Grace Under Fire

Chapter Eight

Grace and Kayla sat in the car, the morning sun casting long shadows across the dashboard. Kayla was driving, her eyes focused on the road ahead. Grace was lost in thought, her mind still reeling from her breakup with Noah.

"So, how did it go with Noah the other night?" Kayla asked, breaking the silence.

Grace hesitated, not knowing how to explain the situation. She didn't want to burden Kayla with her problems, especially when they were supposed to be enjoying a relaxing Sunday. Besides, Kayla and Noah had been friends since they were kids. She wasn't sure how Kayla would feel.

"It didn't go well," she finally admitted, her voice barely a whisper.

Kayla's eyes widened. "What happened?"

Grace took a deep breath. "We had a big fight, and I decided to end things."

Kayla's expression softened. "I'm sorry, Grace. I know this is hard."

Grace nodded, her eyes filling with tears. "It is. I loved him, but I knew I couldn't stay with him."

Kayla reached over and took Grace's hand. "I'm here for you, no matter what," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.

Grace smiled gratefully. She knew she could always count on Kayla.

"You don't think it would be awkward between us?" Grace asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.

While focusing on the road, Kayla took a quick glance at Grace, perplexed by her question.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, we've all been friends for years, the three of us. Would it be awkward for you now that Noah and I aren't a thing?" Grace explained, hoping that it wouldn't. With how Noah had been acting, she wasn't sure if she wanted to be around him for a while.

Kayla laughed. "Girl, no."

Kayla thought her question was funny because she thought that Grace would know that her loyalty lies with her.

"If I'm being honest, I was only friends with him because you were, and the fact that the Bible says to love thy neighbor," Kayla joked as she shook her head.

"What? Really?" Grace was surprised. For a while, it had always been the three of them. She never noticed that the friendship wasn't on an equal playing field.

"Yes, girl, I never liked the boy. He always got on my nerves. He's a bit too prim and proper for me. He never seems to know how to have fun, but as soon as he gets around those weird friends of his, it's a different ball game."

Grace thought about what Kayla was saying. It was true that Noah came from a different cloth than them. His parents were of prestige and wealthy, but that didn't stem his proper behavior. Sometimes Noah acted a certain way around certain people. If he was around church folks, he was holier than thou. If he was around his friends, he was rowdy and boastful. All in all, his image seemed to be important for him. And since Grace was with him, she had to uphold his perfect image.

There were many times they argued about silly stuff that Noah felt Grace was doing wrong or could do better. For instance, Grace could remember when Noah felt embarrassed because Grace decided to paint her nails red or the time Noah felt Grace was out of line for being loud around the pastor and first lady.

Kayla pulled into the church parking lot and parked. They were a little early, so the two stayed in the car to continue their conversation.

"I loved him," Grace shrugged her shoulders. "I loved him, Kayla, in spite of everything."

Kayla nodded, understanding where her dear friend was coming from. "Love shouldn't hurt, Grace."

The comment pained Grace, especially after her and Noah's recent encounter. She couldn't lie on church grounds and say he never did it before. Their breakup was a long time coming, but she couldn't say that Zee's presence in her life didn't drive her decisions.