Trouble Page 5
Grace
Even though he’s apologized, I’m still simmering over Dan’s comment. I wish I knew how why he said it. But I’m also thankful. His comment reminds me that I really don’t know him that well yet. He might seem like a nice, charming guy, but we have a history. Or more accurately, Dan and my dad have history.
It’s the end of our shift, and Dan is polishing the last of the glasses while I make sure all the electrics are turned off and all the doors are locked. My phone buzzes. It’s a message from Mia.
Mia: Hey babe, how’s playing house with the douchebag going?
Me: If you’re talking about Swanson.. he has his moments.
Mia: I hope you’re not forgetting how he treated you that night. Guy has it in for you.
Me: I haven’t forgotten, but I think it was a misunderstanding, he doesn’t seem like that kind of guy…
Mia: Well, I trust your judgment. What are you doing this Friday, I was thinking of catching the first game for the season.
Me: That sounds fab. I haven’t seen you girls for aaaages and I’m having serious withdrawals.
Mia: I was missing yesterday you before you even left the library, so I think I’m the one who deserves sympathy here!
Me: You don’t know the pain my heart feels 3
Mia: Stop it I’m going to cry. Ask your new roomie to mend it?
Me: Ha. Not my type. Anyway, forbidden fruit and all that,.
Mia: Didn’t Eve eat the forbidden fruit.
Me: That’s not what I meant!! My brain has stopped working, I’m practically asleep on my feet. I’ll see you at the library tomorrow so we can plan out Friday. Ciao xx
Mia: Nice convo dodge, I’ll be following up on that. See you then babe x.
'Who’s got you grinning like a goofball?' Dan says, making me jump
'Daniel! You can’t just sneak up on me like that' I reply, half pretending to be angry, half worried he would see the messages on my phone.
'Easy there tiger, I wasn’t sneaking anywhere,' he replies sitting back in a chair. I take a seat across the table.
'You weren’t too bad for your first shift' I say, breaking the silence, as he stares across the table.
'I know' he says, a slight, confident grin on his face.
'And there you go, making me regret complimenting you' I reply deadpan.
Dan laughs briefly, before asking 'is it a compliment if it’s just plain facts?'
I let out an audible sigh 'Ok Swanson, you did just alright. You’ll get faster. You can take me home now.'
A serious look crosses Dan’s face, 'How much faster can a man get?,' he answers, looking offended, while rising out of his chair.
'Are you playing this Friday?' I ask, as we are driving back in the car.
'Nope. Got a first game ban as well as being forced to live with you. Still not sure which is worse,' Dan is watching the road, a smile spreading across his face at his own joke.
'Please,' I roll my eyes as I look over at him, 'I think you enjoy living with me. Don’t lie. The tranquility is nice' I say.
'Tranquil?' he says, in a thoughtful tone, as he takes a turn, the engine revving slowly in the background. 'You’re right' he continues, 'It’s nice being out of the dorms, I wasn’t getting any down time. I needed to be on 24/7 and if I wasn’t in class or training, I had someone that wanted to hang or whatever. Now I can just relax when I’m not out. And you’re pretty cool to hang out with, sometimes.' Dan smiles at himself as his eyes focus on the road.
I roll my eyes, before retorting 'I don’t know why everyone says you’re such a terrible guy' I say sarcastically, Dan laughs a loud and genuine laugh.
'Oh is that so, well get to know me well enough and you’ll figure it out for yourself.'
As I hop out the car, and walk down the drive way, an aching sensation spreads up my legs, my body telling me I’ve been on my feet enough for one day. As I walk towards the front door, Dan mutters three magic words.
'I’m ordering pizza' I don’t reply, praying it’s not a joke, before he continues 'What’s your favourite?'
My mouth salivates and I realize that I’m starving 'You will only ever need to ask me this once. Pepperoni, and always Pepperoni' I say back.
The pizza is still steaming as the Dan opens the two boxes. Obviously not content with sharing one large pizza, he had to order one each.
'So I’m going to pay for my pizza' I declare, feeling a little guilty that a guy I barely know has ordered my dinner.
'Nope, I don’t want to hear it. This is my peace offering.' Dan replies, and I don’t bother putting up a fight before admitting defeat. I take a bite of the pizza, it’s a perfect temperature with just the right amount of cheese.
Before we know it, the both pizzas are gone, but Dan ate at least half of mine as well. I’m spread out with my legs resting on the coffee table, feeling exhausted, full, and satisfied. Dan moves on the couch to lay down, putting his legs across me, his feet hanging over the other edge, due to him being too tall for the couch.
'Um excuse me, I do not believe I gave you permission to use me as a piece of furniture,' I say to Dan, looking over at him while resting my hands on his legs. I feel my face getting warmer in response to the body contact, even though we are both wearing jeans. He stretches out more, before looking me in the eyes
'You’re comfy' is all the reply I get.
'I should be charging you for this' I reply, not thinking through my answer.
'Oh really, you would sell your body to me, how much?' this is my fault. I asked for this.
“I’m not a hooker Daniel!”
'I think we have already established what you are, now we’re just haggling over price' Dan replies nonchalantly.
'DANIEL' I reply, my face now feels hot, my skin prickling with embarrassment.
A loud, easy laugh comes, before an attempt to make me feel any better is made 'I’m just playing Grace, I know what you meant.'
He doesn’t move his gaze. His smile slowly fades and the features on his face turn serious. I feel trapped by his eyes, drawn into them, not wanting to break away, if only to remove the rising tension I feel in my body.
'What are you thinking about?' Dan asks, breaking the silence.
'I’m thinking that it’s time for bed,' I reply, before removing my legs from the coffee table, signalling that I’m getting up. He doesn’t remove his legs from my lap.
'Ok.' He continues looking at me, as if contemplating something. I drum my fingers on his leg, needing to do something with my nervous energy. He slowly slides his legs away from me and onto the floor. I move slowly, rising off the couch, keeping my gaze down, too nervous to look over into his penetrating eyes. Not another word is said as I quietly walk to my room. The only thing I do know is that I definitely do not trust myself on that couch with our legs tangled up together. I can tell that these close confines are going to make life much more interesting, for better or for worse. I need to keep my game face on.
Chapter 10
Dan
The relentless beeping of my alarm wakes me up. It’s 5.30 am. It’s a bittersweet day today. First game of the season, always one of the most exciting games for me, save for the last game. The difference is, today, instead of leading my team out onto the field, I will be watching from the sidelines. Still, I don’t regret a thing, I’d do it all again just to give a beating to that creepy fucking asshole who tried to spike Rachel’s drink.
I roll out of my tiny child sized bed and head to the living room to do some core work. No game doesn’t mean rest day. I’m half way through my morning routine when I hear movement in Grace’s room. I don't stop when I hear her silently walking past me, through to the kitchen. The sound of her cereal hitting the bowl before she pours the milk fills the silence in between the grunts of my sit ups.
After another 10, I sit up and look over. She’s looking my way, with an impassive look on her face.
“Morning, Grace” I say.
“Morning” Grace says, without looking away.
“Still feeling a little sleepy?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“It’s a little earlier than usual for me” Grace replies mildly.
"Sorry, I’ve got to keep on top of my workout since it's game day and I won’t actually be playing in it” I go down for another 10 sit ups, while grace replies.
“It’s fine, I don’t actually mind. I think early mornings might be good for my writing.” Whether Grace actually believes what she’s saying, or if she’s just trying to make me feel less bad, I’m not sure. I get up and walk over to the kitchen.
“How do you find the motivation to do that every morning” Grace asks, as I lean against the counter, looking over at her sitting in the booth. I put some bread in the toaster as I think about my answer.
“I don’t exactly have a stellar academic or behavioural history” I answer, thinking about how to say my next words without causing an argument. “And people hiring me for jobs aren’t going to want to hear my excuses, they are going to see my history, written down on paper, and won’t want to hear me try to explain why I did the things that I did.”
Grace considers my answer. “But what does that have to do with doing sit ups every morning?”
“Well, NFL recruiters won’t be able to resist hiring me regardless of my history, if I perform well on the field. And I know that sit ups aren’t going to get me hired, but it’s the knowledge that I’m doing that bit extra, that I can do a little bit more every morning to try and control my future that motivates me. If I lie in bed, I’ll just be thinking about missed opportunities. I’ve done that before. I take action where I can, from the little things to the big things, and leave the decision making to the recruiters.” I say, as I take a bite of toast.
 
; “Ok. That makes sense. So you’re putting all of your chips on being recruited, I guess?” Grace says, understanding my motivation now.
“Exactly. That and I want enough money to be able to send my sister to a better school and buy my mom a nice house and enough money so that she will never have to work again.”
Grace looks somehow pleased with my answer “that’s really nice, Daniel” she says, her gaze resting somewhere on my face.
“As long as I continue playing like I did last season, and don’t go getting into any more fights, I can’t see why I shouldn’t make it. I don’t want all the attention that comes from being in the NFL. I just need a few good seasons to be able to achieve the things I want to achieve, financially, and then I’ll be good. I just need to keep my head down for a few years, that’s all.”
Grace is playing with the milk in her bowl, swirling the last few pieces of cinnamon pieces around. I eat my peanut butter on toast, watching her mindlessly play with her lef overs. We both haven’t said anything for a few minutes. I feel…. Peaceful… watching Grace. Her pyjamas don’t leave much to the imagination, and I almost feel that she’s unaware of how good she looks. For a girl who puts in almost no effort to her appearance, she always looks effortlessly beautiful.
Even her messy hair tied up into one of those buns that girls like to do, looks kind of perfect. I’ve always thought of Rachel as being one of the most beautiful people I know, but Grace is right there with her. I could always tell Grace was pretty, even at school when she was dressed so conservatively, but being so close to her, both of us wearing so little, it’s different. Yet it’s comfortable.
Grace is still sitting in the booth while I wash my plate, I need to get my classes over and done with before I can get to the club rooms and help my coach with preparing for tonight’s match. I know he trusts my opinion and values any input I have. I’ve always spent just as much, if not more time, studying football than I have spent studying actual lessons for school.
I see Grace waiting on the couch with her towel, obviously needing to use the shower too.
“Did you want a lift into to the library, I’ll be heading over that way” I say, as I walk over to my room.
“Do you have time to wait? It would definitely be better than catching the bus” Grace replies, looking over at the naked top half of my body, my towel covering the bottom half.
“Yep, my first class isn’t for a couple hours, I was just going to hit the library for a bit first,” I reply, secretly glad I will be getting to drive Grace into school. She seems to have a calming effect on me, which is weird, since only last week anyone would have sworn we were enemies with the way we spoke to each other.
GRACE
I see Dan waiting by his truck, as I peek at him through our front window as I am hurriedly grabbing my laptop, writing books and a few pens. As I head out the door, he looks up at me, and holds his gaze firmly on my eyes. I can’t stop myself from grinning as I walk around to the passenger side, and pull myself into the truck.
“So, what’s on the agenda today, Miller?” Dan asks, as he pulls out of the driveway.
“Well, I have an English Literature class at 12 but I’m going to do some writing in the library beforehand, just for fun.” Dan’s arm brushes my leg as he changes gears. I feel a shiver go down my body, and watch as the Goosebumps rise on my thighs. I put my bag over my lap, and take a sneak peek, checking to see that he hasn't noticed and taken his focus off the road.
“And what about you, the people's champion, any fun planned between classes and football? Autographs to sign, maybe?” I ask. “Yeah. I'll have to go and acknowledge my personal cheer squad at some point but hte highlight will be doing some warming up inside the club rooms with the guys and try to get them pumped up. We’re facing a top 5 team so we’re going to need it.” He pauses for another moment, before taking a glance at me and asking “think you’ll come watch the game tonight?”
I keep my eyes on him, realizing the craziness of how quickly I’ve become comfortable being so close to him, and holding his intense eye contact. “I think I’m going to watch with Mia,” I reply, “I guess I’ll probably see you there, watching your team, huh” I continue.
“You will” he answers, simply. The rest of our ride is spent in a comfortable silence, his arm occasionally brushing my thigh, me trying to hide my Goosebumps with my backpack. When we arrive at the library, and Dan asks if I want to go sit with him and his friends, and as kind as that is (and hilarious, like I'd ever go sit with the jocks and cheer girls) I’ve already promised Mia that I’d meet her in the library and so I head to a different area. After a brief awkward moment, where we don’t know whether to just turn and walk away, or hug, or high five, or, I don’t even know. We settle on a wave. I don’t really want to be sitting with all his friends anyway.
As I’m walking to my spot, I turn my head back, just for a second, and see him kissing his friend, Rachel, on her cheek. She squeezes the back of his arm, a little longer than just a friendly squeeze.
After about an hour of developing my strong female lead character, someone is putting their hands over my eyes, from behind.
“Guess who” says a voice behind me.
“Hmm, is it Mia?” I reply, in a deadpan voice.
“How did you know” Mia shoots back, “you always know.”
“You’re literally the only person who ever plays the guess who game with me, and not only that, you’re like my third best friend, so I obviously recognise your voice.” I retort, as I roll me eyes at her.
Mia gives me a short laugh before replying, “Ugh you put me as your third best friend? How embarrassing, Grace. I have you as like my eighth or ninth. I haven’t decided about the guy who delivers my mail.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh, before I shoot back “Hah! We both know you value my brownie baking skills and would therefore surely place me as at least eighth, above the mailman.”
We continue talking back and forth for a while, while Mia settles down next to me, at my table. We eventually get into a discussion about what our plans are for that night.
“So, Grace, what’s happening for tonight, are we going to go watch football?” Mia asks, as she gets close enough that our shoulders are touching.
“Yeah, sounds good to me. I told Dan earlier today that we would be going to watch.” I say, hardly thinking about what I'm saying.
“Wait.. hold up a second. We’re not going with Dan Swanson to the football, are we? That would be some serious VIP treatment if we did.” Mia says, gushing at the thought.
“Oh, no. He will be with his team helping them prepare and stuff. I’m not totally sure what he’s doing, but I think he’s going to be working with the coach on plays and stuff like that”
“Oooh, so you guys like talk now, huh?” Mia teases, wriggling her eyebrows at me.
“Umm, duh, I do live with the guy… but he’s definitely different from the impression he left at his party that night, I confronted in our freshman year, thank God.” Mia looks at me thoughtfully while I reply. Even if it's only been a short time, I can't help but see the best and hope for the best in people.
“Well, if you say so. Personally, I am going to wait and decide for myself. So where should we get ready tonight? Your place is kind of closer than my place” Mia stretches back as she so subtly suggests that we use my place as her little makeup studio for her Friday night. I don’t mind. I enjoy her company.
“Sure, sounds good to me. Why don’t you bring some pyjamas and stay the night? I have to head to my English class now, so meet at my place around 4 to get ready? I will need to ask Dan first though, since I told him no parties.”
Mia laughs at the fact I need to ask Dan, before replying “Okay Grace, sounds good. I’ll just run home during the day and come to your place then. We haven’t had a sleepover in forever!”
Our English professor told some exciting news to the class, during our class. A new night class will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, by a well-known Author, where we will be writing a short story, open genre, with the winner receiving mentoring by her during our very first official novella! As I’m heading home, my mind is lost in ideas of what I can base my short story on, and what these classes might be like.