Author: Elizabeth
Rating: PG-13 or higher
Category: J/A, L/G
Summary: One way or another someone�s always late. The outcome could either be serious or lucky
Disclaimer: I own no one.
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Grace looked at her watch. It was late. She didn�t care that much. She couldn�t stop thinking of Joan looking like someone had betrayed her. She had grabbed her hand and held on for dear life when she was on that examination table. After Joan parents arrived, Adam offered to walk her home though neither of them talked. Now, she was sitting outside of her house. Not wanting to go inside, she sat down to look at the stars.
�Grace.� A voice said, startling her.
She jumped and looked up at Luke. �Don�t EVER scare me like that again!�
�I�I�m sorry.� He looked shaken and really sorry.
�No. No I�m just still riled up over what happened. What are you doing here? Shouldn�t you be with your sister?�
�Probably. Yes. She only wants mom right now.�
�So you went for a walk?�
Luke nodded and sat down. �She was raped.�
�I�m aware of that.� Grace said looking at him.
�In her home.�
Grace nodded.
�In our home. I went in there and I saw this chair overturned. There was a tiny crack in the door. Pieces of her clothing were lying on the ground. The bathtub was filled with hot water. I had to leave. I couldn�t be there one more second.�
�You know if you want to use a scientific metaphor go ahead.�
�It�s not�it�s not possible. One out of three women�I looked it up.� He said when she gave him a weird look.
�How is she?� Grace couldn�t help but be concerned.
�It�s hard to tell.�
�She�ll be fine. She�ll get through this. She has you, your parents, your brother, Rove�me.�
Luke smiled. �Thanks.� He looked around cautiously and stood up. �He�s still out there.�
�Don�t worry we�ll be fine.�
Luke shivered and looked at Grace. �I should go but�� Grace shook her head after she realized he was worried about her.
�I can take care of myself, geek.�
Luke looked away. Grace sighed and stood up. She kissed him and then gently pushed him away.
�Go. Your sister needs you.�
Luke nodded and headed for home. Grace would never admit that she watched him until he left her sight.
On Monday, Helen offered to let Joan stay home but Joan said no. Joan got to school and reluctantly got out of the car. She went up to the steps to wait for Grace and Adam. She saw a familiar teenager and turned away. She could feel him behind her.
�Don�t say a word. Just don�t say anything.�
�It was meant to happen, Joan.�
Joan turned incredulously. �E�excuse me?! How could you say that?�
�It�ll all work out in the end. Oh and�let Grace borrow your notes.�
�Aren�t you going to tell me why this happened? Who did this? Will he be punished?�
�I can�t tell you. What I can tell you is that you will find peace.� He turned around and walked away.
�Peace? I�ll find peace? Where am I going to find that, a support group!� she yelled.
Everyone looked at her and Joan just ran up the stairs. She ran into an empty classroom and sat down crying. She heard footsteps and looked up at Adam.
�Hey.�
�Hey, are you okay?�
Joan shook her head. �I don�t know.�
�Who was that guy?�
�Hmm? Oh nobody just another annoying kid.�
�You know if you want, I could do something��
�No, no it�s okay. I can handle it.�
�What did he say to you?�
�That I�d find peace. I know. I know it�s crazy. It�s just stupid.�
�You will. One day you will.� Adam took her hand and squeezed it.
�I hope you�re right.�
�I am right.� He said and bent down to kiss her forehead. �Come on, let�s get to class.�
Joan followed him almost reluctantly. When they got to AP Physics, Grace was looking through her bag frantically. Joan reached into her bag and pulled out her notes.
�Here.�
Grace looked at her, both gratefully and weirdly. �What you�re psychic now?�
Joan shrugged. �I figured you�d need them just in case.�
�Thanks. You doing okay?�
�Not really. But I have my support group with me.� She smiled at Adam and then looked at her brother, who pretended not to listen.
After class, they all walked out and Friedman followed.
�Why so sad people? It�s a beautiful day, the sun is shining!� Friedman said.
�Shut up, Friedman!� Grace snapped.
�Settle down, Marge. Someone let you out of the cage.�
�Friedman! We don�t have time for you right now!� Joan said with a groan.
�I�m sensing hostility here. Hey, what happened?� he finally noticed that none of them were happy today.
Joan just growled and stormed off. Luke looked at his best friend and shook his head before going after Joan.
�Jane! Wait up!� Adam ran off.
�Uh what just happened?� Friedman looked at Grace.
Grace gave him a look. �None of your business, dude. Go drool over some poor unfortunate soul.� She walked away leaving a very confused Friedman.
Later that day, Joan was reading a textbook when she heard a cough. She looked up and sighed.
�What Friedman?�
�Um�I just wanted to apologize for whatever I said to upset you.�
Joan looked at him weirdly. �Did I just hear you apologize?�
Friedman shrugged. Joan smirked.
�Apology accepted. It wasn�t you though. But I accept.�
He nodded. �I take it you�re not going to tell me what happened?�
�Not until I�m ready.�
Friedman nodded and handed her a flower. �Peace offering?�
Joan just took the flower and waved him off. Adam walked over and sat next to her.
�How has your day been going?�
�Kind of rough. Friedman just apologized. Can you believe it?�
�Not one bit.� Adam chuckled but got serious. �Jane if you want me to take you home, I will.�
�No.� she said grabbing for his arm. �I can�t be by myself.�
�I�m not going anywhere.�
She gave him a small smile.
�Come on. Let�s go see what Luke and Grace are doing.�
�Okay.� She grabbed her bag and he led her down the walkway. They went inside the school and saw them talking. They walked over.
�Are we intruding?� Joan asked.
�Maybe.� Grace said. �What�s up?�
�Didn�t want to be alone.� Adam said.
�Join us.� Luke said moving his backpack over. Joan sat next to him.
�Do you think it was too soon for me to come back?� she asked.
�It all depends on you.� Grace said.
Joan nodded. They were all quiet after that.