"What?"
"I think I'm falling in love with you……….."
"Oh……….that's what I thought you said………"
"I shouldn't have said it?"
"No………no! I'm glad you said it!"
"I scared you?"
"No…….."
"You don't feel the same way?……..oh god………."
"No! That's not it either!"
"What is it then?"
"What are you doing?"
Eli turned around quickly, and stared at Zoe as she crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly.
"What?" he asked, covering his shocked expression with a hard stare?
"What are you doing in Grace's room?" Zoe asked again, still staring awkwardly at Eli from the doorway.
Eli stuffed his shaking hands into his pockets, glad that he hadn't turned on any lights, so Zoe couldn't see his guilty and tear stained eyes.
"Looking for something," He said, slowly and cautiously- he waited, eyes winced slightly- as he readied himself for Zoe' to scream out Lily's name.
But, Zoe didn't rat on him- instead, a smile spread across her face, and she stepped inside her sister's darkened room aswell, closing the door slightly, and cutting off all light from the hallway, she flicked on a small lamp.
Eli turned away from her, shielding his face;
"I'll help you look………what is it you want?" Zoe asked, standing beside Eli, by Grace's desk.
"Err……….an address book……….." Eli replied, bewildered by Zoe's eagerness to help him raid her sister's room.
"OH! I know where that is!" Zoe said proudly, and spun around- walking towards Grace's bedside table.
Zoe bent down, and began rifling through the single draw- until finally pulling out a small red book.
She turned around, and held it up for Eli.
He stepped forward, unsure, he stared down at the book for a moment- then took it greedily.
"Thanks" he murmured.
"Its ok……….just don't tell Grace I did this………ok?" Zoe asked, innocently.
"OK" Eli agreed, not really focussing on her babbles as he skimmed through the pages, looking for Naomi's name.
"You want her diary aswell?" Zoe asked.
Eli looked up, his brow creased; "no!" he said, a little stubbornly.
Zoe huffed, "suit yourself!" she said, matter of factly.
She rose back onto her feet, and walked back to Grace's dresser, and began examining her makeup, while Eli tentatively took a seat at the end of Grace's bed, unable to find Naomi's name.
Zoe sprayed some vanilla perfume on her wrists, the smell wafting over towards Eli.
"That's nice…….." he murmured, his head still bent inside the red book.
"Chanel smells much nicer………. I think Grace should buy more expensive perfume………" Zoe commented, as she twisted open Grace's baby pink lipstick, and smudged some on her hand.
Eli payed no attention, only continued to search for the name.
He winced as he saw Ayden's- and simply flipped past it.
Zoe glided over towards Grace's wardrobe, and quietly opened it, running had hands along the soft garments that were hanging.
"Grace should buy nicer clothes aswell………." Zoe commented, to no one in particular.
"Grace's clothes are fine" Eli murmured, wishing his accomplice in crime would disappear.
"Well she has a boyfriend now……..she should start dressing nice for him………mum is always telling Grace to buy pretty dresses and skirts……….but Grace only ever wears jeans and sweaters……..she's so plain!" Zoe sighed, as she pulled out a purple jumper.
Eli looked up, and smiled slightly, as he remembered an embarrassing moment, that happened not so long ago- when he'd caught Grace wearing nothing but her white lace bra, and that same purple jumper on the floor, and a green one in her hands.
"She's far from plain, Zoe" Eli mumbled.
Zoe turned and looked at him, but he quickly lowered his head- and scanned the page he was on, instantly spotting Naomi Fawkner's name- address and……….phone number!
"Well?"
GRACE ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies……..
"Grace?" Ayden asked again; suddenly wishing she would look lovingly into his eyes again.
She finally did, but hers were no longer dancing with happiness- but now, had tears lightly flowing.
"Grace!" Ayden said quietly, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.
She sighed, and felt more tears fall- she brought her hand to her mouth, trying to silence the whimpers.
"What's wrong?" Ayden asked.
Grace looked into his eyes, suddenly feeling tired and hideous- she slowly lowered her body onto his, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
GRACE (swiping tears from her eyes, turns and looks into the camera) What's better? A lie that brings a smile……..or the truth that draws a tear?
"Talk to me………is it because I said…….." Ayden started, but Grace didn't let him finish.
"No, no!" she said, shaking her head slowly.
"Then what?" Ayden asked, as he cradled Grace's shivering body.
She looked up, her head pressed against his chest; she looked into his eyes, and opened her mouth………….
Eli covered his ear with one hand, while the other strained to listen into the phone.
"N-A-O-M-I!……….is this N-A-O-M-I'S house?" he yelled.
"Err……….Naomi? no……..this is Naomi's house………. I mean……….YES! yes, this is Naomi's house!" the slurring man at the other end spoke.
"Can I speak to her?" Eli shouted
"How? By fax?" the other end was clouded with wolf whistles and cheers- making it impossible for Eli to hear.
He pulled the phone away, and mouthed the words 'fax', with a quizzical expression- then brought the phone back to his ear.
"No- put her on the phone!" he yelled
"Ohhhhhh………okey!"
Eli heard the phone drop to the ground, with an echoing thump, and then more yells and laughter leaked through his end.
He waited for two minutes- listening to the drunken yells and clumsy laughter- before finally giving up, he ended the call.
He pulled out the red book from his pocket and examined the address- it would only take half an hour or so to get there………..but it was already 9:00, and Grace would be home soon………….was it worth while going down there, just to pour his heart out all over again? And possibly get it trampled on……..all over again?
ELI when your already at the bottom……..there's only one place to go………right?
Eli collapsed onto his bed, still clutching the open book in his hand-
What would he accomplish from going over there?
He'd fine Grace………..with Ayden………..tell her all the things he'd said before, in the hope that she would………see the light?
Eli sighed, as he stared hard at the blank ceiling
So………Eli's big gallant act of love was to go to this party Grace was at with her boyfriend…….the guy she apparently 'loved'……….embarrass the hell out of her……….cause god knows getting hit on by you're STEP brother is a little odd………..and what?
ELI ok………maybe I should just stay where I am for a little while……….at the bottom.
Eli released his grip, and let the book slip- hearing the soft thud as it hit the ground.
He brought his hands to his head, covering his face as he let out a muffled yell.
Ayden looked down at Grace, her eyes glazed over with tears, her lips quivering………….a small breath escaped her mouth………..but no words seemed to form.
"I……..I………" she stammered, as she looked up into Ayden's deep questioning eyes.
She squirmed in his arms, and broke away from his hold- she turned her body to him, pulling her feet out of the water.
"I love you too," she whimpered.
GRACE the lie that brings a smile………..
Ayden continued to stare at Grace quizzically, as her eyes widened; waiting for him to speak; "You don't have to say it back……….it's ok if you don't mean it………" he finally whispered.
"I do………I know we haven't been together that long……….but I really do love you……….or atleast I'm falling in love with you………. I couldn't imagine being with anyone else right now………any but you!" she finally breathed, a single tear managed to escape her eye.
Ayden's lips tugged into a small smile, and he leaned forward, his lips lightly touching Grace's- he brushed his strong hand lightly against her cheek, catching the stray tear in his finger- he kissed her delicately and lovingly.
When they pulled away, Grace managed a weak smile-
"So………here we are………." She whimpered, and a small laugh escaped.
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else………"Ayden replied.
Grace's head turned sightly, taking in the small twinkle lights in the trees, and the full moon cascading soft light onto their bodies- she turned back to Ayden, and lowered her body onto his again- wrapping her arms around his waist.
"With you………." She repeated.
