chapter ten, why me?
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Her lungs throbbed, and her chest constricted with every breath.

She had to consciously practice slow breathing to prevent a sharp pain from settling just above her rib cage. Sometimes, she intentionally took a deeper breath to feel that slight sting.

—to feel something.

Grace knew it might come off as pathetic, maybe even a bit sad. But that didn't stop her from doing it one more time as she entered the cafeteria, casually cupping her side with her hand while glancing around.

The place seemed quieter than usual. People were in their usual spots, but there was just something different, at least according to her.

She flinched at another sharp inhale when she turned around, spotting Danny on a bench by the main doors. He was hunched over, completely absorbed in his phone.

He sported a beanie, his hair gently curling around it. Grace smiled softly at his appearance and started walking toward him, her side still causing discomfort.

She wondered if the ache would ever go away—as it clung to her, burying itself under her skin like a never-ending wound.

Though a part of her wanted to blame Cole for the suffocation, deep down, she knew the truth.

—He was to blame for everything.

His actions were imprinted on the back of her eyelids, at the tip of her tongue, and clung to her lungs, burdening her with their weight.

She wasn't sure if the ache would ever go away, but she sure as hell knew how to cover it up—she had been doing so since her mother passed, anyways. What difference did it make if it lasted a little longer?

Danny's head peeked up as Grace approached, a lopsided grin forming on his face, and for the first time, Grace noticed the resemblance between him and Cole.

"Hey," he said, half-laughing, standing up from the bench and slipping his phone into his pocket. "I didn't think you'd actually show up."

Grace nodded slightly; her lips pressed into a thin line. "I just need to get the hell out of here."

Danny raised his eyebrows, giving a subtle nod as he gestured for Grace to go through the door. She smiled, took a step forward, and opened the door. Danny held it for her, and together, they stepped outside, walking alongside each other.

Heading towards the parking lot, Grace suddenly realized something. "Where are we going?" she asked, looking at Danny, whose expression stayed unreadable.

"It's a surprise?" he said, glancing down at her with a shrug.

Grace narrowed her eyes, a faint smile appearing as she shook her head.

Danny let out a dramatic sigh, throwing his head back and slipping his hands into his jeans pockets. "Fine," he drawled. "It's a lake house we visit every year."

Grace gave a slight nod before tilting her head. "We?" she asked, and observed as Danny halted mid-step, pausing in his tracks.

Grace stopped alongside him, tracing his gaze across the parking lot to where someone leaned against a truck.

It was the same truck Cole used to take her to the watering hole, and the same person standing in front of it.

Fuck.

Grace's lungs exhaled abruptly, her entire body freezing with a disquieting ache.

He was here.

He was right here in front of her.

—and yet, he seemed farther than ever.

A discomforting sensation crept into her side, one that she knew wouldn't fade with time.

Beside her, Danny shifted, but Grace's focus remained on the blonde boy ahead, his head down as he checked his phone.

"Hey," Danny said, stepping in front of her and obstructing her view. "Hey," he repeated, gripping Grace by her arms.

She looked up at him, feeling the weight of the situation on her chest, quickening her breath.

"I thought you said he wouldn't show up?" she asked, nibbling on the inside of her cheek.

Danny tilted his head, a cocky smile playing on his lips. "I said probably wouldn't show up," he grinned, and Grace couldn't help but laugh.

She exhaled deeply, releasing her bite on the inside of her cheek. "You're an asshole," she grinned, lightly nodding her head.

Danny took a step back, raising his hands in defense. "I didn't even do anything," he said, tilting his head with a grin.

Grace shook her head and moved ahead, causing Danny to take a step back briefly before readjusting to walk alongside her.

Her chest remained heavy, making it hard to breathe, but she pushed against it, walking alongside Danny, who smiled down at her.

"I am sorry," he expressed, draping his arm around her shoulder, drawing her in haphazardly. They both swayed in unison.

Grace laughed, pushing him away playfully, taking a step back to steady herself. As she looked away, she noticed Cole straightening up against the truck as they approached.

"Sure you are," Grace quipped quietly, shooting a glance at Danny and hitting his chest. "You probably planned this whole thing."

Danny blushed, coughed awkwardly, and glanced around, avoiding eye contact. Grace tilted her head, ready to argue, but before she could, Cole's voice interrupted them.

"What are you doing here?" Cole asked, his usually deep voice taking on an unfamiliar edge. Grace hadn't heard him sound like that before.

So quiet.

"I invited her," Danny shrugged.

Cole narrowed his eyes, and Grace sensed his gaze piercing through Danny.

"Well—"

"Grace!" a familiar voice chirped as someone rounded the truck. The sound of the voice made Grace's chest tighten.

"It's so good to see you," Jackie said with a bright grin, intensifying the ache in Grace's heart. She took a deep breath, the familiar sharp sensation coursing through her side.

"What are you doing here?" Grace inquired, the words stumbling from her lips, leaving her mouth dry and irritated.

Jackie glanced back at Cole, whose expression dropped and paled before returning to Grace, whose expression mirrored his features.

"Cole invited me to the lake house," she confessed, the words stinging more than the pain in Grace's side.

Why?

Grace wanted to ask that question.

Ask why, out of everyone, he chose her.

But a part of her didn't want to know, and that small sliver kept her silent.

"Oh," Grace began, licking her lips and mustering a faint smile. "That's great."

Jackie's expression dropped momentarily, and Grace almost felt a twinge of sympathy. But before she could say anything, Danny stepped forward, his hand brushing the corner of Grace's shoulder.

"Should we head out, then?" he suggested, glancing between the three of them, his hand making slow gestures on Grace's shoulder.

Cole nodded slowly, pushing himself off the truck. "Yeah," he agreed, his eyes briefly on the space between Danny and Grace, where his hand lay. "Let's head out."

Jackie agreed, following Cole's lead and rounding the truck, settling in the backseat while he took the front.

Danny and Grace hesitated, her side aching, chest rising and falling rapidly.

"We can always bail," Danny suggested, looking down at her with a faint smile. "You can make a run for it now, and I'll come up with an excuse, I promise," he added, to which Grace responded with a smile.

She lightly shook her head, cupping her side. "I've got this," she said, stepping forward and glancing back at Danny. "Right?"

Tilting his head from side to side, inhaling sharply through clenched teeth, he proclaimed, "Of course," while swinging open the truck door. "Now hop in."

Grace arched her eyebrows, lips forming a thin line. Slowly, she entered the truck, taking a seat beside Jackie, who was engrossed in her phone.

Danny hopped into the driver's seat and started the engine, the radio auto-playing. A song filled the air, triggering a wave of memories.

Remember when our songs,
were just like prayers.

Like gospel hymns,
that you called in the air.

Each lyric clung to Grace's tongue, lingering in her throat. She observed Cole pulling down the sun visor, his gaze catching hers and holding it for a moment.

His eyes remained locked, and a part of Grace wished to stay in that gaze forever, feeling the warmth that filled her body.

However, a sharp pain occurred in her side, and slowly she looked away, gazing out the window as the school gradually faded into the distance.

—Herself along with it.

───

The drive to the lake house took a bit over an hour, and Grace sensed the air in the truck hanging heavy, anchoring everyone in place.

Not a single word was uttered throughout the entire ride, with only the soft hum of the radio providing any sound.

Jackie stayed on her side of the seat, legs curled up against her chest as she leaned her head against the car door.

Grace wasn't sure if she had dozed off, but the dark circles under her eyes suggested otherwise. She made sure to stay still, letting Jackie rest even if she hadn't fallen asleep.

Instead, she gazed out the window, occasionally stealing glances towards the front of the truck where Cole sat. His head was leaned back against the seat, arms crossed over his chest. She couldn't help but keep her eyes on him.

She missed him, of course she did.

But that just made the ache more intense.

—more obvious.

Every inhale felt like a weight on her chest, yet her heart raced, a mixture of dread and excitement coursing through her veins.

Her side still ached, but it shifted into a different sensation, one that tightened in the pit of her stomach as she stared at him.

She knew what it was, that feeling, but she pushed it down, her lips parting involuntarily as her breathing grew heavier.

It seemed kind of pathetic, for someone to have such a hold on her, but there he was, sitting quietly and saying nothing, and yet—

Grace's heart raced.

The truck veered onto a dirt road, and he shifted, stretching his arms and looking around. He glanced at Danny before turning back to the rear seat, his expression altering as soon as he locked eyes with Grace.

He locked eyes with her, his gaze tracing over her skin like a silent prayer. Time stood still, and for a moment, Grace was lost.

The world around them faded—what happened, where they were, and who was with them.

It was just the two of them.

Nobody else.

The truck came to a gradual stop, jolting Grace forward and snapping her out of the moment. She averted her gaze, looking out the side window at a small house.

Cole's gaze lingered for a moment, but when Danny shifted, Cole's attention shifted too. Grace watched as Danny opened the truck door, stepping out and stretching his arms.

Following suit, she stepped out of the truck, her eyes scanning the surroundings. A small wooden cabin and a few other cars parked in front of it caught her attention.

"Who else is here?" she inquired, glancing at Danny, who had removed his beanie to run a hand through his hair.

He hummed before responding, "Some of Cole's friends," he shrugged, putting his hat back on. "They come every year."

Grace nodded lightly, noticing Cole getting out of the truck, a very sleepy Jackie following him. She must have fallen asleep.

Danny caught Grace's gaze, gently patting her on the shoulder. "I really am sorry," he said, nodding his head toward them.

Grace offered a faint smile, shaking her head. "It's okay," she said, watching Jackie laugh at something Cole mentioned.

"It's okay," she repeated, quieter this time.

Danny gave another pat on her shoulder and motioned for her to follow him to the back of the truck, where a couple of boxes were.

He unlatched the truck and grabbed a box, passing it to Grace, whose arms groaned under its weight.

"What the hell is all this?" she asked, attempting to peek under the closed lid.

Danny grinned, hoisting a box for himself. "Oh, you know," he said, starting to walk towards the house. "Some drinks."

Grace raised her eyebrows, half-laughing, and followed his stride. They made it halfway up to the house before another group of people poured out of a parked car.

The same group that Cole sat with at lunch.

"Hey," one of the guys cheered, walking up to Danny and slapping him hard on the arm. "Is that the good stuff?" he asked, a giant toothy grin on his face.

Danny shook his head, smiling. "Could it be anything less, Dylan?"

The boy, apparently named Dylan, laughed and slapped Danny's arm once more before moving past him.

Suppressing a smile, Grace observed Danny rolling his shoulder. "A touch too hard?" she teased, laughing.

He rolled his eyes, continuing his stroll. Grace kept pace with him, stepping into the house, finding it to be even more welcoming than she had anticipated.

The walls were adorned with dark wood, barely visible as every surface was covered in something—poster, framed photographs, banners; you name it.

They made their way into the kitchen, which opened up onto the patio with a fire pit in the center. Danny set his box down on the counter and began to unpack.

"You can just put it over there," he said, nodding toward the opposite countertop. Grace walked over, placing the box down, and shifted her attention to the lake.

Taking another step forward, she leaned against the wall, gazing at the water hitting the shore. The sound enveloped her, and she inhaled deeply, absorbing everything.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Danny asked, arranging a couple of bottles on the counter.

Before Grace could respond, the chatter in the house swelled, and the rest of the group piled into the kitchen and out onto the patio.

Dylan helped Danny in unpacking a few more boxes, while a group of girls began pouring beverages and passing them around—a well-practiced routine.

Music started playing, people found their seats on the patio, and Cole ignited the fire pit, his face bathed in the warmth of the flames.

Taking a lounge chair, he leaned forward, resting his arms against his knees, while Jackie stood beside him, her arm supporting the back of the chair to keep her upright.

Of course, they were side by side.

Why wouldn't they be?

Grace sighed, watching the rest of the group find their places around the fire. Laughter resonated across the lake, piercing Grace's ears.

A gentle pat on the shoulder caught Grace's attention, and she saw Danny standing beside her, presenting a glass with a clear liquid inside.

"Ease up," he recommended, handing her the glass with a smile before settling into his own spot on the patio.

Grace shifted her gaze to Cole, who had reclined in the chair, Jackie's arm still draped over the top of it. Their bodies were closer than before.

Grace tilted her head back and downed the clear liquid, feeling its warmth cascade down her throat. It had a slight burn, but she didn't mind.

Watching them closely, she sensed that she might need a lot more drinks to navigate this day smoothly— or to get through it at all.

───

"Is it that time already?"

Erin laughed, rising from her lounge chair and taking a step forward. She scanned the surroundings and stated, "Hell yeah it is, let's play some truth or dare."

Grace narrowed her eyes, looking over at Danny seated beside her. His cheeks were slightly flushed, matching the cup in his hand.

"Truth or dare?" she asked, tilting her head.

Danny shrugged, taking a sip from his cup before responding, "It's not the normal truth or dare," he drawled out, awkwardly smiling. "I don't play."

Grace raised her eyebrows and turned to Erin, who stood by the fire pit alongside another girl.

"Olivia, will you do the honors?" Erin cheered, a wide grin on her face.

Olivia smiled, taking a long sip from her drink before saying, "We're going to start some truth or dare, so whoever's in," she gestured around the fire pit, "come stand here, and if you don't," she drawled out. "You're a pussy."

Grace glanced at Danny, who just shook his head before getting up and heading further down the dock, alongside another boy.

A group started forming around the fire pit, and Grace noticed Jackie stumbling into it, with Cole by her side.

Grace poked the inside of her cheek with her tongue, keeping an eye on them. Cole took a glass away from Jackie, who protested as he placed it on a nearby table.

His gaze briefly met Grace's before rejoining the group, his hands finding his pockets. Grace's heart skipped a beat, and she hated it.

Olivia must have noticed Grace's gaze and waved her over. "Come on," she said, stepping aside to make space for her. "Don't be a pussy."

Grace scoffed quietly, stealing another glance at Cole, whose attention remained on Jackie. She bit the inside of her lip before pushing off the chair and walking over, joining the crowd.

Olivia grinned, and Grace gave a faint smile.

"Alright," Erin declared, scanning the group, her eyes lingering on Cole before settling on the girl beside her. "Ruby, truth or dare?"

"Truth," Ruby replied, placing her glass down beside the fire pit and looking up at Erin.

"How do you really feel about Paige?" Erin inquired, a faint smile crossing her face.

Ruby suppressed a smile, turning around and grabbing Dylan by the sweatshirt, pulling him into a kiss.

Grace looked away, awkwardly smiling.

She caught sight of Jackie, whose facial expression was scrunched in confusion. "What just happened?" she asked, to nobody in particular.

Olivia chimed in, "You can pass your turn by kissing the person on your left," she said, smiling into another sip from her drink.

Jackie's eyes widened at the same time Grace realized. She was beside Cole.

Her Cole.

"Okay," Olivia exclaimed. "My turn," she glanced around the group, and Grace's chest caved with each breath. Olivia's eyes stopped, and a small smile played on her face.

"Cole," she said, and his body froze. "Truth or dare." He glanced at Grace, whose lips parted involuntarily as she took deeper breaths. She watched him take a sip from his drink.

"Truth," he finally said, his voice low.

Olivia hummed. "How do you really feel about Dylan taking your number?"

His expression shifted to something Grace had never seen before. His eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched.

The group fell silent, waiting for a response. Grace stayed quiet too, unsure if she could speak even if she tried.

He slowly nodded his head, glancing over at Jackie, whose body remained completely still. Their eyes locked, and that single glance made Grace's body tense, her chest caving completely.

He wouldn't.

Would he?

Her breath grew heavier, quicker. The sensation coursed through her body, piercing in her side, in the center of her chest.

She was breathing at a rate she couldn't keep up with, and before she knew it, she was walking away from the fire pit.

Her steps resonated loudly as she traversed the house, exiting through the front door and venturing deeper into the woods.

A familiar voice called out after her, triggering memories that flooded her head—the same ache in her chest, the solid ground beneath her feet.

She needed to get away.

Moving deeper into the woods, she stepped over and between trees. Her breath grew heavier, and the cold air intensified the pain in her chest.

The sound of her name echoed throughout the woods, urging her further, his voice tearing through her.

"Grace!" Cole shouted again, and the grip of his hand around her arm made her heart drop.

She pulled away, glancing back at him. His face was flushed, chest rising and falling quickly.

"What?" she asked, the single word coming out harsh. His eyes softened, taking a moment to just look at her.

He missed her, even in this state.

"Talk to me," he said gently, his breath erratic.

She scoffed, swaying on her feet. "Talk to you?"

"Yes," he said, taking a step forward, which Grace matched, taking one back.

She observed the hurt washing over his features, and a part of her felt remorse. A small sliver of her wanted to kiss him right there, forget everything.

But she knew she couldn't.

She took a deep breath before speaking. "You were going to kiss her," she said, her voice breaking without her consent.

Cole scrunched his eyebrows, his lips slightly parted as he breathed heavily. "Kiss her?" he said, his voice lacking any mockery. "I would never, Grace," he said, almost taking another step forward but stopping himself.

"I would never do that to you," he finished, his eyes darting over her face, searching for something—anything.

She nodded lightly, glancing around as her cheeks grew warm, her vision blurry.

"No, you would just take her to the watering hole," she said with a shrug, her throat gasping for breath.

He remained silent, and Grace's body grew heavy, her eyelids dropping, her breath slowing.

It felt like time was stopping.

"Grace," he finally said, and she glanced over at him. His voice was weak, strained.

"I'm sorry," he added, and Grace noticed his eyes growing red, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

She hated seeing him like that.

Hated herself for making him like this.

But that didn't erase what happened.

She took a shaky breath. "I'm not sure if that's enough," she said, walking forward.

Cole's eyes stayed on her as she approached, and just when he thought she was going to close the gap, she walked past him, heading back.

And for the second time, he lost her.

───

When Grace returned to the house, it reverberated with the sound of yelling.

She opened the front door to find Danny, sleeves rolled up, holding a dozen paper towels.

The noise of others echoed from the patio, and Grace quickly grasped what had happened. Jackie, incredibly drunk, had thrown up on the patio, covering the wooden boards.

She tilted her head at Danny, who paused in his task, standing in front of her.

"Are you okay?" he asked, and the words floated around in Grace's head, blending with the rest of it. She slowly nodded, staring off into the distance.

Danny stayed still for a moment, just staring at her, but someone yelled from the patio, and he hurried off, leaving Grace to herself.

She continued to stare at the space Danny occupied, too tired to move. It felt as though her chest had caved so much, weighing her down, with the fragments of her heart landing in the pit of her stomach, stabbing at her skin.

Everything hurt.

And she sunk into it.

Like sinking into quicksand, her eyelids drooped, her knees bent, and she felt the weight of the situation anchoring her in one place.

It was unbearable.

Dylan and another boy entered the entryway, supporting a sick Jackie between them. They guided her to the couch, grumbling under their breaths as they gently set her down before heading back to the patio.

Jackie squirmed on the couch, curling her legs up against her chest and leaning her head back.

Grace hated her.

Hated her so much she felt bad for it.

And in that moment, all she wanted to do was forget everything and help the poor girl. Because she felt awful, and Grace understood that all she would want is someone there.

So, in response, Grace slowly walked over to where Jackie was and stood in front of her. The rest of the group began to pile into the entryway, packing things up.

Erin and the other girls were the first ones out the door, their disgust evident on their faces.

They grabbed their coats and opened the front door, leaving it open as they went to their car. Dylan followed them, holding a box.

"Hey," Danny said unexpectedly, and Grace jumped slightly. He stood behind her, a small smile on his face. "Sorry."

Grace shook her head and glanced back at Jackie, whose eyes were closed. "Is she okay?"

Danny took a step beside her and looked down at her as well. He tilted his head, "I don't know," is all he said before he reached down, grabbing her by the arm.

Grace followed his movement, grabbing her other arm and helping her up. She groaned through muffled noises, and between Grace and Danny, they got her off the couch.

Slowly, they began to walk her outside, and just as they were approaching the truck, Cole appeared. His eyes widened at the sight of Jackie, and he stepped closer.

"What the hell happened?" Cole asked, bending down slightly to view Jackie's face, which had turned paler over time.

Danny opened the truck door with his free hand, groaning with the weight of Jackie. "She got sick," he said, guiding her into the back seat.

Grace helped, propping her up.

"Shit," Cole murmured, and he threw a hand into his hair, pacing slightly.

Grace let go of Jackie, and Danny buckled her in before closing the truck door, glancing over at Cole, who was still pacing.

He walked up to him and grabbed him by the arms. "Snap out of it," he urged, his voice low. "She's fine, and you have bigger problems."

Grace's heart skipped a beat, her eyes locking with Cole's for a moment before she rounded the truck, settling into a seat in the back.

Her breath grew heavy as she observed Danny and Cole engaging in a tense conversation through the window.

A groan from Jackie diverted her attention, and she watched as Jackie squirmed, her head falling onto the seat between them.

Grace inhaled deeply, closing her eyes.

She hated this girl.

Hated her for making forgiveness so easy.

She knew she would regret it, but slowly she lifted Jackie's head, sliding over and letting it rest on her lap.

She brushed a strand of hair away from her face as the side door opened, and Cole entered, quietly shutting the door behind him.

He kept his attention forward, his back turned to Grace. Meanwhile, Danny remained outside, engaged in a conversation with Erin, whose eyes held an unexpected warmth.

With his hands in his pockets, swaying slightly, Danny appeared to bid farewell. He turned around, circled the truck, and settled into the driver's side.

A quick glance back at Grace, a smile, and he ignited the engine, reversing out of the driveway.

Grace briefly looked down at Jackie before shifting her gaze upward, catching Cole in the sun visor's mirror once again.

This time, she held it.

And held it.

And held it.

Because for once, Grace wasn't sure.

She wasn't sure if she would ever see him again, and she wanted to know what it felt like to look in his eyes one last time.

───

Grace felt the weight of exhaustion as they pulled into the Walter's driveway a little past five thirty p.m.

Her legs were numb from supporting Jackie's body weight, and her head leaned heavily against the back seat.

She closed her eyes briefly, and just as they were about to close completely, the truck came to a slow halt, jolting her forward.

Cole was the first to step out, opening Jackie's side door. His gaze met Grace's for a moment before he shook Jackie to wake her.

Jackie groaned, rubbing her face with her palms, and her typically straight hair had become a cascade of curls across Grace's legs.

"Come on," Cole drawled, reaching in to grab Jackie's arms. Slowly, he pulled her off Grace, setting her upright. Holding her in place, Cole glanced at Grace, who unbuckled Jackie, causing her to lean forward slightly.

"Hey now," Cole said, supporting Jackie's head. "I'm going to need you to walk," he added, positioning her legs out of the truck.

"Can you do that?"

Danny rounded the truck, standing beside Cole with his hand on his hip, both of them watching Jackie carefully.

Grace noticed the resemblance between the two of them and smiled to herself.

Jackie mumbled a few quiet and eligible words, prompting Cole to assist her out of the truck.

Grace followed suit, hopping out as they closed Jackie's door behind them and rounding the truck to where Grace stood.

Jackie's eyes widened upon seeing Grace, a grin appearing on her face. "Grace!" she exclaimed, walking up to her and wrapping her arms around her. "You're amazing, you know that, right?" she said, and Grace glanced at Danny, who laughed.

She narrowed her eyes at him.

Slowly, she shifted Jackie to her side, wrapping her arm over her own neck to keep her upright. Grace began to walk toward the house, with Cole and Danny following behind her.

Guiding Jackie to the side, Grace wrapped her arm around her own neck to keep her upright, leading the way toward the house. Cole and Danny followed closely.

"You really are great," mumbled Jackie, and Grace felt a tightening in her chest. She guided them up the front steps, steadying themselves with the railing.

"You are too," Grace whispered, earning a huge grin from Jackie.

Pausing at the front door, Danny stepped forward, opening it for them. Grace carefully guided Jackie inside.

In the living room, everyone gathered, and just as Grace prepared to lead Jackie upstairs, Katherine's voice cut through.

"Where have you guys been?" Katherine asked, her voice gentle but tinged with frustration.

Wearing her robe and tightening it around her waist, Katherine leaned against the wall for a better view.

Her gaze lingered on Jackie, and she burst into giggles. "We went to a party," she said with a grin, leaning her weight against Grace, who felt her knees bend.

Katherine dropped her head, looking at the floor before meeting Grace's eyes. "Grace, can you take her to her room?" she asked with a faint smile.

Grace nodded lightly, slowly guiding Jackie up the stairs, who was still smiling. George came down as they began to head up, his feet heavy on the staircase.

"Where have you guys been?" he quickly asked, and Katherine responded, but her words were too quiet for Grace to catch as she pushed open Jackie's bedroom door.

Flipping the switch on, Grace guided Jackie to the bed, gently placing her down and taking a seat at the base of it.

Jackie didn't squirm this time; instead, she stared at the ceiling, her body completely still.

Grace was about to get up, but before she could, Jackie began to speak. "It's my sister's birthday," she said softly, and Grace's chest caved.

Oh god.

"She would've been twenty-two," she added, laughing lightly.

Grace kept quiet, staring at her.

"It's not fair," her voice began to crack. "Some people just don't deserve that," she said, barely above a whisper, and Grace took a deep breath.

"No," Grace said. "They don't."

Jackie nodded lightly, her chest rising and falling in slow movements. They stayed like that for a moment, in perfect stillness.

The two of them lingering in shared grief.

But slowly, Jackie adjusted to meet Grace's eyes. Pausing, she hesitated before murmuring, "He's in love with you." Grace held her breath.

She wasn't sure she heard her correctly.

"What?" she said, barely above a whisper.

Jackie slowly nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "Don't throw that away, because sometimes it's taken too soon and you don't ever get it back," she said, and Grace stared at her, eyes wide.

Quietly, Jackie laid back down on the bed, closing her eyes. Grace stayed for a moment, catching her breath and wrapping her head around what was said.

He loves her.

He loves... her.

She took a deep breath and a knock on the door caused her to jump slightly. Alex stood in the doorway, his attention focused solely on the girl beside Grace.

She got up, her legs weak, and headed toward the door, Alex replacing her spot on the bed. She paused just before leaving, watching as Jackie sat upright on the bed, smiling at the boy in front of her.

Her chest ached, and the words lingered on her tongue, like a prayer waiting to be said.

Cole Walter loves her.

And she was pretty sure she loved him too.

───

━ Authors note!

We're halfway through the story...
That's insane to me.

Also, this whole chapter simply made me love Danny Walter more.

Vote and comment if you enjoyed!
It means the absolute world to me.
See you next time ;)