Grace.

Chapter 21.

When school got out, we headed over to Bebe's house. She got a few stitches. Dad let her go, with some painkillers and tablets to help her sleep. Bebe refused to get psychological help. She insisted that she's okay and that she knows how Luke is. She said he is the one with a problem and not her. I think what Bebe really wished is that he could leave her alone and move on with his life. She had dropped the whole case. We were all against it but, things had taken a turn for the worst. Many were badmouthing her. And her history with guys wasn't doing her any justice.

I, on the other hand had been taking the whole Edgar and Lucy thing a day at a time. With everything that's been happening, I had lost touch with Nayeli. However, later that evening, I received a call from her.
"Hey! Nayeli!"
"Hey, stranger! It's been so long since I've heard from you! I heard about everything with your friend. I'm so sorry."
Nayeli's proven to be the complete opposite of what many thought she is. She's actually really sweet and kind and she's a good listener. I cherished my friendship with her because we're one and the same person. With the others it's different. With Nayeli it's more safe, more reassuring. After pouring my heart out to Nayeli, the conversation got lighter.
"So, I've set a date for the dinner with my parents. I'm thinking Saturday because Homecoming is around the corner and I'm sure you and your friends will be shopping and all of that."
"Saturday sounds perfect! What time?"
"I'm thinking six p.m.? I'll come get you."
"Amazing! I look forward to it!"
"Great, babes! Enjoy the rest of your night, okay? See you tomorrow at school. I love you."
The line went dead. I stretched out onto my bed. Homecoming was in a few weeks? Shit, time had gone by quickly. I had no date and I still hadn't picked out what I'm going to wear. A soft knock on my door made me jerk up from my bed.
"Come in!"
It was Edgar.
"Edgar?!" I exclaimed.
He walked in, closing the door behind him. "Hello, Grace."
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you."
"What for? I thought we agreed..."
"You agreed, Grace. Not me."
"What did you expect me to do?"
"Talk to me. Stop ignoring me." He moved over to my bed and took a seat.
"I don't ignore you," I trembled.
"Then why are you running? Look, I tried to respect your wishes, it's difficult. Why are you pushing me into the arms of someone else?"
I remained silent. He took my hand and placed it on his chest.
"It will be hard at first but we'll get through it. Here is where we belong. Together. Just me and you, Grace."
Before I could answer, his phone rang. On the screen was Lucy's name. I pulled my hand away from his chest.
"No..." he panicked.
"It was a mistake," I whispered.
He tried to reach out for me again, but I got up from the bed to go open the door. He sighed getting up from my bed to leave, stopping halfway through the door.
"I understand. I don't accept, but I understand. I just want you to know, Grace, that it's you. No one else. I want you and whenever you need me, I'll be there for you. Please promise me that you'll keep that in mind?"
I looked at him with tears in my eyes, "I promise," I choked.
He pulled me in for a hug. A tight hug. Wrapping himself around my slender waist. I  wrapped my arms around his strong shoulders. Resting in his arms. Although I fought it, us being together made sense. It felt right, but yet so wrong. I'd seen how devastated Lucy was when Edgar rejected her. I just couldn't bring myself to adding salt to her wound. Even though it hurt me in the process, I hoped I'd get over it.
That night I slept in Ria's room. I couldn't be alone. I needed to vent and get a few things off my chest. We were laying on her bed facing each other, talking.
"It was a mess, Ria."
"And how's Brooke? I can't imagine how she must be feeling," Gloria sympathized.
"She says she's okay, and that Luke is the one who needs to see a therapist."
"They both need to."
"I tried telling her but she won't listen. Estoy muy cansada. This whole thing is draining me," I confessed.
"Not to mention ruining your final year of high school."
"Speaking of school, I don't think I wanna go tomorrow."
"Nuh-uh. Dame la mano. Todo va a estar bien. ¿Está bien?"
"Si, está bien."
"Bien. Now, let's get some sleep. Worrying ourselves won't change anything. You need to rest so that you can kick ass this year."
She was right. I needed some rest because the days were still going to get harder. It wasn't how I had imagined my last year would go. It was all so stressful. But believe it or not, I had hope. Things could still change, and boy did they change!
I honestly dreaded going to school. It was like I had gone back to being nine again. I hated going to school during those days.