When It Mattered ✔️

T W E N T Y

Alright, back to Gracie's POV. Let me know if you liked seeing Ethan's side of the story, maybe I'll write another chapter in his POV if so! Actually I think I need to write at least one more after this chapter... But if you want more, let me know.
T W E N T Y
~*~*~*~
"Why not seize the pleasure at once? -- How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation!"
― Jane Austen, Emma
~*~*~*~

"Hello, Ms Allen! This is Lucy Anderson from Break Magazine. We had previously talked on the phone a few weeks ago. We are so happy to inform you that we have reviewed your application and -along with MDU of course- have gladly accepted --despite the time challenge you left us. We think Mount Devon University would be a perfect fit for you! As soon as you touch base with MDU, everything will be settled for you to enrol there next semester. We would like you to also come down to Break Magazines office Wednesday afternoon at two; we will have the contract ready to sign. Your publishing agent and lawyer will also be present in case you have any questions. Until then! Take care, Gracie! Good luck with exams!"

I saved the voicemail as I turned to Raven, "It's happening." I breathed, feeling my body shut down in shock as it finally hit me. I'm leaving. I'm going. I got in. They accepted me.

"Holy crap," Raven gasped before grabbing me and squealing, "I am so excited for you, Gracie! You are going to have so much fun! You finally get to do what you want." She jumped up and down with me excitedly as we laughed.

I looked at her with wide eyes, feeling the intense thrill of being able to just go, "This is insane... isn't it?" My head shook, "I mean, just packing up and leaving? The semester is practically done! There are only exams left...It's like I won some type of cruise that leaves in a few days." I laughed, "It's so spontaneous! I'm actually being spontaneous! Like who the heck knows what's going to happen? My whole future is just...so close yet unclear and...I love it." Everything seemed to be in a blur. Only about two weeks until Christmas Vacation started and then I was just going to be...gone.

Ravens smile spread across her face, "You're just enjoying life, Gracie. That's the way to live. You're not worried about the aftermath. You're just living. If that's not inspiring, I don't know what is." She wrapped her arm over my shoulder, "I promise you, Gracie. Once I've saved up enough money, I'm gone. I won't look back. I'm just going to go. And you, Gracie Allen, have beat me to it."

Raven had always been the free spirit out of the two of us, doing whatever she wanted and never letting anything get in her way. While I had things...not necessarily planned out, but I was always scared to take the things I wanted. I let life rule me... Just waiting for things to happen to me unlike Raven who made things happen. I had always looked up to her for her courage to take life so mercilessly. And now here I was with her telling me she's inspired by me.

"Welcome to the world of crazy risk taking, little brat. You'll never want to go back now."

~*~*~*~

"Hey, babe!" Brodie jogged over to the table where the girls and I were seated, studying dubiously hard for our finals.

I smiled, pushing over to give him some space, "Hey, you." I greeted him as he kissed my cheek sweetly.

I quickly found having Brodie around me, helped me take my mind off of Ethan. So naturally, he'd been with me almost 24/7. The other hours I'd focus on school and studying my little heart out.

He wrapped his arms around me, his green eyes twinkling with happiness. "You're right the babe, today." He purred, kissing my exposed shoulder.

He was sweet. Perfect maybe. But still, nothing happened to my heart or insides as his lips brushed my skin. Not even a skip in a beat. It just wasn't the same. But I welcomed his comforting arms all the same. They may not have been able to jump start my heart, but I felt safe. I knew Brodie wouldn't hurt me...because not only would he never dare, but I didn't care enough for him like that to be hurt. It was cold and wrong and I wished it weren't true. But there wasn't anything in Brodie I wanted besides that safe haven his arms were for my heart. As much as he wanted me to have it, I had no interest in his heart. And he knew it.

But he pretended he didn't.

"We should go out. Just the two of us." He whispered into my ear while I exhaled tiredly.

I liked Brodie. He was a nice guy most of the time and he knew how to treat a girl. He was immature, sure. But his heart was a wonderful heart. I didn't want to ruin it. He would meet a girl someday and she would be perfect for him and head over heels for that same touch that did nothing to me. I wanted him whole for her. I wanted him to be as vulnerable with her as he was with me. I wanted him to have that and I didn't want my lack of interest to make him change inside. He was perfect inside and nothing should have ever changed that. Especially not a girl who happened to have a heart who belonged to another.

"Brodie..." I looked at him and shook my head. "Don't. I like you. But-" I said quietly, making sure only he heard me at the large table.

"I know," he huffed, "it's not happening." He kissed my cheek. "Alright. I'll see you tonight at my place?" He recovered quickly with a knowing smirk.

I frowned. "Only if you're sure. I don't wanna..." I trailed off, looking down at my clenched hands. Hurt you.

"I'm not that breakable, beautiful." He tipped my chin up so I was looking into his green eyes, "I get it, Gracie. You're still not over red truck douche. I'm comfort food next to him." He chuckled, running his hand through his hair, "Did you ever think that maybe you're worth it? That being with you, even just the parts you let me see, is enough for me to be happy with? That I'm just happy it's me you choose to comfort you? Whatever you give me is enough. I'd take more, but I'm more than good with what-"

My hands clenched his buttoned up shirt as I pulled him into me, my lips taking his by surprise. "Thanks." I breathed, my eyes closed as I rested my head against his chest, listening to his heart. "You're a good guy, Brodie. You have a good heart. Keep it intact, okay?"

His laugh rumbled in his chest as he held my head, "I'm not that good. I mean, at the end of the day I'm getting laid by a beautiful girl with this no-strings arrangement. Seems more like every guys dream, princess." He whispered into my head, his arms wrapping me tightly into his little safe haven he had made just for me.

Oh, Brodie. You fooled no one.

~*~*~*~

"I hate studying!" Raven roared ferociously suddenly. She leaped up from her book covered bed and jumped over to mine, playing lava floor clearly. "What do you think? Wanna go sneak into the cafeteria and eat all of those cupcakes they had at supper today?"

I laughed, saving the spot in my textbook as I shut it, "First of all, if we got caught we'd literally have to pay like three semesters worth of money to them. Those things were expensive." I told her as she sat behind me and wrapped her skinny arms around my neck in a pretend chokehold, "Second, I suck at tests. I need to study my ass off for this."

"Have you called your old folks with the good news yet?" Raven reminded me, with a knowing grin. "Let me do it?!" She squealed excitedly, stealing my phone off of one of my books as she quickly typed in the passcode.

"Fine, but let me study, okay?" I chuckled, pushing her off of my bed as she bounced up and down excitedly, disturbing my sheets. "Tell them that I'll see them during the break and to not call me --I need me full concentration on these finals." I muttered, turning back to my books as Raven began to catch up with my family.

"...She should be celebrating, don't you think? Yeah, Gracie's a stick in the mud. I know! I told her the same thing. Students don't actually study for their finals; it's just what the world wants you to think. Thank you, Trisha! So how's that hip? Any better?"

I loved my best friend.