All her Life Gracie Richards lived a pretty normal life with her dad. That is until he killed a kid. A black kid. Her sheltered life is suddenly shattered as she escapes the press to art school and tries to ignore the problem with her father choosin...
The night started as it normally did. Gracie had rode the bus from school, pestered her father about the art school summer tuition, did her homework, drew pictures of her sister, and went to sleep.
It was about 10 pm when Alexander Richards, Gracie's father, got dressed in his NYPD uniform and peaked into her bedroom to make sure she was sleeping. He walked in and kissed her forehead, sadly glanced at the photos of her sister. She'd been an angel on earth and had become a real one after her sudden death.
That's how most nights were for Gracie. Her life was on a constant repeat of the same actions and she was sick of it. .The mundaneness of her life led her to want to leave. She wanted to go to California''
Sure her dad was right. They were in New York, there were many creative art schools right in the state, hell Julliard was three miles away, but she wanted to go somewhere far away.
That was her last normal night.
"Get up, I packed a bag for you, we need to go!" The familiar voice of her dad's partner woke her. Gracie's eyes were foggy as she glanced around at the mess in her room.
" Yo Pd what's going on?" Confusion clouded her mind as he messily stuffed clothes into her suitcase.
" Gracie we don't have time for this. Your dad needs some time okay. I'll take care of the art tuition. I have a sister in Cali. I'll take care of your school, uh, your-"
" Pd stop! Where's my dad and what's happening? Let me see my dad!" Her voice gradually raised.
" You can't see your dad right now but we have to get you to the airport sweetie. Just please don't ask any more questions. I'm not sure I can handle any more questions for tonight. I know it's sudden but just trust your uncle, please just trust me. "
Gracie rubbed her eyes and climbed out of bed. This was her life. She simply listened to the people who she trusted. It wasn't hard for her, she was curious about her father but art school was art school and it sounded very paid for. She took her bags from a very flustered Pd. She could tell he was worried about something but didn't want to worry him anymore.
" Just calm down okay?" She smiled softly and zipped her bag. Pd took a deep rath and smiled weakly.
" It's nothing too serious, but just spend the end of the school year and summer over there okay? Don't bother your dad too much either, this will be stressful, I think -.." his voice cracked and he gave her a guilty expression that worried Gracie.
"What could have happened that made a usually cheerful Pd so sad?", she thought to herself. When you're used to someone being extra cheerful it's quite frightening for them to not be themselves.
" Look, gather the rest of your things and I'll drive you to the airport." He said raking his hand through his dark curls.
" I'm leaving right now? " Panic gripped her as she glanced around at everything she hadn't packed. Shit.
" Yes Right now, please Gracie." he breathed out in a deep sigh attempting to crack his knuckles for the third time.
Gracie reached out and grasped his hands.
" My dad's going to be okay, okay."Gracie could see the love Pd had for her father in his hands, and his eyes. He wouldn't stop shaking, I could tell he was lying. If only my father could see what I did just then - pure love."
His clammy hands clutched hers back before he let go and patted her head.
"It may be selfish, But I hope so kiddo, I really hope so."
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" I love you baby girl," Her dad said kissing her forehead
Gracie jolts awake on the plane at the uncomfortable thought. Why was she suddenly remembering that now? The thought made her uncomfortable as if something bad had happened. The man seated in the aisle seat had yet to move his elbow from the rest and was now two inches from Gracie's face. Two inches closer to where she last had left it."
He grimaces at her and attempts to go back to sleep before she apologizes and checks her phone. She had twenty-two new messages from Pd to read through. Her mind raced but she just unlocked her phone and scrolled through the messages.
PD
How's the flight going?
I've loaded your debit card with enough spending money just text me if you need more.
Your father did something bad, I'll try to take care of him but it may be out of my hands.
Don't believe anything you hear unless it's from us.
There will be a guy with a sign with your name waiting to give you a ride to my sister's house.
I've told her how independent you are so she can give you a bus pass or a personal driver
R u okay ??
why aren't you responding??
Gracie!!
Gracie Richards!!
There were a lot more Gracie Richards where that came from. This isn't exactly what she was expecting but art school was art school as she had told herself before. All she had to do was ignore the fact that her father had done something bad enough to push away the only family he had left and draw pictures. All she really was good at was drawing pictures anyway. Simple, just ignore it. Act like everything was okay. She was pro at that anyway
She grabbed her duffle bag and apologized to her seatmate on the plane when it landed. Her stomach grumbled and her head hurt but she struggled to pick up the luggage nevertheless.
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Hello, this is the first chapter please remember to vote and add it to your library. Feel free to comment and dm me at any time. ~ Shymrri <3
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