Chapter 10

Grace

"I can't believe he really did it," Grace whispered to Blue. They were back-stage getting ready to do their acting scene. "I mean, he's like, my best friend. He sang! And he's good, too. I hear Kyoya and Chazz gave him a pretty hard time."

"Focus on our scene," Blue ordered. "Let's start from the top."

"Next in the acting segment are Grace and Blue!" Miss Raven's voice announced.

"Out of time," Grace said sadly. "But let's do this."

Blue grabbed her hand and pulled her on-stage. "Let's do this."

Grace took a deep breath. "I start, right?" Blue nodded. "Alright."

Grace cleared her throat.

"We are going to do a segment from the upcoming play being performed here at Miss Raven's," Blue announced. He gave Grace a quick nod.

Grace closed her eyes. Get into character…I'm mad and in love. Madly in love.

"How could you?!" Grace snapped suddenly, finally in character and ready to begin. "I trusted you. I gave you my heart and you threw it away! Over what? Some deal?"

"It's more than just 'some deal'," Blue said sadly. "I hoped you'd understand."

"But I don't, Matthew," Grace admitted, using Blue's character's name. Right now…I am Abalone. The ancient fairy who thought she'd found the one. But instead, he was just another mortal who used her to get what he wanted, and now that someone had offered that to him in exchange for him leaving me alone? Matt took the chance, and now…this is the confrontation scene. Full of passion and anger, and undying devotion.

"Why not?" Blue snapped. "Come on, this guy is giving me a chance to prove myself! This is what I've always wanted! And all I need to do in return is forget about you."

"Matt, you say it like it's no big deal…" Grace said sadly. "Aren't I a big deal?"

"THIS deal is a big deal. YOU are no deal. You bring nothing but heartache and disappointment, Abalone, so now I'm letting you go," Blue said, turning away.

He's great! Grace thought. I didn't know Blue could act. "So now I mean NOTHING to you?!" Grace shouted. Blue jumped, startled by the harshness in her tone. Nailed it.

"I never said that, Abalone," Blue muttered. Miss Raven nodded behind Grace. "You mean more to me then my own life."

"Then why let me go?" Grace whispered. She felt real tears sting her eyes thinking of her character's desperation and situation.

"Because I have to do what's best for you, OK?" Blue sighed. "I'm no good for you…I'm just me, and you're…you."

Grace stepped closer and took Blue's hands. "I'm nothing without you…"

"I can't do this!"

"Can't do what?"

"This!"

"What is this? Am I a 'this' now?"

"You're much more than that." Blue blushed. Grace suddenly realized that Blue wasn't acting anymore. "Abalone," he whispered, and then more quietly, "Grace…"

"Yes, Matthew?" Grace asked quietly. She paused. "Blue?"

"I am so in love with you it hurts," Blue whispered. "If you leave me I am nothing, if you stay I am less than nothing. I love you, Abalone." He paused. "I love you, Grace."

Grace started to cry. "Words are empty if no action accompanies them," she said, words choked by tears. "But I love you more then you could ever know, Matthew Grey. I love you…" She stopped and shed more tears. "Blue."

That was where the scene was to end. The very next thing was a kiss. Grace suddenly discovered that, despite her desire to wait until marriage for a first kiss, the deep emotion and love behind Blue's words made her realize that waiting really wasn't necessary when someone loved you this much. So she was less then mad when Blue took the scene one step farther. Quickly, he grabbed Grace's wrist and yanked her closer. Shocked, Grace could only watch as, one hand around her waist and the other clutching her wrist, Blue kissed her less-than-gently.

"I don't care what you say, Grace," Blue whispered when he pulled away, "I will never leave you."

Grace blushed and broke down crying. The audience cheered and Crow screamed like crazy. Jo was silent.

Grace knew why.

She knew that Jo was concerned.

And she knew that Jo wondered why Grace broke her promise.