“Mom, Ima go check on Grace” I say halfway out the kitchen.

“Go ahead sweetie. I’ll be keeping Stella company,” Mom says, continuing on a conversation with Stella.

Walking up the stairs their voices soften the farther I walk, but the closer I get to Grace’s door the louder two other voices become.

“I can’t do that,” Grace complains from behind the door.

“Why not? It’s not that hard,” Brad roars back.

“It is! This is too much, I’m in a relationship with you!” Grace’s voice cracks “Is that not good enough?” 

“NO!” Brad yells. 

Making my blood boil, I knock on the door. Acting as if I haven’t heard anything.

“Yes?” Grace answers from the other side of the door.

“Just checking where you are. I didn’t see you downstairs, are you okay?” I say, trying to interrupt whatever they were arguing about.

I then hear whispers that last for a couple of minutes.

Grace then bursts through the door “Hey, just talking to Brad. Plus, he is not staying. Since his mom called,” Grace says in a hostile voice.

“Okay, cool! Bye Brad,” I say sarcastically

“Whatever losers,” Brad walks pass us

“Watch what you say Brad!” I call out

Brad doesn’t turn around or say another word, just keeps walking to the front door.

“What’s up with him? Are you sure you’re dating a man or a beast,” I say watching grace’s expressions.

Grace giggles “I don’t know”

We head downstairs. Dinner felt normal, not sad or lonely. I had Grace's attention again and I feared how long it would last.

Before heading back home, I hung out in Grace’s bedroom like the old times. It felt like it had been a long time since I was last here.

“Okay okay but remember I like pickles more than Kool-Aid,” I say laying on the floor eating potato chips.

“I know, but you must try it. One of my friends let me try it,” she pauses before finishing “you know what! Let’s make it together!”