Chapter 11

**G R A C E**

I rush to the door to open it, my hand pulls on the handle, making the pain in my wrist worse as it shoots up to my shoulder. “What happened?” I ask sounding half wounded and half asleep.

She looks at me for a minutes, up and down, then she looks into my room. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah?”

“Then why the fuck, did it take you fifteen minutes to open the door?” She says as she barges into my room.

“I-”

“Oh my God, I knew his room was bigger than mine. When I asked him he said it’s the same size but look, I only have one window, he’s got two?” She turns to look at me, “How big is the bathroom, please don’t tell me it has a jacuzzi?”

I scrunch my eyes, trying to squeeze the sleep out. “Um, not a jacuzzi but–” before I can tell her she’s already barged into the bathroom that’s twice as big as hers.

“Oh my God, I’m killing my brother, today. Please remind me.” She turns to look at me and scowls, “What are you wearing right now? Did you not get the dinner message?”

“I could switch with you, the houses I mean.” I say as I slowly find a seat on the bed. My shoulder has gone stiffer in the last two minutes.

“GRACE!” She exclaims, making me stand back up.

“What?”

“Where is your outfit?” She paces around the room that’s too big for me.

I sigh. “I thought I’ll sit this one out.” I look at her, waiting for her response. She pouts considering me for a second.

“Okay,” she says, with a smile and plops down on the bed. “What are we watching?”

“What? No, no, I’m not going, but you are. This is your birthday dinner, you have to be there.”

She chuckles and shrugs, “Not really. My birthday isn’t for next three weeks, you know that. Besides my birthday is just an excuse for the family’s to get together, they won’t notice even if I wasn’t there the entire time.”

I sit down next to her when she starts to sound a little down. I try to give her a side hug but a shot of pain runs down my arm reminding me of the cramp. “Shit-”

“What?”

“Oh, nothing, I just- that’s terrible I’m so sorry, but I’m sure someone will miss you, your brother for example?”She smiles softly at the thought, reminding me of my little sister I have lost and forgotten years ago. “Lizzy?”

The hopelessness in her eyes is replaced the moment she hears that name, replaced by new-found excitement. I love this about her, how quickly she moves on, how easily she finds hope. “Yes! Oh my God, Lizzy, I need to introduce you two. I’ll definitely do that tomorrow.” She shifts upward on the bed, getting comfortable. “Now let’s watch Gilmore Girls.”

I snatch the remote out of her hand. “No, you need to go to your party, what time is it?”

She looks at her watch. “7.27.”

“Oh my God, get up. We need to go, the party was at 6.”

She stands up grinning. “I thought you didn't want to go.” She says, but before I can answer she speaks again. “What are you wearing?”

For the next ten minutes she goes through my whole wardrobe, twice before selecting the satin dress, obviously, while I use my time to fix my hair with a little blow-drying and put on some makeup. I roll my eyes before putting the dress on. We stand before the mirror next to each other and I look out of place like always. She is wearing an off shoulder black dress that ends close to her knees, styled with a bow choker, her hair neatly pulled in a ponytail that looks professionally done. But that makes sense I guess, it is her birthday welcome dinner after all.

I try to give my shoulders a roll and give up when it stings too bad while following Sophia down the stairs. “I’m so happy that you’re here, Gracie, I couldn’t imagine doing this without you.”

I scoff at the drama. “Sure, you make it sound like you’re going to eat with some crime lords.” I say sarcastically.

“What?” She stops abruptly on the steps and turns to face me.

“What?”

“What do you mean crime lords?” She asks, sounding almost worried.

“Oh God, I was just kidding, don’t worry. No criminals at your party, I promise.” She laughs nervously, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
She hooks her hand into mine with the same smile on her face as we exit the house. “Come, let's go, everyone’s waiting for us.” She says, without meeting my eyes.

“Waiting for you, you mean.” I say, teasing her, but my hand tightens around hers.

“No!” She looks at me, all offended. “Us, I’ve told everyone I’m getting my friend from college, they’re all eager to meet you. Plus Alex just texted me saying, and I quote unquote ‘Come to the party, quick. And get Grace Millers.’ Ugh so stiff.” She says but I am busy replaying that in my head in his voice, the one Sophie probably doesn’t know about. “What’s with using your full name anyway?”

“Huh?” I realise she’s asking me a question, I take a deep breath, buying myself some time. “Um, I don’t know, maybe your brother is trying to be respectful.” Sophia makes a comment on that about him needing to learn how respect is given, I don’t pay much attention to it since I’ve just realised I smell different. I look down at my dress that was only kept in his wardrobe for a few hours, and yet I smell like Alex Moretti. Already.

I take another deep breath and close my eyes, the uncomfortably comfortable scent helps distract me from the pain that keeps growing up my arm.