Pining [H.E.S.]

Chapter 4

After a full day of doing nothing at all with Grace, which was nothing less than bittersweet, my friend and I were sitting together on the couch, having a conversation on whether or not our favorite characters in a television show were in love with each other.

"John is totally in love with Sherlock, Harry! You can see it in his eyes," Grace shouted, sitting up from her lying position. Her legs were laid across my lap, my hand resting on her ankle. It was wonderful, the most comfortable I had been in days.

"I don't know," I shrugged with a smirk, knowing that disagreeing with her would only work her up. I loved to watch her argue about something she's passionate about. I loved to watch her care so much about something so small, similar to the way I cared about her.

"There's no way you think they're not a thing," she said, leaning up closer to my face, her eyebrows furrowed in frustration but her smile playful.

"They could just be really good friends, you know," I suggested, smiling happily, knowing I was irritating her. She scoffed and rolled her eyes, hitting me in the chest and laying back down. Her arms were crossed over her chest.

"Whatever, Harry. They're gay and you know it." I couldn't help but laugh when I thought about how ridiculous she sounded. She smiled and rubbed her temples with her long fingers. "I need a drink after that argument," she laughed. I raised an eyebrow, nonverbally suggesting that we should go out. Grace glanced up at me, and her face broke into a sly grin.

"Let's go," she said, jumping off of me, while her heel dug into my thigh. I laughed jovially, following her to the hallway to get ready. This was amazing, laughing and joking with Grace. It was everything I could ever ask for, her skin on mine as she rested her legs on my own, hearing her giggle happily and smile. Glee shown behind her eyes, and a pining hopefulness behind my own.

I went to my room alone, and pulled on black jeans and left the t-shirt I was already wearing on. I ran a hand through my hair, and I was ready. I walked to the bathroom, craning my neck to see if Grace was inside. She was standing in front of the mirror, her body stretched as she pulled her long brown hair into a pony tail. She pulled a few tendrils of her locks down to frame her face. I gawked at her beauty once again, completely captivated. She examined her face in the mirror, pursing her lips and creating a wrinkle in her forehead as she frowned at her appearance. She pulled at her lower lip, letting it go and watching it flick back into place, causing my eyes to go wide and let out a sigh.

My exhalation alerted her of my presence, her head snapping to look at me, and a smile growing on her face. "Ready?" I breathed, somewhat winded just from staring at my beautiful friend.

Grace nodded excitedly, her hair bouncing behind her. Suddenly, she shouted, "Last one to the car is paying for drinks!" She broke into a dash, zipping right past me, her shoulder knocking me around. I watched with a smile and a deep chuckle as she ran like an athlete out of the apartment.

I knew she would beat me, and I would have paid for Grace no matter what, so I decided to take my time. I shoved my hands in my pockets and whistled nonchalantly and made my way to the key rack. I took down the jingling key chain that held my car key and the key to our shared apartment. I swung the ring around my finger and slowly hopped down the stairs outside after locking the door. I saw Grace poke her head around the corner, with an angry but friendly expression.

When I finally made my way to the ground, Grace pushed my chest, making me stumble back. "You asshole, I sprinted all the way down here," she smiled, her breathing barely affected by her jolt of athleticism. I laughed, slightly aware of the vibration under my skin where her hands had met my chest.

"Where we headed?" I asked as Grace followed me to the car. I unlocked the door and we climbed inside in sync, slamming our doors shut at the same time. I admired how we worked so well together, no matter how awkward I could be and how long it took me to compose coherent sentences around her, I believed we had a natural connection.