Fallen Grace

4

The school building felt foreign even though Grace had been there the last three years. She enjoyed school. Especially English. She loved to read, and she had hundreds of storylines that lived in her mind. She embraced all aspects of literature. It made her feel alive. Unfortunately Grace hadn't felt alive in a while. She hardly felt anything. She felt numb. That is why she was dreading being back at school. The only person she actually talked to in the past few months was Miles. She barely spoke to anyone else for more than five minutes and that was only if it was absolutely necessary.

Grace stood at her locker and grabbed her textbooks for the first and second periods. She prayed that no one would recognize her and that she could be invisible for the rest of the day and hopefully for the rest of her life.

"Hey Grace",a girl's voice greeted and within seconds arms wrapped around Grace's neck.

The brown haired girl with the friendly smile was elated when she saw Grace and her dangling earrings did exactly what they were made for, they dangled.

"Alyssa, hi",Grace said in surprise. She reluctantly brought her hands up and hugged the girl back.

"How have you been? It's good to see you",Alyssa said excitedly as they broke away from the hug.

"You cut your hair, I like it",Grace replied as she closed her locker and scanned the hallway filled with students.

"You do? Thanks",Alyssa said with a smile. "I like yours too, the ponytail is different but good different ",Alyssa nodded.

Hearing Alyssa's words took Grace back to the time her mother had got some big promotion at her firm. They threw this huge party at their house. Miles and Grace were required to dress appropriately and behave. This wasn't such a hard request because Grace was already sixteen. Her mother had got her a simple gold dress that stopped at her knees. It had two thin straps and Grace fell in love with it the second she saw it. She couldn't wait to get dressed for the party. She was almost ready by the time people started showing up. She even put on lip gloss and some mascara. The only problem was when she ran the hair brush through her hair. She didn't like the way her hair looked. It fell just below her shoulders and at that moment it annoyed her. Just then Miles walked into her room. He was wearing a blue suit and his hair was brushed back and waxed to perfection.

"What is taking you so long?", Miles asked rolling his eyes. He smelled like sandalwood and aftershave.

"I am not going down there!",Grace exclaimed in frustration as she threw her hairbrush on the floor.

"Are you having a mid-mid- life crisis? Right now?",Miles burst into laughter as he bent over and picked up her hair brush.

"It's not funny, Miles. I get it, you got the good genes. I'm left here with this!",Grace said as she gestured to herself.

"Listen,munch",Miles said as he moved toward her and then placed his hand on her arm.

"I don't know why you're feeling insecure right now but what can I do to help?",he questioned in a sincere tone.

"I don't know, fix my hair",Grace said in annoyance as she bunched up her hair with her hand and lifted it up. She released the grip with frustration and her hair fell down to her shoulders.

"Wait",Miles gave her a look.

"What?"

"Do that again, grab you hair and pull it up like you did just now",he instructed her.

Grace looked at him perplexed and then did as she was told. She gripped her hair between her hands.

"Smooth it out in the front."

Grace obeyed his directions and then Miles grabbed a hair tire from her dresser and handed it to her. She secured her hair in place and tightened the hair tie. Her ponytail fell on her shoulders. Grace looked into the mirror and couldn't help but smile. She actually thought she looked beautiful.

"I don't look scary anymore",Grace laughed."Thanks, you suck.But thanks",Grace pouted and then smoothed her brother's tie.

"You should wear your hair like that all the time, instead of hiding your face behind your hair. This way, people can see how less scary you actually look."

Grace almost smiled at the thought of this memory resurfacing. She didn't even realise that Alyssa had interlocked their arms and she was leading her to homeroom.

When they entered the class, Alyssa indicated that Grace should sit next to her. Grace hesitantly agreed. When they took their seats someone took the seat in front of Grace and then turned back to her and flashed her a warm smile.

"Looking good Grace, it's been a while",Taylor Flynn nodded at her.

Taylor had a crush on Grace ever since the eighth grade. He was a friend of Miles' so he couldn't ask Grace out. Miles made it clear that none of his friends could date his sister.Everyone knew that Taylor liked her though because he was never subtle about flirting with her. The flirting was a joke at first but ever since the eleventh grade Taylor had made it clear that he really had strong feelings for Grace. Grace and Taylor became close and Miles realised there was nothing he could do to stop it. Grace and Taylor might have had a chance but life had different plans.

"Hi Taylor",Grace greeted him as she placed her textbook on her desk.

"We have like two classes together you know, but that's not enough time with you. What are you doing after school?",Taylor leaned closer to inquire.

"Listening to heavy metal rock and then committing suicide."

"There's that sense of humor",Taylor smirked and a small chuckle escaped his lips. "Come on, maybe we can get something to eat."

"No, Taylor."

"Just no?"

"I don't need to give you a reason",Grace said sternly.

"Yeah, well it's been months Grace. You need to get over it",Taylor blurted and then immediately regretted it.

"Get over it?",Grace questioned as she stood up and grabbed her bag along with her textbook.

"That's not what I meant",Taylor said in a rushed tone.

"What else could you have possibly meant?"Grace said as she walked toward the classroom door. "I'm done with you assholes."