Authors Note: Well my exams are finally over. Okay, so they were only four
days but still, I'm finally back on holidays. Also I can't say what will
happen between Eli and Grace but remember, there's a whole new season
coming so who knows what could happen?
* Lyrics are taken from 'Right Thurr' by Chingy
Chapter 46 | Changing too fast
// I like the way you do that right thurr (right thurr)
Swing your hips when you're walkin', let down you're hurr (let down your hurr)
I like the way you do that right thurr (right thurr)
Lick your lips when you're talkin', that make me sturr //
Grace smiled, and leaned back against the bar as she watched Eli dancing with some blonde haired girl. This time just months ago, if she would have seen Eli touching another girl the way he was she would have flipped out, but now, she was just glad to see him happy.
Grace turned around as the bar tender came up to her "What would you like?" the young man asked her, he couldn't have been more than 18. Grace knew she was probably grinning like a maniac as she ordered.
"Ah, Just a coke thanks" she said, Remixx was an under 21's club, so although it had a bar like normal clubs, they were not licensed to serve alcohol. And even if they did, Grace wasn't much of a drinker anyway.
"That'll be $2.60 thanks" Grace reached into the pocket of her jeans to take out her purse.
"Ah, that's on me" Grace heard a familiar male voice say from behind her.
// I like the way you look in them pants, see ya fine (fine)
Your momma a quarter piece, she far from a dime (dime) //
Grace recognised the voice instantly, turning around to see Matts huge grin.
"Damn girl you look good!" Matt said giving her the once over.
// The type of girl that'll getcha' up and go make you grind (grind)
I'm thinkin' about snatchin' her up, dirty, makin' her mine
Look at her hips, (what?) look at her legs, ain't she stacked? (stacked) //
"Excuse me?" Grace asked indignantly, but she was smiling.
"Ah miss? Your drink" Grace turned back around to face the bartender.
"Here" Matt slid a few coins across the counter, then grabbed Grace by the arm.
"What are you doing?"
"We're gonna dance"
// I sure wouldn't mind hittin' that from the back (back)
I like it when I touch it cuz she moan a l'il bit
Jeans saggin' so I can see her thong a l'il bit //
Grace shook her head, "you haven't even told me what you are doing here" she laughed as Matt tugged on her arm.
"I'm here to dance, so are you coming?" Matt let go of her arm and then turned to walk off.
"But" Grace started unconvincingly, Matt looked really hot in his jeans and loose fitting white shirt, "But what about my drink"
Matt just shook his head and continued to make his way into the crowd.
// I like the way you do that right thurr (right thurr)
Swing your hips when you're walkin', let down you're hurr (let down your hurr)
I like the way you do that right thurr (right thurr)
Lick your lips when you're talkin', that make me sturr //
* * * * * * * * * *
Eli pried himself away from the blonde girl who was wrapped around his body, he couldn't quite remember her name.
"I'm just gonna go grab a drink okay?" he yelled over the pulsating music.
"Ah okay" the girl answered but wasn't really looking at Eli. He shook his head with a smile watching her walk up to another guy and run her hand down his arm. He'd gone up to her with every intention of hooking up, but as they danced he caught sight of Grace and Matt, who were also dancing on the other side of the room. Grace looking happier than ever. And while he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret he knew things had worked out for the best.
[Eli - it's time to move on. I know that I have said that before. And I know that I have, sorta moved on I guess. But I am serious this time. She's a great girl. But just not for me]
// I like the way you do that right thurr (right thurr)
Lick your lips when you're talkin', that make me sturr //
"Hey man, where you been" Eli felt a familiar hand slap him on the back and turned around to face Coop.
"Just around you know" Eli shrugged.
Coop laughed, "Come on man, I saw you with that chick, she was totally hot! What happened, did she give you the brush off?"
"Actually man, it was more like the other way 'round" Eli snapped, a bit too defensively.
Coop put his hands up in front of his chest, backing off. "Okay, okay. Listen man we're on in 10"
// I like the way you look in them pants, see ya fine (fine)
Your momma a quarter piece, she far from a dime (dime)
The type of girl that'll getcha' up and go make you grind (grind)
I'm thinkin' about snatchin' her up, dirty, makin' her mine //
"Sorry man" Eli shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.
"It's cool" Coop waved him off, the guy had just gotten the brush off. No wonder he was pissed.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Now aren't you glad that I came" Grace shook her head and laughed.
"What?" Matt shouted to her over the music, his body pressed close to his.
"Nothing, it just amazes me how I can never say no to you" Grace shouted back, one hand on his waist.
"Didn't I tell you I have magic powers?"
Grace grabbed him by the hand and pulled him backwards slowly, trying to inch him out of the crowd.
"I don't think so" he shook his head, resisting her pull.
"Please, I need a drink or I am going to die" she leaned forward and spoke directly into his left ear.
Matt jumped back, "Okay, okay, but just one drink. Anyway Eli's band is on in a few minutes"
* * * * * * * * * *
"I just don't think either of us could afford to buy a new house right now" Rick said for what must have been the tenth time that night.
Lily leaned back against him with a sigh, "Well then, what about here" she suggested. After announcing that she wanted her and Rick to move in together just hours before, the two of them had gone back and forth, trying to work out living arrangements.
Lily wanted to buy a new house. She didn't like the idea of moving into another family's house as she felt it would be an invasion of there space and she knew Rick felt the same. She wanted somewhere she could call home. But she also knew she had to be realistic. They really just couldn't afford to buy a house and Rick's apartment really was too small for all of them.
"You mean, all of us move in here" Rick raised his eyebrows at his girlfriend; he'd known she would suggest it, and while it seemed like their best option, he wasn't sure if that's what she wanted.
"Well it makes sense doesn't it" Lily gripped Rick's hands tightly in her own. "After all, we can't afford a new place and your apartment is way too small. Plus it's not like it has to be forever or anything" Lily spoked hurriedly, as if she was trying to convince herself that that was what she wanted.
Rick answered slowly and caustiously, "I don't know Lil. I mean, you have to be sure it's what you want" he said squeezing her hands back, "Plus what about Eli and Jessie. Where would they sleep?"
[Lily - Am I sure? I have never been so sure of something in my life]
"Jessie could share with either Grace or Zoë, and Eli; I was thinking that maybe we could fix up the garage for him. After all he is 18, that way he has a bit more privacy"
[Rick - It scares me that she seems to have thought this through so much. I mean, I do want to move in with her. Of course I do. I love Lily, but love isn't everything]
* * * * * * * * * *
Eli held up his hands in front of his chest, trying to silence the cheering crowd.
"Thanks guys. Unfortunately we have to cut our gig slightly short tonight" the crowd let our a groan, and Eli spotted Grace standing by the bar, leaning over to whisper into Matts ear, "But" Eli started waiting for the crowd to quieten down a bit, "but we do have time for one more song, you've heard it before, this one goes out to a special friend of mine. In fact, you could say that she is sort of the co-writer of the song. And her help has brought me a long way. She knows who she is"
"Put your ear close to the ground
Do you hear a fading sound?
If it's lost for getting found . . . it's me"
* * * * * * * * * *
Matt looked over at Grace, who was sitting on the stool next to him at the bar, her eyes fixed on Eli who was onstage.
"I never knew you wrote songs" Matt said softly, noting the small smile on Grace's face.
After a few seconds grace broke her gaze and turned around to face him. "What? . . .oh" she shrugged. "There's a lot of things you don't know about me" she turned back to face the stage.
"Vagabond with no address
Fire in the wilderness
The patients losing consciousness--- rapidly"
Matt let his hand rest gently on her knee, "it doesn't have to be like that you know. Something's changed, with you and Eli. I can tell."
[Grace - I know it's taken a long time, but he was right when he said it's time for us to move on. And I care about Matt a lot, but to be completely honest I am scared. Of what? I'm not really sure, scared of falling in love I guess. Scared of having my heart broken all over again. Scared that even though he thinks he cares, he will someday realise he doesn't, not really. Scared that I'd lose it all]
"Torn between what I can see
This picture you have of me
It's not much to look at--- we agree"
"Grace?" Matt whispered gently, seeing the tears which were starting to form in her eyes.
Grace looked down at her lap, at the hand that was gently stroking her knee.
"I know it doesn't have to be like that" she said so quietly Matt had to lean forward to hear her, "but it's not easy. Things can change so quickly and" Grace paused, blinking back tears, "and when you least expect them to"
"Not all change has to be bad Grace" Matt tilted her chin up with his thumb and forefinger, forcing her to look into his eyes.
"I know" she nodded, "but sometimes things can change to fast"
* * * * * * * * * * "This light
This rain
This life
This pain"
Eli sang, his eyes never one leaving Graces face. He saw her ducking her head, and matt forcing her to look at him. He wished he could be the one wiping the tears from her eyes, but knew he couldn't.
Instead, he paused slightly before launching himself into the last verse of the song, the pause just long enough to grab Grace's attention, and to direct her attention back to him.
"Let me walk down that road
Cause you know I have to go
You won't be there, but even so
Everyone goes-- down that road
And you know I have to go
You won't be there, but even so
Everyone goes"
* * * * * * * * * *
[Grace - I know it's his way of telling me that everything will be okay (stares straight into camera). And for some reason I really believe him. His telling me to go for it, his been telling me to go for it. Maybe it's time I listen]
Grace looked down at where Matts hand still stroked her knee and placed her hand gently over it, lacing her fingers with his.
"I want to take things slowly okay?" she smiled at him, sensing that he was looking at her.
"We can take things as slow as you want"
* Lyrics are taken from 'Right Thurr' by Chingy
Chapter 46 | Changing too fast
// I like the way you do that right thurr (right thurr)
Swing your hips when you're walkin', let down you're hurr (let down your hurr)
I like the way you do that right thurr (right thurr)
Lick your lips when you're talkin', that make me sturr //
Grace smiled, and leaned back against the bar as she watched Eli dancing with some blonde haired girl. This time just months ago, if she would have seen Eli touching another girl the way he was she would have flipped out, but now, she was just glad to see him happy.
Grace turned around as the bar tender came up to her "What would you like?" the young man asked her, he couldn't have been more than 18. Grace knew she was probably grinning like a maniac as she ordered.
"Ah, Just a coke thanks" she said, Remixx was an under 21's club, so although it had a bar like normal clubs, they were not licensed to serve alcohol. And even if they did, Grace wasn't much of a drinker anyway.
"That'll be $2.60 thanks" Grace reached into the pocket of her jeans to take out her purse.
"Ah, that's on me" Grace heard a familiar male voice say from behind her.
// I like the way you look in them pants, see ya fine (fine)
Your momma a quarter piece, she far from a dime (dime) //
Grace recognised the voice instantly, turning around to see Matts huge grin.
"Damn girl you look good!" Matt said giving her the once over.
// The type of girl that'll getcha' up and go make you grind (grind)
I'm thinkin' about snatchin' her up, dirty, makin' her mine
Look at her hips, (what?) look at her legs, ain't she stacked? (stacked) //
"Excuse me?" Grace asked indignantly, but she was smiling.
"Ah miss? Your drink" Grace turned back around to face the bartender.
"Here" Matt slid a few coins across the counter, then grabbed Grace by the arm.
"What are you doing?"
"We're gonna dance"
// I sure wouldn't mind hittin' that from the back (back)
I like it when I touch it cuz she moan a l'il bit
Jeans saggin' so I can see her thong a l'il bit //
Grace shook her head, "you haven't even told me what you are doing here" she laughed as Matt tugged on her arm.
"I'm here to dance, so are you coming?" Matt let go of her arm and then turned to walk off.
"But" Grace started unconvincingly, Matt looked really hot in his jeans and loose fitting white shirt, "But what about my drink"
Matt just shook his head and continued to make his way into the crowd.
// I like the way you do that right thurr (right thurr)
Swing your hips when you're walkin', let down you're hurr (let down your hurr)
I like the way you do that right thurr (right thurr)
Lick your lips when you're talkin', that make me sturr //
* * * * * * * * * *
Eli pried himself away from the blonde girl who was wrapped around his body, he couldn't quite remember her name.
"I'm just gonna go grab a drink okay?" he yelled over the pulsating music.
"Ah okay" the girl answered but wasn't really looking at Eli. He shook his head with a smile watching her walk up to another guy and run her hand down his arm. He'd gone up to her with every intention of hooking up, but as they danced he caught sight of Grace and Matt, who were also dancing on the other side of the room. Grace looking happier than ever. And while he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret he knew things had worked out for the best.
[Eli - it's time to move on. I know that I have said that before. And I know that I have, sorta moved on I guess. But I am serious this time. She's a great girl. But just not for me]
// I like the way you do that right thurr (right thurr)
Lick your lips when you're talkin', that make me sturr //
"Hey man, where you been" Eli felt a familiar hand slap him on the back and turned around to face Coop.
"Just around you know" Eli shrugged.
Coop laughed, "Come on man, I saw you with that chick, she was totally hot! What happened, did she give you the brush off?"
"Actually man, it was more like the other way 'round" Eli snapped, a bit too defensively.
Coop put his hands up in front of his chest, backing off. "Okay, okay. Listen man we're on in 10"
// I like the way you look in them pants, see ya fine (fine)
Your momma a quarter piece, she far from a dime (dime)
The type of girl that'll getcha' up and go make you grind (grind)
I'm thinkin' about snatchin' her up, dirty, makin' her mine //
"Sorry man" Eli shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.
"It's cool" Coop waved him off, the guy had just gotten the brush off. No wonder he was pissed.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Now aren't you glad that I came" Grace shook her head and laughed.
"What?" Matt shouted to her over the music, his body pressed close to his.
"Nothing, it just amazes me how I can never say no to you" Grace shouted back, one hand on his waist.
"Didn't I tell you I have magic powers?"
Grace grabbed him by the hand and pulled him backwards slowly, trying to inch him out of the crowd.
"I don't think so" he shook his head, resisting her pull.
"Please, I need a drink or I am going to die" she leaned forward and spoke directly into his left ear.
Matt jumped back, "Okay, okay, but just one drink. Anyway Eli's band is on in a few minutes"
* * * * * * * * * *
"I just don't think either of us could afford to buy a new house right now" Rick said for what must have been the tenth time that night.
Lily leaned back against him with a sigh, "Well then, what about here" she suggested. After announcing that she wanted her and Rick to move in together just hours before, the two of them had gone back and forth, trying to work out living arrangements.
Lily wanted to buy a new house. She didn't like the idea of moving into another family's house as she felt it would be an invasion of there space and she knew Rick felt the same. She wanted somewhere she could call home. But she also knew she had to be realistic. They really just couldn't afford to buy a house and Rick's apartment really was too small for all of them.
"You mean, all of us move in here" Rick raised his eyebrows at his girlfriend; he'd known she would suggest it, and while it seemed like their best option, he wasn't sure if that's what she wanted.
"Well it makes sense doesn't it" Lily gripped Rick's hands tightly in her own. "After all, we can't afford a new place and your apartment is way too small. Plus it's not like it has to be forever or anything" Lily spoked hurriedly, as if she was trying to convince herself that that was what she wanted.
Rick answered slowly and caustiously, "I don't know Lil. I mean, you have to be sure it's what you want" he said squeezing her hands back, "Plus what about Eli and Jessie. Where would they sleep?"
[Lily - Am I sure? I have never been so sure of something in my life]
"Jessie could share with either Grace or Zoë, and Eli; I was thinking that maybe we could fix up the garage for him. After all he is 18, that way he has a bit more privacy"
[Rick - It scares me that she seems to have thought this through so much. I mean, I do want to move in with her. Of course I do. I love Lily, but love isn't everything]
* * * * * * * * * *
Eli held up his hands in front of his chest, trying to silence the cheering crowd.
"Thanks guys. Unfortunately we have to cut our gig slightly short tonight" the crowd let our a groan, and Eli spotted Grace standing by the bar, leaning over to whisper into Matts ear, "But" Eli started waiting for the crowd to quieten down a bit, "but we do have time for one more song, you've heard it before, this one goes out to a special friend of mine. In fact, you could say that she is sort of the co-writer of the song. And her help has brought me a long way. She knows who she is"
"Put your ear close to the ground
Do you hear a fading sound?
If it's lost for getting found . . . it's me"
* * * * * * * * * *
Matt looked over at Grace, who was sitting on the stool next to him at the bar, her eyes fixed on Eli who was onstage.
"I never knew you wrote songs" Matt said softly, noting the small smile on Grace's face.
After a few seconds grace broke her gaze and turned around to face him. "What? . . .oh" she shrugged. "There's a lot of things you don't know about me" she turned back to face the stage.
"Vagabond with no address
Fire in the wilderness
The patients losing consciousness--- rapidly"
Matt let his hand rest gently on her knee, "it doesn't have to be like that you know. Something's changed, with you and Eli. I can tell."
[Grace - I know it's taken a long time, but he was right when he said it's time for us to move on. And I care about Matt a lot, but to be completely honest I am scared. Of what? I'm not really sure, scared of falling in love I guess. Scared of having my heart broken all over again. Scared that even though he thinks he cares, he will someday realise he doesn't, not really. Scared that I'd lose it all]
"Torn between what I can see
This picture you have of me
It's not much to look at--- we agree"
"Grace?" Matt whispered gently, seeing the tears which were starting to form in her eyes.
Grace looked down at her lap, at the hand that was gently stroking her knee.
"I know it doesn't have to be like that" she said so quietly Matt had to lean forward to hear her, "but it's not easy. Things can change so quickly and" Grace paused, blinking back tears, "and when you least expect them to"
"Not all change has to be bad Grace" Matt tilted her chin up with his thumb and forefinger, forcing her to look into his eyes.
"I know" she nodded, "but sometimes things can change to fast"
* * * * * * * * * * "This light
This rain
This life
This pain"
Eli sang, his eyes never one leaving Graces face. He saw her ducking her head, and matt forcing her to look at him. He wished he could be the one wiping the tears from her eyes, but knew he couldn't.
Instead, he paused slightly before launching himself into the last verse of the song, the pause just long enough to grab Grace's attention, and to direct her attention back to him.
"Let me walk down that road
Cause you know I have to go
You won't be there, but even so
Everyone goes-- down that road
And you know I have to go
You won't be there, but even so
Everyone goes"
* * * * * * * * * *
[Grace - I know it's his way of telling me that everything will be okay (stares straight into camera). And for some reason I really believe him. His telling me to go for it, his been telling me to go for it. Maybe it's time I listen]
Grace looked down at where Matts hand still stroked her knee and placed her hand gently over it, lacing her fingers with his.
"I want to take things slowly okay?" she smiled at him, sensing that he was looking at her.
"We can take things as slow as you want"