Grace scanned the many textbooks, which were neatly piled in her locker.
She sighed, glad that the day was over, as she reached for her abnormally thick History book.
"Hey!"
Grace turned, almost dropping her backpack, which she was balancing on her knee- Jessie came bouncing up towards her, a smile spread across her face.
"Hey" Grace mumbled, a little annoyed by Jessie's perkiness.
GRACE why can't people instantly know when your in a less-than-happy mood- and alter their personality to suit yours?
Jessie leaned against the locker next to Grace's, watching a little too intently while Grace sorted through which books she needed for homework.
"How was you're day?" Jessie asked, that annoying smile still spread like butter across her face.
Grace let out a mocking laugh- and then composed herself with a straight face when she noticed the quizzical look Jessie was giving her.
"Fine" she muttered, reaching for her graphics calculator.
Jessie nodded slowly; not wanting to push Grace's already bad mood, over the edge.
"So, is Eli picking us up today?" she asked, as Grace slammed her locker door and turned- starting to walk towards the doors.
"I don't know," she mumbled, trying to zip her bursting backpack while she walked.
"I think he is" Jessie replied, answering her own question.
"We'll have to be super careful today-" Jessie added, having to quicken her pace to walk in time with Grace.
"Why's that?" Grace asked, half interested.
"Cause he just got his car cleaned- I bet he'll kick up a hissy fit if we so much as breathe on the upholstery the wrong way!" Jessie tried hard to lighten Grace's mood- - - without success.
"Whatever" Grace said over her shoulder- pushing the EXIT doors open, and stepping into the cool autumn breeze.
Jessie ran to her side, desperate to know the cause behind Grace's bad mood- but valuing her life too much to ask.
"So where is he?" Grace asked, looking up and down the road- Eli's car wasn't in sight.
"Oh- I bet he's trying to pick up some senior cheerleaders!" Grace sighed, shaking her head slowly.
Jessie scanned the road as well- only two yellow buses remained, and a few scattered students along the sidewalk.
Grace turned to face Jessie "this is just great!" she murmured, shaking her head again.
"He'll be here Grace" Jessie sighed; Grace's bad mood was slowly rubbing off on her- or maybe it was just Grace in general……….
"Oh great!"
Jessie turned around, and saw that Grace had raised a hand to the side of her face; shielding herself from someone- Jessie looked down the sidewalk, and saw Ayden Clymont and a senior boy walking towards them.
Jessie had heard of Ayden- through gossip passed between the many adoring female students who had crushes on him……….one of whom didn't appear to be Grace.
Apparently he was a star hockey played- captain of the team, and he wasn't even a senior!
He was also very smart, or so she heard- having run for Student Council, and gotten a place on the board, and also winning the short story competition last year.
He seemed like a nice guy, from what Jessie could gather.
"Are you hiding from-" Jessie began, but Grace interrupted her.
"Ssshhh" she hissed, and Jessie was silent.
The two boys approached them- Ayden stopped for a moment, standing behind Grace who had her back firmly turned to him.
"See-ya tomorrow Miss. Manning" he said, a pinch of sarcasm in his tone, and continued to walk.
Once they were out of hearing distance, Grace turned and watched them walk away- his tall, broad build apparent- she blushed slightly.
"What's tomorrow?" Jessie asked, trying hard to keep from laughing.
"Nothing" Grace said quickly.
"And why did he call you-" Jessie was interrupted, by the squealing of Eli's tyres as his car pulled up to the curb- beside the girls.
Grace quickly went for the front seat, hoping all conversation and questions about Ayden Clymont would cease once they got in the car.
Her heart sank when she realized Eli didn't have his usual thumping music blowing through the radio- dammit!
"And why did he call you Miss. Manning?" Jessie asked, once she slid into the back seat- she tried to add the hint of sarcasm, like Ayden had done.
Grace glanced over at Eli, who was looking in the rear vision mirror at his little sister questioningly.
"Don't know" Grace answered simply.
Jessie let out a small laugh, "he's cute" she exclaimed.
"Who?" Eli asked, pulling out onto the road.
"Ayden Clymont" Jessie replied- Grace sunk lower into her seat.
"I remember him!" Eli said, glancing over at Grace's slightly red face.
"You have a crush on him?" he asked, a hint of laughter in his tone.
Grace turned and glared at him- "your laughing?" she creased her brow, "why are you laughing?" she hissed at Eli, who's smile was getting bigger, the more frustrated Grace became.
"No, no- it's just" Eli tried to explain.
"It's what?" Grace snapped back quickly.
"Ayden Clymont seemed like a pretty cool guy………" Eli began, but Grace wouldn't let him continue.
"And I'm what?" She asked, turning her body to face him.
ELI Err………!
"Not" Jessie answered for her hopeless brother.
Eli smiled, not wanting to, but being unable to stop the turning of his mouth.
Grace shot Jessie a cold stare- in response, Jessie sunk low into her seat.
"Well he's coming over tomorrow night" Grace said, matter of factly.
"He is?" Jessie asked astonished.
"Yeah- he asked if he could" Grace replied, smiling faintly.
"Why?" Eli asked, equally astonished.
Grace huffed, "to see me!" she exclaimed.
Eli looked in the rear vision mirror- exchanging a curious stare with his sister.
Then he shrugged his shoulders "cool" he said, simply.
"So you do have a crush on him then………..?" Jessie pushed- - - a little too far.
"Can all conversation about MY private life just cease as of now?" Grace spat.
The car became silent- but Jessie and Eli continued to exchange curious glances in the rear vision mirror, and tried hard to muffle their rising giggles.
AUTHORS NOTE.
Thanks for all the reviews- I wasn't expecting anyone to read this, to be honest.
I don't know where it's going right now- - -well, I kinda do- but you shall just have to wait and see if it turns into a Grace/Eli fic!
I know a few people liked my last story- but I don't know how this new one is going to go- so don't go getting your hopes too high- - - I might crash and burn!
Thanks, and keep reviewing!
