Actual Event 7- The Unscheduled Guest

HONK HONK!

"That's my ride!" Gracie called from upstairs. Gracie's mom removed the casserole from the oven and placed it on the stove.

"Are you having dinner?" She called. Gracie came running down the stairs, jogged into the kitchen and began going through the cabinets. She pulled out a tuber ware dish, with it's lid, and began to scoop out the casserole.

"Yup. I'll just take it with me." Gracie said. Her mother laughed and rubbed Gracie's back.

"You seem excited. Where's this party?"

"Rachel McGill's house. Connor's giving me a ride." Gracie finished dishing up the casserole and she popped the lid on it. Her mother handed her a plastic fork. Gracie gave her a hug then called as she ran out, "Love you! I'll be home later!"

"Have fun!" Her mother called.

Connor's car was parked in front of Gracie's house. Connor was in the shotgun seat while his mom was in the drivers seat. Gracie came rushing over to the car and opened the back door.

"Hey," Connor said, turning in his seat to see her.

"Hey," Gracie said smiling and buckling her seatbelt. "Thank you for driving us Mrs. Fiddle."

"Oh, it's my pleasure. It's nice to finally meet you Gracie." She beamed at her. Mrs. Fiddle had very pretty hair, chocolate brown and slightly wavy. She was dressed in a shirt that read, 'Forget Me Not Floral and Gift'. It must have been where she worked.

"Yeah, this is Gracie Tyler," Connor said, even though it was pretty obvious. "She was the one in that problem I told you about." Mrs. Fiddle nodded with pity.

"Oh yeah... I'm sorry about what you have to go through, Gracie. I wanted to tell you some advice." Gracie leaned forward as Mrs. Fiddle put the car into drive. "Sometimes, social classes don't matter. As long as you're nice to everyone, you'll be the person people will want to be around." Gracie turned that over in her head. It sounded like something she could do.

"Thank you," she said, grateful to at least have some parental support.

"My pleasure."

Mrs. Fiddle drove for at most ten minutes before Connor pointed to a house.

"There. That's it."

The house was huge. Four stories tall, big well kept front yard, and by the sound of it, a gigantic pool in back. Gracie's heart fell and her stomach fluttered. It was hopeless.

"Thanks mom," Connor said, giving her a hug.

"No worries," she said.

"Thank you Mrs. Fiddle." Connor's mom beamed at Gracie.

"You're welcome. I'll be back around nine, so call if you need anything." We both nodded and Connor climbed out of the car. Gracie followed his lead. Before Mrs. Fiddle drive off, however, she rolled down the window.

"Remember who you are!" She called, then rolled the window back up and drove off. Connor looked at Gracie a little sadly.

"Sorry if my mom embarrassed you or anything..."

"No, it's cool," Gracie said. "She reminds me of my mom." Connor smiled then looked at the elegant house.

"You ready?"

"No."

"Great, same with me." Connor started walking toward the front door, Gracie following nervously. When they reached the steps, Connor knocked on the door. Gracie saw lights flashing in the backyard and people laughing.

'Maybe this was the wrong place,' she thought.

Connor glanced back at her and smiled just before the door opened. Gracie looked over his shoulder and her mouth dropped open.

Rachel was pretty. No, not pretty. She was 'outrageously' beautiful. Gracie was slightly jealous, because it made Connor stare. Rachel was wearing a tikeni swimsuit. Her form was shown perfectly, like it was custom made for her body (which it probably was). Her hair was so perfect, Gracie was half hoping it was a wig.

"There you are Connor!" Rachel exclaimed, taking his arm and pulling him inside. She completely ignored Gracie. That left her standing on the porch. Gracie snapped out of her trance and stepped through the door. She closed the door behind her and looked around.

The ceiling was higher than her house's and had beautiful crown molding. The furniture looked very expensive and special, as if they had been passed down from older generations. There were beautiful chandlers, each strung with streamers. Even the streamers glittered, adding to the expensive look of the house.

"Connor, did you remember to bring your swimsuit? I told you it was a swimming party," Rachel asked, opening the porch door. Connor rolled his eyes, which Rachel didn't seem to notice.

"I didn't, sorry."

"Oh, don't worry about it. I have some swimsuits you can borrow."

"You're gonna let me borrow a bikini?" Rachel laughed, making Gracie set her jaw.

"Of course not, silly!" She snapped her fingers. A young woman, probably in her twenties, popped out of the living room. "Maid, get Connor some swim shorts. He's gonna need them."

"Oh, and do you think you could get me a full piece please?" Gracie asked. The maid bowed to Rachel, then smiled at Gracie.

"Thank you for saying please," she said gratefully. "No one ever says it anymore around here." Gracie smiled in return, but Rachel was getting impatient.

"Well?" She snapped. "Go get them!" The maid nodded then rushed up the stairs. Rachel continued to ignore Gracie. "So," she started, talking to Connor. "What do you want to do tonight? We could do anything you want." She twisted a piece of her hair, as if trying to mind control him. It wasn't working, which made Gracie pretty happy.

"I'm not really sure," he said. "But I would like to ask a question," he turned and gestured Gracie to come forward. "I sorta invited Gracie to come-"

'More like urged' she thought

"-is it alright if she stays? It will totally make my night." Rachel finally decided to actually notice Gracie. She looked her up and down, as if Gracie were some creeper off the streets who was begging for food. She debated giving her the food.

"Well, I thought it was just going to be us, and my friends, tonight."

'Might as well forget the friend part,' Gracie thought bitterly.

"Please Rachel?" Connor pleaded. "For me?" Rachel looked Gracie up and down with disgust. Then she finally huffed.

"Fine." She flashed Connor a smile, then model walked out onto the porch. Gracie's knees felt weak standing in the spotless hallway as Connor walked toward her.

"We'll have fun," he said to her. She nodded.

"You're right. We just need to find Freddy and Kelly." Gracie peeked over his shoulder to see outside.

The grass, which was about half the length of a football field, was filled with people. People were pouring themselves drinks (Gracie couldn't tell if they were good or not), dancing with each other, and laughing at each other. The backyard had a small garden of flowers, a few hedges against the fence and an arch above a gateway.

Connor followed her gaze, studied the scene, then looked back at her.

"We can do this." Gracie nodded again, but before she could say anything, the maid came back downstairs.

"Your suits," she said politely. She held out her arms and on each, a swimsuit hung down.

Gracie's was dark blue with a line of white going up the side. It was a full piece, just as she had requested, but it still looked a little sketchy to her.

"Do you think you could get me a skirt to go with it?" Gracie asked nicely. The maid smiled.

"Of course."

Connor held up his. They were swim shorts with a plaid design that was green and blue. Gracie thought they looked good, but Connor didn't seem happy.

"Could you get me a swim shirt please?" He asked. The maid nodded.

"Yes, I can. Try them on as I go get your requests. The bathroom is that way, two doors down." The maid smiled sweetly then climbed back upstairs at a quick pace.

"Take your time," Gracie called. She looked back at the swimming suit in her hands, then sighed.

"I'll try mine on first," she volunteered. Connor nodded and followed her down the hall. As Gracie was about to enter the bathroom, she turned around and looked at Connor.

"Do you think this is the best idea?" She asked. Connor sighed and shrugged.

"I don't know anymore, but while we're here, we might as well have fun." Gracie gave him a small nod, then closed the bathroom door.

After a few minutes of wrestling with the swimsuit, Gracie stepped out of the bathroom. Connor was sitting at the counter in the kitchen, and when he saw her walk down the hall, his mouth dropped.

Her hair fell perfectly around her face and she looked amazing in her swimsuit. She was so beautiful, he couldn't put it into words. Connor studied her face, then was confused because Gracie looked quite uncomfortable.

"What's wrong?" He asked, finally regaining his composure. Gracie scowled at the one piece.

"I look so fat in this. I almost look pregnant!" Connor laughed.

"You kick things way out of perspective. You look great!" Gracie blushed.

"Really?"

"Really." She blushed brighter.

"Alright, sparky. Your turn." Gracie picked up his swim shorts from the table and tossed them to him. Connor caught them and smirked.

"Alright. Be back in a minute." Gracie took a seat at the table as Connor trudged into the bathroom then closed the door. Not even a minute passed before the maid came hurrying downstairs.

"I am so sorry it took me a long time," she apologized. "I just couldn't find the skirt." She placed a blue skirt for Gracie on the table and a white swim shirt for Connor on the chair.

"Thank you so much," Gracie said, thanking her. The maid smiled.

"It was no problem. Is there anything I can do for you?" Gracie hesitated, then asked,

"What kinds of drinks are down there?" The maid shrugged.

"I think only root beer, sprite, Pepsi, and Coke. Why?" Gracie exhaled with relief.

"Just wondering, sorry." The maid shook her head.

"No, it is perfectly fine. A few of the kids did ask for something else..." She trailed off, then noticed the scared face Gracie had on. "Oh, don't worry. I didn't give it to them. They aren't old enough for alcohol anyway." Gracie relaxed, then realized Connor was coming down the hall.

He still had his shirt on and had his jeans in his right arm. Gracie couldn't believe how well the shorts matched his personality.

"Excuse me?" Connor asked politely. "Where can I put my clothes?" The maid held out her hand with a smile on her face.

"Don't worry about it, young man. I'll put them in a grocery bag and you can change into them when you're done." Conner handed his jeans over to her and Gracie gave the woman her clothes as well. When the maid left, Gracie handed Connor the swim shirt.

"Here," she said. Connor smiled then pulled off his shirt in one quick movement.

Gracie didn't mean to stare, but oh man... He totally had a six pack. She could feel her face get red as she turned to look outside.

"You don't need to look away," Connor said while pulling on the swim shirt. When she looked back, he winked at her. She smiled, stood, then punched him playfully on the arm.

"You're so weird." Connor spread his hands.

"Hey, what can I say? That's my favorite trait." Gracie laughed then picked up her swim skirt.

"Are you sure it isn't your six pa-" she cut off and blushed fiercely. "I mean..." Connor laughed.

"Don't worry about it. You look good as well." Gracie smiled, even though she was still blushing. She twirled her finger in a small circle.

"Turn around, sparky." Connor smirked, but followed Gracie's instruction. She quickly slipped on the skirt then jumped on Connor's back.

"Hey!" He exclaimed. Gracie put herself in a piggyback position and Connor grabbed her legs.

"Piggyback!" She teased. Connor laughed then carried her toward the door.

As they neared the porch, Gracie felt something cold and dark in the pit of her stomach. She climbed down quickly and smoothed her skirt out. It wasn't very long, since it only came to above her knees, but she still tried to look presentable. Connor noticed her tension, and took her hand. Gracie flinched at his touch, but didn't say anything.

"Hey," Connor encouraged. "We can do this." Gracie nodded then took a confident deep breath. Connor opened the porch door and music filled the air.