Grace's Gap Year In Australia

Grace's Gap Year In Australia- Part Twenty-Five

--- (Sorry for the really really late update, but enjoy and let me know what you think <3 ) ---

I quickly scooped my hair back into a high ponytail and dashed down the stairs to join Summer and Rhonin in the kitchen. They were already seated on the barstools, surrounded by the spotless kitchen. Summer had done a great job of clearing up- not a stray bra, t-shirt or plastic cup in sight.

Their bodies were facing each other, a good sign shown through just the body language. I nodded approvingly and moved round the other side of the island so that they were aware of my presence.

“Should I put dinner on?” I asked Summer, leaning against the surface and bouncing myself on an off of tiptoes.

“I thought you were going over to the Bays for dinner,” Summer said, her eyes wide and her lips tight. This was always the face she pulled when she was trying to get the message across subtly and silently. Shame that I always made it awkward.

“Oh, I get it, you want to be alone. Gotcha. Laters!” I said cheerily, grinning innocently as I skipped out of the kitchen and to the front door. I paused to check myself in the hall mirror- and peaking into the kitchen to see them smiling flirtatiously at each other- before disappearing out the front door and up the street. A few seconds later, I was standing outside the Bays house, fist poised to knock. The image of all three boys flashed through my head and I shook them away, putting my hand back by my side. I decided that I’d go to the park instead to avoid the boys and clear my head on the roundabout.

My red converse pounded against the pavement as I ran down the alleyway, trying to exercise my legs and get rid of the ache from my heels the previous night.

When the park came into sight, I spotted a few kids and their parents just leaving, a dog playing fetch and Rogue sitting under the large oak tree. Perfect.

Tentatively, I approached her and smiled warmly. “Heya.”

She nodded at me, showing acknowledgment at my presence before gesturing her head to the place beside her. “Sit.”

I did as told and leant my back against the tree, one knee up with my arm resting on it like a boy. I’m pretty sure I’d picked up one too many habits from my brothers. “Sitting.”

Abruptly, she turned to me, her heavy eyeliner framing her eyes that scanned my face. “Are you and Beau together?”

I shook my head slowly, keeping my eyes locked on hers. “Nope. By the way, I really liked your dress last night. Where did you get it?”

She seemed to narrow her eyes in assessment for a few more seconds before relaxing and quirking the side of her deep-red mouth. “I made it.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. I like being original. It’s what Jax loved most about me.” Rogue seemed to smile at the memory of Jax, though a sadness swept over her face.

“Don’t take this as if everyone’s gossiping about you, but I heard about what happened. I’m sorry you had to go through that. I don’t know what it’s like to lose a lover, but my dad died a few years ago, so I can kind of relate.”

Her head lolled to the side to look at me and she smiled slightly. “I never know how to reply to things like that.”

I chuckled half-heartedly. “Me neither. I usually just say thanks and shrug it off.”

“Really? Usually I just ignore them,” she laughed.

“Probably a better tactic,” I suggested. “Did you enjoy the party?”