Chapter 7

Grace

"So what song should we sing?" Grace asked. It was her first day of rehearsal with Blue. Everyone else was there too, except for Chazz, who was pretending to sleep, and Shun, who was still sulking in his room. Kyoya had shown up and was busy irritating Miss Raven and yelling at people he didn't like.

Blue shrugged. "Um...how about a duet?"

Grace face-palmed. "Duh, genius. That's what I signed us up for!" she joked. "What duet?"

"I hear that Jo and Crow are doing-"

"AW! Their names rhyme!" Grace cut in. "How cute!"

"...Lucky, by Jason Mraz and Colbie Calliat," Blue finished. "So do you want to do-?"

"Two is Better than One, Taylor Swift and Boys Like Girls," Grace completed. "That's one of my favorite duets!"

"Great! Want to get started?" Blue asked. Grace shook her head.

"Let's decide on an acting scene first." She stood and produced a script out of a blue and black shoulder bag that was never far from her side these days. "I have a copy of the script from an upcoming romantic play the school is doing. I was going to use it to audition, but maybe this can be my audition! What do you think?"

"Great!" Blue exclaimed. "Which scene should we do?"

"How about this one?" Grace suggested, pointing to one of the most romantic scenes in the play. Thinking about doing it with Blue made her blush.

"It doesn't have a kiss in it," Blue commented.

Grace blushed so hard she thought she almost exploded. "Did you...want it to?" she asked, half-screaming. Blue blushed slightly.

"I guess." He turned away. Grace took a deep breath.

"Blue...a kiss is something special, designed for someone you really love," she explained. "I want to wait until I'm absolutely sure that the person I'm with won't be leaving me."

"So what, like, engagement?" Blue asked, half-joking.

Oh boy, Grace thought. He's going to hate me.

"Well?" Blue prompted.

"Someone can leave someone else even if they're engaged," Grace began. She took another deep breath. "I want to wait until marriage."

"You WHAT?!" Blue cried. "Come on, Grace! That's like, an eternity away! What if I want to kiss you now?"

"What if the day after that you leave me for someone prettier?" Grace prompted.

"In my mind there is no one prettier," Blue said softly. "If you really feel the same way about me as I do about you, then why won't you kiss me?"

"Because...I can't, okay? If you really love me then we won't have to wait long, will we?" Grace pointed out, blushing madly.

"I hope not," Blue admitted.

Grace took his hand. "I hope not too," she said quietly. "I...I think I love you, Blue."

Blue squeezed her hand. "I love you too. Now, let's get started on this rehearsal, okay?"

The crowd was cheering. Grace was shaking. Celeste and Astrid had just finished singing their opera, and they sounded incredible. Grace had been nervous enough, but now she was freaking out.

"We'll do great," Blue whispered, taking her hand. "You'll see."

Grace nodded half-heartedly. "I hope I will."

"Next up to sing is Grace and Blue!" Miss Raven announced. Grace distinctly heard Jo and Crow cheering louder then anyone else. She smiled. Blue led her onto the stage and whispered with the band. The band began to play.

"Go longer then normal, okay? Much longer then normal," Blue whispered to the band. The lead guitarist nodded. Blue turned back to Grace. "Just look in my eyes," he whispered. "Everything will be okay."

"I know," Grace whispered back. She turned to the band and gave a quick nod. The lead guitarist (whose name was Robbie, Grace had just learned) nodded back and finished the measure. Blue started to sing. Grace joined in at the chorus like she was supposed to and they sang the whole song. When Grace started to get nervous, Blue would squeeze her hand and she would quickly get back on track. When they finished, Jo and Crow gave them a standing ovation. Everyone else cheered loudly. Grace laughed.

"You were great!" both performers said at the same time.

"Up next is acting," Blue commented.

Grace nodded. "And after Jo and Crow come the troublemakers."