Junior Year (Sequel to Start Off Fresh)

Chapter 6: The Present

I wake up to the smell of bacon and eggs. I open my eyes and I start to look for my slippers. I find them under my bed. I slip them on and I run downstairs. I enter the kitchen and I see Puck cooking (well, trying to cook) breakfast.

"Puck, what are you doing?" I ask. He turns around.

"You, missy, are supposed to be in bed," he said. I roll my eyes. I take a seat at the table. He then places a plate with bacon, eggs, and toast in front of me. I smile at him.

"Thanks Puck," I said. I eat a piece of bacon and I then realise something. Jake isn't here. "Puck, where's Jake?"

"Oh, he left. He'll be back before we give you your present," Puck said and I moan.

"Can you just give me a hint?" I moan. He smiles.

"No," he said and he laughs. "You will have to wait and see. So, hurry up and get ready so we can go." I quickly eat my breakfast and I run upstairs.

I change into a dress (that is black on the top and flowers on the bottom), a cardigan, and some converse.

I quickly tie my hair up and I run downstairs. I find the two boys on the PS3 playing Call Of Duty. I sneak up behind Jake and I hug him. He gets a little fright.

"Hey Gracie. How are you today?" He asks. I look at him confused. I then remember what happened yesterday. My smile disappears. "Sorry Gracie, I didn't mean to make you remember."

"It's okay. I'm fine," I lied. I then smile again. "So, can I get my present now?"

"Fine. Let's go," Puck said and he grabs the car keys. I jump up and down. "You'll need to put a blind fold on when we get to the car." I sigh and I nod. We enter the car and I put the blind fold on.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"You'll find out soon," Puck said. I moan.

"You guys know how much I don't like surprises," I said.

"Well, you're gonna like this one," Jake said and I moan again. The car then stops.

"Can I take the blind fold off now?" I ask, trying to take it off, but then someone slaps my hand.

"No, you can't," Jake said. Someone then helps me out of the car and we walk forward a few steps. "Okay. Now you can take tge blind fold off." I smile and I take the blind fold off. My mouth drops. It's the house that we started to build last year.

"Oh my gosh. You guys, this is amazing. It looks just like my design!" I said and I hug them. I then run up to the house and I look through the window. Someone taps me on my shoulder. I turn around and I see Jake. He gives me a key.

"This is for the house," he said and I smile.

"Are you guys gonna live with me?" I ask. They shrug their shoulders. "You guys have to. Come on, please." They sigh and they nod. I smile and I hug them. "I do have one rule though."

"What is it?" Puck asks.

"No skinny dipping in the pool."

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"Is that the last box?" I ask Puck. He nods. I then place the box in Puck's car.

"Alright then. Let's go," Jake said.

"Shotgun!" I yell and I run to the door of the car. Jake laughs and he takes a seat in the back of the car. I laugh and I then take a seat in the front. I turn around and I smile at Jake.

"This isn't fair, I'm older," he said with a smile. I laugh again. Puck then hops in the car and he drives us to my house. I exit the car and I grab a box.

"I don't understand. Why am I helping you guys get your stuff into my house?" I ask.

"Because you're sweet and kind," Puck said. I laugh. I then place the box in Puck's room.

"Okay guys. I'm gonna unpack!" I yell to the boys. I then walk into my room and I grab a box from the pile of boxes in my room. It is full of my paintings. I grab some pins and I start pinning them to the wall. There are a lot of them. There is one of the Glee Club last year, the Glee Club this year, Rachel and I, and many more. I then pull out a painting that I did of my mum. My eyes start to well up with tears. I wipe them away with my sleeve and I continue to stare at it.

"Gracie, are you okay?" Jake said. I nod. He walks over to me and he looks at the painting. I take a deep breath.

"I miss her so much," I said and Jake hugs me.

"I know you do," he said. I wipe away my tears and I pin the picture next to my TV. I turn around and I see Jake looking through the box, looking at all if the paintings. I slap him on the arm.

"Don't look through my stuff," I said with a smile. He moves away from the box and I continue to look through the box. I find a painting of Jake, Puck, and me.

"You painted that?" He asks. I nod. "It's amazing. You should actually put some of these around the house."

"Really?" I said. He nods. I smile. "Okay, I'll put this one and this one in the lounge. Oh, and that one in the dining room." I smile. I can't believe that my artwork is going to be displayed around the house.