It’s been almost a year since I’ve seen Grace. It’s my 19th birthday. I’m supposed to be out having fun. But instead I’m sitting on a park bench at sunset, thinking about her. I left like she told me. No matter how broken hearted it left me, I did as she asked. Every day I think of her. I remember her soft lips, and her subtle curves. The way her body melted into mine. But I was just the second guy. She had a boyfriend. I tried going back to my old ways, but I couldn’t. No girl, no matter how hot or how hard she tried, could bring me any pleasure. All I wanted was her. I wanted to see her red hair, her brown eyes just one more time. I wanted to kiss her just one last time. The sound of fighting echoed from the side alley. The alley where I met her. I didn’t pay any attention to it though. Probably some kids messing around. Grunts of pain came from the alley and I turned, wishing I hadn’t. Retreating from the alley, a flash of red hair was running away. Right towards me. I turned back around, hoping she wouldn’t see me. Not when I’ve been crying. After a few minutes I looked up, thinking she had passed. Instead my eyes came to face the stomach of a black dress. Ruffles cascaded down from the waist, ending at her mid-thigh. I looked up slightly. Red hair was curled and shone bright against the strapless black of her dress. Looking a little further, I met her eyes. They were tender as they looked down at me. Almost as if she cared. A white flower clip pinned her bangs out of her eyes, and onto the side of her head. She looked beautiful, as always.
Her hand reached out to touch my cheek. I flinched, but otherwise didn’t move away. I couldn’t. This was the touch I had ached for so long. The bright eyes I had missed. “Happy Birthday Jace.” Her voice reached my ears, and that was where I snapped. She almost fell backwards as I shot up. Before she could fall far, I caught her, embracing her in a hug. She hugged me back tightly, and I smiled. She was here. But…Jeremy…I tensed. Sensing my stiffness she pulled away to look me in the eyes. “I broke up with him the day after I told you to leave. He was cheating on me. I’ve missed you. So so much.” Tears started to fall down her face as she hugged me again. Her arms went around my neck as she held me to her. My smile brightened once more as I held her. The moment was perfect…until I melt the cold metal pressed to my temple. Grace was ripped from my arms as another man held her at gunpoint. She struggled to breathe as his arm pressed tighter around her throat. Fury built inside of me. I just got her back. I will not lose her again. With one quick movement, I brought my elbow back, knocking the wind out of the man behind me. While he was breathless, I took advantage of the other man’s shock. Pushing him back, I jumped on top of him as he fell. Throwing punches wildly, I couldn’t stop. He could of killed her. That was all I could think as I ruthlessly punched his face.
I felt hands pulling me off of him, soft whispering in my ear. “It’s alright Jace. Calm down. Please. It’s all okay. I’m fine.” I turned to see the face of an angel. My angel. Grace. I couldn’t control myself as my hands gripped her face, my lips colliding with hers roughly. The world disappeared around us. Her hands rested lightly on my chest as I embraced her, welcomed the softness of the lips I had missed for so long. A low moan escaped her lips and it drove me crazy. My hands moved away from her face, tangling themselves in her long hair. A violent series of coughing brought me out of my trance. I looked over to see the man who had held me on the ground, coughing blood. I looked back at Grace. She smirked and kissed my cheek. “You’re not the only one who can beat the shit out of somebody sweetheart. And you beat that guy up pretty good.” I looked back at the man who had almost killed Grace and almost threw up. Blood covered his face, and it was already black and blue with bruises. The sight was gruesome, to gruesome to put into words. My voice was quiet as I spoke. “He could have killed you…”
Her hand clasped around my own, her warmth immediately heating up my own cold body. Just like the way her warmth, her kindness, had unthawed my own cold heart. Looking down into her eyes, I knew things would be hard. But I was ready. I would do anything to be with her. I would build her trust in me, until she loved me. Even if it took forever. Her lips spread into a smile as she leaned up to peck me on the lips. “Let’s go home birthday boy.” So hand in hand, we walked back to her house laughing along the way. With small smiles, bright eyes, and the midnight air…we became closer. I would win her heart. No matter what I had to do.
