This one shot was inspired by malewk172's latest chapter in Halstead Imagines! if you haven't checked out this book I highly recommend it!
Gracies POV (15 Years Old)
I was sat at the kitchen table frantically making notes on my science homework when I heard the front door open and someone walk in to the kitchen,
"Hey Gracie" Will greeted but I kept my focus purely on the notebook in front of me "Gracie" he said again before waving a hand in front of my face "hello?" He asked,
"Hi" I replied without looking at him "I did hear you before" I said as I continued to flick through my books,
"Well I wouldn't have guessed" he replied sarcastically,
"What're you working on?" Natalie asked me as she sat down next to me as picked up one of my books,
"I'm trying to finish my science homework" I said as I removed the book from her hands and put it back in front of me "if you would stop asking me stupid questions then maybe I could" I said with a frustrated sigh,
"Hey" Will said as he looked over at me from where he was standing in the kitchen "she was just asking you a simple question there's no need for the backtalk" he lectured as I looked up at Natalie and smiled slightly,
"Sorry Nat" I apologised "it's just this homework is worth half my grade and it's due tomorrow" I explained and she smiled in an understanding manner,
"Don't worry about it" she replied before I went back to the books that where strewn across the table in a haphazard manner,
"Why don't you take a break and have some food" Will suggested,
"I don't have time Will" I exclaimed as he began to unload the bags full of takeout food,
"You need to make time" he replied shaking his head "why have you left it so long to do this anyway?" He asked and I shrugged my shoulders sheepishly,
"I did most of it when we got it a month ago but after that I kinda forgot" I admitted as he looked at me with an unimpressed facial expression "don't give me that look Will, I know!" I said and he shook his head,
"Go freshen up and come back to have some food" he instructed "then after you've eaten you'll have a clear mind" he said. I was about to protest when Will shot me a look that left no room for argument,
"I'll tidy your books up sweetie" Nat said with a smile before I left the kitchen to go and freshen up.
Wills POV
My sister left the books on the table and left the room and I continued to grab plates and pull out the Chinese food from the boxes,
"I've never seen your sister like that before" Natalie said to me as I filled a jug with water and put it on the island before Natalie took it and put it on the table before stacking up some of Gracies papers,
"Yeah she's been pretty stressed about school recently" I admitted and she nodded in reply before she grabbed the glasses and put them on the table as well. Suddenly her phone began to ring and she reached over the water jug to grab it. CRASH. I turned around in alarm as saw that the full jug of water had toppled over and landed on Gracies homework that Nat had just piled up,
"Shit" she exclaimed as she picked up the now empty jug in panic,
"What was that noise?"
Gracies POV
I tied my hair up in to a ponytail and observed my reflection in the mirror. Urgh. I looked tired that's for sure. My skin was dull and covered in pimples and circles had formed around my eyes. CRASH. I snapped out my daze when I heard a loud crash from the kitchen so I instantly left to investigate,
"What was that noise?" I asked with a frown as I walked in to the kitchen. Will was stood with the expression of dread and Natalie was looking extremely guilty. My eyes widened as I looked at the pile of homework that was now dripping with water,
"Gracie hunny I'm so sorry" she apologised as I walked over to the table to look at my ruined work "I promise I'll help yo-" I cut her off,
"What did you do?" I screamed as I began to pick up the paper that was subsequently falling apart in my hands "you knew how important this was how could you let this happen?" I asked as tears fell from my eyes,
"What's going on I could hear you down the hallway?" Jay asked in confusion as he walked in to the apartment,
"It's ruined Jay and now I'm gonna fail" I sobbed as he looked at my homework and a flash of realisation came across his face,
"That's not gonna happen Gracie we'll figure this out" Natalie promised and I shook my head,
"How can YOU help me?" I asked angrily "it wouldn't have even happened if you weren't here" I accused,
"Alright Gracie that's enough" Will said firmly but I shook my head,
"No, you don't understand" I sobbed "I can't do this" I said as I ran out of the kitchen and in to my bedroom and slammed my door shut feeling my chest tighten. I sobbed as my breathing became more erratic and I sat down on the edge of my bed,
"Gracie you really need to cal-" Jay began but stopped when he saw the panic in my eyes "Will get in here" he shouted before he crouched down in front of me and took my hands in his "Gracie" he said my my eyes flickered around the room "Gracie look at me" he instructed as he gently grabbed my chin and my eyes finally met his eyes "you're ok" he assured,
"What's going on?" Will asked as he walked in to my bedroom and frowned as soon as he saw me and was next to me in an instant "hey, sweetie I need you to breath for me ok?" He asked and I shook my head frantically unable to catch my breath. He pushed Jay to one side and crouched down in front of me and grabbed my hand putting it on his chest "can you feel me touching you?" He asked and I nodded "good, now try and concentrate on that" he instructed "match my breathing" he said calmly and I began to slow my breathing.
After a couple of minutes my breathing began to stabilise and Jay sat down next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder before giving me a kiss on the side of my head.
"Well done" Will praised "you good?" He asked and I nodded my head as tears flooded from my eyes,
"What am I gonna do Will? I can't fail this class" I exclaimed as Jay rubbed my arm in a comforting manner,
"And you're not gonna fail it" Jay assured but I shook my head sceptically,
"How can you say that?" I asked "half of my grade has just been ruined" I reminded,
"So we'll redo it" he replied as if it was the most simple thing in the world,
"I'll never get it done Jay" I replied,
"You will with help and that's what we're here for" Will replied "now take a minute to sort yourself out then we'll have some food and make a start" he instructed and I nodded before Will and Jay left my room.
I took a couple of minutes to pull myself together before going to wash my face again in the bathroom,
"You don't need to go you know Nat" I head Will say from the hallway,
"I think it's best Will your sisters really upset an I'm sure I'm the last person she wants to see right now" Natalie replied and I frowned before walking out of the bathroom and meeting Wills eyes,
"You're leaving?" I asked Natalie who smiled sheepishly,
"I just thought it would be for the best" she explained and I shook my head,
"No I don't want that" I said and she smiled slightly "you don't need to leave for me. I know you didn't do it on purpose and I'm sorry I said otherwise" I apologised,
"I should be the one apologising Gracie" she shook her head "I'm so sorry about all of your work" she said as she pulled me in for a hug,
"I'll forgive you if you help redo it" I bargained and she smiled gently,
"You've got yourself a deal" she said and I laughed as we walked in to the kitchen.
"Good news" Jay said as he finished up wiping the spilled water from the table "I've had a look through your work and over half of it's perfectly fine" he said as he showed me the pile of dry work in comparison to the soggy pile "and some of them are drying out so they just need to be copied" he explained and I ran over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist,
"Thank you" I said gratefully and he ruffled my hair playfully,
"Sure thing kid" he said as we sat down at the table and began to eat our Chinese food.
Once we where finished eating we set out to redo my homework which didn't take nearly as long as I'd thought,
"And finished" I said as I ended my final sentence,
"Well done Gracie" Will said with a proud smile,
"If that's not a pass I don't know what is" Jay agreed and I smiled,
"I'm gonna get going now that's sorted" Nat announced as she walked over to Will and gave him a kiss on the lips,
"Gross" I wrinkled my nose in mock disgust,
"I agree get a room" Jay said making me laugh,
"How old are you?" Will asked Jay dramatically as Natalie laughed before saying her goodbyes and leaving the apartment.
We spent the rest of the evening watching Superstore on Netflix which indecently was one of the only programs that we all liked!
"Gracie" I heard someone say my name as a hand gently shook my shoulder "Gracie you need to go to bed, you can't sleep out here" Jay said as I groaned "cmon" he encouraged but I held my arms up in a childish manner,
"Carry me?" I asked causing him to raise an amused eyebrow at me,
"Really Gracie?" He asked "how old are you?" He said with a smirk,
"Please" I said sweetly with my bottom lip sticking out,
"Fine" he caved as he picked me up bridal style and carried me in to my bedroom and put me down on my bed before pulling my duvet over me "night" he said after he gave me a kiss on the head,
"Love you" I said before he left my bedroom and he smiled fondly at me,
"Love you to baby girl" he replied before leaving my room for the night.