Chapter 3
“Grace.” Charlotte called, I could hear her footsteps getting louder.
“What is it?” I said and opened my door.
“Wow,” she said as she took in my appearance, “you got a parcel.” She handed me a small, brown package and went to sit on the sofa. I tore the paper and out fell a delicate locket, along with a sheet of cream card. I picked them both up and read the card. It read:
It’s taken me a while to find you, three years Grace. I miss you, but you have your reasons, your mum’s moved by the way, after what happened she just got up and left, packed everything away. But I know you don’t speak about it, so let’s just leave it at that. Happy birthday anyway.
Love Milly
X
My eyes burnt and I could barely see. I lifted the locket so I could see it in the light. The dim purple lights of my bedroom, caught the silver locket making it look mystical. The long chain held a heart-shaped locket, when I popped the clasp I saw a tiny picture. It was the picture of Milly and I on my 5th birthday. I had a black eye but that didn’t stop me from smiling and hugging my best friend.
The tears that had welled up in my eyes escaped the corners, I sat on my bed and stared at the locket. Charlotte came into my room about five minutes later. She saw me crying on my bed and sat down next to me.
“Hey. What is it?” She asked and put her arm around my shoulders. I showed her the locket and she took it out of my hands.
“It was my 5th birthday party. She was my best friend.” I said between sobs.
“Which one’s you?” I pointed to the one with the black eye and she gasped. “What happened to your eye?”
“My dad hit me.” I said coldly.
“Oh my God.” She paused. Then her face brightened up. “Come on. Put this necklace on and will we go out and have the time of our lives.”
I lowered my head and clasped the chain around my neck. The locket fell just above my breasts, the heart sitting next to my own.
“Do we have to?” I asked as I reluctantly followed her into my lounge.
“Yes, come on. It’ll be great, you just have to forget about everything and have fun. It’s your birthday.” She said tugging my hand. I grabbed my huge bag off the counter along with my phone, cash, keys and skates before Charlotte dragged me out into the hallway, waiting for me to lock the door so we could go. Reluctantly I locked the door to my apartment and let Charlotte lead the way to the skating rink.
I had a drivers license but no car. Charlotte had a car but rarely used it and since it was only a short walk to the skating rink we travelled by foot. When we arrived there was a group of people stood around outside and as soon as I was in sight, they all cheered and waved. Oh no. I hadn’t even thought about the amount of people Charlotte had invited, there had to be about 30 people stood outside the skating rink. I don’t even think I know that many people let alone want them to come to my ‘party.’ However, I waved back and smiled at the dozens of faces I slightly recognized as my fellow classmates.
“See, you have us.” Charlotte nudged me and nodded toward the group of people.
I rolled my eyes at her. “Yeah, but I don’t speak to any of them.” I whispered to her whilst keeping the smile plastered on my face.
“So? Have fun, flirt, dance, skate.” She said and bent down to tie her laces on her skates.
“Fine.” I said and bent to put my skates on. I shoved my wedges and phone into my bag and put them in a locker. I tied the key around my wrist and skated over to Charlotte who was stood on the side of the rink talking to some guy who was most probably one of the face in the crowd.
“Hey Grace, this is Chase, he’s in our design class.” Charlotte said with wide glassy eyes.
“Hi.” I smiled at him out of sadness. Charlotte had obviously forced him to come here promising him a girlfriend but I wasn’t interested. It’s not that he was ugly or anything, in fact he was like one of those underwear models, blonde hair, brown eyes, nice golden skin. But he wasn’t my type, I’ve always thought guys like that were good looking, but I’ve never actually felt any sort of attraction to them.
“Hey.” He smiled sheepishly and looked down at his feet.
“Have you met Laura? She’s amazing and I bet you two will get on like a match and a candle.” I said and looked to the corner of the room where I saw Laura standing next to a crane machine. From her grip on the side I understood that she was trying her hardest to stay on her feet.
He looked saddened that I seemed to want to get rid of him so fast but I wasn’t about to stand around talking to somebody I had no interest in. but he still took my advise and walked over to Laura who smiled at the sight of some muscle to keep her standing.
“I swear she’s part Jack Russell.” I joked and rolled my eyes.
“That was mean.” Charlotte said.
“You know you agree with my Charlie so don’t be like that.” I said.
“No, I meant sending him away like that, I thought you’d like someone like Chase.” She whined.
“I think people like Chase are good looking, sorta, but for me there’s nothing there. He’s just muscle and I don’t want that, I want someone different, who can make me laugh and who’ll cuddle me and give me his jacket when I’m cold. I want someone I can argue with, who will actually make me feel something. I want someone who will make me feel alive.” I told her passionately and felt my face start to flush, I have no idea where that came from.
“Wow. So basically you want Prince Charming?” She asked.
“No, I want the complete opposite. I want someone who’ll tell me what he really thinks and someone who’ll make mistakes because I do and I want him to be honest with me to. I just want to look at someone and know that they’re the one for me, just because I feel some sort of desire for them.” I explained.
“Well, I’m not your Fairy Godmother so lets just skate.” She said firmly and skated away.
I rolled my eyes and followed her skating in random turns and circles. After about an hour and a half of skating all of the lights came on and a blue one focused on me.
“Oh no.” I gasped and glared at Charlotte. She smiled as a voice over the speaker said. “Everyone at Kate’s Skates would like to wish the birthday girl Grace a very happy birthday.” When the announcement was finished confetti rained down from everywhere and instead of getting more annoyed I relaxed and started laughing. My best friend had gone through this much trouble just so I could have a good birthday, I don’t see why she’s trying to get me a boyfriend, I don’t think I’ll ever need one if I stick with her.
“Well come on Grace, lets go.” She said and started to pull me toward the lockers.
“But. What? Is that it?” I asked thinking we were just going to carry on skating.
“Yeah, I’m not staying here.” She said and took the key from around my wrist as I stood there confused. “Grace, shoes.” She swung my bag in front of my face until I finally took it from her.
“Yeah. Okay.” I said vaguely aware that she was staring at me. I sat on one of the little stools and untied my skates shoving them in my bag and slipping my wedges back on. I swung my bag over my shoulder and followed Charlotte out of the skating rink. She pulled her jacket tighter around her as the chill of the outside air caused goose bumps to rise on her legs after how hot it had been inside.
