Grace's POV

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I needed to get a job.

And I realized the utmost need for it when I noticed the wads of cash Aunt Kiera had left me with finishing off. Not entirely, but I knew it wasn't going to last long. And it wasn't like I could've contacted Aunt Keira again, which I knew she wouldn't respond to, just to ask for some more money.

I couldn't. She'd already been annoyed enough with me, even for the short time I'd lived with her.

I still remembered the barely concealed relief on her face when I'd told her I was leaving back for Hayward. She hadn't shed a single tear when they'd told her about Mum and Dad, and how they were found dead. I didn't even think she cared. It'd been a bit hopeless, to have no one who could've shared my grief when every bit of normal was ripped to shreds from my life.

Maybe if things had been a little different...

The next few days went by fast as I searched for jobs around town between my classes and the very little time that I refused to spend moping in my house.

"Did I introduce you to my cousin?" Alice asked as I closed my locker, stuffing my books inside my bag. "I didn't! How could I have not?"

I switched on my phone and looked at the time. Only half an hour left before I had to reach the local bar where I'd somehow managed to get a job. Not a permanent one, unfortunately. I was to work there until the employee who'd been at my place--she took a leave for a few months--returned.

"You didn't," I murmured Alice's words unconsciously, glancing at the school grounds as everyone filed out. Exhaustion nagged at my eyelids, but I didn't have time.

"Oh, then I'll introduce you to him right now." Alice cheered up, linking her arm through mine. She'd seemed plenty joyful since this morning--ever since she found out that she'd made it to the cheerleading team.

It warmed me a little when I'd realised I was the first person she'd told the news to. And I was happy for her. At least one of us was getting something from life.

"I...can't right now," I told her. "I've got very little time to waste, Alice. Maybe later?"

"We won't be wasting any time, Grace." I was corrected. And it was obviously a no since Alice continued dragging me towards the end of the parking lot. "You need to come out of your shell and meet new people."

I looked at her in bewilderment. I needed to come out of my what?

"If you're doing this to boost up my lack of confidence--"

"Of course, not." She said. "I just think you two would get along well."

I gave her a look. "Get along well?"

"Well my aunt's family moved to Ireland, but they used to live here before. My cousin spent his childhood here."

"Really?" I asked, switching on my phone again and taking a quick peek at the screen.

Alice stopped and I did too, and she nodded, looking around the parking lot. Fortunately, there were no cars left except hers, and I didn't spot any sort of a cousin figure either.

"Aw, I think he left." She said. I really had no idea why she was so enthusiastic to introduce me to him.

"He's staying at your house?" I asked her, trying to act as if I was kind of into meeting him, even when I wasn't. All I could think of right now was my job. Which I was getting late for.

"Yeah." She nodded. "Hey, maybe you can come by my house--"

"Sure." I nodded before gently pulling my arm away from hers and taking a few steps back. "But I really have to get going now. I've got this important thing to do."

She raised her brows and fished out her car keys. "Need a ride?"

I did, but at the same time, I also needed a walk to wash off my nerves. So I stuck with the latter. "No, I'm good. I'll see you around."

And then I was walking out of the school grounds.

•••••

"This is for today." The assistant manager (I think his name was Hal) said as I got out of the changing stalls, back in my own clothes. "Your shifts are usually going to be at night."

He was a man in his late thirties, I assumed, and very strict with the rules. And the staff. It had been my first day here and I didn't think he had it in him to pity my lack of knowledge regarding all kinds of complex drinks here.

"Yeah. Sure." I replied, placing my folded work clothes in one of the lockers that had been assigned to me. Pushing my hair back from my face, I looked back at him. Hal was already into some other staff guy by then, too busy correcting him on one thing or another.

Welsh's Bar, I sighed. Still better than nothing. And I couldn't exactly call this a bar anyway. It was more of a tiny cafe. At nights though, I could imagine it having a much rowdier atmosphere.

"I've placed you on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday." I almost jumped with fright when Hal spoke up suddenly, talking to me once again. "And you need to be here at nine sharp. Am I clear?"

I nodded almost instantly, while my mind ached to just drift off to something entirely else. Hal was already eyeing me in a way that was making me want to punch his teeth out, so I didn't think I should get on his bad side.

"I'll be here on time." I nodded again.

When he was satisfied enough that I'd be punctual and responsible, he waved me off and I was more than relieved to push past the back door and leave.

First day at my new job and it was already so tiring. I didn't even want to think about how exhausting the night shifts would be.

The sun was starting to set by the time I started walking on the familiar street that led home. Homework, I reminded myself. I had a shit ton of homework to catch up to before I thought of sleep. And God only knew if I'd even get a proper nap tonight.

I walked along the corner of the street, hands stuffed in my hoodie pockets as cars honked by. It was a pretty busy evening, and the rush around me was calming in a way. Letting me know that I wasn't really alone.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I took it out, sighing as I switched it on. A reminder flashed on the screen--a reminder I'd set in case I forgot about it, which I almost nearly had.

Need to check out Bridgeview Street.

I didn't think it was wise to go out to an unknown street at night, not all alone at least. But this seemed to be the only lead I had so far. The only place I had grown some hopes for. I needed answers and I needed to find them fast if I ever wanted Jack back. And I did. Finding Jack seemed like the only tether to this world. I didn't want to give up. I couldn't.

My mind had already started wandering through various thoughts as I neared my house.

What was I supposed to find there? What was I looking for? I didn't even know what I was looking for in the first place. Papa could've just written that random address for almost anything.

Just as I was almost about to push open the old fence to reach my front door, I heard voices.

"That is so rude!" Someone exclaimed. "How can you be so rude?"

I glanced over my shoulder when I recognised the hyped-up voice. It was Alice, standing out on her front porch with hands on her hips. She looked pissed, now that I noticed, and the reason was most probably the guy standing beside her who she was currently glaring at.

The cousin, I had an immediate thought. And I probably had exactly two seconds to get inside before Alice spotted me. I didn't want to entertain her right now, not when I carried such bone-deep exhaustion.

Turning back around, I quietly pushed open the fence.

"Grace!" My fingers froze and I grimaced. Who was I kidding, thinking I could escape?

Before I could've turned back around to face her, I heard her footsteps nearing me. "Hey! You're back. Where did you go off to?"

I passed her a small frown. "I had to do something."

She raised her brows, probably waiting for me to elaborate, but I didn't. I wasn't ready to tell her that I had a job all of a sudden.

"Well, since you're back." She started. I knew what was coming. "Come on. I'll introduce you to my--"

"--cousin, I know." I finished it off for her with a sigh.

Alice let out a small chuckle and ushered me to follow her. I did exactly that, following her since I supposed I should just be done with it. As I neared her house and her mysterious cousin from Ireland, I noticed the midnight black hair--somewhat familiar--and his tall athletic build. I was aware that I wasn't necessarily short in height, but this guy was definitely taller.

He was busy with his phone until he felt us coming near him. Then he turned around.

For a whole wide second, I just stared. And then his eyes widened when he looked back at me. I realized why pretty soon, because how could I ever forget that face?

"This is my friend Grace," Alice spoke up, looking at him with a wide grin. "And Grace, this is my cousin. Fraser."

Oh God.

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so apparently theres this thing called a mood ring and i had no idea about its existence??