Saving Grace

Chapter 11

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. So he just volunteered and the asked you?" I was telling Layla about everything. From the phone call to the breakdown to the party. Everything.

"How many times do I have to say this? Yes! So now me and Colt are... dating." The word still sounded off to me.

"Grace, I'm impressed. LA has changed you."

And it's true. I'm turning into more me-ish. When we got home I called Emma. I wasn't up for calling Tanner. She updated me on everything. She told me her family missed us and so did Tanner. She also said that Tanner was sorry. No more sorries for me.

"Em? Can you do something for me?"

"Of course Grace. What can I do for ya?"

"Don't tell him this but I don't really want to talk to Tanner, for a while at least. But do tell him that, I miss him too and that it's okay." What I really wanted to say was "tell him that I've moved on" but that sounded harsh.

"Okay. Is there something else you wanna tell me?"

"No. I uh, gotta go. Text ya later."

"Uh huh. Laters."

I was dazed for the rest of the day. Feeling almost nothing, sensing almost nothing. It was like everything around me was non-existent.

I wasn't exactly depressed or anything, but that I was having heartache. Heartache for being who I used to be, even if it wasn't myself. Heartache for being in Tanner's arms, where I felt most safe. Heartache for where my real home was, Tennessee.

Monday morning was very off. Dad was still at home, Mom was gone, Layla was gone, Will was gone. The only car left was my dad's. I called Colt and asked for a ride.

I put on my gray skirt and white collared short sleeve. I grabbed my royal blue sweater, slipped on my new, grey fabric wedges, grabbed my bag, and headed out to wait for Colt.

I went to my first class, Trig. Boring. I went to my second class, Bio. Slightly less boring. Me and Colt were talking to each other for half of the time. I went to my third class, world history. most boring of them all. Lunch got exciting. I got all of these looks from Stella and just glared back at her. That hurt. For her. After lunch I went my final class, English. It felt like it dragged on and on.

Why was I in such a rush?

School never seemed extremely boring to me.

After I had English, I went to acting class. We were putting on a play soon and since I enrolled late in the year, I had just missed tryouts. Oh well. I can do a play next year.

"Hey Grace!"

Who's that?

"Over here!"

Oh. It's Jessica.

"Oh hi Jess! What are you doing?"

"I was just finishing up at dance, went to check my locker and found this." She held up a envelope. "Why didn't you tell me about your birthday?"

Oh no. Colt!

"Oh. That? Colt just wanted an excuse to throw a party. We met at the boardwalk and he just found out I guess." Lies.

"Well that's nice. You know, I think he likes you."

"Haha. Welllll he actually asked me out so I guess we're... dating."

"Shut up! No way! Does Stella Kings know? When she finds out she is going to flip!"

"You say that like its a good thing. If Stella finds out, she could ruin everything. I want to stay happy while I can."

"Ohhh. Well we have to hang out sometime soon. But I'll def be there Friday for your birthday!"

"Okay, see you then! Maybe we could go to lunch. I'll be getting my driver's license this coming week hopefully."

"Oh fun! Yeah that'd be awesome!"

"I'll clear my schedule. But I've got to go. My sister's waiting for me."

"Okay. See ya tomorrow!"