Family Relations

Chapter Three

Grace sat down on the edge off the stage, legs dangling over the edge, with her guitar on her lap, strumming quietly. She had shown up early to the stadium just to get some solo practice in while Hayley talked to Taylor. She began to sing softly, unaware of anyone else but the stage crew around her. "Say you're sorry, that face of an angel comes out just when you need it to... as I paced back and forth all this time, 'cause I honestly believed in you... Holding on the days dragged on, stupid girl, I should've known, I should've known..."

Zac appeared on the edge of the stage, standing back so that she couldn't see him. He'd come to get his drum sticks which he'd left the previous night and had heard Grace singing.

"That I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairytale, I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet, lead her up the stairwell... this ain't Hollywood, this is a small town... I was a dreamer before you went and let me down... now it's too late for you and your white horse to come around..." Grace plucked on the things of her guitar, her eyes closed, swaying back and forth.

Zac was completely mesmerised as he watched her perform, the ballad sounded raw and pure.

"Maybe I was naive, got lost in your eyes and never really had a chance, my mistake, I didn't know to be in love you had to fight to have the upper hand... I had so many dreams about you and me... happy endings, now I know-" Grace cut herself off and stopped playing her guitar when she heard the creaking of the stage behind her as Zac shifted his weight. She turned her head to look over her shoulder and spotted him. "I didn't know anyone else was here." She said quickly, getting to her feet, the neck of her guitar in her left hand.

Zac smiled softly and shook his head. "Have you ever thought of singing as your own career?"

Grace shook her head, staring at the floor. "No... I'm happy just being Taylor's guitarist and backup singer. I hate being the center of attention." She said quietly, her voice soft.

Nodding his head, Zac stepped closer to her. "Okay."

Grace instinctively leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes. She had wanted to be alone but now that Zac was here she didn't really want to be alone anymore. She wanted to be alone with him.

"What's on your mind?" Zac asked softly, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her forehead.

"You make me feel safe." Grace whispered against Zac's shoulder. She placed one hand on his chest, her other hand still holding her guitar and hung loosely at her side.

Tightening his arms around her, Zac couldn't help but smile. "I'm glad that I make you feel safe." He whispered softly.

Grace tapped a gentle beat on his chest with her index finger, opening her eyes to watch her finger tap his chest.

After a few minutes, Zac pulled away and smiled at her. "I have to grab my drumsticks and get ready for tonight." He said softly.

Grace dropped her hand to her side and looked up at him. "Okay." She said with a soft smile.

Zac smiled a little wider before leaning down to kiss her. "I'll see you tonight."

"Yeah." Grace said with a soft nod of her head. "I'm just going to stay here." She shrugged.

"Why don't you go back and get something to eat? Maybe check on Hayley and Taylor?" Zac asked softly, his smile dropping to a small frown. "I haven't heard from Hayley since she went to talk to Taylor."

Grace shook her head softly. "I'm not hungry... and I don't want to interrupt them... Taylor wants her space."

"Well, why don't you come hang out with me while I get ready?" Zac asked softly.