chapter five, little talks
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For the first time in her life, Grace was late.

She lay on her back, staring at the ceiling of her bedroom. A nearby lamp cast a dim glow across the room, but she didn't bother turning it off.

There was something oddly comforting about the light, as if it kept her from surrendering to quiet despair.

As if it kept her alive, awake.

With her mother's words blending into her thoughts, she felt stuck.

The idea of leaving her room was unsettling; it seemed like stepping out would mean diving headfirst into her father's grief.

But her mom's tone took over the conversation.

He loves you...

Let him fix you.

She began, her words lingering.

You can fix each other.

Grace's head started pounding, leading her to close her eyes. She couldn't stand the sound of her mother's voice. It was something she never thought she'd admit, but things changed after her mother's death.

She changed.

Her hair got longer, her heart slowed down, and her eyes grew heavy—all while her mother was no longer there.

Change came faster, pushed by her mother.

Her father turned scared—avoiding his children's gaze, retreating to his bedroom.

Her brother grew taller—brushing off weakened knees and heavy breath with other distractions.

Change affected them all.

Even her mother.

She stopped breathing, resting six feet under in the vast field where they used to play as kids. Just a five-minute walk from their house's porch, she lay in peaceful silence.

Grace hadn't been to her mother's grave since the funeral. She'd followed her father there a couple of times, but couldn't bring herself to get closer than a few feet.

Just enough to see the wildflowers around her mother, not close enough to read the inscription on the grave.

Her dad would kneel by her side, his fingers digging into the earth.

Praying to reach her.

A knock on her bedroom door interrupted her thoughts, and her eyes reopened to the patterned ceiling.

"Grace!" her brother's voice came from beneath the door, accompanied by another thud. "What the hell are you doing?"

Letting out a slow exhale, Grace sat up on her bed. Dragging her hands down her face, she yelled back, "I'm getting dressed."

She could practically feel Grayson's annoyance seeping under the door. "Well, hurry up, we're already late!"

After staying still for a moment, she got off her bed, walked over to her closet, and threw on a forest green sweatshirt.

She picked it up a month before her mother passed away, from a local shop they always visited together.

Grace should have caught on that day; she was walking slower than usual and breathing heavier. She should have known.

Slowly opening her door, she headed down the hallway. Grayson stood in the kitchen, shoes on, backpack tossed on a chair.

Giving Grace a quick glance, he remarked, "You look like shit," half-laughing.

Grace rolled her eyes, playfully punching him in the arm as she walked past. Opening the fridge, she bent down, grabbing an iced tea from the bottom shelf.

Grayson observed her carefully, his hand on his hip. "What happened?"

Standing up, Grace closed the fridge door and shrugged, taking a sip from her drink.

"Grace," he sighed, dropping his head a little. "He's trying his best."

She took a long sip from her drink, letting Grayson's words wash over her.

He was trying his best.

Grace understood he was right, sensing his struggle more than anyone in the house.

She knew he missed their mother like a broken arm, clinging to him, holding him down, keeping him in place.

And yet, despite regretting what she said to her father the night before, she didn't feel sorry.

He needed to hear it.

He needed to know.

They had lingered too long in his grief, drowning right beside him, and it had all become too much.

Grace missed her mother, of course, but there was a difference between grieving for someone who had passed and living for that person.

And Grace wanted to live.

She wanted to live for her mother's sake.

Unable to fully express herself, she said, "I know," glancing up at him. "I am too."

"We all are," she added, her gaze dropping to the counter, her eyes growing heavy.

Grayson walked over to her side, gently moving her so he could hug her. His arms enveloped her, and Grace forgot what it felt like to be embraced.

"Then let's try to work together," he said quietly, stepping back to look at her. "We need each other."

"I need you and Dad," he corrected, smiling down at her, and Grace's eyes began to burn.

Breaking away from the hug, he leaned against the counter. "And what I need from you right now is to drive me to school," he said, his laughter filling the somber air.

Grace wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, smiling at him. "Yeah, I can do that."

─── 

They arrived at school just as second period was wrapping up.

The bell rang as Grayson held the front door open, allowing Grace to walk through first. Consequently, the two siblings effortlessly blended into the crowd, heading in different directions.

Grayson shot Grace a smile before parting to join some friends by a locker.

Grace continued down the hallway, untangling her headphones and slipping an earbud in.

The song "Only You" began to play, and Grace's eyes immediately lit up.

There was something about music—a different world unfolded once those headphones were in, where nothing else in the world mattered but the melody in your head.

That is, until she heard a familiar voice from behind, causing her to jump.

"Where have you been, doc?" he smiled, leaning his head over her shoulder.

Grace kept walking. "What do you mean?"

He shifted to walk beside her, and Grace finally glanced over at him. He wore a dark washed jacket, hands casually in his pockets.

"You weren't here first hour," he said, his eyes softening a bit. "Danny told me."

Grace was taken aback.

{Why did he care?}

{And why was Danny telling him that?}

Clearing her throat, she replied, "Yeah," glancing forward. "I slept in."

Quickly, he moved in front of her, walking backward as they continued down the hallway.

"What?" he asked, his tone heavy.

"What?" she repeated, slightly laughing.

He shook his head, "You never sleep in."

He stopped mid-walk, and Grace nearly collided with him. He raised his hands to catch her, grabbing hold of her arms.

Tilting his head down, he caught her gaze.

Her music played softly in her head, the lyrics only you repeating themselves.

Her cheeks heated up at the situation.

"Are you okay?" he asked, holding her in place.

Grace looked up at him, nearly melting into his voice, into his eyes.

Into him.

She swallowed, saying, "Yeah, I was just tired."

He stared at her until someone came over, playfully hitting his back, and he straightened.

The person bantered with Cole, but Grace couldn't make out any of it; she was still watching Cole as he conversed.

As he walked away with them down the hall.

He turned around for a moment, hoping to catch Grace's gaze, but she was already heading in the other direction.

Her back directed towards him.

─── 

Grace kept her head down throughout last hour.

She didn't hear when Cole came in, didn't notice him taking a seat beside her. She did hear him ask her something, but she was too tired to respond.

She kept her head in the nook of her arm, letting her eyes close and her mind rest.

Cole didn't bother her the entire class; he stuck to his side of the table, listening to the teacher, occasionally glancing over at her to make sure she was still breathing.

Damn, he couldn't believe someone could keep their head down that long.

When the final bell rang, Grace still had her head on the table as other students packed up their bags and began to shuffle out.

Cole didn't move from his seat; he shifted so he could face her. Gently, he nudged her arm, saying, "Good morning, Grace."

She slowly lifted her head, multiple strands of hair blocking her gaze.

Her mouth was dry, and her head felt heavy.

Cole, laughing, moved a couple of strands away from her face so he could see her.

"Good morning," he repeated, drawling out the words. He had a dorky smile on his face that caused Grace to smile.

She sat upright, ran her hands through her hair, letting it fall back into its natural position.

"Did I sleep through the entire class?" she asked, and Cole lightly nodded.

"We just went over our projects and had a beginning lesson on literary theories," he added, and Grace let out a laugh.

"You actually listened?" she said, smiling.

She couldn't remember the last time Cole Walter had ever paid attention in class.

He shrugged his shoulders and reached down for his bag, sliding it on his back.

She shook her head in disbelief, copying his movement, throwing her bag on her back.

They began to walk out of the classroom, and the hallways were emptier than usual. They must have missed the rush of students after school.

"Aren't you going to be in trouble?" Grace asked, glancing over at Cole, who had a confused expression on his face.

"You're never late to pick up," she added, and Cole's face flustered.

It was something Grace had never seen, but she sure as hell could get used to it.

"They can wait," he said, half-laughing.

Grace just shook her head.

As they walked, Grace opened the door, and Cole paused in front of her.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his gaze gentle. Grace hesitated to answer him, a response in itself.

"I want to take you somewhere," he said quickly, a lopsided grin on his face.

Grace tilted her head, raising her eyebrows.

"Seriously, come on," she said, walking past him through the door.

The cool air hit them both, and Grace appreciated the touch of cold to mask the warmth she was already feeling in her stomach.

He followed her, grabbing her arm and bringing her to a stop on the sidewalk.

"I'll pick you up at four," he said, smirking.

Between Cole's smile and the fact that he hadn't let go of her arm yet, she nodded.

"I guess I'll see you then," she said, and he released her arm, allowing her to walk away.

He watched as she disappeared into the parking lot, and when all he could see was a dot, he threw his hands up and did a little dance.

─── 

Grace felt jittery.

Not the kind of jittery from her fifth-grade graduation or a school presentation, where nerves could consume her entirely.

It was the kind of jittery where little bubbles rose and popped in her stomach at the mere thought of his name, excitement building.

She had gotten ready the moment she stepped into her house after school. Grayson kept questioning her smiles and jumpy behavior, but she brushed it off, too excited to speak.

Now, she waited in the entryway of her house, pacing back and forth, anticipating a knock.

The knock.

"What are you doing?" Grayson asked, walking into the entryway, observing Grace halting her pacing.

She gave a tight smile. "Waiting for someone," and smoothed the fabric of her sweater.

Grayson shot her a strange look and switched to gaze through the window of the door.

His eyebrows rose at a figure approaching.

"Is that a boy?" He exclaimed, and Grace's head whipped around towards the door.

A knock.

She inhaled slowly before stepping forward and opening the door. Cole stood there, a smile on his face. "Hey," he said.

Before Grace could respond, Grayson peeked around the door, his height giving him an advantage over her.

"Hey, Cole," he said, drawling out his name.

Grace elbowed him in the stomach, causing him to fall back into the entryway.

"Ready?" Cole asked, laughing.

Grace nodded and stepped out, turning around to close the door. Before doing so, she checked on Grayson, who was smirking at her.

"I'm sorry," she mouthed, despite smiling.

Grayson rolled his eyes, still holding his stomach in pain. "Have fun," he said quietly, ushering her to leave.

She smiled and closed the door in response.

Cole still stood there, a gentle smile on his face. He nodded toward his truck, and they started to walk.

Grace played with the hem of her sweater, rubbing it between her fingers.

Cole noticed and began to talk.

"That's a pretty grandpa sweater," he commented, and Grace glanced up at him, her mouth slightly open.

"Excuse me?" she said, half-laughing.

He shook his head, smirking. "It is," he said, putting his hands up in defense.

"I like the pine trees and birds," he added, laughing mid-sentence.

Grace playfully slapped him on the arm, her mouth still open in disbelief.

"You can't even say it!" she said, smiling widely, causing her cheeks to ache.

He laughed, opening the passenger door of his truck for her. She paused, putting her hand on her chest.

"Get in," Cole said, grinning, fully aware that she was about to say something stupid.

She rolled her eyes before hopping into the truck, letting Cole close the door behind her.

As she fastened her seatbelt, he circled around the front of the truck and settled into the driver's seat.

He inserted the key into the ignition, wrapping his arm around the back of Grace's seat while looking out the back window.

The car shifted, and Grace simply observed him. His hands navigated the steering wheel without looking, and his arm flexed behind her seat.

He must have caught on and smirked.

Grace didn't stop; she just stared harder.

"You can pick the music," he said, removing his arm from her seat and starting to drive down the road. "It's going to be a while."

Grace nodded, and Cole reached over her seat, pulling the latch on a compartment open.

"There's about a hundred CDs in there," he added, glancing between the road and her.

She grabbed the book out and began to flip through them. One CD caught her eye, an abstract painting of blues and reds.

She pulled it out and gently put it in.

The song, "For a While" by Sam Johnston, began to play, and Grace let her head rest against the seat.

Football fields and plastic smocks
So unforgiven
Drag me by my feet for months
I might be here for a while

She glanced over at Cole, whose attention was focused on the road. She could get used to this, she thought.

She could stay here for a while.

If not forever.

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━ Authors note!

Hey lads! It's been awhile.

First of all, thank you so much for five thousand reads on this book. I can't even fully express how much that means to me!

Second of all, My Life with the Walter Boys got renewed for a new season!! I can't wait to continue Grace and Cole's story.

Finally, the next chapter is going to be a special one, so, can't wait for you guys to read it.

Vote and comment if you enjoyed!
It means the world to me.
I love you all. Stay hydrated.