Chapter 5: What It All Comes Down To

Finally the end

Even in times of pain and sadness there is brightness. When two people reconcile with one another the pain gets washed away. It's the same way when people come back to me. People aren't meant to be separated from me but by their choices they are. One day they will learn that fear, anger, and distrust are not meant to be in the way.

Arcadia High School AP Chemistry

It's been two weeks since Adam and I stopped speaking. Two weeks since I cried on Luke and a week since things changed. Joan and Adam think they are so slick. As soon as Cousin It stopped showing up I knew things would get better. Honestly, I haven't seen Adam this happy since before his mom died. It's like the world has started to spin again. At least she makes him happy, that's all I really care about. When they are ready to admit that they have taken the plunge into couplehood then I'll be suitably sarcastic, but for now I can be happy for them. And now during the chaos that is lab time, I can try to enjoy my life.

"Grace." A voice whispered. I'm gonna ignore it and maybe it'll go away.

"Grace." God it's still there.

"Grace."

"What?" I hiss back.

"Don't you think it's time to fix thing with Adam?"

"Back off stalker boy." I reply. I am seriously surprised that he had the nerve to do that considering that I barely speak to him and then it's in insults. So he's growing a backbone that is a very interesting change. He can't know that I've decided to talk to Adam this afternoon. I wouldn't want his ego to inflate anymore. He already thinks he's my personal protector. If only this day would go by a little faster so I could get this over with. I'm not real good with apologies. Later that day
They last bell has finally rung and it seems that Joan is rushing off to do something abnormal again. Adam has spaced out in the hallway and so it seems it's my turn in the hot seat.

"Rove."

"Polk." He says defensively and comes quickly back to earth.

"I have something to say to you."

"Cha."

"I was wrong to tell you to dump Iris. That was none of my business and I'm sorry."

"You were right though." He says after a minute of silence stretched between us.

"Excuse me."

"You were right. I wasn't happy with Iris." He says and I can see the Adam I know coming to the surface.

"Then why did you get so mad?" I asked irritated by the whole thing.

"Cause I didn't want to hear it I guess." I can understand that sentiment and nod in agreement.

"Are we cool now?"

"Cha."

"And next time you'll listen to my words of wisdom?"

"Unchallenged."

As we turn to walk out of school he gives me the first genuine smile that I've seen in weeks. I can't believe how much I missed that. As we split off to head to our respective houses I can hardly believe how easy that was to do. Usually Adam makes me squirm a bit before he forgives me. I wonder what made him go so easy on me this time. If this is Joan's influence I'll make sure to buy her a present. As I get closer to my house I can see someone waiting for me on my front porch. Everyone knows not to come over without permission. I'm not in the mood for a confrontation after the emotionally active day I've had. I'll just scare them off like usual. As I get nearer I can make out who's waiting for me and I can only get angry.

"What the hell do you want?" I ask dropping my bag to the ground and prepare for a fight.

"Grace, I think we should talk."

"You do?" I ask in a pleasant voice. "Well I think you should stop following me, watching me, and thinking about me all together." My voice has gone up several octaves by now as my temper flares. How dare he assume that he has the right to do this? He must be punished.

"You don't scare me." He says boldly.

"Really? Then allow me to continue maybe a fist in your face will do the trick." I'm getting excited now. The prospect of a physical confrontation sounds like fun.

"Grace, please, just listen." He pleads.

"You have two minutes Luke. After that I'll get nasty."

"I want to be your friend." He says quietly. For once I am in complete silence. It was probably the last thing I expected Luke to say.

"I don't want you as a friend."

"You know what, that's just to damn bad." He responds angrily. "You are not going to get away that easy. I know what's behind all that bravado and bluster."

"Are you saying you'll blackmail me into friendship?"

"No, I'm saying I'm holding you accountable for you emotions."

"What?" I'm incredulous; where does he get this stuff, Dr. Phil?

"I want to know what you honestly think of me."

"Okay, no problem. You disgust me. I find you irritating and annoying." All I get is a bland, disbelieving look. Okay that didn't work so I decided to try a different tack. "You have opened by heart up like a flower to a spring rain." I got the whammy again, damn. "Look. I trust you. I don't know why but I do. And I like you sometimes. I will not admit to feeling anything else at this time." I finish in a rush.

"That's all you had to say. I'm honored by your trust Grace." He says solemnly. "And I like you too a lot, all the time. And I do feel something else but I'll wait for you." He looks so damn pleased with himself. Luke sure knows how to take the wind from my sails. I'm not even mad anymore. It's not that I don't have emotions, I just don't like for everyone to see them. Luke is stepping closer to me now. As he gets closer the world slows down by a second and even though he should be on the receiving end of my glare-o-death, my eyes are starting to close and his hand is brushing my cheek. I know he's kissing me right now and I shouldn't let him. I'll have to come back to that thought later cause right now this feels too good. It's nice to depend on someone else for a minute. He pulls back and has this shit-eating grin on his face. I can only hang my head as I try to hide my smile. "Okay, so maybe I don't want to be your friend." He pulls completely out of my grasp and I want to pull him back again.

"See you later Grace." He whispers and the night air is empty. Well I'll be.

/Come, every soul by sin oppressed

There's mercy with the Lord.

And he will surely give you rest

By trusting in his word.

Only trust him, only trust him, only trust him now.

He will save you, he will save you, he will save you now/

AN: I hope everyone liked this series. I enjoyed writing it. Once again read, enjoy, review. Also all hymns come from the Baptist Hymnal. Thanks. Kathea.