Grace.

Chapter 50.

The day of Ethan's party had arrived. I was so busy during that time, I had no chance to go home and get changed into a cute outfit. With all the clubs I was a part of, time wasn't really on my side. After Science club, I drove straight to Ethan's house. He was busy preparing so I helped him out.
We finished quickly and hung out downstairs in the kitchen waiting for everyone to arrive.
"I'm sorry I came dressed like this. I came straight from school. Didn't stop by at home."
"You still look good, Buttercup."
He took both my hands and held them.
"I also wanted to tell you how much it means to me that you didn't let us go that far that night. I can't stop thinking about it. Thank you."
"Grace, you mean so much to me. You hear me? I'd do anything for you. And I've never felt this way about anyone."
For some reason, the way he was looking at me made my face flush. I was suddenly aware of just how handsome the young man sitting in front of me was. There was a glint in his eyes, as a mischievous smile broke across his lips. "What?" I smiled.
He got up and headed to the living room, to play a song. A slow, romantic song.
"Since we were too drunk to slow dance properly..." he chuckled, "let's do it again."
I stood up and took his hand. He flashed me that irresistible smile of his that made my heart skip a beat. Once both of us reached a clear spot in the living room, he placed one hand on the small of my back and held my hand with the other. The two of us began to sway to the music, my face just inches away from his. Smiling at him, I let myself melt against his body and fall into his rhythm.
Ethan then spun me around and carefully leaned me back. Now his face was only inches away, and I could feel his breath against my lips. Being that close, the need to kiss him was so overwhelming. Ethan spoke over my lips. He smelt incredible.
"Be mine, Grace. Be my girlfriend. Please?"
I flashed him a smile and then quickly gave him a peck on his lips. "I'll be your Buttercup. I'll be your Buttercup!" I squealed. Giggling,  I stood up straight and suffocated him in a tight hug. So there it was, Ethan and I were finally official. Girlfriend and boyfriend.
When the party started, he made sure I didn't leave his sight. While everyone was busy, he spent his time with me in the kitchen. Luke came and disturbed our peace. "What's this?" He snorted at us. We ignored him and kissed right in front of him. He rolled his eyes and walked away.
"I'm not really feeling this party. Let's sneak out," he muttered to me.
"To where?"
"Drive to wherever."
"I want to go sit by the lake and just stare at the sky and the stars and...deep into your eyes," I cooed, hanging onto him.
"To the lake it is, then. Let's go upstairs to get you a jacket," he said , kissing the top of my nose.
We took some snacks and a bottle and drove down in Ethan's car to the lake. He left one of his friends in charge. It was so packed no one would've noticed that he wasn't there. Ethan couldn't seem to keep his hands off of me. And I was enjoying every minute of it. Especially the kisses on my neck. He was being so cute, and also kept making me laugh. We were sitting on top of his car, enjoying the silence of the night as a cool breeze seeped into our clothes. I pulled a packet of chips and tossed one in my mouth.
"Oh, shoot! I forgot your cake! It's at home!" I remembered, pulling my lower lip.
"My cake? What cake?"
"I made you a cake exactly like the one you got me. In the shape of a football ball and all."
"You did? That's so cute. When can I come get it?"
"Whenever you can. I made it to say congratulations on everything and to show you how proud I am of you."
"I'm just so happy that I got to share it all with you."
"Mmh. I'm getting cold."
"Come here. We'll keep each other warm."
I uncrossed my legs and moved in closer to him, nuzzling up against him. With my head laying on his chest, he kissed the top of it. The sky was exceptionally beautiful that night. The moon shining on the clouds in the darkness of it made it look like you're staring at the gates of heaven. So peaceful, so relaxing and so romantic.
Being alone wasn't so bad. But being alone with Ethan was amazing. And since he'd asked me to be his girlfriend, knowing that he was finally mine just made everything better. He was mine, whenever I wanted him, wherever, and however. He was mine, and I was his. And do you want to know something? He felt exactly the same way.
"The moon is beautiful isn't it?"
I jerked up from his chest and looked at him, mouth agape. My eyebrows lifted a fraction before returning to normal. He began to worry that maybe he shouldn't have said that. But when I moved in to kiss him, his heart started beating again. I pressed my lips to his, lightly at first, then rougher as his body responded. He slipped a hand behind my neck, pulling me closer and drawing me in with every wave of emotion.
I could feel heat flowing to my face as he wrapped me in his arms. I could feel his heartbeat against me. I wanted us to stay there forever. But we couldn't. It was getting darker and ever since Homecoming, Ethan didn't want to keep me out for too long. We had to go back so that I could get my car. The house was fuller than it was when we left.
"How are you going to end this early?" I worried.
"Easy, cut the power. Call the cops. I've got a friend at the station."
"Okay. I'm going now. See you tomorrow at school?"
"Of course. I'll miss you, Grace. I might even just end this party now."
"Don't. It's your night. We'll have ours."
"I'll hold you to that. Greet Gloria for me."
"I will."
Kissing him goodbye, I drove off.