In The Falling Sun

Chapter 5

"Grace wait up!" I heard Jack call from down the hallway.

"Are we going out this weekend? I heard there is a party at Sammy's on Saturday." Beth looked at me before Jack approached. He threw his arm around my shoulder.

"Yeah are we going?"

"Not this weekend guys, I have some things I have to do." I looked at both of them before walking away.

Jack's P.O.V

"What's wrong with her, she's been acting a little different." Beth broke me out of my trance.

"I have no idea. But I'm going to find out." I looked down at her. God she was short. She nodded before walking into her classroom.

I tried to catch up with Grace, but I noticed she walked out of school. The bell rang and that was my cue to get to class.

Grace's P.O.V

I walked out of school. I wasn't ready to face the rest of the day. Being around a bunch of people that I don't like. Feeling worthless all of the time. The constant abuse. It's just all becoming too much for me to handle. I need an escape. I need a break from reality. From my nightmare. From my feelings.

I haven't talked to my mom in 4 months. Every time she calls or texts I ignore them. This is all her fault. No this is all my fault, I never should've taken the Xanax. It's moments like this that I realize why I did it. I need to get my hands on some more. I need this.

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Jack's P.O.V

"She's not answering her phone." I met up with Beth infront of the school.

"Maybe you should go check up on her. I would but I don't know where she lives."

"Yeah maybe she's just sleeping." I really hope that's all it is. "I'll see you guys tomorrow." I waved to Jonhson and Beth before running to my truck.

I started to get closer to her house, taking notice of the empty driveway. "Thank god he isn't here." I thought to myself as I pulled in. When I got to her front door I put my hand up to knock, but the door opened by itself.

"Grace!" I called out. No response. I ran upstairs, trying to open her bedroom door but it was locked. I knocked, "Grace, are you in there?" Still no response. I took a few steps back and charged at the door. Breaking the henges off. When I looked up she was laying on her bed, barely breathing. Almost lifeless.

"Oh my god Grace. What did you take?!" I picked her up bridal style and took her into the bathroom. Not undressing either of us, I turned the shower on and got in. Sitting in the tub holding onto Grace as she laid on my lap. The water was hitting her in the face when she started to move again.

"Mmm wh-what's going on?" She slowly started to open her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Her eyes met mine.

"Jack, I'm sorry..." The tears started to fall down her face, mixing in with the shower water.

"Hey shh, it's okay. You're okay." I held her closer to my chest. I could feel her hands gripping my shirt tighter the harder she cried.

"I...I just wanted an escape. I don't want to be abused anymore."

"Let's get out of the shower, get some dry clothes on you and we can talk." We stood up I shut the shower off, got out and handed her a towel. When I opened the door, I heard someone walking up the stairs.

"Grace! Who the hell is parked in my driveway!" I knew right away that it was her dad. She clenched onto my arm. His voice was filled with such hatred. I walked out, clothes soaking wet to confront him.

"Sorry sir, I am. Grace was complaining at school that she didn't feel good. I pulled into your driveway to drop her off, when she got out of my car she fainted. I carried her up her and put her in the shower." I looked this man in the eyes, there was nothing there. His eyes were just empty black holes.

"Leave." Was all that slipped out of his  mouth.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not going anywhere until I know she is feeling better."

"Then take her with you, but leave."

She walked out of the bathroom and straight into her room. I walked past him, following her.

"Please come with me. I would feel better if I knew you were safe." I hugged her. She nodded, letting go of my shirt and walking to her closet.

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"I can't stay with you." She looked at me.

"What do you mean?" I glanced at her.

"I have to find some places else to stay, or I have to go back to home."

"No. I'm not letting you go back."

"Jack, I have too. Your parents would never let me stay with you."

"Then we find some where to stay, together." I grabbed her hand leaving one hand on the steering wheel.

"No, please don't fight me on this. I'll stay with you tonight. But I'm going to have to go back home. My mom will ask him where I'm at." There was no fighting with her on this. I nodded and continued to drive.

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Grace's P.O.V

After meeting Jack's parents, and telling them what happened they gave us the okay for me to stay, just for tonight.

"Thank you." I looked at Jack.

"At some point we are going to have to talk about what you did." He joined me on his bed.

"I'd rather not. You wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

So I told him everything. Starting with me catching my dad cheating on my mom. Their divorce, my many hospital visits. The couple times I ended up in jail. Everything.

"I-I'm so sorry Grace." Jack couldn't take his eyes off of the floor. I didn't blame him because neither could I. I felt tears staining my cheeks. He was the first person I told any of this too.

"Hey," I looked up at him, wiping my tears away, "it's not your fault, life is a bitch sometimes." He was truly feeld with sorrow. His eyes connected with mine and the sparkle was gone. I placed my hand on his cheek, rubbing my thumb against his skin. He brought his hand up and placed it over mine.

"I just don't understand how anyone would want to hurt you."

"I wish I knew the answer." I removed my hand, laying back on his bed and starring at the ceiling. "Let's go to that party on Saturday."

"Are you sure? We don't have to go, you can come here and we can watch movies and order pizza." He laid back, joining me.

"How about we go to the party for an hour, then come back and watch movies?" I looked over at him and smiled.

"Deal."

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"Is your dad home?" Jack spoke through the phone.

"No, hasn't been home since last night. Are you almost here?"

"Yeah turning on your block now."

"Okay I'll meet you out front."

I made my way down the stairs, glancing out of the window to see Jack leaning against his truck in the driveway. Smiling to myself, before walking out of the house and towards the him.

"Ah there she is, in her signature oversized sweater." Jack kissed my cheek.

"I have a change of clothes, I know once Beth sees me in this she's going to kill me." I laughed as he opened the passanger door for me.

"Well then its a good thing my windows are tinted." He winked.

"Yes and the fact that you have seen me in my bra and panties twice is also a plus."