I don't wanna end up like Grace."
"Okay. Okay!! Time to go to bed little Missy.", Lily led hr daughter to her room, leaving Jessie and Rick alone.
"What's wrong, Jess?", Rick noticed she wasn't that thrilled with the news.
"I don't wanna leave mom."
"Your mother is fine now."
"I know but, hugh. I just don't think it's right for me to leave her. I mean, her leg still hurts and all.", Jessie explained, not telling the whole truth to her father. Jessie didn't want to leave Karen alone, that was a fact but didn't want to leave Katie either.
"There's nothing for you to worry about. Henry is taking a real good care of her.", Rick reasoned and she sluggishly nodded. "Why don't you call her. Call your mother and ask her if you can go. If she agrees, great and if she doesn't you stay here with her. Deal?"
Jessie thought about it for a while then agreed. She picked up the phone and called her mother.
"Hello?", Karen answered on the other line.
"Um, mom?! It's me.", Jessie identified herself.
"Oh, hi, honey. How are you?"
"Fine. Um. mom?", she began. "Would you mind if I go to Brasil with dad and everybody else?"
"Um, um, um. When they're going?", Karen stammered not very pleased.
"In fifteen days.", Jessie responded. "Dad got a new contract and they want to celebrate.. with the whole family. you now. So can I go?"
Karen remained in silence for an instant. She didn't want o let her daughter go but what else she could do, Jessie was Rick's daughter too.
"Mom? Mom?. Are you there?"
"Yes, I am.", Karen got out, clearing her throat. "Sure you can go, honey."
"Really?", Jessie suddenly felt very excited about the trip.
"Sure."
"Thanks mom. um. see you tomorrow. Bye.", Jessie happily said then hung up the phone and went up to her father's room to let him know her decision. "Dad?", she softly opened the door.
"What?", Rick replied.
"Mom said it's okay. So. I'll go."
"Good."
"Um, dad?", Jessie said in pleading voice. "Katie can come with us?"
Rick and Lily found Jessie's request a little bit odd. But soon they remembered Jessie and Grace were not the best of friends, Zoe was too young to hang out with and Eli, well, Eli was a boy that was enough. They weighted their options and thought that it would be unfair to Jessie so they said *yes*. Jessie's smiled reached her ears when they agreed. Rick told Jessie to call Katie and make sure she would bring to school on the next day her passport, parents' permission, ID and all she needed to get out of the country.
*
*
*
On the next day, Lily and Rick tried several times to talk to Grace and Eli about the Brasil trip but they didn't give them the chance to. Both, Eli and Grace, spent the whole day out just not to accidentally bump on each other.
The night came and Eli was in the living room alone. He was watching an old movie. he looked at his watch and saw it was eleven-thirty. Eli turned off the TV, stood up, stretched a little and when he was about to leave he heard some noises, laughters to be exact, coming from outside. Eli thought it was odd because he knew everybody else was already asleep or at least that was what her thought. He went to the window and opened the curtains a little so he could see what was going on out there. He saw Grace, A.J and Cynthia. Cynthia was standing next to A.J's car and Grace and A.J were having fun. It was their laughters Eli had heard. A.J kept trying to get Grace, he wanted to tickle her sides.
"A.J, I have to go home.", Cynthia remembered him but he didn't pay attention.
Eli kept watching A.J and Grace playing, laughing, touching each other and suddenly he felt his anger growing inside of him.
"Come here.", A.J laughed out loud.
"No.", Grace playfully disputed.
A.J pretended to be leaving so Grace let her guards down. A.J turned around and rushed, grabbing her then lifting her up. Grace screamed in surprise. A.J leaned her down as if they were dancing tango. From Eli's spot, he only could see them very close to each other and to him they were about to kiss. Eli was furious, he shut down the curtains, exhaling in anger. Outside, A.J had Grace's but face the lawn.
"I'm going to kill you, A.J.", Grace pretended to be very mad at him. But he was already leaving by then. A.J and Cynthia got into the car then took off. Grace came into the house from the front door. When she got in he living room she found Eli sat on the couch. his face was covered with hatred. She took off her coat and went to the stairs but she was stopped from going up by Eli's filled-hatred words.
"You know, Grace. I never thought you were so low."
"What?", she snapped, glaring at him. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that you are making those scenes, fighting with me just to cover your own dark acts.", Eli stood up and pointed his finger to her face.
"What are you talking about? Are you out of your freaking mind?", Grace stepped down then walked to the couch.
"What were you doing with that guy outside?", he smirked forcedly. "Weren't you supposed to be in bed?"
"I don't own you explanations, Eli.", Grace groaned furiously.
"What about Lily?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"What would your mother think if she knew you were with Mr. Dimitri last night.", Eli ironically raised his voice.
"Shut up!", she nervously ordered.
"Oh, come on, Grace.", he continued. "I never knew you were a liar. a cheater."
Grace was blinded by anger when she heard his last words. "You're not judging me, are you, Eli? I mean, *you*.", Grace glared at him, sarcastically laughing.
"What's the laughter about?", Eli yelled.
~ ~ ~
Lily and Rick were woken up by Grace's and Eli's yells. "Rick? Rick? Wake up.", Lily called, her voice filled with sleep.
"What?", he yawned.
"Do you hear that?"
Rick sat up and listened more carefully. "It sounds like Eli and Grace."
"They're fighting again.", Lily figured, getting up.
"Where you're going?"
"Make sure they won't kill each other.", she lightly joked then Rick followed her.
~ ~ ~
Grace was still laughing, ironically laughing. "Why are you laughing? Are you crazy?", Eli annoyingly inquired.
"Crazy? No. I'm not crazy. I'm laughing at you.", she firmly stated.
"Why?"
"You're a joke, Eli.", Grace attacked him and he frowned. "You said I'm a liar. a cheater."
"And?", he snapped, doing the best he could to not do anything stupid.
"Who are you to judge me, Eli?", she shouted again. "You're a loser."
"Stop it!", ordered, yelling.
"You don't know what to do with your life. You're worthless. A pot addicted . The only reason you're still working at the bookstore is because my father and my aunt feel sorry for you."
"Shut up, Grace!", he screamed louder, trying to make her stop.
"You are a loser, Eli.", she laughed meanly again. "You are nothing, a zero, nada."
"Shut up!"
"What? Are you angry? What you're gonna do? Hugh? Hit me?", Grace mocked his reaction then she realized he was *this* close to actually be aggressive to her. "You are going to hit me, aren't you?"
"I said, shut up!"
"Oh, come on! Show me what you've got, Eli.", Grace kept pushing him "Bring it on!"
"Grace, I'm telling you STOP IT!", he warned her one ore time.
Grace furiously looked into his eyes and got out. "Aren't you man enough?"
"I SAID, SHUT-THE-HELL-UP! DAMN IT!!!!", Eli couldn't help himself anymore. He out of the sudden, angrily grabbed the little table that sat in front of the couch then throw it on the first thing he saw which was the wall. His furious action made Grace shiver in fear, not only her but also Rick, Lily, Jessie and Zoe, who were watching the whole scene without being noticed.
"ENOUGH!!! ENOUGH!!", Rick jumped in, yelling at them. Grace and Eli gazed at him I surprise.
"Jessie, Zoe. go to your rooms. Now!", Lily didn't give the girls no choice but go to their rooms. They left silently, knowing their presence there would only make things worse. "What got into you?", Lily turned to Eli and Grace who were with their eyes fixed on the floor, not in shame but because they didn't want to his parents see how angry they were.
"Eli?!!", Rick shouted.
"Gracie!!!", Lily did the same then they glared at their parents.
"Are you nuts?", Rick inquired, not understanding the reason why their stupid fight got to that level. The teenagers remained in silence.
"I can't. I don't wanna deal with this right now.", Lily spoke. "Grace, go to your room. now."
"You too, Eli.", Rick added and they began to leave then Rick said again. "But don't you think you're going to get rid of this because you won't. We're going to seat and talk about this tomorrow so get prepared.", Grace and Eli walked out the scene then Rick and Lily went back to their room.
~ ~ ~
"URRRRRURRRR!!!!!", Grace groaned angrily as she fell heavily onto her bed. "I HATE HIM!!"
~ ~ ~
"Did you hear that?", Lily quizzed at Rick when she heard Grace yelling that she hated Eli. "What are we going to do about them?"
"Nothing.", Rick replied, placing the covers over their bodies.
"*Nothing* is not an answer.", Lily sat on the bed. "I don't think we should go to Brasil anymore."
"What?", Rick snorted lowly, seating up too. "Why?'
"You saw what just happened. We can't go. at least not until we solve the Grace and Eli problem.", Lily pleaded.
"He's nineteen, she's seventeen. They're old enough to take responsibility for their stupid acts.", Rick reasoned.
"What if something like that happened in Brasil?", Lily's concerns spoke again. "I don't wanna go and have to worry about them. It's too much. We're not going. I'm calling the hotel in the morning to cancel our reservations.
"No, you're not.", Rick got out, thoughtfully and she raised an eye brow.
"What?"
"We're going."
"I don't think that I. Grace and Eli, I mean-", Lily confusedly try to express her thoughts.
"I said *we*, *we* are going.", Rick got out, emphasizing the word *we*. Lily got what he meant but was still confused so he explained. "I know what to do. Don't worry.", Rick began to explain his plans to Lily.
~ ~ ~
"It doesn't sound like a punishment to me, Rick. It sounds more like an exotic vacation.", Lily stumbled after Rick had finished his explanation. "Do you think it's going to work?"
"Oh, yeah.", Rick nodded, smiling.
"Don't you think it's a little risky?"
"No. Remember, they'll have each other.", Rick joked.
"That's exactly what I'm worried about.", Lily sighed, laying down.
"I'll call Sam tomorrow morning then we'll talk to them.", Rick laid down as well, turning off the lamp.
* * *
Eli was sitting on his bed, Grace's words kept echoing in his brain as he saw the picture of Mr. Dimitri and Grace hugging then Grace and A.J together over and over on his mind. It wasn't helping him. Those thoughts only increased his fury. He was dreadfully furious. He couldn't think clearly that night. He knew he was mad at Grace but, in the beginning he was mad at her because he didn't know why she was mad at him and now he thought that the only reason for her to act like a lunatic was because she wanted to direct her mother's attention to their fight so she could secretly see Mr. Dimitri. He felt used as that thought haunted his mind.
"I HATE HER!!!!", he hollered angrily.
Eli felt like his heart would burst out if he didn't find a way to release his anger. He wanted to talk to her, he wanted to clear things out but he knew if he went up to her room, he would end up being extremely aggressive to her.
He exhaled then glanced around his room. He saw his guitar then he remembered he was never good in dealing with his problems but it always helped when he sang them out. He stood up, took his guitar in his hands and began to strum a few notes. Eli felt like a light bulb shone above his head. He reached for a paper and a pen then he wrote.
After about twenty minutes Eli had a brand new song written down. A song about his feelings at that moment. He couldn't remember what he had written, he just remember the melody. He again took a deep breath, place the paper in front of him so he could read it then started playing and singing...
*I wish I could see into the dark of the world
Where lays all that you want
To transform myself into what you care
Then maybe I could see...
What are the colors and the stars
That will lock you up to me
I dreamt we were apart and now I'm crying
That's why I need you here
I wonder if you still care for me
I wonder if you still care...
There are times that I hate you for almost a second
Then I love you more
Your eyes, your smile and all about you
That haunts me day and night
What are the colors and the stars
That will lock you up to me
I dreamt we were apart and now I'm crying
That's why I need you here
There are times that I hate you for almost a second
Then I love you more
Your eyes, your smile and all about you
That haunts me day and night
What are the colors and the stars
That will lock you up to me
I dreamt we were apart and now I'm crying
That's why I need you here
I wonder if you still care for me
I wonder if you still care... la, la, la, la, la, la....