Chapter 19

Grace

Grace had finally been given the all-clear to return to school the night after she'd confessed her feelings to Shun. It was still awkward for her to sleep in the same room as him, knowing that their beds were only about two feet apart. Sometimes, she would pass him in the halls and they would be close enough for Shun to reach out and give Grace's hand a quick squeeze, which brought a blush to Grace's cheeks. She had been back at school for only a week, and still she was stormed with people asking her about her experience. She was already irritated by all the attention, and her awkwardness over sleeping in a room with Shun left most of her nights horribly sleep-ridden.

But the day she finally snapped was on the day she saw Blue again for the first time.

Grace could tell something was up by the expression on Blue's face as he stormed over to her at lunch. The students pestering her got up and left as he drew near, sensing a fight. Grace smiled as kindly as she could, trying to cushion Blue's anger. I hope he's not mad at me, she thought.

"Hi, Blue. How are you? How's school been going?"

"Why didn't you call?" Blue demanded.

Grace's eyes widened and then narrowed in fury.

"Why didn't you call?"

"Why didn't...I call?" Grace muttered through clenched teeth. "Why didn't I call?!" she shouted, much louder. "That's the first thing you say to me?! Why didn't YOU come VISIT me, huh, Blue? I thought you were supposed to love me! Where's my 'how are you feeling'? Where's my 'it's good to have you back'? Why didn't you come see me once?"

Blue blinked, taken aback. "Because I was busy with school!"

"And I was busy having a close encounter with DEATH!" Grace cried. "I missed you! I thought I'd never see you again! But obviously, you didn't care about me. You didn't even come for one minute. One minute, Blue! That's all I needed. But no...you were busy with other things! So tell me, did you harmonize and sweet-talk any other girl while I was gone? Did you shower anyone else with your lies?"

Blue frowned. "I meant it when I said I loved you."

"Did you, Blue? 'Cause I'm not so sure," Grace said sadly. "If you really loved me you would have visited. Shun was there the whole time. And he's not even 'in love with me'!"

"Then maybe I'm not in love with you, either!" Blue snapped, finally giving in to his fury.

"Maybe you don't!" Grace snapped back.

"Fine, then! Maybe you should just go find your precious little Shun! Obviously you love him more then me."

"At least he cared enough to be there with me."

"Then I guess we're done here!"

"We never started!" Grace blurted. "I was wearing Lip-Guard when you kissed me, OK? It never really happened! And you know what? I'm glad I did. Because that scene was just acting after all."

"Fine, then!" Blue spun on his heels and bolted out of the room. Grace's fury died down and a tear plinked onto her plate.

"I'll show him what he's missing out on," she hissed. "At singing class today."

Class started fifteen minutes late because Shun and Kyoya had argued a bit about Shun's devotion to Grace. After a bit of back-and-forth banter, Shun just gave up and walked into the classroom. When Grace saw Blue take a seat in the front, she instantly sat in the very back in the opposite corner.

"Now, let's start today's class. Jo, will you please sing for us first?"

Jo stood. "Sure." There was something about her confidence, the way she walked onto the stage and knew instantly what she'd sing that made Grace realize that she must have been training with Celeste.

Jo took the microphone and closed her eyes. The band began to play Unfinished Memories by Eowyn, and Jo's private coaching showed. She hit every note so perfectly, held everything so flawlessly, and made the whole thing just flow...Grace thought that it was an entirely different person singing.

Not that Jo's voice ever wasn't gorgeous, Grace thought. She just sounds even more gorgeous now. Good for her!

When Jo finished, everyone cheered as loud as they could.

Everyone except Blue.

Grace was suddenly filled with a burning desire to sing so beautifully that he would wish that he'd never spoken against her.

"Remember, class," Miss Raven began suddenly, "this is the last class of the year. So do your best! Grace, why don't you sing now?"

Grace stood and walked briskly on-stage. She thought for a moment on what to sing, but it only took a minute to figure it out.

"Love Song," Grace almost hissed. "By Sara Bareilles."

"You like Sara B.?" Alexi asked. "This is the second song of hers you're doing."

"Yeah, I like her a lot," Grace said. "Play."

"Alright, Little Miss Pushy," Robbie joked. "Let's go, guys. One, two three..."

Grace used her best voice and sang with overwhelming feeling. She was the girl singing this song right now. And she knew it.

Everyone clapped along with her singing, and Grace knew she'd made an impression when Astrid and Celeste stood and clapped for her. Even Shun managed to get in a few cheers.

Grace bounded off the stage and stopped by Miss Raven.

"Expect better performances from here on out."

Miss Raven nodded. "I do, dear. I do. Back to your dorms for the last time, guys! I'll see you next year!"

Grace collapsed on her bed, exhausted. "Shun? Has anything happened between you and Irene lately?" she asked.

"Why? You hoping I'll open up?" Shun teased. "No, sorry. We're still together. Hey," he added, turning to face her. "I'm sorry about what happened with you and Blue."

"I'm not," Grace sniffed. "I'm over him. Trust me. I'm just worried that he'll be my roommate next year."

"Let's hope it's you and Jo," Shun commented.

"I want it to be Jo and Crow and you and me again!" Grace whined.

"What if I want to be with Irene next year?"

"Who cares what you want?" Grace joked. "I'll miss you if you're with Irene!"

"Yeah, I know," Shun said. "I'd miss you too, I guess."

"You're a doll," Grace said. She knelt to the ground to finish packing her things. "I love you, Shun!"

Shun grinned. "Love you too. Can't wait for next year." Then he stood and left the room, carrying his pack of belongings on his shoulder.

Grace stood and lifted her suitcase, running out the door and back towards her home. Jo caught up with her on the way.

"Are you excited for our second year?" Jo huffed, heaving her rolling suitcase behind her.

"Yep!" Grace declared. "So long, first year. Home, here we come!" *

THE END. ...OF YEAR ONE AT LEAST.