Shared Secrets

Chapter 7

Warning: Mentions of alcohol 

Grace's POV

I watch out the peephole behind my closed front door as Tom walks back down the street. Chester watches me curiously anticipating another walk, no doubt. I can't believe I'm going on a date with Tom, just us two. It's funny how I went years without so much as thinking about him and now suddenly I feel like he is always running through my mind. I'm still a bit shaken up about last night, but everything Tom was saying made sense. And honestly, I should just let it go. As usual, I'm too much in my head. Even Jenny and Nia thought I was overreacting when I crashed through Jenny's bedroom door last night waking Nia in the process and then filling them in on the events that took place after they left.

My drunken mind started going off on tangents as I word vomited all my conspiracies at them about what I thought had happened last night. How I thought that Tom's dad had hired someone to come rough up Tom because he wasn't performing well at work or how I thought that maybe Harrison was the one who stabbed Tom. Jenny just shushed me quietly and scooted over in her bed making me lie down next to her and Nia who had already passed out on top of Jenny's bedspread.

And I mean it doesn't matter anyway. Right? Tom is fine and nothing fatal occurred so why should I let it take up any more of my worries? I already have enough to think about. Especially with my date coming up.

It's been a while since I've gone on a real date with just me and one other person. I have had exactly two boyfriends in my lifetime one when I was in sixth form and the other at uni. My first boyfriend was a total loser and I ended up breaking up with him after only two months. My second boyfriend though was different. I had thought for certain that he was the one. But I guess he didn't think the same of me. It still hurts thinking about him and how he ended our three-year relationship through text. He never gave me a specific reason for why he broke up with me and it still drives me crazy thinking and overthinking everything about our relationship. Wondering what I did wrong that made him want to leave me after so long together. Sometimes I just wish I knew so I could have that closure, but ever since then I just haven't gone out. Of course, Jenny and Nia have tried to get me back into the dating game, but I just never could muster up the motivation to accept.

This time though I know it will be different. I know Tom. I trust him even though I know he doesn't have the most stellar reputation when it comes to women. He was my first, and, for a while, only friend, and that means something to me. If things don't go well then at least I can say I tried and it's not like I'd be ruining a friendship over an attempted relationship. Tom and I haven't been close in years so I wouldn't be losing someone who plays a large role in my life. Right?

Chester barks out the window at a squirrel breaking me from my thoughts. I pad up the stairs to my room planning on just doing nothing for the rest of the day except watching some movies.

I fall asleep sometime during the second movie but am suddenly awoken by someone jumping onto my legs. "Hey hey hey" Jenny chirps, "it's so dark in here Grace. Tell me you're not still hungover from last night." She gives me a pointed look and then opens the curtains letting in a dull light from the grey sky.

"No, I was just relaxing. Enjoying my day off." I say stretching my back.

"So what did you and Tom talk about this morning on your little walk?" She wiggles her eyebrows at me excitedly. Jenny doesn't miss a thing.

"Nothing much. We just talked a bit about last night. But, get this," I pause dramatically knowing exactly how Jenny is going to react to my next statement. "Tom and I are going on a date Wednesday night."

Jenny jumps up squealing and clapping. "Nia, Nia! Get your butt in here!" She calls smiling brightly at me. Nia trudges in lazily wearing her pyjamas. She yawns as her way of saying what's up. "Our Gracie is going on a date with Tom!" Jenny says excitedly. She is much more excited about this date then I am and I love her for that.