The Nace story continued....

Chapter 10

Grace's POV
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I'm so done with school and everyone in it. I know i shouldn't let what they say affect me, but it does. I can't help but actually believe that what they're saying is true. I mean Noah has been acting weird lately, avoiding me actually. But how could he jump to their side so quickly? Why didn't he just confront me and ask me? I don't know. But I'm going to find out.

I was making my way home, trying not to think about Noah and everything going on at school. But I was so focused on trying not to think that I didn't even realize that I was at my house already, walking along the driveway. I made my way up to the front door, but it was locked. Which was weird because our doors were almost never locked. I tried knocking and ringing the doorbell but no one answered. I guess no one was home, which also never happens.

I decided just to wait on the front step of the house and wait for someone to get home. My mind couldn't hold back any longer. Everything came in all at once. My mother and Sam breaking off their wedding, Courtney, my fight with nick, my kiss with nick, Noah. Everything was so screwed up and it was all my fault. I know I shouldn't say that but so far everything seems to be pointing back to that conclusion. I'm the one who ruined their wedding. I'm the one who broke nick and Courtney up, who gave nick a reason to hate me. I also kissed nick. I don't know why I did. Because I like him. No I don't. He just makes me feel awful about myself now, like a screw up. And then there's Noah. I scared Noah away. And now he won't even be near me.

My thoughts, as they were about to reach a depressing climax, were interrupted by footsteps. I looked up to see nick standing in front of me, a small smile on his face. "Hey " he said. "Hey" I croaked back, trying to hide the fact that I was upset. "So is there a reason you're sitting outside your house all alone, or is this a new thing for you now?" He asked jokingly.   I couldn't help but laugh a little and answered, "oh you know me, I love sitting alone on doorsteps." He laughed and looked around before looking back down at me. He stood there for a little, as if he were waiting for me to say more. "No I'm uh locked out." I replied more seriously. "Oh I see, well my house is open if you'd like to come in for a little."
"Oh it's fine I'm good out here." I said.
"Grace" he stated making it obvious that he didn't believe me, "come inside with me, please."
I wanted to refuse, but I knew I couldn't.

So I got up and headed with him into his house.

"Dad?" Nick shouted as he walked through the front door and I followed. There was no answer. I wonder where Cassie and Sam are...

"Peaches?" I heard nick say. Peaches? Why would he call me peaches? "Huh?" I responded confused, not knowing what else to say. I looked over at nick to see him holding up two peaches. Oh, he meant literal peaches. "No thanks, I'm not hungry right now." I answered while trying to sound pleasant. I watched as he shrugged and tossed one peach back into its home basket and took a bite out of the remaining peach in his hand. Then he took a seat at the island bar, pulled out the seat next to him, and pat his hand on top of the seat, indicating for me to take a seat next to him. Part of me knew what was about to come, some form of a lecture or blame on me for something. But despite this I went and sat next to him at the bar.

It was quite for a while, with frequent sounds of Nick chewing on his peach. Was I supposed to say something? Was he waiting for me to say something in particular? What was he thinking? What if he was mad at me for something? Or even worse, what if he wanted to talk about what happened earlier? I wasn't really in the mood to talk about it, especially not with him.

"Grace," he started.

"I'm fine, Nick. Really." I lied. He looked at me for a moment before continuing, "but you're not."
"Look Nick, I really just want to put it behind me and forget about it, please." I said without making eye contact. Even though I wasn't looking at him, I could tell he was looking at me. "Just talk to me grace, tell me what you're thinking. Please." He said softly. I could already feel the hot tears filling my eyes, just begging to be released. I couldn't look at him. I refused to look at him. I can't let him see the tears.

But then his hand moved to mine. And I looked.

And then it all fell apart, my dam broke. "Everything is falling apart, and I can't handle it. I'm always able to handle everything, but I can't do it anymore, I can't." I sobbed, tears rolling down my cheeks at rapid speed. "Everything that's happening with Noah and Courtney and Cassie and Sam, it's all my fault and I don't know what to do. I keep pretending everything's fine but it's not, nothing is fine! Everything is wrong- and- and I- I can't keep it- together!" I screamed out, turning crazy and red from all the emotions flowing inside of me at once. I could t stop crying. This was so humiliating. But then Nick brought me into a hug, and I just kept crying into his shoulder.