Saving Grace

Chapter 3

Grace's POV

   I ran downstairs to see my father watching tv and sitting on the couch comfortably. The pictures of the man and the teenager clutched safely on my hands. I only wanted to ask him about the pictures, I'm not going to mention about the book, the papers and the necklace. It was kinda private. You're speaking like you own it. There's my other self, telling me the things that messes with my head.

"Dad?" I asked, softly. Be careful to play with fire, darling. Here we go again. You might get burn.

He switched his gaze from the television to me. Expression slightly annoyed.

"What?"

"Do you know who's this?" I showed him the picture of the man in tuxedo. "I found it on my bedroom."

"That's my boss." He answered.

"How about this?" I showed him the picture of the handsome boy. You're expecting it to be your dad's son so that you could flirt with him and get married later. Shut up.

I blushed at that thought and I think my father noticed. Great. Thank you to my inner self. May my sarcasm washed you forever. Thanks.

"I don't know him." He shifted his attention back to the television. "Now, put it back."

I nodded - slightly disappointed - then ran back to my room. I put it in the box neatly, then hides it under my bed. I tore out the Pokémon poster because 1.) It annoys me. 2.) It's not my thing.

I hide it under my bed too. Tiredness washed over me like a tidal wave. I badly need to sleep.

I fished out my phone and earphones from my bag then I opened my Facebook account with 0 messages and 1 notification saying it's Michael Troy's birthday. I opened Instagram just to double tap some random photos of celebrities and some of my school mates. I took a picture of my window with a tree outside and uploaded it on Instagram, with a caption "I wish I could dance like the leaves on the trees."  I like photography and I am good at it. A minute later, my teacher on dance class (when I was in 6th grade) commented on my photo.

"You could if you had just focused on your lessons back then. I miss you."

I laughed softly then I replied that I miss her too. After tweeting some stuff on Twitter, I streamed on Spotify and played some Ed Sheeran songs. He's gifted with such a wonderful voice.

After a minute or two, I can feel my eyes dropping and my mind fading with the sound of Supermarket Flowers lingering sweetly on my ears.

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I woke up with a slight headache from listening to music with a high volume when I was asleep. I tugged the earphones out of my ears and then streched out my arms. My hair looks like a bird's nest but I don't really care. I found a note on my bedside table containing my father's messy handwriting. I know he has a nice penmanship but I think he wrote this one in a hurry.

Been out to buy some groceries. I don't wanna wake you up because you look tired. I'll be back later. Dad.

I closed my eyes then sighed. He can be sweet sometimes and I love it. I pushed myself out of my bed and put on my fluffy bunny slippers. I headed downstairs to find it dark. It creeps me out for a second only to realize that it's almost 6:30 in the evening. I turned on the light and I literally shielded my eyes like a real life vampire. You should stop watching vampire movies for some reason, Grace. Really.

I opened the door and warm summer breeze embraced me. I sat down on a couch in our porch while I put my feet up the coffee table. Comfy.

I watched as people occasionally stare at our house or totally look at me in the eyes and then breaking the eye contact as quickly as possible. Fifteen minutes later, a familiar car pulled over. Dad carrying some grocery bags came out. I made my way to him so that I can help him carry some things.

"Wow dad, it looks like you brought the whole grocery store." I said, amused while hugging the paper bags full of foods.

"Well, this will last for months so that I can't bother myself going to grocery store every weekend. " He said, grunting.

At seven, the groceries are neatly placed on empty refrigerator and cupboards and I'm still wearing my hoodie and jeans. I started to get uncomfortable so I changed into a 5 Seconds of Summer shirt and some shorts - still wearing my fluffy bunny slippers - then headed downstairs. I pulled my hair into a messy bun then slumped down the couch.

"I already ordered a pizza. " My dad said, his head showing from the kitchen. "I'm too tired to cook anyway."

"You should asked me to do the cooking." I said, flicking the remote to find a decent channel. "I won't mind."

"Next time. I already ordered." His footsteps fading towards the bathroom.

I silently nodded while watching the music video of Back To You on MTV. I sing along and imagining myself that I am in VMA's performing in front of a crowd.

My dad joined me on the couch and he - of course - switched the channel to news. I rolled my eyes, making sure that he didn't see. I got bored and headed to my bedroom. I listened some songs on Spotify while scrolling through my newsfeed on Facebook. A familiar name popped up and she posted just a minute ago.

It's my best friend back home. Ashley. She uploaded a picture with Jason Smith's lips touching her cheeks with a caption 'babe'. Just so you know, I fancy Jason. We had this agreement about Jason. Before I left, she promised that she will keep an eye on Jason. She promised that Jason will stay single until I decided to come back. I reacted love and then I left a comment on her photo. A clapping emoji.

I was just about to FaceTime her when the sound of our doorbell echoed throughout the house.