Chapter five

Jessie and Katie are in a restaurant and Jessie is tightly winding up her napkin and making a point of not looking up.

B/W Jessie: Why do I feel like this is a date? (looks down at the napkin and pulls tighter)

"Jess, don't stress, it's not like this is a date or anything. We're just two friends having dinner at a restaurant on a Saturday night. It's all good." Katie smiles over at Jessie and Jessie can feel her breathing slow down.

"I know it's not a date. It's just that it feels different, you know." Jessie puts down the napkin and looks at the menu.

"I know...but seriously, there's no pressure. Plus, I know you don't like girls. You like Tad, remember," Katie laughs and takes a sip of soda.

"I guess. I mean, I've never really thought about it. I just assumed I liked boys because that's the way it's always been. The thing is, since the other night I've been thinking..."

"About what?"

"About when we held hands. It felt nice, comfortable."

"I felt that way too."

Jessie notices a waiter walking towards them. She orders a burger with chips and Katie orders a soup. When the waiter leaves Jessie begins to feel nervous again.

"Jess, if this is hard for you, we can take this slow. There's no rush. I just want to spend time with you."

B/W Jessie: She really does want to spend time with me. (shy smile)

Jessie lets out a sigh of relief and smiles over at Katie.

- - -

It's the next morning and Grace is asleep on her bed. Eli is asleep next to her. He suddenly wakes up and turns his head towards Grace and smiles softly. He watches her sleep for a few minutes. Graces' eyes flutter open and smiles back at him.

"Good morning," Eli whispers and takes hold of her hand.

"Hi,"

"Would you mind if I kissed you?" Eli gives one of his pleading smiles and Grace feels herself melting.

"You don't even have to ask."

Eli softly kisses her mouth and gently moves her hair behind her ear.

"I liked watching you sleep. You looked so content, so relaxed."

Grace lifts up his hand with hers and turns them around, slowly. Eli moves in closer.

"Eli, you know we're going to have to talk...about this. I..."

Grace is interrupted by a knock on her door.

"Gracie, honey. It's time for school. Get dressed and wake up Eli. He's taking you to school this morning."

Grace places a finger on Elis' mouth and Eli pretends to bite it. Grace stops herself from giggling.

"Stop it!" She whispers and Eli pretends to pout.

"Sure Mum. I'll be down soon, ok."

"Hurry, breakfast will get cold."

Grace and Eli hear Lilly walk downstairs.

"You're such a jerk! We could have been caught!"

Eli starts to tickle Grace and she bursts out laughing. She quickly kisses him and jumps out of bed.

"I'll go downstairs first and you come down in five minutes, ok. We can't get caught."

Eli watches Grace brush her hair and straighten her pajamas.

"You should skip school today. We'll go for a long drive and...well, you know..."

Grace smiles.

"I can't miss classes today. I have exams soon. Plus, you have to go to work."

"Fine. But after school lets spend some time together."

"Good idea. We should work out what's going to happen now."

"Relax, Grace. Everything will work out. I promise." Eli stands up and pulls her in for a tight hug.

"I hope so," whispers Grace.