Together

Chapter 3~Grace

The dreams hit me hard. They were bad, horrific even. Some were nightmares some weren't.

I stood on a gravel path, facing an old factory. It was going up in flames, smoke curling from several windows. I gazed up. A man stood next to me, wearing a firefighter's trench coat. I had to be younger; 3 at the most. I remember this day and very vividly in fact. I grasped at the man's hand as I stared up at the fire, my little eyes filled with horror.

"Your daddy will get out just fine, Grace," he reassured me, rubbing circles into my back.

"Will he?" I squeaked and I could feel myself crying.

"Of course, he will," he smiled. I finally risked a glance at his face. 

He was a stocky man with a chubby face, but he seemed gentle and kind. His chin was covered in a thin gray beard, darker curls poking out from his hat. I blinked, and momentarily I could see the white skeleton behind his smooth skin. Alarms went off in my head. 

I looked back at the building. The firefighters were doing nothing except standing there with looks of hopelessness spread across their faces. I sank to my knees, clutching at my chest. Pain spread through my body and it soon became hard to breath. 

I was feeling the pain my father felt in the building. I blinked away tears once again, only to see a pile of ash and skeletons left before me.

I jolted awake in my bead, stifling a tiny scream. I reached over to my bedside table and grabbed at my phone. I looked at the time, 4:13, before texting Ollie.

We NEED to talk. I texted quickly. Meet me somewhere. I cant wait, need to talk.

I hopped out of bed and pulled a pair of leggings and a blue sweater on. I put my hair up, putting on UGGS. I went back to my phone.

Why so frantic? Ok, meet at the park 10 minutes.

I took in a deep breath and went outside as quietly as I could. The park was a block away, so I walked. I picked up my pace as it came into view. It was a small area surrounded by a metal fence. It had a swing set, a few slides, and a sand box. I sat down in the gazebo, waiting for Ollie. I fiddled with my thumbs as thoughts ran through my head.

What if he won't forgive me? What if I can't forgive him?

No, no, I shoved the thoughts from my head on focused on the chilly air. The bushes rustled and I jumped on the bench, gripping the end of the table.

"Hello?" I called, unsure of myself. I felt like a little kid, I wanted to turn tail and run from my problems as fast as I could.

"Grace?" I heard Ollie's voice call back.

"Ollie," I breathed a sigh of relief. His eyes were hollow as he slid in next to me.

"I'm sorry," I began, letting my hands fall into my lap.

"For what?" he frowned, "I'm the one that went off on you."

"I shouldn't have had to find out that way," I replied. I found my hand reaching for his and soon we were pressed up against each other, shaking.

"No, Grace. I'm sorry," he took hold of my face and searched my eyes.

"I know," I whispered, a cloud of cool air curling from my mouth. Ollie pulled my face closer, and I knew what was coming. A kiss. I didn't try to push him away, I wanted it. His cold lips pressed against mine. I inched closer and let my arms wrap around his neck. I pressed harder until he gently pulled my face away.

"I love you, Grace. Not just as a sister or a friend, but real love," Ollie purred.

"I love you, too," I replied and we went back to kissing in the dark air.

---

I opened my eyes, my neck stiff. I took a glance at my surroundings; the park. We must have fallen asleep. I lifted my head off Ollie's shoulder and stretched my aching back.

"Ollie," I shook his leg gently to wake him up.

"Hmm?" he muttered, his eyes opening slowly. He looked to me and smiled. "Must have fallen asleep, huh?" he chuckles. My phone, sitting on the table, sent a small vibration through the wood.

"It's my mom, she's probably off the wall mad," I sigh, picking it up and answering.

"Where are you?" she demanded.

"Hi to you to," I smiled. "I left early to met Ollie at the park," I replied before looking to Ollie and mouthing Time? He peeks down at his watch and mouths back Almost 8.

"Well, be back home before 10," she said softly. "I see you two must have made up." I shot a smile at Ollie and sighed happily. 

"I guess."

---

Ollie looped his arm through mine and we slid out from the gazebo. He pulled me along down the sidewalk toward a small café.

"Slow down!" I laughed, "I have small legs!"

He let go of my arm and spun around. He put his hands on my waist and looked down at me.

"I have a solution," he smirked, turning back around. He crouched slightly. "Hop on."

"On your back?" I laughed, holding one hand over my mouth and the other across my stomach.

"Why not?" he smiled at me over his shoulder.

"Alright," I laughed, grabbing his neck and leaping on. He let out a grunt before straightening up. 

"You're heavier than I thought."

"Ollie!" I smacked him playfully on the back of the head.

Let's go!" he yelled in response before we started moving.

"Giddy up!" I laughed, grasping his neck harder.

"Geez, Grace, you have a grip," he rasped.

"Woops," I stopped choking him. I set my chin on his head, looking out at the street. It was bright, and the heal was alarming. 

I looked down the boulevard. Cars raced past and people walked dogs and children. Up ahead on the corner stood a small sidewalk café. A few tables were outside but besides that there was nothing on the sidewalk.

"You can set me down, I don't need a human Uber into the building," I run my hands through his greasy hair.

"Okay," he stops outside the door and crouches a little. I slide off his back.

"Come on," I grab his hand and we walk into the restaurant.

"Hello! How may I help you?" cheers the hostess as we walk in.

"Table for two," Ollie replies fairly quick.

"Of course!" she flashes a smile and leads us across the quiet room. "Here," she waves us at a secluded table in the back corner.

"Thank you," I say back. As the hostess leaves, Ollie spin around me and pulls a chair out. I blush slightly before sitting. He sits across from me. Before we get a chance to look at the menu, a older man bounces over holding a tablet.

"Can I interest you lovely... Couple?" he pauses looking from Ollie to me. My eyes lit up and I meet Ollie's gaze. A silent conversation passes between us before I reply.

"I guess you can say that." 

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Authors Note

That's the end of this chapter! i hope you like it! 

Word Count: 1,239 

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