Jessie pulled her hair back in a tight ponytail, adjusting it so that it rested in the centre of her head.
"Hey Jessie!" Eli said, as he came up the stairs and stood in front of his little sister.
"Morning" Jessie murmured, still feeling drowsy.
Eli stuffed his hands into his pockets uncomfortably, and Jessie looked at him quizzically, as he didn't move out of her way.
"Did you want something Eli?" she asked, slinging her back pack over one shoulder.
He looked down at her and smiled casually, "Actually-" he began, but Zoë came bursting out of her door and ran straight into him.
"Wo- sorry" he said, looking down at her while she collected herself.
Zoë murmured something and scratched her head, looking up at him with puppy dog eyes.
"Actually, what?" Jessie interrupted, impatient now.
"Actually, do you know where Grace is" he asked, glancing over at Grace's door.
Jessie followed his gaze, and smiled knowingly "she's in the bathroom" she said, and took Zoë's hand, walking past him "see ya Eli" Jessie said over her shoulder "Bye Bye!" Zoë said, as Jessie pulled her down the stairs, smiling slightly as she looked over and saw Eli standing outside the bathroom door.
Eli could hear water running from the other side of the door, and then the low voice of Grace singing.
'I saw him dancin' there by the record machine
I knew he must a
been about seventeen
The beat was
goin' strong
Playin' my
favorite song
An' I could tell
it wouldn't be long
Till he was with
me, yeah me, singin'
Eli smiled, as he listened to her singing, probably using her hairbrush as a microphone, he thought, smiling wider.
After a moment, Eli brought his hand to the door, knocking twice, and then lowering his hands down to his sides again.
ELI Grace is, like no other girl I have ever met. It takes a while to work her out- cause I think she's still working herself out. But when you get to know her, you found this sweet, gentle, independent woman who just takes your breath away.
Eli could hear as Grace dropped something, and the singing stopped abruptly.
"Can I come in?" Eli asked.
He smiled as he heard Grace mutter something under her breath.
And then the door swung open, and they were standing face to face.
"Eli" Grace said, beginning to turn slightly red.
Eli laughed as he saw her eyes widen, probably regretting that she never took singing lessons.
"Hey" Eli said, leaning his body against the doorframe.
Grace smiled awkwardly, and then reached her arm out, grabbing the collar of his navy blue shirt, pulling him into the bathroom, and then closing the door behind him.
Grace nestled her arms around the crook of his neck, pulling him down to her for a kiss.
Grace no longer tasted of coke, as she had last night, instead Eli could taste the minty freshness of her toothpaste.
They parted, Eli resting his hands on her hips again, while she wrapped her arms around his neck, looking into his eyes "morning" she said quietly.
Eli smiled, looking down at her fresh, tender face "good morning" he replied.
Grace laughed as she untangled from his embrace, turning to look at herself in the mirror.
"Your mic" Eli said, handing Grace the hairbrush that he heard drop on the floor.
Grace winced, and then smiled uncomfortably.
Eli didn't hand her the hairbrush, instead he stood behind her, and began combing her hair lightly.
Grace smiled, enjoying the light, soothing touch as he weaved the brush through her hair gently.
Her hair was soft and light, the brush running through easily.
"Done" Eli said, after a few minutes, and Grace turned around, reaching to take the brush from his hands.
And as their fingers brushed one another, he leaned in for another kiss, as they both held the brush.
Grace parted; smiling brightly- all night she had been wandering if what had happened between them was a dream, a dream that she would wake from only to find none of it real.
But now, as he stood before her, the taste of his soft lips on her mouth, she knew it was all real- and perfect!
Eli looked down into her eyes as they stared into his own; last night they had parted awkwardly, as Jessie stood, staring at them in his doorway, her mouth ajar.
Grace had instantly pulled away once they realized they had an onlooker to their passionate kiss, and had left his room without saying anything.
All night he thought about how he would greet her the next day; was she regretting what they'd done? Was she as nervous as he was? Or did she look forward to their next encounter? Eli's thoughts raced through his mind all night.
At one point he was actually contemplating sneaking into her room, but decided against it, preferring to find her in the morning so they could talk privately.
"You have school" Eli broke their comfortable silence, and Grace smiled, bringing her hand to her brow and rubbing it.
"I wish I could stay with you today" she said quietly.
Eli brushed his hand against her cheek, and she warmed as his strong touch rekindled all that they'd done last night.
"You could always skip- and spend the day with me-" he began, but Grace cut him off.
"Eli Sammler, I think you're going to be a bad influence on me," she said, smiling.
Eli sighed, and returned the grin "well how about I pick you up after school?" he asked.
Grace nodded, cupped his head in her hands, and planted a hard, quick kiss on his subtle lips.
His whole body tingled by her touch, and he tightened his hold on her waist.
Grace walked down the stairs first, heading into the kitchen where Zoë, Jessie and her mother were all eating breakfast.
Jessie glanced over at Grace, and smiled sweetly.
A few minutes later Eli entered the kitchen; he told Grace he would come down a few minutes after her, so it wouldn't look too suspicious.
As he sat opposite Grace at the table, watching as she took little bites from her toast, he smiled- wanting to lean over and smother her in a kiss, but restraining himself.
Jessie watched as Eli glanced up at Grace every so often, and when he wasn't looking, Grace would do the same.
"Ok guys, I am running late so lets get going!" Lily said, finishing off her coffee.
"Mum, I'm not finished" Grace protested.
Jessie smiled, understanding the little 'plan' Grace and Eli had conjured up.
"Yeah, I'm still hungry" Jessie chimed in, and Grace and Eli both smiled slightly.
Lily sighed again; "I can take them to school" Eli said happily.
Lily looked from Eli to her watch, and back to Eli "fine, but drive safe!" she said, kissing each of them quickly on the head.
Lily gathered her handbag and keys, and was out the door quickly, and the four of them heard as her car pulled out.
Grace let out a little laugh, and Eli did the same, as they met one another's gaze
Jessie sighed, and gathered up her plate "come on Zoë, you have to pack you're bag" Jessie said, and walked into the lounge room, Zoë following her.
Eli reached his hand out, and placed it on top of Grace's, and they both smiled warmly.
"What are we doing?" Eli whispered.
Grace giggled "this is something out of 'the bold and the beautiful'" she said, smiling.
Eli nodded his head "this feels right, doesn't it?" he asked.
Grace smiled warmly "it does" she agreed.
GRACE I feel as though I have seen sides of Eli, that no one else has ever had the pleasure of seeing. I mean, he puts on this big 'tough guy' act, but really, he's just as confused as the rest of us. I want to keep finding out more about him.
Grace leaned in and changed the radio station, and Eli allowed her to, without protest as her music came on.
Jessie smiled, just noticing the little things between them- maybe they were meant to be, she thought.
JESSIE Grace and Eli? My god! It is so obvious. I think it's a case of right person, wrong time for the both of them.
But I suppose, if it is 'true love'- then it will prevail.
"Bye" Jessie said, sliding out of the car, Eli turned around and smiled at her.
"I will see you after school" Eli said turning back to Grace; he placed one finger lightly underneath Grace's chin, planting a soft kiss on her lips.
Grace closed her eyes, enjoying his firm lips pressing against her soft ones.
"Maybe I could skip one day," she said softly, as he pulled away.
Eli laughed, contemplating the thought for a moment.
"No, I will see you after school" he said sweetly.
Grace gave a frustrated sigh, and then smiled weakly "ok" she said, and slid out of the car, waving as he drove away.
Grace began to walk towards the school doors, when Jessie, who had been leaning against a tree waiting for her, jumped out of nowhere.
"Jessie" Grace said nervously; she wasn't sure if Jessie had stayed behind to talk with Eli after she'd caught them together.
"Grace" Jessie said, sweetly, knowing how nervous she was.
They walked a few steps in silence, and then Grace stopped abruptly, turning to Jessie.
"I like you're brother. I always have, except now he's returning the feelings, and it feels so right! And I am sorry if it weirded you out when you saw us, but I don't want to apologise for liking him-" Grace began, but Jesse put a hand up, stopping her from going on.
"I know, he feels the same way, he told me so after you left" Jessie said, smiling "I'm fine with it, but what about Lily and dad?" she asked.
Grace sighed and looked the other way "they wont like it" Grace whispered.
Jessie looked down at the ground "I wont say anything to them, I promise" she said, and Grace eased into a smile.
"But Eli is- fragile, and if you hurt him-" Jessie began in a stern voice, but softened when she realized who she was talking to "just treat him better than the other floozy's he's been with!" Jessie smiled.
"He deserves that much" Jessie added, and then swung an arm around Grace's shoulders, and they walked towards the school doors.
