"Hey Zac.. where you goin?" Avery asked me.
"Out.. Grace just called and she wants me to go over" I replied. Avery smiled.
"Oh... ok... can you tell her I said hi?"
"Sure"
"Thankyou". I had to smile. I walked out the front door and got into my car. I was soon at Grace's and we were in her living room, sitting on the sofa.
"So, you wanted to talk to me?" I asked. Grace nodded.
"Yeah... uh... ok... this is really hard for me so bare with me ok?"
"Um... sure" I said, knowing that I wasn't going to like what Grace wanted to say. She found my hand and took hold of it.
"You.... you do know that I love you.. don't you?" She asked.
"Of course, Grace, I've loved you since the day we met.. you know I have and I know that you love me.. I can see it in your eyes and on your face." I said. Grace nodded.
"Zac.. you aren't going to like this... but... I ... I think it would be better if we were just friends." I opened my mouth to protest but Grace went on, as if she knew I was about to speak."It's not fair on you Zac. When we are out together.. I know people give you stange looks when they see me, with a cane tapping from side to side. Also, I think you belong with Jesika. Don't fight me on this Zac because I've made up my mind. I know you love me, but you love Jess more. I can feel it.. and hear it in your voice whenever you talk about her. I may be blind but only in my eyes. Not in my heart. My heart is with you.. but yours is with Jesika. I'm not jealous.. or upset about this.. but I think both you and I know you really do love Jess. I know you love me to.. I can't stress that enough.. but be honest with me Zac... you love Jess... don't you?" Grace asked me. I was silent. "I thought so." Grace said softly.
"Grace... I.. I can't help it. I love you with all my heart.. but theres just something about Jesi that gets me everytime we're together.. I don't know what it is.." I told her, squeezing her hand.
"So, do you agree that we should just be friends? We both know things aren't going to be the same between us if we stay together after revealing this. Zac, we will always love each other.. that I don't doubt at all."
"I know... we will always be close Grace... and yes.. I do think it would be for the best if we were only friends. But, could I ask you for something before the break up is official?" I asked her. Grace nodded, and knowing what I wanted, she leaned forward and her lips met mine. I brought my free hand up to her face and ran it though her hair. Her hand let go of mine and her arms wrapped themselves around me. She pulled me close and ran her hands up and down my back. I slid my arms around her waist and gently pulled her forward as I leant back on the sofa until she was ontop of me. After a few more minuets, Grace ended the kiss by pulling away and sitting up. I sighed, knowing I would never be able to kiss her like that again. It was a Goodbye kiss.
"Zac?" Grace asked.
"Mmm??"
"Look after Jess.. protect her from Justin. He's dangerous and has to be kept away from Jesika."
"Well.. thats a bit hard considering he's her boyfriend.." I muttered, bitterness creeping into my voice. Grace detected it.
"That could be changed. Tell Jess how you feel... can... can I ask you a question?"
"Of course"
"How long have you loved her?"
"Jesi?"
"Yes"
"Oh geez...... my whole life I guess......" I said. Grace was quiet.
"I guess I didn't word that right.... what I meant was how long have you known that you love her? like, in this way..." Grace asked. I knew exactly when.
"When I first saw Justin put his arms around her. When I saw her look into his eyes... knowing she loved him and not me. I mean, she's had other boyfriends but I've never seen her with them... it just didn't feel right watching her with another guy... I'm sorry Grace... you don't want to hear this do you?"
"Well... no.... I just had to hear it from you... that.. that you love Jess more than me... and you alway's have and will. I don't want to put a guilt trip on you but it's the truth.... and the truth hurts sometimes" Grace said as tears started to fall down her cheeks. My heart broke to see her like this and I could feel tears of my own as I hugged Grace. She fell against me and hugged me tightly. She wasn't sobbing, there was only the tears and a few suddering breaths.
"I'm so sorry Grace"
"I am to Zac... um.. maybe you better go now." She said, pulling away from me. I didn't want to leave her like this. She looked miserable and I could hear the sadness in her voice. Instead of fighting her, I sighed and got up.
"Ok.... so, I'll see you tomorrow then?" I asked, the group was going to meet together and spend the day out somewhere. Grace nodded and tried to give me a smile.
"You bet..."
"Alrighty... bye Grace"
"Bye" Grace said to me. She then turned her head away and I knew that I had to go. I walked out the door and to my car. I got in and just sat there. I had just broken up with my girlfriend because we both knew I was in love with someone else. Someone else who I couldn't really have. I closed my eyes and rested my head on the steering wheel. I thought about going straight home but I knew I wouldn't. I started my car and drove to Jesika's house. I knew it was fairly late, but I also knew that her parents were out. I hoped Justin wasn't there. He wasn't. His car wasn't in the driveway so I pulled into it.
"Hey Zac!" Jesika greeted me once she had opened the door. "What's wrong?" She asked. I must have looked how I felt.
"I uh... well.. Grace and I... um.. we just broke up" I said. Jesikas eye's went wide as she hugged me. I hugged her back and then I broke down. I couldn't believe I was crying infront of Jesika... something I had never done before.
"Oh Zac, I'm so sorry!... why? what happened?" Jesika asked me once I had recovered. I shrugged.
"She broke up with me... saying how it wasn't fair that she was blind..... I don't know.. I'm really confused right now... um, are you alone?" I asked. Jesika nodded.
"Well, I was, but now I'm not.. you're here... come in... do you want anything?"
"A beer would be good right about now"
"Zac"
"Sorry" I said, trying to smile. Jesika and I walked inside. As I followed her, I watched her walk. Even from behind you could tell that she was beautiful and something special.
"So, did you guy's part on good terms or bad terms?"
"Good.. I think... she was so upset when I left.. but she told me to leave. Hope you don't mind me coming over so late... but I didn't exactly feel like going home"
"No! Geez Zac, you know you're welcome here anytime. You don't have to apologise" Jesika told me, leading me into the kitchen. I watched her as she got out two water glasses and filled them with juice.
"It's not a beer... but pretty close" Jesika said, smiling. I gave a weak smile back and took a sip. The cool liquid felt good sliding down my throat. I set the glass down on the counter and followed Jesika into the living room. She sank down onto the sofa and I did so to, facing her.
"So, you the only one home?" I asked her. She nodded.
"Am so.... Mom and Dad have gone visiting.. I didn't exactly feel like tagging along.." Jesika said. Suddenly something came to me.
"Jessi... did you know Grace was going to break up with me?"
"What... Zac, no I...I.... well... she sorta gave me that impression." I sighed and sat back. The few minuets of silence between us was deafening.
"Why didn't you tell me? give me some kind of warning? You knew how much I loved her Jessi!" I exclaimed , anger rising in my voice.
"Hey! Don't do that Zac! That's not fair and you know it! Grace is my cousin and best friend ... how dare you ask me to betray her trust.. I know you're hurting right not Zac, but it's not my fault...I-". Before I knew what I was doing, I leaned forward and kissed Jesika. Shocked, she started to pull away but then seemed to change her mind and kissed me back passionately. Just as quickly the kiss had begun, it ended with Jesika pulling away from me. I sat back and licked my lips. Before I could say anything Jesika spoke.
"I think you should leave Zac.. I... you shouldn't have.... sorry." She stammered and leapt up from the sofa. I took my time getting up. I couldn't believe I had done that. Jesika turned and left the room. I flopped back down on the sofa, my head in my hands.
Chapter Eight
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