"So, can we finish where we left off?" Ayden smiled; planting another tender kiss on Grace's bare neck- he was glad she wore a low cut top today.
Grace smiled, allowing his kiss to linger for a moment longer before speaking again.
"Not here!" she giggled, looking around the busy hallway for a moment.
GRACE I suddenly understand why kissing in the hallway is so……fun!…….. I finally understand why Eli always did this with his girlfriends!
Ayden pulled away, entwining his strong arms around Grace's curved waist- he looked into her eyes, "well I have a spare right after lunch……" he smiled wickedly.
"So do I" Grace mirrored his smile, and then sighed as he leaned in, his soft lips lingering on her tingling neck.
"We'll catch the bus to my place!" Grace smiled as Ayden pulled away- she pressed her lips hard against his own, and ran her fingers lightly through his hair.
"Cant wait" Ayden smiled, untangling himself from Grace- he planted a quick kiss on her forehead and then walked down the hall.
GRACE I'm understanding a lot of things all of a sudden……..
Eli sipped his hot coffee, and began reading the sports section of the paper- slightly annoyed that his father had gotten to it first, and the pages were creased………..but he didn't complain- it was too nice a day to complain about such a small thing………and what made the day so 'nice' was the fact that Eli had a day off from work!
He took another sip form his practically black coffee, his third one today and it was only 1:00 in the afternoon………and read the soccer results.
Just as he lifted his mug back to his lips, he heard a key jingling in the door, and then a creaky opening.
Eli stood from the kitchen table, moving towards the doorway to peer into the hall- where he saw Grace hanging up her coat, and Ayden behind her, slinging his backpack off.
"What are you doing home?" Eli called out, as he began walking towards them.
Grace and Ayden both jumped slightly, and watched Eli with wide eyes as he walked towards them- he wore brown tracksuit pants, and his old basketball jersey.
"I could ask you the same thing!" Grace said, trying to remain composed- she could literally feel Ayden's heart sink as he stood behind her- she knew exactly what he was thinking……….'interrupted again'.
"I showed up at work but they are doing renovations and didn't need me there today!" Eli said easily, and then raised an eyebrow at her- urging her to answer his question.
Grace shifted uneasily, looking at Eli straight in the eye-"we have spares, and thought we'd get started on a project" she said, smiling slightly.
"What subject?" Eli asked, crossing his arms, his eyebrow was still raised.
Grace was silent for a moment, feeling both Ayden and Eli's eyes on her- "Science" she said, after a long moment.
"What on?" Eli continued- not leaving Grace enough time to think of a plausible answer.
"Ballistics!" Ayden said quickly- and Eli shot him an icy glance.
"Yeah!……….so lets go get started Ayden" Grace said, grabbing his arm, she walked past Eli, and made it to the first step before Eli spoke again.
"Why don't you do it in the kitchen……more work space and I just made up a batch of hit coffee!"
Ayden and Grace exchanged a quick stare- and then looked back to Eli, who still stood, arms crossed with a superior grin on his face.
"Sounds………good" Grace said wearily, and climbed back down the stairs.
"Shouldn't you have books or something?" Eli asked, as he handed Grace and Ayden a mug of coffee each.
Ayden took his wearily; looking down at the black liquid with a sour face- Eli couldn't help but smile.
ELI oh please! I know all the excuses………
"Oh, we were just going to discuss then get the actual facts down another day" Grace said softly, staring down at the coffee- it looked completely untempting.
"Whatever………don't let me disturb you……..just pretend I'm not even here!" Eli gathered his ruffled newspaper, and walked over to the kitchen bench, pulling up a stool- he started reading again- but still shot Grace and Ayden quick side ways glances every now and then.
"Err………so bullets……are made from different types of metal" Ayden began, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
Eli's smiled grew wider, as he listened to Ayden's increasingly disappointed voice- as he tried to fake his way through the whole thing……….
"So thanks for doing the project with me Ayden" Grace said, as she stood at the door- she leaned in and tenderly kissed Ayden on the lips- knowing it wouldn't suffice for the let down.
"No problem" he said, wearily.
"See you tomorrow!" Grace called out to him as he walked away, when she turned around, she saw Eli standing in the hallway.
She sighed, and closed the door, staring up at Eli- "tell me one good reason why you don't like Ayden!" she said, putting her hands on her hips.
"What makes you think I don't like him?" Eli asked, a knowing smile still on his lips as he turned and walked away- he heard Grace follow him.
"Oh please Eli………from the moment we started going out you have done nothing but try to ruin this for me!" Grace spat back, not so much angry- but more distressed.
Eli turned around to look at her; the smile vanished from his face now, concern only showing.
"That is not true!" he retorted.
ELI maybe a little.
GRACE completely!
"Eli………you make sure I am never left alone with him, every time you say his name you speak either in a monotone or high pitched, disgusted tone………." Grace started.
"I do not!" Eli protested.
"Yes you do Eli………and every time I talk about him you get this glazed over look in your eyes and eventually walk away after 5 seconds………" Grace went on, disregarding Eli's distant stare.
"You are always interrupting us…….." Grace went on.
"You were doing a project, I told you not to mind me!" Eli continued to protest.
"Oh please Eli……..you of ALL people should know we weren't going to do a 'project!'" Grace said icily.
"What does that mean?" Eli asked, innocently.
Grace gave a mocking laugh, "you know perfectly well……..and Eli, you embarrassed him……..do you even realize that?" Grace asked, her hands still crossed- Eli forced his lips to remain silent………even though he was dying to tell her the truth………
"Well, Eli?" Grace asked again.
"WHAT?" he practically yelled back.
"What's so bad about Ayden?" she asked, yet again.
"He's not me!"
ELI he's not me………
GRACE he's not Eli……….?
"What?" Grace asked, she lowered her hands from her hips- and stared at Eli, completely confused.
"Nothing" Eli said quickly, hoping Grace would start firing more insults at him and forget about his slip up.
"No, Eli……what did you mean 'he's not you'……..?" Grace pressed him.
Eli stood uncomfortably for a moment, then turned away- walking swiftly into the dining room, and then practically running into the hall- Grace walking right behind him the whole time.
"Eli!" she called, urging him to stop- but he didn't, he kept walking away from her.
He quickly grabbed his coat from the hanger, but as he went to open the door- he found Grace standing in front of him, blocking his exit- his only escape from the truth.
Grace stared up at him, her eyes big and questioning- they peered into his own, and he suddenly couldn't think straight.
"Nothing" he said again, in a whisper this time.
"Eli……..what do you mean he's not you………you cant say something that perplexing and then expect to walk away from it without an explanation!" Grace retorted, trying to soften her quizzical and anxious tone.
ELI if she doesn't stop………I'm going to have to do the one thing I cant do.
GRACE SEE! Do you see what I mean?………he can just completely turn my world upside down……..and not even bother to explain why!
Eli looked away from Grace's big eyes……..he could feel his heart beating, faster than before………and as he turned back to her, and took in the image of her soft featured, angelic, creamy face………..he felt it beat faster again………..and as he stepped forward, wrapped one arm behind her back and pulled her into him- their lips connecting instantly, his heart was rapid and uncontrolled……..and Eli loved the feeling.
ELI the one thing I cant do………. I just did.
GRACE completely, totally, unbelievably……….upside down!
AUTHORS NOTE: ok, finally an Eli/Grace moment………..and, don't ya just hate the suspense?
Sorry I haven't updated in a while………but I am hitting back with full force, adding tons of new chapters!
Part of my reason for this is to make up for the fact that I wont be here for a week!
As of Tuesday, I will be away on a school camp, and wont return till Friday evening………so you can probably expect an update next Sunday (The 16th, I think)
But until then, read the new chapters and tell me what you think!
