Saving Grace

Chapter Two: Ms. Loudmouth

It wasn't until after several more unfriendly encounters and a month had passed that Clara finally made true on her threat to rat Gracie out. The girl and her seemingly mute younger brother had been causing trouble for her ever since the day they moved in. Doing the opposite of anything she asked and being an all around nuisance. In Gracie's defense though, she wasn't really trying to terrorize Ms. Storm, it just kinda happened that way, she was just trying to make it a fun place for Charlie and some of the other kids they'd met on their floor, no one else seemed to have any problem with it... Then again everyone else either worked nights or were too drunk or coked out or high to care...

"Thanks again for dropping us off!" Gracie called to the shadowed driver in the truck cutting off whatever he was trying to say as she pushed Charlie out and jumped out after him, steadying the boy before he could fall over his own feet. She grabbed his hand and yanked him backwards as the brand new truck tore out of the parking lot of the Madelyn, leaving only a trail of dust in its wake.

"Why'd he have to drop us off? Now he knows where we live. Couldn't you've gotten Layton or Pi to drive?" Charlie grumbled, oblivious to the eavesdropping nosy woman who waddled behind them on what looked like two wooden legs.

"The guys were busy! Would you've rather walked? 'Cause it was either that or take the drug mobile," Gracie replied honestly.

"You mean the bus?" Charlie said flatly.

Gracie scoffed. "What else? Anyway, you know I hate Trent just as much as you do-"

"Then why'd you go on a date with him?" Gracie stiffened at the question, whatever playful mood she'd been in completely disappeared. But that didn't stop Charlie. His gaze was determinedly curious as he continued, "And why'd you let him grab you like that? Does Preston know he looks at you the way he does?" That did it.

Gracie turned on the irritatingly perceptive kid, completely unaware of the prying ears. "No! And you won't tell him either! Got it?" She poked her long fingernail at his chest. Charlie smirked triumphantly at her reaction.

"Aw! Does someone have a wittle cwush?" He barely resisted the urge to reach up and pinch her cheeks, but he valued his hands too much to do that. "What would you do to me if I did?"

Gracie grinned wickedly down at her pesky little brother as she leaned down so her face was just inches from his. "I'll make your life a living hell..." Charlie gulped, not doubting his sister in the slightest. Although she'd never really hurt him, he'd seen first hand how berserk she could get. "And it's not a fucking crush," she added through clenched teeth.

Charlie gulped again, but he stood his ground. She'd been acting a lot stranger than usual these days, even since before they moved. She used to get angry a lot, but lately she'd been angry practically from the time they left in the morning until they stepped into the apartment after school. Even Charlie could see how unhealthy it was. What worried him more was the fact that no one else seemed to notice her change in behavior, not even Preston, and he was practically all knowing! "Tell me what's going on and maybe I won't tell Preston about it."

"Charlie, Preston has enough on his plate as it-"

"Just fucking tell me." Gracie grumbled to herself about "kids these days and their foul language" as she led him to where the stairs were, not wanting to force herself into that disgusting pit of an elevator if it wasn't necessary.

Looking up, Charlie found that his sister had that wicked gleam in her eye that sometimes made him nervous. "Wanna race?"

Charlie's curiosity broke and he grinned arrogantly. "You can't beat me," he stated confidently, puffing out his chest and rolling his shoulders back. Gracie raised one untamed, slightly bushy eyebrow tauntingly (how the heck did she do that so well?).