Eli watched as his sister left the kitchen- or more, stormed out of the kitchen, mumbling something about going over to Katie's house.

He glanced up at the clock, it was 9:00- and because it was Saturday, he didn't expect Grace to be up for another half hour or so……that would give him enough time to run through what he was going to say to her…….

ELI hey! So……..I kissed you………you hated me, or so I thought………and then last night………you totally change everything………you kissed me……….and I loved it………how do you feel?

Eli shook his head, and creased his brow; then rose from his seat at the kitchen table to put his coffee mug in the sink.

ELI so……I think I have made it perfectly clear that I have feelings for you………but, your feelings aren't perfectly clear to me………..you hate me, then you kiss me?

See the problem I'm having here?

He ran a hand through his messed hair, and just as he was contemplating another approach to the touchy subject, the doorbell rang.

He was silent for a moment, and when he didn't hear any footsteps rushing to answer it, and the bell rang again, he sighed and walked into the hallway.

Just as he approached the door, he heard light footsteps at the top of the stairs, he looked up quickly, and caught sight of Grace, in her baby blue jumper, hair hanging loosely, with a touch of pink lipstick……..he looked at her for a moment, their eyes kissing with a gaze……..when the doorbell rang again.

"Coming" Eli said softly; too softly for the person on the other side of the door to hear.

He took another step forward, and opened the door; his heart shattering into a million tiny pieces when he saw Ayden staring back at him, with a polite grin.

"I'm here to pick up Grace" he said pointedly, and when Eli didn't return a reply he smiled a little more, before speaking.

"So, is she here?" he asked, uncertainly.

Eli continued to stare at him blankly, before remembering Grace was just upstairs- listening to the entire conversation.

"She called me an hour ago……..maybe she's not ready yet" Ayden added, finally, breaking the blank silence on Eli's face; he waited a moment longer.

"She's ready" Eli finally breathed, and took a step away from the door; allowing Ayden to step inside.

"Great" he said, looking around the house; Eli watched him, suddenly knowing more than he wanted to.

"Hey"

Both Ayden and Eli turned their heads to the top of their stairs, watching as Grace walked down carefully, eyeing Ayden; but, for one second, Eli could have sworn she fluttered her eyes at him!

"Hey you" Ayden smiled, meeting her at the bottom.

Eli turned away as he saw them lean in for a kiss.

"Lets go"

Eli turned back, to see Grace had left Ayden standing at the last step, a strange, lost look on his face as Grace took her coat from the hanger.

"Ready?" she asked, turning around, with a forced smile.

Ayden nodded, and walked towards her, still a little lost.

"Where are you going?" Eli asked, in a small voice.

"Out!" Grace said over her shoulder, Ayden followed her, but not before turning around to smile at Eli.

"Have a nice day Eli" he said, and closed the door behind him.

ELI not completely clear……….


Ayden gave Grace a sidelong glance, as she peered into a shop window.

Then averted his eyes to the ground.

"That's so nice!" Grace said, trying to act interested in the black coat hanging in the shop window.

She knew Ayden wasn't interested, but she continued to stop and stare into windows, at items of clothing that really didn't fascinate her………just to cease all conversation, and lengthen their time together.

"Hmm" Ayden murmured, still looking down at the ground.

She turned to him, her eyes sad and longing; he knew something was wrong, but he was waiting for her to say something, rather than ask her.

She knew that much…….and for once, she wished that he didn't read her so well.

"Sorry, I'm just a little……….dazed today" she said, squeezing his hand as she led him away from the shop.

"That's ok," he said, in a small voice, returning the soft squeeze.

She looked over and smiled, forgetting, for a moment, her ultimate betrayal.

They walked, hand in hand, peering into each other's eyes, before Ayden pulled her to a stop, and leaned in for a short, sweet kiss on her vigorous lips.

GRACE don't………

Grace pulled away, hiding her discomfort with a forced smile; but Ayden saw right through it.

"Do you want to go home?" He asked, in a distant voice.

Grace shook her head slowly, and with her free hand, she brought it to his face, cold from the winter chilled air; and softly rubbed his cheek with her fingers.

"I'm just…….." she began, staring into his eyes.

"A little dazed?" he finished for her.

Grace looked away, swallowing hard as she felt a lump form in her throat.

"Yeah" she said, still looking away.

Ayden said nothing for a moment, sensing that she wanted to say something………he didn't want to push……..he wanted her to talk to him, to tell him what was on her mind.

But she didn't.

GRACE I cant……….

"Want to see a movie?" he asked finally, in a sad tone.

Grace turned back to him, glad for the suggestion.

"That'd be great," she said, forcing another smile.

He leaned in, and kissed her quickly, before they started walking again.

This time, when Ayden squeezed her hand, she allowed hers to remain limp in his grip.

And when they were only a little while away from the cinema's, she complained of the cold, and completely let go of his hand, crossing her arms over her chest instead………….all the while, Ayden said nothing.

GRACE I cant……….