Jace stood there, his weariness etched across he was smiling but I couldn't help but notice his fatigue appearance. His hair had grown longer tied up in a low bun and his complexion seemed much paler than before.
He did not look much like himself if I understood his persona anyway. Not being able to be in his presence any much longer I hastily picked my art bag up from the chair and made sure my keys were at hand. It is already insufferable that I have to live with the pain and humiliation from our last encounter that I forever wish to bury deep inside my memories.
As I was making my way to the door, I greeted Dorian warmly not even batting an eye at Jace. Dorian was baffled that I left in such a rush that he didn't even have a chance to protest, but why should he be surprised by my reaction? I want nothing to do with Jace, he made his choice, and now I've made mine.
I get into my car and drive away.
When I park in front of Gray's house the sky has a rich blend of orange and purple hues mixed with a dark blue. I climb out of my car, immediately greeted by a harsh breeze. I searched for Andrews, but he wasn't here yet. As to be expected. His father is particularly difficult on him for not getting the best grades, so now he has extra lessons with his tutor.
I knock on Gray's garage and wait for an answer.
A moment passes and the front door opens. "Lucy," he says warmly with his signature mellow cool tone.
"Hey." I smile at him.
"Looks like you're the first one here, what happened to your thing?" He questions cooly.
"He had to leave." I lie.
"Oh, he as in your boyfriend?" He teases as he gestures for me to come in.
I shake my head, "No."
"Ah," He picks up his acoustic guitar in the living room and begins to play it, "Lucy Stone, the notorious heartbreaker." He sings smoothly, his voice low and melodious.
I raise my hand in protest, "Don't start writing songs." I let out a shy laugh.
He nods in respect and lays his guitar back on the sofa. He clears his throat, "It's going to be a while until the gang pulls up, could I offer you the fine beverages?" he floats over to his kitchen and opens his fridge, "We have Le Cola and Le Orange Juice, and I could prepare tea that was harvested only in the finest parts of the world." He smirks, he is feeling extra playful today.
"The tea sounds amazing, but I'd like some water please." I smile, trying not to impose.
He nods respectfully takes bottled water from the fridge and hands it to me, "Ah fine choice, water has healing properties, that and music." He utters stoically, I can't tell if he is being sarcastic or not.
He leans back into the kitchen counter, "Well I made pretty good on tips last night, I was thinking about doing something nice for everyone and getting coffee and doughnuts from the Coffeehouse." He mentions.
"Like now?" I take a sip of water.
He squints as if I have captured his interest. "Yes, why not now?" He smirks mischievously.
I shake my head profusely, "No, I am just saying. What if someone comes and you're not here."
He dismisses me, "You can stay if you want." he shrugs.
I wouldn't want to impose but what if Jace and Dorian are still there and they see me with Gray, they'll assume I'm with him. This wouldn't be the worst as Gray is very good-looking, with his cool dark skin, straight dark hair, black eyes and an interesting ethnic mixture, his looks are exotic and mysterious.
But I'm just afraid they'll think I'm some... player? Or at least Jace will.
I clear my throat, "I think I'll wait." I nod,
He frowns and then offers a smirk, "You do know my house is haunted right?" He says calmly as if he's just joking with me.
"Huh?" I blurt out.
"Yes, the reason why my mother got this house on her nurse's salary is that someone was murdered in the living room." He utters nonchalantly.
I give him a look, surely he isn't serious. But then again, Gray never lies.
After a few moments of consideration, I cave.
"I think I'll go with you." I change my mind for no particular reason at all.
"I'm not trying to coax you into coming with me, I thought you should know that slightest piece of information about my lovely home before you're left alone here." He mentions voice is beautifully modulated even making mundane sentences sound rythematically pleasing. Still, he had a mysterious demeanour. A dark way of speaking as he was interested in strange things, like ghosts and spirits. He was odd, but his good looks saved him as people were more fascinated about how he'd say things rather than what he actually said. But like I did with everyone, I observed him.
I shrug, "Let's just go." I demand wanting to get away from this house, from now on I'll only go into the garage. I don't believe in ghosts but I don't want to take any chances.
We took his old beat-up Toyota instead of my car because he wanted to drive and he only knows manual. But I like the fact that he worked to buy this car himself. It's admirable and his more mature than me even if we are the same age. My stomach is buzzing with nerves as I have a lump in my throat that I am trying to swallow down, I just want to avoid Jace in all possible situations. My therapist told me that I used Jace to cope with the challenges in my life, she said it was easier for me to help him and his problems than to face my own. I don't want to disappoint my therapist when I see her next week and tell her I saw Jace.
Gray puts on a playlist for the car ride as short as it is, he hums and sings velvety along, his musical persona suited him well, with a Metalica vintage t-shirt that was a size too small and tribal tattoos across his forearm,
He catches me looking at him, "Good song?" He questions raising his eyebrows.
I nod, I wish that I was as carefree as him and so decisive. He has a calm exterior and a manner in which he speaks. He is extroverted and easygoing. The opposite of me, but I'm working on it. I am.
When we pull up to the coffeehouse, dread enters my body. What if his still there?
"Are you okay, you look like you've got food poisoning." Gray jokes playfully.
"I think I'll stay here," I tell him.
"I wanna show you something though." He squints at me.
"Can't you take a picture?" I ask nervously.
"Lucy." He tilts his head, "Don't be boring. Just come." He gets out of his car and walks around to open my door. "Common little bird, don't run from freedom." His nickname he and his mother call me, shes Native-American, I never got a chance to ask about his father.
"Run from freedom?" I question.
"You told me, the first day we met that you wish you could be free from your thoughts." He raises his brow, "Did you forget?"
I sigh, why do I overshare? "fine." I abruptly mutter.
"There you go little bird." He smiles as he closes the door behind me.
Jace is probably not here anyway. I reassure myself as we enter the coffeehouse. I experience instant regret the moment I step foot in the building. With a chime from the bell Jace jerks his head to the door where Gray and I stand.
We make our way to order and Gray orders a coffee for everyone and doughnuts. "Can I pay for the doughnuts?" I look at him.
He looks down at me, "I won't say no rich girl." He voices giving me a playful smirk.
I pay for the doughnuts and wait for our order to be ready.
I look around and Dorian is sitting with Jace, I couldn't miss that golden silver head anywhere. He spots me and then calls me over. I shake my head at him and turn around.
"Friends of yours?" Gray squints.
"It's complicated," I mutter. "Besides, what did you want to show me?"
"I would tell you but, the complication is heading this way." Gray voices in a playful tone, intrigued by these events.
I let out a brief sigh and turned to face Dorian, only it wasn't Dorian that I was facing.
"Jace." I blurt.