Page 34 of Grace of Spades
"Hello?"
"Hey... uh... Grace?"
"Yes."
"It's Jai? From last weekend?" He sounds so unsure I can't help the giggle.
"Are you sure?" I ask making him chuckle.
"Yeah. Sorry just making sure you remember me."
"I do remember you. It's only been like a week." Ilaugh. "I'm not that busy."
"Shit, that is not what I meant."
"I know. How did you get my number?"
"Rudy. I was wondering if you wanted to go out for dinner Saturday night."
"I can't I'm sorry. My friend and I are going to a party."
"That's okay. Maybe another day. Either way, I like talking to you." Fuck! Why does he have to be so sweet? Why couldn't we have had an amazing night and then just part ways and never see eachother again? Life is unfair.
"Well, it's been nice talking to you too."
"Shit. I gotta go. I'll talk to you later." He hangs up before I can respond. God damn organized crime syndicates and their hot sons!
I continue towards Andras' house and manage to get to sleep before midnight. Success.
***
I'm surrounded by hands. Too many hands to belong to one person but the familiar stench of Him tells me who they belong to. They're pushing and pulling at me. Tearing at my skin, dragging me down. I can't breathe. There's no air here.
All of a sudden, I can move. I'm back in the familiar room. No. Not here. Anywhere but here. The ripped and stained green couch and cluttered table are just how I remember them. I have to get out of here before he comes back. I make a dash to the door but find it locked and panic tries to strangle me again. The blood on the floor follows me as I run searching somewhere else for safety in vain.
"Where did my little doll go?" His voice echoes.
I jolt awake with a scream lodged in my throat. I try to get a hold of my breathing. I need to do something. I need to get somecontrol of myself and I can't wait for my fight tomorrow. I need it now.
Strangely, living on the streets was easier in some ways. Sure, I was cold and hungry most of the time but I was in control. It was just me. This whole family and friends thing is making me weak. I haven't had a nightmare like that in years. At least not about Him.
I decide to go search for that gym that Andras mentioned. I get dressed and slap a sticky note on the kitchen counter so the cavalry doesn't get called again.
I head in the direction Grandpa left last night and surprisingly find it after only ten minutes of searching. This house is a freaking labyrinth!
I can't even give Andras crap for the extravagance of this gym. If I had money this is exactly what I would do. There is a wall of mirrors and a row of exercise equipment. There are mats and weights and bars. It's got a freaking sauna! I may not see Rudy again if I'm living with this. I hope he'll be okay without me.
I step up to the heavy bag and take a breath. The fear is still rushing under my skin and I need it gone. It's not just from the dream either. So many big changes are happening in my life and I need this outlet. I slip in my headphones blasting DIAMANTE and lose myself to the sweet aggression of the heavy bag.
13
Jai
Grace Jacobs.
She's amazing. I still can't get her out of my head. I first saw her at the fight night at Rudy's. There's just something sexy about a girl who can kick ass.
We hit it off immediately and after the next fight night she brought me to a party downtown. It wasn't what I was used to but she was all I was paying attention to anyway.
