SONG(s) FOR CHAPTER:

♬ I Won't Let Go by Rascal Flatts ♬

♬ Lightweight by Demi Lovato ♬

CHAPTER 29

♕ HARRY STYLES ♕

I SUPPOSE MY mind enjoyed playing tricks on me after the dream from last night. Or more like nightmare. Grace had woken me up before the crack of dawn, crying and saying she made a mistake. When I tried to speak, no sound came out. I just kept hearing Grace sniffle and repeatedly admit her regret aloud. She had started to take her ring off when I awoke. 

For the sake of consolation, the first thing I did was look for her. Her head was on my shoulder, her left hand on my bare chest and I could've laughed in relief at the sight of the diamond ring still adorning her finger. The only difference I felt between us was the speck of assurance that I wouldn't lose her. Of course a ring was just as easily taken off as it was to put on, but something about it excited and comforted me. 

Grace stirred a little, drawing my attention back to her. By the groan of annoyance that left her lips, it was obvious she was awake. Her hand reached up from my chest and to my face, patting my cheek for a moment before letting it sit there. I laughed quietly to myself before turning and gently biting her palm.

"It's too early to even care," she murmured, not even bothering to move.

I didn't stress to point out that it was just past ten-thirty, considering she wouldn't care anyways. So instead I grabbed her hand, kissing the back of it. "Since I'm such an amazing person, would you like some breakfast?"

A trace of a smile spread across her lips, eyes still closed. "I'm not hungry, but thank you."

I leaned down to kiss her. "Well, I'm hungry, so I'll be back, yeah?"

"Must you leave so soon?" Her eyes peeled open, as bright and beautiful as they always were.

As if on cue, my stomach rumbled. She looked down at it and laughed. "I'm afraid I must," I said. "Don't miss me too much." I pressed my lips to her forehead before sliding out of the bed, Grace rolling over and shoving her face in the pillow. She'd never been a morning person.

I pulled on some clothes before looking to Grace once more, her nude back and long hair being the only thing visible. I smiled a little to myself. Of course I didn't need sex from Grace to be happy with her, but there was no denying how it intensified two people's connection. The ultimate and most intimate way to show someone you love them. 

Opening Grace's door and quickly shutting it behind me, I was in the midst of pulling a t-shirt over my head when Noah exited his own room. His cheeks flushed a little and he cleared his throat before saying, "So... I'm assuming she said yes based on the noise I heard last night."

If a person could die from utter embarrassment, I would be a goner.

"Oh, uh..." I scratched the back of my neck, avoiding his eyes. What the hell was I supposed to say?

Noah pursed his lips. "No big deal, man. I mean, extremely awkward, but nothing headphones and music turned all the way up can't fix." Before I could mentally stab pens in my ears, he spoke again, more timid. "Can I ask you something just as awkward, though?"

I shrugged, my cheeks still on fire. "We've come this far into the awkwardness, haven't we?"

He laughed some, though it was clear something was bothering him. "I guess." He rubbed his face, sighing. "So... there's this girl, and well... we've kind of been dating for a while now..."

I couldn't process that Noah felt comfortable enough with me for this kind of conversation, but I also couldn't process an answer. My cheeks had probably burned off by now, yet the genuinely anxious look in Noah's eyes made me try my hardest for a decent reply. 

Rubbing the back of my neck once more, I chewed the inside of my cheek. "Don't rush anything, lad," I finally managed to say. "Both of you should be ready... you know, don't get pressured by other people, yeah?" 

Noah tried to smile, though the awkwardness clearly sank into him as well. "Yeah, I get it. Thanks."

After giving a curt nod, I tried to settle the odd tension by clapping a hand on his shoulder, and it seemed to have somewhat worked because he instantly began talking about a new video game coming out that he was saving money for. To say the least, I was relieved to be tugged out of such a situation. He would've been better off talking to Michael about that topic.

Speaking of, he and Madeline were in the kitchen when Noah and I walked in. Madeline had freshly cooked cinnamon rolls on the stove and Michael was sat at the table scribbling hastily in a notebook. When Madeline saw me, she nearly dropped her plate, eyes growing huge and hopeful.

I grinned, all the confirmation she needed.

"Oh my God, I'm so happy for both of you!" she exclaimed, pulling me in for a tight hug. She backed up after a moment, still looking ecstatic but now a little confused. "Where is she? She didn't think she could escape my hug, did she?"

"No," I chuckled. "She's being lazy."

She was truly the definition of glowing, and I wasn't sure if it was because of her pregnancy, the engagement, or both. "We should go out for dinner tonight or something to celebrate. Gosh, I can't believe it. Seems like just yesterday Grace was wearing my wedding ring and now she'll be wearing her own."

When she put it like that, it really did sound remarkable. How rapidly time goes by, metaphorically in the blink of an eye. Time speeding by was in my favor, though the memories flooding Madeline appeared to have saddened her a bit or perhaps it was mere nostalgia. Either way, I was desperate to change the subject from past events because mine were in no condition to be brought up in such a light and giddy mood.

Michael had finally glanced up from his work, smiling at me. "Congratulations--wait, where's Grace?"

Madeline slapped her palm on her forehead. "A little late entering the conversation, dear."

"Gratitude to my busy mind."

Small talk formed while I fixed a bowl of cereal, listening to them each speak while I ate. There was never a silent moment in Grace's house, and if there was, it was very brief. Chit-chat would always occur, even revolving around stupid subjects. That was okay with me. I liked pointless discussion.

After I set my empty dish in the sink, I headed back upstairs. Opening Grace's door, I was shocked to see her already up and getting dressed. She had on ripped denim skinny jeans and was in the midst of pulling a black top over her head with laced sleeves. I smiled at her before I caught the look on her face, the total opposite of mine.

Of course something was wrong--pure happiness is always temporary.

"What happened?" I asked.

Grace got her shirt over her head and it was then that I could see her eyes were a bit puffy and her hands were trembling. She opened her mouth to form words but ended up sobbing instead, sending me into panic mode. I did the only thing I could think of, and that was to wrap her tightly in my arms.

She cried heavily for a few minutes before calming into quiet sniffles, her face still buried in my chest. "I-it's J-Jacob."

My heart faltered.

She tugged back just the slightest to try and look at me, but couldn't bear and squeezed her eyes shut. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, shaking her head. I grabbed her face in my hands, pressing my lips to her forehead. I wiped her tears away, uneasiness chewing up my insides, but I wanted to relax Grace first.

Her eyes flicked open and she let out a shaky breath. "He got in a bad accident," she whispered. "Apparently, a really bad accident."

It felt like the air had gotten knocked out of my lungs. "Is he...?" 

Grace ran her quivering hand through her hair. "No, thank God. But he's in bad shape." She inhaled sharply and her eyes filled with water again. "Why do bad things always have to happen after good ones?"

I wasn't sure what to say because I didn't have an answer for her. Life had it's mysterious ways, but that seemed like a crappy thing to tell her. Too typical, too broad. Grace wanted specifics, and unfortunately I didn't have that for her. But I asked the same question. I didn't like Life's logic.

"Do you want to head back to see him?" I knew the response, yet the inquire sounded almost necessary. 

She nodded a little, composing herself for the third time. "I don't want to leave Mom and them so soon, but... I want to be there for him."

I agreed with her. Three days wasn't the week we planned on spending with her family, however an obstacle popped into the picture. An obstacle that needed us just as badly--if not more so--than our previous plans.

When I managed to soothe Grace to where she was able to explain everything, we sulked downstairs to do just that. Madeline was a little upset, but clearly understood, as did Noah and Michael. The next half hour was spent packing our suitcases back up and hailing a taxi to take us to the airport, Grace shaking like a leaf the entire time and me trying to be the anchor to keep her grounded, though I was just as freaked as her.

The two years I spent away from Grace were occupied by Jacob. He wasn't a friend to me--he was practically a brother. There was one time when he asked me to go see his family with him because he was too timid to face them on his own. His father had ignored him the entire time and his mother only spoke when he spoke first and she was obligated to reply. 

I'm still not sure which is more preferable--being totally shunned and ignored by your family, or getting beaten and given too much negative attention.

I ended up not being able to help myself and might've told them to get their heads out of their asses and realize what a great soul Jacob truly was. Needless to say, I wasn't invited back, but Jacob had looked so proud and thankful that it was worth the dirty looks.

Trying to picture such a lively person beaten and bruised was enough to make you want to cry. Someone who definitely didn't deserve to be stuck in a nearly fatal accident. I'm not sure what I would've done if it had been fatal. Losing people was inevitable for me, but I wouldn't be able to bear losing him. It would be very close to being as bad as losing Grace would be.

Arriving at the airport, I bought Grace and I last minute plane tickets. The plan wasn't leaving for another hour, so we walked down the street to a little cafe so Grace could eat. I ordered a smoothie while she went for chicken tenders and a coke. We sat in a tense silence for a long time, the muffled noises of others around us being the only sound running through our ears.

"It'll be okay, Grace," I said quietly, not being able to cope seeing her so depressed. It reminded me of when Chase had pulled that ridiculous stunt in the cafeteria and she wouldn't speak to anyone the entire week. "You, of all people, should know how tough Jacob is."

She set her chin on her hand, sighing. "I know, but... I can't just not be worried, you know?" She picked at her chicken tenders. "I've known that boy literally my entire life, so getting a phone call like that was just traumatizing."

I nodded understandingly, taking a sip from my smoothie. I glanced around us to see the place getting more crowded than before, the lunch rush kicking in. Grace seemed to notice as well and ate slightly faster.

We waited for what seemed like eternity back at the airport before our flight was called. We could've been compared to zombies walking down the corridor. A few people spotted me, but I was thankful they were on the opposite side of the airport because I didn't have enough mental strength to really meet anyone. I enjoyed it, shockingly enough, but everyone needs a break once in a while.

Settling into our seats, Grace's head naturally fell to my shoulder and her hand laced with mine. I could feel the coolness of her ring against my finger, making me feel the faintest of smiles stretch on my lips. Even then, though, it was hard to feel happy knowing a close friend was lying in a hospital bed barely conscious.

I had never seen a point in praying before, but during the flight the small action had become one of my dearest companions.