Grace.

Chapter 25.

Argh, he was right. I hate to admit it! But he was right. It felt so right. That kiss meant everything to me. It was a serious thing to me because Edgar was the first and only guy that I had kissed. And when we kissed, things just made sense.
We arrived to my bedroom. He walked in freely, knowing that there's no one else in the house. I wasn't planning on doing anything with him except for chilling, I was just happy that I got time to spend with him. We were cuddled on my bed and it all felt just so right. Right and overdue. He played with my hair as I laid on his chest with one leg over his.
"How long where you planning to keep this up?" He purred.
"I - do not know." 
"It feels so right, doesn't it?"
"I feel free," I answered.
He kissed my forehead and continued brushing my arm.
"What's the deal between you and my sister?"
I knew they were friends, but there was something off about the two of them.
"I was hoping you'd never ask. Gloria and I went to school together. Obviously. There's a bit of history between us."
"History?"
"Yeah. Why are you so interested in me and Gloria anyway?"
"She doesn't really feel you that much."
"I'll talk to her. If that makes you feel better."
"First day together, and there are secrets."
"Grace, it isn't something serious or something you should worry about, trust me. Gloria and I have our issues but it's all high school stuff. Things that happened seven years ago."
"If you say so. On a much serious note, can we keep us between us for now?"
"Sure. I understand but I don't agree. If it's what you want though, then...okay."
"To be honest with you, Eddy, I don't even know what this is."
"What do you mean, Gracie? You're my girl now. Finally!"
I blushed as he leaned in to give me a kiss. We continued cuddling and bonded for a while until I chased him away before everyone else came back. Kissing him goodbye, I watched him drive off. I wondered to myself if I had made a mistake. But then again, Edgar was the first guy I'd ever kissed. Not only that, he was officially my first boyfriend! Although I wasn't exactly sure why, but I was into him...big time. Our relationship would definitely come with a lot of problems and that fact scared me. I was known as the person who fixes things, not the one who breaks them. But if me and Edgar were really meant for one another, then nothing or no one should break us apart. Right?

My date with Nayeli and her family had finally arrived. I was in my room getting ready and of course, Gloria was there helping me.
"You know what I don't get? You and Nayeli hardly hang out, yet here you are."
"Nayeli's a good person, Ria. She invited me to meet her parents. Just because we aren't close, that doesn't mean I should rock up there dressed otherwise. It's called being respectful."
"Okay, fine. In that case, you should wear the red dress."
"It was my first option."
"When I came in earlier, you were on the phone. Who was it?"
When she knocked on my door and let herself in, I was on the phone with Edgar. Gloria has never pried into my personal life before. However, now she was more interested than ever. Obviously I wasn't going to come clean about who I was talking to.
"It was Mimi. She had a rough day yesterday," I regretfully lied.
"Oh, really? What happened?"
"Really, Ria? Really?" I sighed.
"Okay! Okay. Let's just hope she isn't another silent victim. Here, let me help you with your hair."
One thing about Gloria? She never shied away from the truth. It sort of annoyed me sometimes, but I knew that it came from a good place. You wanna know something else? I swore to myself that whenever I start dating, she'd be the first to know. About everything! First kiss. First date. All of it. But, things didn't go that way. I found myself keeping it all a secret because I ended up with a boy I liked, but couldn't be with. She was going to kill me if she found out everything about Edgar—Lucy's story included.
Sisters before misters.
It was a strict rule. Between me and her — me and my friends.
I didn't want to be late because being late is so not cool, and it's definitely not my thing. Mom wanted Ria to drop me off but I told her I'd be fine driving myself there. I mean, that's why I had a car, right? To take myself places!
Nayeli and her family had already finished preparing everything when I'd arrived, and the place looked absolutely beautiful.
At the door, I handed Nayeli a bouquet of flowers and then gave her a hug.
"You look absolutely stunning!" She said to me. "Why, thank you. You look amazing as well." Nayeli ushered me into the living room where I was greeted so politely by a boy. He looked just around the age of fourteen.
"Pleasure to meet you, Miss. I'm River. Nayeli's younger brother," he bowed, before shaking my hand.
"Hi, River. You've got such a beautiful name. I'm Grace, and the pleasure's all mine," I responded.
We continued making our way into the living room as we took our seats on the big leather chairs. "A glass of water, Grace?" Nayeli offered me. I nodded. First time experiences did something to me. River, who was sitting on the chair next to me couldn't seem to stop looking. I noticed and gave him a warm smile. "But my, you are beautiful." He continued staring. "Thank you," I blushed.
"River, behave yourself. Please. Here you go, Grace. Excuse my brother," Nayeli apologized. "No, it's okay. I find him charming," I beamed.
"So, you're in ninth grade, right?" I asked him.
That day was as the first time I had met him. He wasn't usually at home whenever I'd visit Nayeli.
"Yes. I see you around school a lot, but you probably haven't noticed me," he replied.
"You know what? Now that I'm seeing you, your face does look very familiar. You are one of the boys that like hanging out by the pavilion, huh?"
A huge smile broke across his face, "Yes! That's right!"
Both Nayeli and I chuckled.
"So, I take it you know Diane. Diana Freeman?" I continued.
"Oh, you mean the cutie with the brunette hair and big brown eyes? Yep, I know her. Is it Diane or Diana?" He scratched his head.
"Her birth name is Diana but she likes to be called Diane," I responded.
"Weird," said River.
As we sat and chatted, Mr. and Mrs. Collins appeared from upstairs. They looked so dapper as they walked down the staircase. Mr. Collins had aged a bit, with a few grey hairs on his nicely trimmed hair. Even though his face was starting to show a few wrinkles here and there, you could still see a very handsome man. He was quiet tall too and he dressed really well. He had one hand in his pocket and the other holding on tightly to his wife's hand.
If peace were a person it would be Mrs. Collins. One look at her and I felt so at home. She was so gracious. Her face was so friendly. Her smile was so inviting and the look in her eyes was so warm. A queen. She's just like a queen. As they entered the living room to join us, Mrs. Collins reached out for my hands in the most loving way. Lifting me up from the chair, she pulled me in close for a very warm hug. I found myself resting my chin on Mrs. Collins shoulder as she rubbed my back with one hand. After what seemed like a long hug, we pulled away from each other. Hand in hand, we smiled at one another as though we'd known each other for a long time.
Weird, right?!
"I am very honored to have such a wonderful young lady at my home. I'm Joanne and this is my husband, Wyatt," she smiled.
Her voice sounded so soft and melodious. Mr. Collins quickly reached out to give me a warm hand shake.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Hills. We apologize that it wasn't sooner. I hear my daughter saying you've been here before?" He smiled.
"Yes, Mr. Collins. That is correct. Please, call me Grace," I smiled sheepishly.
"And you, my dear should feel free to call me Joanna and my husband over here, Wyatt," said Mrs. Collins.
"Absolutely! You're family now. This home, is your home too."
"Thank you so much. But between me and you, my parents would kill me if I ever felt okay with calling an elder by their name. So, if it's okay with the two of you, can I call you Mr. and Mrs. Collins? It would make me feel so much better and comfortable," I explained, politely. "You've earned my respect, Grace. Please, let us go wine and dine before the food gets cold." Mr. Collins said, leading us to the dining area. "It was especially prepared by me," Nayeli boasted.
"My lovely daughter has been working her way around the kitchen for years now. She's become such a great cook," Joanne revealed, nudging her daughter playfully.
"Well, it looks like I've finally found someone to teach me a few tricks," I joked.
They all laughed.
Mrs. Collins prepared a plate for me right next to her. "Come sit next to me, angel," she gestured. The dinner went really well and the food tasted amazing.
"So, are you an only child, Grace?" Mr. Collins chatted.
"I have an older sister, Gloria. It's just me and her," I answered.
"How lovely. So, is she in school?" asked Mrs. Collins.
"Yes. She's actually studying medicine."
"Wow. Why medicine? Is that what you are planning to study as well next year?" asked River.
"She wants to help people, I guess. And no, I'm thinking of going into Science," I replied.
They all nodded their heads approvingly.
After dinner we headed back into the lounge. Mrs. Collins had put on her favorite video of Nayeli when she was a baby. We also sipped on hot cocoa and sat by the fire, talking and having a good time.
"Nayeli is such a beautiful name, Mrs. Collins." I wondered.
Nayeli had only told me what it meant, but not why they had named her that.
"Thank you. My best friend back in high school was Nayeli. She died in a car crash. Took me years to get over it," she explained.
"I am so sorry," I sympathized.
"Oh, it's okay. I figured naming my daughter after her would keep her with me forever."
"That is so sweet. So, so sweet."
After dinner and tons of conversations, Nayeli and I did the dishes. Her parents went out to sit by the pergola. River went to his room to play video games.
"So, did you have a good time?" She asked me.
"The best. Next time, you should come over for dinner at my house. My mom and sister are the best in the kitchen!"
"Your sister is so gorgeous. Both of you are. So unreal," she gushed.
"Aw, thank you. But Ria is next level."
"I was treated by Dr. Hills once when I broke my wrist. She was so friendly. Do you think she still remembers me?"
"I guess so. It's just that she probably sees a lot of patients."
"Wait till she finds out that we're friends,"Nayeli grinned.
The time neared for me to leave. Mrs. Collins quickly rushed upstairs and returned in a short while with a wrapped gift in her hand. "When Nayeli told me you were coming, I quickly made this for you," she smiled lovingly. I accepted the gift and opened it. It was a beautiful purple, button up cardigan. It was so pretty and it fitted me perfectly! Overwhelmed, I threw both my hands over my mouth. Joanne gave a soft chuckle and held me for a hug. Wyatt joined in, followed by Nayeli and River.
After a heartfelt group hug, I said my goodbyes. They walked me out and made me promise that I'd return and visit often.
I promised.