“Sounds like someone has a crush.”

“No, I mean I don’t think so. I’ve never really had a crush before. Besides, I don’t know anything about the boy except for what he looks like, and he is way different than I am. I just met him today. Are boys always so weird?” I asked.

“Honey, you have no idea. I’m still trying to figure them out.” She sighed.

“Well there is no need to worry about me. I don’t suspect any boys will be looking at me with love in their eyes.” I laughed at the thought. “No one will see past my clothes. I saw how he looked at me.”

“Grace,” she took my hand. “You have to know that you are a beautiful girl, and that the boys will most certainly be looking at you. They we will be falling for you in no time.”

“No.” I shook my head vigorously.

“Yes,” She stated. “Does the clothes that you wear bother you? I mean you’ve worn them your whole life. Do you want to change?”

No one had ever asked me that before. I’d never had the option to change.

“To be honest, I don’t mind the way I look. I like it. It’s what I’ve known my whole life, and I don’t want to change.” It would probably make me feel like an imposter. Of course I didn’t want to change.

“Good, because you don’t have to. That’s the beauty of it. You can dress anyway you want. If this is what you like, and what’s comfortable to you, then so be it. Don’t let anyone try to change you.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. I don’t mind not fitting in. I don’t mind being different. I’ve known I was different my whole life. The only thing I ever wanted to change was living with my father, and I’m here now. I couldn’t be happier.”

She squeezed my hand. “Good, because I don’t want you anywhere else. Tell me more about this boy.”

“Well,” I giggled. “He’s got really light eyes, almost see through. I didn’t look at them long because I got all flustered and shy.”

“He sounds cute. I should probably warn you that boys can be very charming when they need to be. They could charm the pants right off of you, or skirt.”

“Aunt Darcy, please.” I slammed my hand over my face. “Can we not have this talk? I assure you that I’ve already talked about human reproduction with my mother.”

“That’s great, but she’s never met the boys that are walking around here in the real world. I just want you to be prepared.”

“Thank you. Let’s cross that bridge if we ever get to it. We only introduced ourselves. He probably doesn’t even remember my name.”

Her hearty laugh filled the room. “I’d bet my paycheck that he hasn’t forgotten your name.”

What did that mean? Was he thinking about me? I highly doubted that. It was funny to hear myself talk about him though. I guess maybe I did have a crush on this boy that I barely knew.

It was harmless, and bound to happen sooner or later.

“Want to go out to eat for supper tonight?” She asked.

“That sounds fun. Let’s do it.”

“Maybe we could go to the movies too.”

“Really, we can?” I nearly bounced off the couch in excitement.

“For sure. Girl’s night out is happening. Go get ready.”

She didn’t have to ask me twice. I brushed out my hair, put on my grey sweater, and changed into my only other pair of shoes. I was ready.

Dinner was great. At least what I tasted of it. I ate so fast that I nearly made myself sick. I was excited to get to the movies.

We were in line to get popcorn when I heard someone call my name.

Both Darcy and I turned around.

“Kennedy.” I smiled. “What are you doing?”

“Duh Grace. This is a movie theatre.” She joked.

I smiled big. “Right of course.”

The group of girls with her were staring me down. I shifted a bit on my feet at the sight of them too. “These are my friends Amanda, Kate, and Madison.” Kennedy said, introducing the girls.

“Nice to meet you.” I replied.

Not one of those girls said hello to me. They eyed me as though I had two heads. I guess they’d never seen anyone that looked like me. I couldn’t believe that though. I was just plain; it wasn’t like I had purple hair and facial piercings. Oh well.

Kennedy continued to smile as I introduced her to Aunt Darcy. She was much different than her friends. She never looked at me any differently. She was kind and spoke to Aunt Darcy as if she hadn’t just met her.

“Enjoy your movie.” I said to Kennedy as we took our popcorn and walked away.

“See you tomorrow at work.”

“Right, see ya.” I called back. She really was a nice a girl. I loved working with her. It felt so good that she’d made an effort to talk to me. We truly were friends.

“She seemed nice.” Darcy said, as we took our seats in the back of the room. This wasn’t the first time I’d been to the movies, but it was the first time I’d seen anything that wasn’t a musical. That was all that we were allowed to see at home, and they were rare. We maybe went once my whole life.

“She really is.” I didn’t say anything else.

“I’m sorry those other girl’s were such bitches.” She said.

I shook my head and smiled. “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. I don’t mind. I know I’m not like them, and I’m okay with that. They’re the ones with the problem, not me.” I stuffed my mouth full of popcorn, as full as I could get it.

“You are a special girl, you know that? I am so proud of you. Not many girls your age would let something like that roll off their shoulders.”

“When you’re used to standing out, then fitting in is nonsensical.”

“Always remember that Grace.” Aunt Darcy had a serious look in her eyes. “Fitting in is overrated.”

I smiled at her and settled back in my chair. I would. I was born to stand out, and I didn’t intend to change for anyone. I loved myself.

No one would change me.

No one.

8

Jackson

Sleeping was for the dead, I supposed. It sure as hell wasn’t for me. I stayed up late to try and finish more class work, but wound up with one thing on my mind. Or one girl I should say.

It had been a long time since I’d let one person occupy that much of my time. I couldn’t escape her. She was unusually different. So much so, that I wanted to laugh at her one moment, and bend her over that librarian desk the other.

Gah. Why couldn’t I get her off my mind?

For the first time in a while, I was the one running late. Nothing was working right. My one-track mind was on the wrong path. I couldn’t get anything to work this morning, and it was pissing me off. It was almost like having two left feet and hands that didn’t work.

Kennedy screamed at me twice to get my ass in gear.

“I’m coming.” I growled.

I needed an energy drink bad.

Mom told me last night that Kennedy’s car still wasn’t ready. Of course it wasn’t. I was stuck with her at least for the next two days. JOY!

“Should I drive?” She eyed me curiously.

“Hell no.” I pushed past her, out the door.

“Your shirt is on inside out.” She yelled.

“SHIT!” I tossed my bag in the back of the car. I rolled the shirt off my back and fixed it quickly. “Get in the car.”

“What’s with you today?” Kennedy asked.

“I just didn’t get much sleep. That’s all.”

“Maybe you should quit spending so much of your night time hours with Holly. That might help.”

“Maybe you should mind your own business,” I slammed the door closed. “Besides my lack of sleep has nothing to do with Holly.”

“Right.”

“Yeah. Right.” I put the car in reverse. “I’m in a mood, can we just have some silence this morning please?” I ran my fingers through my hair.

“My pleasure.” She replied.

I only had one class today, and then an afternoon weight session with the guys. Off-season training was sometimes more exhausting then regular practices, especially when I was running on three hours of sleep.

I could barely stay awake in class. My eyes were so heavy, and I don’t think I heard a single word that the professor said. Lucky for me Holly was in this class too. She was the note taker. I could get everything I needed from her.