Chapter 72 RUNNING TO HIM

Chapter 72 RUNNING TO HIM
CHAPTER 72

GRACE'S POV
RUNNING TO HIM

My phone kept blowing up in my hands. Notification after notification, feels like I'm being pranked. I shouldn't have looked and now I'm regretting it.

@Santiago:That whore is at it again. Bitch’s a trouble magnet.
@dylanmonty: You're really sinful. And it's eating ya up.
@Barbiev:stay away from Jeremy, he deserves so much better.
@anonymous:You're plain poison.

My throat tightens and my bitterness returns. I told myself that these comments don't define me. I really wished those strangers knew me, before they started judging me.

I refreshed my page again, and my bitterness boiled to anger. I saw her name Lana Morrison, she posted a video crying, and saying I ruined her relationship with Jeremy.

My eyes twitched and my chest burned with bitterness. I could hear footsteps and it snapped me out of my emotions.

“Calvary is here!” Lily's voice came bright and clear. “You won't believe how long the line w…. Grace, your eyes are twitching.”

“Are you sure?” I asked her.

“You look like you're about to stab someone with a fork.”

I slide my phone towards her, she takes it and frowns her face.

“Oh hell no, this plastic barbie, did not.” she hisses. “She posted this stupid video? She looks so fake as hell. And these dumb people are buying this.”

“Yes, they are,” I tightened my jaw. “That's Lana.”

“Grace….” she sighs, rubbing my arm. “Don't let her ruin your mood.”

“I'm not going to. Besides, she's in the video, not me.” I replied with a smile.

Lily opened her mouth to reply, but my phone rings this time. It's my mother who is calling.

“Grace?” Her voice is soft and warm. “Darling?”

“Mom,” I said leaning back to my seat.

“I missed you, dear. My program's going well.” she hesitates before she continues. I'm not used to her being this nice to me. “I'll be out soon, Grace. And I'll make it up to you.”

I closed my eyes as my emotions heightened. I wanted to tell her about my life, about Lana but I don't want her to worry.

“Are they treating you well there?” I asked quietly.

“They're trying,” she says and goes quiet again. “I really needed this, it's an accepted relief. I feel normal and alive now.”

A lump forms in my throat. “Mom?”

“Yes dear.” she replies.

“I couldn't find dad.”

“Grace, once I'm out of here. We'll look for him together, but right now I can't help you.” She sounds pained.

Lily nudged me gently, asking me to tell mom about Lana and the video.

I shook my head rapidly. No, not now. Not when she's getting clean over there.

“Are you okay? You sound shaken.” mom said.

“Nothing, mom,” I lied. “Just get well soon.”

When I hung up, Lily made a face.

“You should've told her.”

“She has enough on her plate. I don't want to bother her.”

“You're dealing with a lot too.” Lily reminded me.

I planned to answer her but a phone rings Lily's. She picks it up with a smile.

“Mom?” she says then a pause. “What, wait. How did it happen?”

Her face drops abruptly. “I'm on my way.”

She ends the call and grabs her purse.

“Family emergency,” she said quickly and panicked. “Grace, I'm so sorry….”

“Hey, go,” I tell her immediately. “I'll be fine, take the car.”

She nods, hugs me and rushes out with the keys jingling.

It was quiet within me. I pushed the food around before eating. It doesn't taste good in my mouth, so I grabbed my phone and more comments appeared, when I refreshed again.

@Guytee: She's one sin, I'll love to commit.

My stomach drops immediately. I couldn't breathe, I needed air, I needed to get away.

I grabbed my coat, picked up my purse and walked into the night.

The air is cold and humid. The sky is dark, a crescent moon hanging on it. I gave Lily the car, because she needs it to attend to her family emergency.

I walked through an alley because it was a shortcut to get home faster. My footsteps echoed and my nerves were heightened.

Halfway through my walk back home. A figure appears in front of me. It's Ryan and I'm annoyed, his eyes are wild, he looks drunk or high.

“Well, well,” he slurs. “You think you'll stab me, and get away with it.”

I got a bit angry. “Ryan, get out.”

He doesn't bulge, he gives a soulless laugh.

“I've ruined you, Gracie. Jeremy will never see you the same. You're trash, Gracie.”

Something snaps inside me, it was darker if I had a knife he'd be dead.

“Ryan, I'm not doing this with you.” I turn to leave.

He grabbed my arm and yanked me back.

“Don't touch…”

“No!” he snarls, pushing me against the wall. “You don't get to walk away from me.”

Adrenaline pumps through me, my body acts before my brain could comprehend. I slam my knee and twist my arm free.

He cussed, reached for me again. I fight back this time, much harder than before.

My nails clawed his face, he grabbed my hair and pushed me sideways. My cheeks hurt like crazy, and my shoulders burn too.

I bite him, he hits me and I hit him back. I'm shouting and furious at the same time.

“Stop struggling!” he roars, pinning me on the wall.

My breath cuts as he grabs my jaw violently. And then a voice cuts through the night.

“Get away from her!” Ryan froze immediately.

Jeremy gets closer, breathing hard and his eyes blazing. The whole world stood still, and my heart fluttered.

“Sheriff….” Ryan starts.

Jeremy moved so fast Ryan didn't stand a chance. He grabbed him by the collar, and threw him against the wall, with a loud thud.

“I warned you, clown.” Jeremy growls, his eyes red. “I warned you not to touch her ever again.”

Ryan coughs his eyes darted to me. “Listen, man. We were just talking.”

Jeremy tightened his fist.

“Jeremy, don't. He's beneath you.”

He doesn't look at me, his stare is on Ryan.

“Jer, please.” I said slowly.

He finally looked at me, claiming down a bit. Ryan took this opportunity to run away.

“He did this to you?” he asked me.