Chapter 15
Shun
"But he's a jerk!" Grace cried. Shun sighed, exhausted.
"Grace," he said feebly. "Please. It's been a long day, and I just want to sleep."
Grace sat beside him on his bed and frowned. "I know. But why didn't you hit Kyoya back?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Shun sighed.
"Then tell me what happened with Irene," Grace suggested.
Shun looked up at her and shrugged as best he could while lying on his side. "We kissed. Well, the first time she kissed me, and-"
"You KISSED? More then once?!" Grace yelped. "That's great! So it worked!"
"Yeah...Grace, seriously, I'm really tired." Shun yawned.
Grace smiled sympathetically. "I know. So am I. But I'm excited. I mean, this is your first kiss! And your first girlfriend. And I'm so proud of you!"
Shun snorted. "You...you sound like my mom."
Shun felt a hand on his shoulder. A head tipped on to join it. Shun turned a bit to see that Grace had just lay beside him and was resting her head on his shoulder.
"I'm so sorry, Shun. Believe me, I know it hurts," Grace whispered. Shun felt tears burn his eyes, but he forced them away.
"I don't think you do," he whispered.
"Oh?" Grace smiled. "And why is that?"
"Because...because I loved my mom with all my heart. We almost never fought, and I got along with her so well. Your relationship with your mom wasn't as close."
"That's what you think," Grace whispered, her words coming out choked. "Shun...I loved my mom with all my heart too. And sure, we fought, but I don't even care. I choose to dwell on the good things that came out of her, and there were a lot of wonderful memories. I miss her, Shun. A lot. And my dad too. So don't you..."
Shun rolled over. Grace had sat up, and her eyes were squeezed shut. Shun sat up too and leaned against the back of his bed/the wall.
"So don't you dare..." Grace paused again. Her eyes shot open, radiating fury. "Don't you dare, Shun Kazami! Don't you dare tell me that I don't understand! Don't you dare!"
Shun's eyes widened, startled by the ferocity in her voice and gaze. But her mood instantly changed and tears sprung from her eyes. She let out a loud sob and flung her arms around Shun's neck. Startled again, Shun just stared at her, eyes still wide, mouth slightly opened as if he were going to say something.
"It's not fair," Grace whispered. "It's not fair that my mom was taken away. Or that you lost yours. They were the light in our lives, right? Like a fire to crawl to that provided the warmth and light we so desperately needed. And now that fire has finally died out. So what do we do now?"
"I...I don't know," Shun admitted. A tear managed to break free and roll down his cheek, but he quickly wiped it away.
"I want my fire back!" Grace cried. "I want her back!"
Shun hugged her close. "I know. So do I."
Grace let out a loud sob. Shun pulled her closer and squeezed his eyes shut. Grace buried her face in his chest and sobbed louder.
"I...I want to be with her," Grace suddenly said, her voice muffled. "I want to join her. I miss her too much...! Shun, I can't take it!"
"NO!" Shun shouted, louder then he meant to. "No," he repeated, softer.
Grace sniffed and looked up at him. "W-why not?"
"Because I've already lost my mom," Shun said softly. "And I won't lose you too. You've become really important to me, Grace." Grace sniffed again.
"You're important to me too," she said. "I...don't take this the wrong way, but...I love you. I love you, Shun, like you're the best friend I've ever had. It's been 25 weeks, but I already feel like this."
"I feel...the same way, Grace." Shun murmured. At first he hadn't detected it. But the more time he'd spent with Grace, the more honest they'd been with each other, the more he realized that he treasured this girl and could no longer imagine life without her.
"Really?" Grace asked hopefully.
"Yeah," Shun breathed. Pulling Grace as close as he could, he said softly, "From now on, I'm your fire. OK?"
"Yeah," Grace sighed. "And I'm yours. You got that, Ninja Boy? I'm your fire. And don't ever forget it."
Shun chuckled. "Alright, I won't."
"And one more thing before I say goodnight," Grace said.
"What's that?"
"Firstly, I have to take a shower. Secondly..." Grace sat up and gently planted a kiss on Shun's cheek. "Flip Kyoya for me, OK?"
Shun blinked. "Uh...sure..."
Grace giggled. "I...I love you. Goodnight." Then she jumped up and ran off, into the bathroom. Shun watched her leave.
"Yeah," he said quietly after she'd vanished. "Love you too."