Naomi's house was a two-storey, weather board - standing on one of the most prestigious streets in the area- it was definitely classy- with rose bushes in the front garden, a trimmed green lawn- and Grace saw Naomi's BMW parked in the drive way.

"You look beautiful tonight"

Grace glanced at Ayden and gave him a warm wistful smile- they hadn't said a word in the car, though Ayden had tried to start a light conversation.

All Grace could do was nod and murmur, then look out the window- Ayden eventually got the idea, and Grace was glad that he knew her so well.

"You said that already" she replied, keeping a warm tone.

Ayden nodded once, and looked at the ground as they walked, with a small distance between them- towards Naomi's front door, where several other people were also heading- some, already drunk.

"I did," he said softly.

Grace glanced over at Ayden, she felt like doubling over in pain.

GRACE how can I hurt him so much?

"I'm sorry" Grace murmured, looking straight ahead, at the stumbling teenagers who started filtering through Naomi's front door.

GRACE I seem to be saying that a lot lately……….not that it makes any difference.

They finally made it to the door- and before entering, Ayden turned to Grace.

"I know" he said simply, and walked through.

Grace followed, the pain unbearable now as his coded message lingered in her mind- it sounded to her like he was defeated, weakening- getting sick of her……….which was fair enough, seeming as she hadn't exactly been the perfect girlfriend recently.

Her thoughts were soon crowded with a thumping music, and the sound of high-pitched laugher.

Grace took in her surroundings- the house was bursting with people, which was surprising seeming, as it was only 7:30!

They were trailing up the staircase, all with drinks in hand.

Some were hanging around the doorway- and, as far as Grace could see, there were big numbers in all other rooms of the house.

"Ayden" she called out, realizing he was walking away from her.

He barely heard her voice over the thumping music, but turned none the less.

She moved close to him, and leaned in so he could hear her words, "Lets dance" she said, as loudly as she could.

Ayden looked into her face; she smiled sweetly, and enthusiastically, a smile Ayden hadn't been blessed to see in such a long time………

He gently took her hand and led her into the spacious lounge room, which had apparently been dubbed, the dance room!


Eli's door swung open, and Lily appeared, with a handful of folded clothing.

"Oh, I'm sorry- I didn't think you'd be home" she said, taking a tentative step into his room.

Eli sat back, and nestled his guitar back in his arms, "Yeah" he mumbled, as he strummed the strings gently.

Lily hurried herself, placing his folded clothes on his dresser.

"Hmmm……….well I wont disturb you," she said, as she walked towards his door.

"Thanks Lil" he called, as she left his room.

"No problem hun" she called back, and closed his door.

Eli strummed his guitar again; not paying any attention to the accuracy of his notes- the tune came out completely wrong and distraught.

He sighed, and placed the guitar on the bed beside him, and brought his legs up, so his head was resting on his knees.

ELI how can things always go so wrong for me? I mean………there should be some sort of equality between people……….you know, everyone has their fair share of wins and loss's………I only ever seem to lose!

Eli turned his head, and stared down at his guitar; he had a million thoughts racing around in his head, thoughts of Grace, of him and Grace……….of Grace and Ayden……….of Grace and what could never be.

Usually, Eli would air these thoughts through music, write them down and somehow make sense of the jumbled emotions pouring out of him- and eventually turn them into lyrics, or notes……….but he just couldn't right now.

Right now everything seemed pointless……….


Grace smiled widely as she took in big gulps of breath.

Ayden leaned against the wall of the kitchen, and took a sip from the bottle of water in his hand- he listened to the thumping music, and felt the vibrations tingling through the walls and gently tickling his back.

"That was great!" Grace yelled, smiling wider at Ayden.

"What?" He yelled back, looking at her quizzically, but still smiling.

Grace took another breath, and leaned in closer, "THAT WAS GREAT!" she yelled.

Ayden pulled away, hearing her loud and clearly- she laughed, and mouthed the word 'sorry', having not realised how loudly she was speaking.

Ayden nodded once, and held up his water, offering her some.

Grace took it, and drank thirstily- when she'd had enough; she pulled it from her lips, and stared hungrily at Ayden.

His dark eyes roamed her face, and his lips curved into an innocent smile.

She moved in closer, bringing her hand to the back of his head, she lightly ran her fingers through his tousled hair, and gently pushed his head forward- until their lips met- it was intoxicating.

She pulled away, and they stared into each other's eyes for a moment- then Grace started to laugh giddily.

Her hips slowly swivelled in a circular motion, and Ayden laughed.

She raised her arms above her head, and closed her eyes- the music was like ecstasy- flowing through her body, causing it to turn and thrust with the exhilarating beat.

She heard Ayden's laugh, and opened her eyes, she smiled happily, and moved closer to him, so her hips swivelled around his own.

Eventually, after turning crimson red, Ayden accompanied his partner- and placed his hands gently on her curvy hips, she smiled and laughed some more- "shall we dance?" she asked, in a husky voice.

Ayden smiled, and leaned in for another long kiss.

When they parted, Grace grabbed his hands, and pulled him back into the living room- and onto the dance floor for another round………….

GRACE dancing sooths the soul……….right?


Always, Always and forever,

Eli rested his hands on his stomach, and stared up at his black ceiling- he sighed, and rolled over onto his side- but the discomfort and pain was still there.

Im sitting here, im thinking back

to a time when i was with you

my memory is clear as day

im listening to the dishes clink

you were downstairs you would sing

songs of praise

and all the times I laughed with you

and all the times that you stayed true to us

and now we say

i said i thank you i'll always thank you,

more than you would know than i could ever show

and i love you i'll always love you theres nothing i wont do to say these words

to you that your beautiful foever

Always, Always and Forever

You were my mom you were my dad

the only think i ever had was you its true

even when the times got hard

you were there to let us know

that we'd get through

You showed my how to be a man

you taught me how to understand

the things that people do

You showed me how to love my God

you taught me that not everyone

knows the truth

i said i thank you i'll always thank you,

more than you would know than i could ever show

and i love you i'll always love you theres nothing i wont do to say these words

to you that you will live forever

Eli swiped away at a single tear that had escaped somewhere during the song- he rolled back onto his stomach, and stared at his ceiling again- expecting something miraculous to have changed.

As though it would no longer be white, and blank……………

ELI something's just never change………something's are meant to stay the same forever……….like some relationships can never change………they can never be………more


"Naomi has such a beautiful house………." Grace said, marvelling at the two storey, white weatherboard as she dangled her feet in the warm pool in Naomi's back garden.

"It wont be so nice tomorrow morning………" Ayden replied; Grace turned to him and they both shared a hushed laugh.

Ayden turned back to the house, but Grace continued to stare at him- at his profile.

They'd been dancing for 2 hours now, and decided their feet needed a rest.

Nobody was supposed to go in the back yard, and especially not in the pool- but Naomi allowed Ayden and Grace to do so- because they were 'special guests'-atleast, that's what she thought Naomi called her; Grace really couldn't tell through the beer breath and slurred, clumsy words.

"It is so gorgeous out here" Grace commented, breaking away from her gaze- she turned her head slightly, and looked out at the rest of the garden- small cherry trees lined around the edge, luscious green lawn, daises and roses in the garden bed………and small fairy lights lining the trees- and, the pool, with terracotta tiling around the edge, and two large lights in the sides.

"Yeah- it's nice to get away from the craziness for a little while………" Ayden agreed, turning to Grace.

They shared another long gaze- before leaning in for an intimate, hot kiss.

Grace brushed her hand lightly against his cheek; his lips felt soft and tasted sweet.

They pulled away, but their heads remained close, as they spoke.

"I love looking into you're eyes……….." Ayden whispered

Grace let out a small laugh; he sometimes spoke so earnestly

"I'm sorry…….." Ayden said, embarrassed, he turned away from her smile.

"What for? ……….That was really sweet………." Grace replied.

"No……..it was corny……….. I just sometimes let things slip………" Ayden apologised again.

Grace placed her hand softly on his shoulder, "never apologise for something that beautiful again, ok?" she asked, earnestly, the smile now gone from her lips.

Ayden nodded slowly, but didn't turn back to her- Grace cupped his head with one of her hands, softly brushing his cheek with her thumb, coaxing him to look at her- he finally did.

Grace stared deeply into his eyes- so dark, and full of mystery- she could lose herself in their mystery………..Ayden smiled, and felt his cheeks turn red as Grace peered deeply into his eyes……..he wanted to turn away, but couldn't.

"I think I'm falling in love with you…………."


AUTHORS NOTE

oooooooooooooo…………. I wonder who said the 3 words? Ayden? Or Grace?

Ok, I know I am a bad, bad, bad person!

But seriously, I have had SO MUCH homework lately……….and I've had busy weekends with friends and………. I know they aren't any sort of excuses……….but I am so sorry!

You have all been so nice with your comments, and here I am slacking off big time!

Well, I cant promise that the slacking will stop- cause I have 2 weeks till school holidays, and I will probably get bombarded with last minute tests and essays!

But I will TRY to hard………so, so hard!

But c'mon- this was a damn long chapter………right?

Song Grace was listening to was Good Charlotte's 'always and forevr'

Awesome band with two HOT twin brothers, and one of the sweetest bestest songs ever!