ELI Maybe, what makes life so great- is moments.

Grace breezed down the stairs, Jessie following close behind- and the moment Eli heard her footsteps on the floorboard, he had to turn and see her- though he knew it would hurt him.

ELI - moments that, take you're breath away, or……….take you're heart away?

And sure enough, as Grace entered the kitchen, Eli felt pain like he'd never wanted to feel before-, as he looked at Grace in an entirely different light.

ELI like looking at someone, and really seeing them for the first time- seeing them the way that everybody else does- I mean, you could live the rest of you're life with that person- but the one memory you might have of them, is the moment when you first realized………they were beautiful.

"Doesn't she look great?" Jessie smiled; but Eli couldn't hear her, or see her- he only saw Grace- he only saw her red lips, her soulful eyes, curvy hips, creamy skin, wisps of hair that fell down her brow………that was all he saw.

ELI and it's sad……..because a moment that could mean the world to you, was created by another person……..and that person may never know the impact they had on you.

"Doesn't she look great Eli?" Jessie asked again, urging her brother to compliment the nervous Grace.

"Beautiful" he whispered, and Grace smiled sweetly, a small blush cascading onto her cheeks.

ELI isn't it sad?

"What's the time?" Grace asked nervously, swinging around to examine Jessie's watch.

"6:35" Jessie replied, lowering her wrist.

Grace tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear, suddenly feeling a storm of butterflies flapping inside her stomach at once.

GRACE why do people insist on being fashionably late?

"He was supposed to be here at 6:30," she said, tucking the same piece of hair behind her ear again.

Jessie let out a small laugh, "Don't panic," she said, turning to leave the kitchen.

Grace half smiled at Eli, as she was left alone with him- him and his eyes that wouldn't leave her face.

"So-" Grace broke his stare, "big night planned for you too?" she asked, leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Err……" Eli couldn't find any words.

"Look Eli, I'm sorry about blowing you off-" Grace interrupted, before Eli could compose a sentence.

"Actually, I don't even know why I'm doing this, cause its not like Ayden even likes me- I mean, he would never go for me…….." Grace knew she was babbling, about something Eli was surely not the least bit interested in- but she was nervous, and it was her mechanism that always turned on whenever she got nervous.

"- - - I mean, we are total opposites- not that I know………cause I don't actually know him that well at all………but maybe after this date………I don't even know if this is a date…….it feels like a date………but we aren't a couple……..we're, study buddies?"

"Err…….." Eli wished she would stop talking- he wished he could just simply gaze at her in awe again. Without Ayden's name being mentioned……..and the relationship they do or don't have.

Grace half smiled, but continued to speak; "I mean, a few days ago I seriously hated him……..then he did the entire assignment for me……..and now he wants to go on a date……….not that this is a date"

GRACE just stop, why cant you just stop when you know your being stupid?

Eli saw Grace's cheeks turn almost scarlet red, and he knew that she wanted to stop talking- infact; he guessed that she was telling herself right this second to stop talking………

GRACE I mean really, is it that hard to stop being stupid, when the reason for you're stupidness is something that's perfectly easy for you to stop………talking………just stop!

"And if we are a couple then can we still be study buddies………or would that lead to………other things? Do I even want a boyfriend………in my senior year of high school……..what a distraction?"

Eli saw Grace's hand move slightly, and, knowing what her next swift movement would be- he instinctively reached his own hand out, and in one hasty, gentle movement- he tucked a wisp of hair behind Grace's ear.

GRACE stopping……..

Grace's words ceased………her mouth now tightly pursed……..as she gazed into Eli's hazel/green eyes- he stared back, Into her own big brown eyes, almost challenging her to look away- she didn't.

GRACE how does he do that? How does he break my thoughts completely.……..?

But the doorbell ringing soon broke the silence- and the dreamy trance they were both caught in- "Bye" Grace said in a husky, unreal whisper.

And before Eli could say anything, he'd heard the door open- and Ayden's deep voice came through the hallway.

"Mum- Rick, this is Ayden"

Eli heard the introductions; and instantly felt the pricking pain in the back of his eyes- he quickly walked out the kitchen, not stopping for a moment to examine the cool, calm, collected Ayden as he entered the Manning/Sammler household- instead, Eli stormed towards the garage- he didn't even feel Grace's eyes following him.

"Grace has told us a lot about you"

Grace turned back to her mother, and rolled her eyes; she glanced at Ayden, and instantly, all thoughts of Eli and his strong hands left her mind- Ayden's tousled black hair fell perfectly down his brow………and his black, soulful eyes were dancing with charm as he politely answered Rick and Lily's questions.

GRACE Maybe, what makes life so great- is moments?………. I think looking at Ayden in this new light……is one of my moments!