Morning rises, and I have not had an inch of sleep. I have been pondering over Stella’s words and clearing my thoughts on what to do next. Grace will hate me if I try to sabotage her current relationship.

“Morning Gin! I just made breakfast. You will have to make your own lunch though. I just got back from an insane night. I’ll tell you about it when you get home. Love you, Ima sleep” Mom yells from my door.

“Okay, Love you too” I yelling back

After breakfast, I lock the front door and make my way to school.

“Hey, Gin!”

My heart skips a beat, stopping in my tracks. I know exactly who that voice belongs to.

“Hey, Grace” I say, feeling a little bit excited.

I turn around to wave but once I turn, I regret even turning. I take in a deep breath “Hello, you must be the boyfriend” I say looking away.

“Oh, Gin stop I told you about him,” Grace says trying to liven up the atmosphere.

“Hey” Brad says with an awkward silence that follows

“Okay… nice to meet you but we are probably going to be late for school. Ummm… I’ll run ahead. See ya,” I say darting in embarrassment.

Grace's face changes into a frown. Mhmm… I can’t help but want to comfort her, but it is not my place, right?

“Okay, umm… bye,” Grace says 

“Yeah,” Brad says, rolling his eyes.

Without looking back, I continue my jog. My heart aches the farther I’m away from her. I cannot change who she is interested in but only admire from a safe distance.

-----

School ends with another painful day passing.

I arrive home, finding mom in the kitchen.

“Hey? No work today?” I question, slowly placing my backpack on the kitchen table, looking around at the mess that has been made in the kitchen.

“Nope! Today is a free day!! Stella and I planned a family dinner,” Mom says, shaking her hips to a beat I can’t hear.

“Mom we aren’t their family, you can’t keep calling those dinners family dinners,” I say grabbing a broom from the hall closet. 

“Boy, go get change. I’m almost done with the Mac and Cheese then we'll head over,” Mom insisted, taking the broom out of my hand and pushing me towards my room.

Stella and Mom act like long lost sisters. Sure, we have been neighbors for years, but man there’s no separating them, they’ll find any excuse to hang out with each other. Truth be told I don’t mind. I don’t enjoy the family aspect of it.

Taking off my shirt I find cheese shuck to the back of it. Thanks Mom! After changing into a T-shirt and jeans, Mom’s voice echoes the house.

“Gin! Come help me carry this over,” mom yells from the kitchen. 

“I’m coming! I’m coming!” I echo back, struggling to put on my shoes.

Once we walk outside, I begin to feel butterflies in my stomach, I have not talked to Grace since this morning. I’m nervous!

“Mom, can we skip just today?” I whine shifting my weight from side to side.

“Boy you know damn well my off days are not easy to come by. Keep walking! Stop wasting my time,” Mom growls at me.

“Ugh...” My butterflies start getting intense. Ugh... I feel the urge to vomit. We walk through Grace's family’s front door.

“Hey, we’re in the kitchen. Dinner is almost done” Stella shouts

“That’s fine. We brought Mac and Cheese” Mom says ushering me towards the kitchen.

 Looking around, I don’t see Grace. Usually, she’s helping her mom. Is she in her room?