The Realities of Love

Chapter one

    Gracie sat snuggled in her warm blankets, admiring the texture of her book, Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix. Her finger slowly yet swiftly traced the cover. Grace felt her eyelids begin to gain weight and her head began to subtly fall back. The book lightly folded closed between her fingers and laid on her lap. Before she knew it, her thoughts became dreams and she was off to sleep.

    A sudden slam of a door sent a shake through her old house. "I'm home!" Her mother called out. "Grace?" And with that, Gracie sluggishly lifted her head and glared at the window rubbing her eyes. Within a blink of an eye, the sky shifted from light to dark, with only the moon lighting a path to see.

   "Gray?" Her mother crept up the stairs and opened her door. "Did I wake you?" Her mother questioned with a worrisome look in her eyes. "Yes, but it's alright!" Grace reassured her. "I fell asleep reading." She nodded her head towards the book beside her. "You and that series, huh?" Her mother chuckled.
"I've seen you read that one specific book about 20 times, Gracie!" Gracie looked down and let out a small giggle. "Well what can i say, it's an amazing book!" She lifted the book to place it on the nightstand next to her. "What time is it anyway?"  "11:30"  Her mother turned to leave the room. "You know the routine, Gracie. Off to bed!" "But mom i just woke up?" Grace Furrowed her brows. "We can't mess up the schedule, love! When you stay up late you sleep in late. And then we would never see each other would we?" Grace looked down and bit the side of her cheek. "I guess not." Her mother stood outside the room. "Goodnight Grace." She said in a more serious tone. "Goodnight."

    It was hard having only one parent, but it's harder when it seems like none. Gracie knew her mother couldn't risk looking for a new job or switching her hours. It just felt like she was never there. But the only way she could afford living in her house was if she worked 7-11 at the hospital.

    Gracie's thoughts were interrupted by the light of her phone brightening.

Text Message:
            Benjamin Hart: Are you awake?

    Gracie sighed, took her phone, and rolled over.

             Gracie Black: Not for long, why?
   
     When the top of her phone lit up with, Incoming call: Benjamin Hart, Grace jumped just a tad and reluctantly answered.

   "You'll never guess what i just read!"

"What Ben?" Grace said a bit annoyed.

      Ben paused for a few moments, "What's wrong?"

      The tone of worry in his voice confused Grace.

  "Oh nothing, i'm just tired that's all!" she propped herself up on her elbows.

           "Well go to bed then!" Ben commanded.

   "No no, it's fine go on, Benny! What did you read?"

       "It can wait, Grace. Meet me at my house at 10 tomorrow morning, alright?"

      Gracie's breath slowed down "Alright. Goodnight Ben."

     "Goodnight." Benjamin followed that by clicking the phone off. But Grace didn't move. She looked down and her hand started to slowly fall. It was odd how he acted. The long pauses, the seriousness in his voice... It wasn't like him. That wasn't the Benjamin she met in 6th grade. It wasn't the same Ben that awkwardly handed her a cookie when she sat down on the piano bench next to him. Benny hart was not serious. *Maybe he was tired?* Grace thought.