The Darkness Inside

21

Jared POV

I woke up to Grace laying on my chest asleep. Boy I love this girl. Woah. Wait. Didn't she kiss me? Oh of course how could I forget? She's such an amazing kisser, kissing her makes everyone else look like drooling toddlers. I hope she knows how much she means to me. While I wasn't paying attention, I notice her eyes have fluttered open and she's staring at me.

"What?"

"You're so amazing that I thought I was still in my dream. Thankfully it's not a dream and you're actually here."

That makes me smile.

"Grace, put on something nice. We're gonna go out for lunch."

Her eyes have a little fear in them. What did they do to my sweet girl?

"Grace, I'm not going to let anyone hurt you. I promise."

I give her a soft kiss and get up from bed. Shoot. I forgot my normal clothes at home. Would I be acceptable going out in my pajamas?

"Grace, before we go out we need to run to my house and get my casual clothes. I don't think it's socially acceptable to go out in pajamas.."

"Well you look hot either way."

"Ooh thanks babe. You're skinny jeans make me wanna faint."

She laughs and I pick her up and twirl her around. Her laugh can brighten up a whole room.

"I'm ready."

"You're absolutely beautiful. Let's go."

We walk downstairs and get in my car. As we ride down the road, Grace rolls her window down and sticks her hand out. She turns on the radio and Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol is on the station. She puts her hand in mine and begins to sing. Oh. My. Gosh. Her voice is amazing. How did I not know she could sing?!

We pull up to my house and my mom's gone. Go figure. We go in and I ask her,

"Why didn't you tell me you could sing?"

"Jared everyone can sing!"

"Yeah, but you. Oh Grace, you have a beautiful voice."

She plops down on the couch and I do the same. Looks like mom left the TV on. Ugh. News. There's nothing good on there. All bad events of this week.

"Well thank you darling."

And she gives me a kiss, and pulls away quickly. SHE'S TRYING TO TEASE ME? I turn to her and give a slow, but steady kiss, just until she leans in, and then I pull away.

"HEY! I WAS ENJOYING THAT!"

"You think you can tease me Grace Tate?"

We laugh until her face goes blank and she picks up the remote and turns up the volume.

"Breaking News. A plane going from Florida to California has crashed. It was United Airlines:Flight 341."

Grace gets a look of horror on her face.

"Was that Mom and Elizabeth's flight?!"