Page 34 of Fall From Grace

“Grace,” he said softly. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“Yes, you did. You wanted to guilt trip me into making me do more than I was ready for. Just take me home.”

“I can’t fucking help it. I’m so nervous that I’m never going to amount to him in your eyes. You won’t even give me a chance.”

“Because you’re not wanting a chance, Dustin, you’re wanting in my pants.”

He placed his head on the steering wheel. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I’m rushing you when I shouldn’t, just because it’s a little surreal that you are even giving me the chance and I’m already fucking up.” I sighed and he added, “Forgive me, okay?” He took my hand.

“Take me home and start accepting my opinions like they matter if you ever want to get in my pants,” then I pointed at him, “and, it wouldn’t hurt for you to start treating me like I’m special to you.”

“You are,” he insisted with a crooked grin and I shook my head and smiled.

“Take me home, Dustin.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The dummy saluted me.

20

Grace age 16

Noah age 17

Shit. She’s not here.

Never mind.

She storms in when I least expect her, my heart stops—the stars fucking align... then I see him go to her.

I’m going to kill him. I’m going to kill him. Those are the only words I can muster inside my head as I watch from a distance.

N.P.

Friday morning started out horribly. I awoke to a tiny bit of a cold and to make matters worse, Gus slept on my uniform and now his black hairs were all over it. I tossed it in the washer before going to school and prayed it didn’t stink by the time I was able to get home from school and stick it in the dryer,onlyto get home from school and remember that I couldn’t stick it in the dryer. So, there I was, running around fanning my crinkled-up uniform all over the house, coughing every few seconds.

Sara would be here soon to pick me up and I was almost ready to give it up and call it a day. I didn’t feel like I had it in me to cheer with a cough and damp uniform in late September weather where the nights were often chilly.

Dustin called and sounded all too eager that I should sit this game out, and when I called and told Coach, she told me it was fine. Sara didn’t want me to miss the game and even threatened to still come get me but I acted pathetically worse than what I felt and she finally relented.

Great. I was missing the first game of the school year. So much for joining the team again.

Or so I thought until Mom burst through the door like a woman on a mission and eyed me and Gus viciously as we cozied up on the couch munching on popcorn. “Get dressed, you’re not missing this game!” she yelled, running upstairs.

I looked at Gus and he looked at me… What was her deal? She came back down and tossed my uniform at me. “Mom, look, it’s all crinkly and the game just started.”

She huffed, crossing her arms. “I don’t care, I got exactly ten minutes to get you to the football game before I’m needed back at the game I’m working,” she said urgently.

“Mom,” I groaned and smiled when Gus placed his entire head in the popcorn bag.

“Just get up, Grace, I told you, you’re gonna regret these little chances to live and meet someone new at your age. Listen to your mom, she knows what she’s talking about.”

“Fine,” I grumbled. “No more, Gus, your legs are too short. What if your belly starts hanging?”

She didn’t even give me any time to fix my hair and face. I had just enough time to put on my uniform, so when she practically shoved me out the car door and left on the football field, I was still adjusting my uniform and putting my hair in a ponytail, trying my best to make myself presentable as I ran across the track and saw that we were booing while the other team was cheering. I saw why, one of the other team’s player was running for a touchdown, our team way behind him.

And he just came to a complete stop, inches from landing his touchdown. Wait… was he looking at me—he was looking at me. Two, three—four of our school’s players tackled him down at once. The whole crowd went into a panic and I brought my hands into fists and backed away. “Oh my God,” I said aloud as I watched them climb off him. I saw Dustin was one of them, his #5 rested against our purple and gold school colors. He saw me and came running, removing his helmet as he scooped me up. “I thought you were staying home?” he asked and placed a quick kiss on my lips.

I covered my mouth and leaned away. “I have a cold,” I told him and he placed me on my feet. “And Mom made me.” I looked over at the other team’s player. The other guy was #22 for the other team and their colors were black and blue. He was looking over this way… “Is that guy gonna be okay?” I asked Dustin and he pulled me forward.