Page 26 of Grace of Spades

"Whatever, you suck. Go get laid, I'll see you Friday at Rudy's... Yeah, yeah love you too." I wait a few minutes to get myself back to normal before knocking on the door gently.

"Grace?" No answer. "I'm sorry Grace. I didn't mean to overstep." I push the door open and I'm shocked to see her in a deep red bra and panty set flipping a knife in her hand like a pro muttering to herself.

That's an image that's going into the vault.

Grace

I think you're perfect.

Why? Why?!

Ray was no fucking help! I need a fight or a fuck. I need to calm down and I can't go to Rudy's or a bar because my grandparentsare going to be here soon.

I need to lose myself a bit. I put in my headphones blasting Jxdn and start my throwing knife routine. Tossing a knife from hand to hand turning and spinning them through the air. I grab another one and start breathing through the calming movements of the blades. Up, turn, down, flip, toss, catch, slice. Over and over again. I need to get a board up so I can do target practice. Once my mind is clear, I hide the blades back where they belong and take a deep breath.

I better get clothes on. Can't meet grandma and grandpa in my undies. I grab my thigh-rig and slide it on before a pretty yellow sundress.

I look like I'm going to church. Nope. I take it off and go back to the dresser and find a pair of jeans and a nice shirt and try not to pull out my hair.

"It's just another day, Grace. They're going to have to get used to you eventually. They can't be worse than Mom and Dad." I mutter to myself.

I see movement out of the side of my eye and go to turn off my music but make it look like I'm just changing the song.

"What's going on?" Kennedy asks.

"She's stressing out over her grandparents," Christian says. How long have they been there?

"God damn, that is a look." Kennedy chuckles.

"What's happening Friday?" He asks.

"Oh, she's got a job, and then she's getting a tattoo," Kennedy says.

"She's taking you to her work?"

"Yeah. She says she wants to show me her old haunt and meet Ray." She explains.

"That Ray guy seems pretty important to her."

"Yeah. I think it's more of a comrade-in-arms situation though."

"Interesting choice of words." He observes.

"Has she told you about her life up until a few days ago? It's an accurate choice of words." She defends. I take off my rig and slide my jeans on and throw on a black tank top. I load up on my knives and throw on my old hoodie. I need extra comfort tonight. I put my hair up into a half ponytail and turn to see them whispering to each other. I take my headphones out and watch them with my brow raised. Kennedy notices me first but doesn't give me away. She's such a good friend.

"How long have you been here?" She asks.

"Since I left the pool." He says sounding ashamed.

"You've been here the whole time? Just watching her, like a creeper? It's been like half an hour!" She chuckles. Half an hour?! Did he hear me talking to Ray?

"It's not like... okay, yeah it's kind of like that." He admits. "I did knock but she had her music in and then she started throwing knives and... I just kinda stood there." He says rubbing the back of his neck. Awe. I put my headphones back on and smile at them.

"You perverts just watching me get dressed?" I ask laughing as Kennedy cackles.

"Yes!" She admits while Christian turns pink.

"Get a girlfriend!" I scold walking between them and into the hall.