The Darkness Inside

24

A ring.

"Grace. I promise to be there for you. I promise to stay loyal and love you unconditionally, now and forever."

What? I'm only 15.

He just officially made his love for you known and you're worried about commitment? You are so selfish!

"Wow Jared. It's beautiful."

He pulls out my ring finger on my left hand and places the ring on it. It's gold with an infinity symbol in diamonds on the top. On the bottom, carved into the ring, it says I love you Grace Paisley Tate. Oh my gosh.

"Jared?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you go to Jared's?"

He laughs at me and his nose scrunches up.

"Way to ruin the moment Grace!"

"Oops."

Jared POV

I didn't think she'd take the ring. She looked scared, but then she smiled, so I put it on her.

"Did you go to Jared's?"

"Way to ruin the moment Grace!"

"Oops."

My phone buzzes. A text from Drake.

Party tonight at my place. There'll be a keg. Bring Mere ;)

I really wanted to take Grace to dinner. Maybe she'll want to go.

"Grace?"

"Yeah?"

"Wanna go to a party tonight?"

She looked a little confused.

"Uhm..yeah I guess."

"Are you sure?"

"Oh totally! It'll be fun to get out!"

Drake I'll be there. Dumped Meredith, but I'll bring a date.

"Hey J? What time is it?"

Shoot it's 6:00! We spent forever at the beach!

"It's 6:00. We need to start getting ready for the party."

I drive her back to her house so she can put on some clothes. I hold her hand while I drive. She hums to me and I don't want her to stop. We pull up and go to her room. She grabs some clothes and goes to the bathroom. She comes out with a hoodie and tank top and some shorts. She looks amazing.

"Wow you look hot darlin'."

"Yeah right. Let's go to your house so you can get changed."

We drive and pull up to my house. She sits in the car and I run in and throw on some khaki shorts and a tee shirt. I go back out and drive us to the party. The windows are down and Grace is jamming out to Panic!At The Disco. We pull up to the party and Grace looks a little bewildered.

"Are you sure you want to be seen with me in front of everyone? I mean I am loser girl.."

"Grace, I love being seen with the most beautiful girl around, and you're not a loser."

I open her door and take her hand. We go in and Drake is dancing with Meredith. I steer clear of her. I see Grace taking it all in. Music is blaring. We walk in the living room and I see Jake looking her down. I give him a glare and I twirl Grace around and we start dancing.

"Want something to drink?"

She looked at me sadly.

"Anything non alcoholic?"

"I'll go scavenge something. Sit tight. Go find another girl to talk to. Love you."

I go to the kitchen and I'm searching for some water anywhere in this house.

Grace POV

Jared left me to go find some water. I sit on the couch and get on my phone. I'll text Blake. I feel someone sit next to me. I look next to me. Unfamiliar eyes. They're so dark brown. Almost black.

"Hey I'm Jake. You're awfully cute. Wanna cut outta here?"

"No, I'm with someone."

He pulls me up and I'm trying to get my arms away. He tightens his grip.

"Let go of me!"

"Woah calm down! What's wrong with you?!"

"Don't touch me! Please let me go!!"

I see Jared. I've never seen him so angry. His glare could kill millions with a glance. His fists are clenched. Jake keeps trying to drag me.

"LET GO OF HER!"