*The following Chapter takes place around 6 weeks after Eli and Grace split
up*
// Indicates Background music
*Lyrics taken from Jennifer Lopez's song 'Dance With Me'
* Lyrics used in the last chapter were from Mya's song 'No Tears On My
Pillow'
Chapter 29 | They get you worked up, then let you down.
Grace stared across to room at where her mother sat next to Rick, completely engrossed in conversation, and smiled.
[Grace- I'm so glad things have worked out so well, she's been so stressed out the last month, with the hot water system stuffing up and then having to delay the restaurant opening]
It was the opening of Jakes and Lily's restaurant and Grace was amazed at how well it had turned out and just how many people had turned up. Turning to the person next to her she smiled "Can you believe how well this has turned out?" she asked laughing. "Yeah, It's amazing" Felicity agreed, "Too bad we can't join them" she said, but smiled, showing Grace that she didn't really mean it. "I'm actually quite happy just watching everyone enjoying themselves" Grace explained, taking a step back as a guy in his fifties walked past. "Well I definatly wasn't expecting this six weeks ago" "Yeah I know" Grace said, staring wistfully across the room at where Eli sat with his sister Jessie. "I thought we agreed you weren't going to think of him today" Felicity chided. "Think of who?" Grace asked with mock innocence. Felicity laughed. "I'm just going to go clear that table over there, I'll be right back"
[Grace- I was so surprised when Jake asked me to work for him, I mean my father. It's weird having him around so often, it's weird thinking of him as my father again. But it's a good weird]
"Grace" Jake came up to her, as she was busy clearing away one of the tables that were littered with paper plates and napkins. Rick and Lily had put on a huge fully catered for party as the opening, buffets lines the walls of the room overflowing with food. "Hey Dad, this has turned out greet" Grace commented with a smile. "Better than we expected, listen why don't you take a break" Jake suggested, "You and Felicity have been doing a great job" "Thanks, but I'm fine" "No, really, you both deserve to enjoy yourselves as well, go on"
_____
Grace walked over to where Rick and Lily were sitting with Zoe and sat down. "Hi honey "Hey Grace" Rick spoke, "So everything's going pretty well, don't you think," Lily commented, looking for Graces approval. "Yeah it's been great so far, people are eating talking, dancing, its better than you expected" Yeah I was sort of nervous that everything wouldn't work out" Lily admitted, "But things are great, and Jake and I decided that I would just be a silent partner, so I'll still get a say in what's happening but I'll have more time to spend with you guys"
There was a pause in the music as the songs changed then the next song came on.
"Grace" Grace heard a familiar voice beside her, Eli. "Want to dance?" Grace looked over at Lily and Rick who both nodded. "Go on, have some fun" Grace turned around and smiled at Eli, then stood up and followed him to the dance floor.
Things between them had been awkward since they broken up. Eli had done his best to be really friendly, and they still talked, even occasionally hung out together, but that was only when they were at each other's house because of their parents. Eli had made the effort because he still cared about Grace, but he knew he had made the right decision letting her go.
// Dance the night away Party till the sun comes up Go grab a friend, get on the floor Come on and dance, dance, dance with me DJ if you please //
"So" Eli started, placing his hands on Graces hips. "So,"
[Eli- What can I say? I'm sorry yet again? I'm glad were friends? Cause we aren't, not really]
"Grace, I'm really glad that we-" Eli started. Grace cut him off, "It's okay Eli, I agree. It's been hard but, I'm glad that . . ." Grace shrugged, placing her hand on Eli's shoulder and he pulled her closer.
// Nobody's on the wall That's what I like Come closer to me now and hold me tight Tell me just how you're feeling right now Are you really havin' a good time? //
"I hope that this'll get easier" Eli commented. "What? Us dancing?" Grace laughed, moving her hips. "Do, us being friends, talking"
// Just let yourself go Dance on the floor Nobody's stopping you Do what you wanna do Let the music take control You can feel it in your soul Come on and move your body to the groove //
Grace didn't answer, but choose to move even closer to Eli, moving her hips against his. Eli looked at her in shock.
"What?" Grace asked innocently. "Umm, ah" Eli squeezed out. He didn't know what was going on with Grace but he liked it. He let his hands slide slowly down past her hips and Grace leaned over and whispered in his ears.
"This is getting a little familiar for me, I'll see you later" she said with a smile, taking his hands off her butt, and walking away.
[Eli- Familiar, that was a side of Grace I've never seen before, Grace is normally so shy and innocent, but she was acting a lot like . . . - Realisation dawns on his face- a lot like Carla . . . you idiot - smacks himself on his forehead]
// Up in the club, out on the floor Move to the beat Dancin' with me DJ, DJ, play my music, dance the night away //
Felicity was waiting for Grace as she came off the dance floor, with another guy standing next to her.
"Who's the guy?" Grace whispered in Felicity's ear, looking over at the guy. He was your typical, tall dark and handsome. Black as night hair, dark brown eyes, and a gorgeous smile.
"My brother, Matt" Felicity answered with a smile. "Oh," came Graces slightly embarrassed reply, sure she was blushing. "Don't worry 'bout it, I get it all the time" Felicity laughed knowingly, as her brother turned around from the person he was talking to. "Hey Flick, who's the girl?" "This girl is Grace" Grace said slowly, looking Felicity's brother straight in the eye. "Nice to meet you Grace" Matt said with a smirk, checking her out. She was dressed simply in a pair of black pants and a white shirt, the same as Felicity, it was their uniform although they'd normally have to wear a black apron around their waist.
"Grace what did we agree on about today?" Felicity said, turning to face Grace. "No talking or thinking about Eli" grace answered guiltily. "That's right, and what were you just doing?" "Dancing with him?" "You called that dancing?" Matt laughed, listening in on their conversation, "More like grinding" Felicity shook her head. "I was just having a little fun, and anyway, did you see the look on his face as I walked away" "Girls they get you all worked up, then they let you down," commented Matt seriously. "They do, Do they?" Grace laughed knowingly. "Yeah" "Okay then, wanna dance?"
_____
"At least Grace is finally looking happy again" Lily commented, looking at her daughter who was dancing with a guy she'd never seen before. "Mmmhmm" "And I think it's great that her and Eli have remained friends, it can't be easy" Lily continued, oblivious to the fact that Rick was no longer paying attention but instead staring across the room at his son. "He looked so disappointed when she walked away" Rick commented. "What oh, you mean Eli?" "Yeah, I've never seen him like this, not even after . . ." "Go on" "Not even after Carla"
_____
Eli sat across the room watching as Grace danced with some guy he didn't know. Danced very closely with some guy he didn't know.
[Eli- forget it man, you aren't together anymore]
It was more like dirty dancing, Eli watched as Grace grinded against him.
[Eli- turn away man, why are you doing this to yourself, you broke up with her, she as the right to date anyone she wants.
Grace hands were above her head, her hips in his hands.
[Eli- she was never like that with me, why was she never like that with me? Why are you sill thinking about it?]
_____
"I don't think I like Grace dancing like that" Lily commented worriedly, watching her daughter. "Hey Lil" Jake called out, walking up to them. "Hey!" "Isn't this great?" "Yeah, a lot better than I expected" "I know, and Grace has been a great help" "Hmm yeah Grace" Lily mumbled, staring at something in the crowd. "Oh" Jake said with surprise. "Is that?" "Grace, yeah" "She can't-" "She is" "Oh" pause "She shouldn't" "She's 15" "But. . ." "She's growing up Jake" "Too fast!"
Lily and Jake both continued to stare at their daughter, together.
_____
"So how did you meet Flick?" Matt asked as he and Grace were getting a drink after they finished dancing. "At a party actually" "Oh yeah, that one near my place yeah?" "Carries, yep" Grace said hurriedly, not wanting to talk about the party.
Matt stayed quiet for a moment as realisation set in.
"You're the girl who-" "Yep" Grace cut him off.
"Sorry I didn't mean to be rude, it's just the same thing happened to me just before we moved so-" "I know" "You know?" "Felicity told me" "Oh" Matt said awkwardly. Grace stayed silent, not looking at him.
"So anyway" Matt started, "What are you doing tonight?" "Tonight, I don't know?"
[Grace- Is he going to ask me out and what do I say if he says yes]
"Well how about we go and see a movie or something," Matt asked straight out.
[Grace- A movie? Umm]
Grace looked around and saw Felicity walking towards them. Help! She tried to signal desperately with her eyes. This guy Matt seemed like fun, but she wasn't sure.
"Sorry Matt" Felicity laughed grabbing a hold of Grace's arm. "But this is the part where Grace lets you down" she laughed pulling Grace away.
"But. . .but" "Sorry!" Grace called to him, smiling as Felicity pulled her away.
Chapter 29 | They get you worked up, then let you down.
Grace stared across to room at where her mother sat next to Rick, completely engrossed in conversation, and smiled.
[Grace- I'm so glad things have worked out so well, she's been so stressed out the last month, with the hot water system stuffing up and then having to delay the restaurant opening]
It was the opening of Jakes and Lily's restaurant and Grace was amazed at how well it had turned out and just how many people had turned up. Turning to the person next to her she smiled "Can you believe how well this has turned out?" she asked laughing. "Yeah, It's amazing" Felicity agreed, "Too bad we can't join them" she said, but smiled, showing Grace that she didn't really mean it. "I'm actually quite happy just watching everyone enjoying themselves" Grace explained, taking a step back as a guy in his fifties walked past. "Well I definatly wasn't expecting this six weeks ago" "Yeah I know" Grace said, staring wistfully across the room at where Eli sat with his sister Jessie. "I thought we agreed you weren't going to think of him today" Felicity chided. "Think of who?" Grace asked with mock innocence. Felicity laughed. "I'm just going to go clear that table over there, I'll be right back"
[Grace- I was so surprised when Jake asked me to work for him, I mean my father. It's weird having him around so often, it's weird thinking of him as my father again. But it's a good weird]
"Grace" Jake came up to her, as she was busy clearing away one of the tables that were littered with paper plates and napkins. Rick and Lily had put on a huge fully catered for party as the opening, buffets lines the walls of the room overflowing with food. "Hey Dad, this has turned out greet" Grace commented with a smile. "Better than we expected, listen why don't you take a break" Jake suggested, "You and Felicity have been doing a great job" "Thanks, but I'm fine" "No, really, you both deserve to enjoy yourselves as well, go on"
_____
Grace walked over to where Rick and Lily were sitting with Zoe and sat down. "Hi honey "Hey Grace" Rick spoke, "So everything's going pretty well, don't you think," Lily commented, looking for Graces approval. "Yeah it's been great so far, people are eating talking, dancing, its better than you expected" Yeah I was sort of nervous that everything wouldn't work out" Lily admitted, "But things are great, and Jake and I decided that I would just be a silent partner, so I'll still get a say in what's happening but I'll have more time to spend with you guys"
There was a pause in the music as the songs changed then the next song came on.
"Grace" Grace heard a familiar voice beside her, Eli. "Want to dance?" Grace looked over at Lily and Rick who both nodded. "Go on, have some fun" Grace turned around and smiled at Eli, then stood up and followed him to the dance floor.
Things between them had been awkward since they broken up. Eli had done his best to be really friendly, and they still talked, even occasionally hung out together, but that was only when they were at each other's house because of their parents. Eli had made the effort because he still cared about Grace, but he knew he had made the right decision letting her go.
// Dance the night away Party till the sun comes up Go grab a friend, get on the floor Come on and dance, dance, dance with me DJ if you please //
"So" Eli started, placing his hands on Graces hips. "So,"
[Eli- What can I say? I'm sorry yet again? I'm glad were friends? Cause we aren't, not really]
"Grace, I'm really glad that we-" Eli started. Grace cut him off, "It's okay Eli, I agree. It's been hard but, I'm glad that . . ." Grace shrugged, placing her hand on Eli's shoulder and he pulled her closer.
// Nobody's on the wall That's what I like Come closer to me now and hold me tight Tell me just how you're feeling right now Are you really havin' a good time? //
"I hope that this'll get easier" Eli commented. "What? Us dancing?" Grace laughed, moving her hips. "Do, us being friends, talking"
// Just let yourself go Dance on the floor Nobody's stopping you Do what you wanna do Let the music take control You can feel it in your soul Come on and move your body to the groove //
Grace didn't answer, but choose to move even closer to Eli, moving her hips against his. Eli looked at her in shock.
"What?" Grace asked innocently. "Umm, ah" Eli squeezed out. He didn't know what was going on with Grace but he liked it. He let his hands slide slowly down past her hips and Grace leaned over and whispered in his ears.
"This is getting a little familiar for me, I'll see you later" she said with a smile, taking his hands off her butt, and walking away.
[Eli- Familiar, that was a side of Grace I've never seen before, Grace is normally so shy and innocent, but she was acting a lot like . . . - Realisation dawns on his face- a lot like Carla . . . you idiot - smacks himself on his forehead]
// Up in the club, out on the floor Move to the beat Dancin' with me DJ, DJ, play my music, dance the night away //
Felicity was waiting for Grace as she came off the dance floor, with another guy standing next to her.
"Who's the guy?" Grace whispered in Felicity's ear, looking over at the guy. He was your typical, tall dark and handsome. Black as night hair, dark brown eyes, and a gorgeous smile.
"My brother, Matt" Felicity answered with a smile. "Oh," came Graces slightly embarrassed reply, sure she was blushing. "Don't worry 'bout it, I get it all the time" Felicity laughed knowingly, as her brother turned around from the person he was talking to. "Hey Flick, who's the girl?" "This girl is Grace" Grace said slowly, looking Felicity's brother straight in the eye. "Nice to meet you Grace" Matt said with a smirk, checking her out. She was dressed simply in a pair of black pants and a white shirt, the same as Felicity, it was their uniform although they'd normally have to wear a black apron around their waist.
"Grace what did we agree on about today?" Felicity said, turning to face Grace. "No talking or thinking about Eli" grace answered guiltily. "That's right, and what were you just doing?" "Dancing with him?" "You called that dancing?" Matt laughed, listening in on their conversation, "More like grinding" Felicity shook her head. "I was just having a little fun, and anyway, did you see the look on his face as I walked away" "Girls they get you all worked up, then they let you down," commented Matt seriously. "They do, Do they?" Grace laughed knowingly. "Yeah" "Okay then, wanna dance?"
_____
"At least Grace is finally looking happy again" Lily commented, looking at her daughter who was dancing with a guy she'd never seen before. "Mmmhmm" "And I think it's great that her and Eli have remained friends, it can't be easy" Lily continued, oblivious to the fact that Rick was no longer paying attention but instead staring across the room at his son. "He looked so disappointed when she walked away" Rick commented. "What oh, you mean Eli?" "Yeah, I've never seen him like this, not even after . . ." "Go on" "Not even after Carla"
_____
Eli sat across the room watching as Grace danced with some guy he didn't know. Danced very closely with some guy he didn't know.
[Eli- forget it man, you aren't together anymore]
It was more like dirty dancing, Eli watched as Grace grinded against him.
[Eli- turn away man, why are you doing this to yourself, you broke up with her, she as the right to date anyone she wants.
Grace hands were above her head, her hips in his hands.
[Eli- she was never like that with me, why was she never like that with me? Why are you sill thinking about it?]
_____
"I don't think I like Grace dancing like that" Lily commented worriedly, watching her daughter. "Hey Lil" Jake called out, walking up to them. "Hey!" "Isn't this great?" "Yeah, a lot better than I expected" "I know, and Grace has been a great help" "Hmm yeah Grace" Lily mumbled, staring at something in the crowd. "Oh" Jake said with surprise. "Is that?" "Grace, yeah" "She can't-" "She is" "Oh" pause "She shouldn't" "She's 15" "But. . ." "She's growing up Jake" "Too fast!"
Lily and Jake both continued to stare at their daughter, together.
_____
"So how did you meet Flick?" Matt asked as he and Grace were getting a drink after they finished dancing. "At a party actually" "Oh yeah, that one near my place yeah?" "Carries, yep" Grace said hurriedly, not wanting to talk about the party.
Matt stayed quiet for a moment as realisation set in.
"You're the girl who-" "Yep" Grace cut him off.
"Sorry I didn't mean to be rude, it's just the same thing happened to me just before we moved so-" "I know" "You know?" "Felicity told me" "Oh" Matt said awkwardly. Grace stayed silent, not looking at him.
"So anyway" Matt started, "What are you doing tonight?" "Tonight, I don't know?"
[Grace- Is he going to ask me out and what do I say if he says yes]
"Well how about we go and see a movie or something," Matt asked straight out.
[Grace- A movie? Umm]
Grace looked around and saw Felicity walking towards them. Help! She tried to signal desperately with her eyes. This guy Matt seemed like fun, but she wasn't sure.
"Sorry Matt" Felicity laughed grabbing a hold of Grace's arm. "But this is the part where Grace lets you down" she laughed pulling Grace away.
"But. . .but" "Sorry!" Grace called to him, smiling as Felicity pulled her away.