Chapter 39

GRACE'S POV 

I know I was waiting to meet Michael so I could kickstart my plan, but nothing honestly prepared me for the moment where I actually met him. I was so caught off guard, despite waiting. I could've used a warning. Maybe the universe could've given me a chance to sight him from afar so I could feel everything I wanted to feel. 

I wanted to be angry, but this was younger him. This was an entirely different Michael who probably never thought he'd do what he did with Susan, to me. I knew my emotions would appear properly later when I was alone with my thoughts. That's all they ever do, appear when no one else is there.

I leaned back into my seat, subtly. I was creating space, an intentional space. This was, after all, our first meeting in this timeline. I didn't want to appear too open.

Susan finished her performance with a dramatic final note, and the crowd erupted in cheers and whistles. A loud applause ringed through the air. She did really well.

She bowed slightly, beaming like she had just performed at a sold-out concert. Then she stumbled and almost fell. Someone helped her steady herself before she made her way off the stage.

I was already standing by the time she reached me.

“You,” I said, catching her arm, “are drunk.”

“I am vibing.” she said proudly, still beaming.

“You are stumbling.”

“I am expressing emotions through action.”

“How so?.” I questioned, waiting for a great answer.

“Stumbling means you almost fell, but you didn't. You're still a standing mess of a human being.” She replied boldly.

I stared at her. She stared back.

Then she burst into laughter, leaning heavily against me.

“Okay, maybe I’m a little drunk,” she admitted.

“A little?” I chuckled.

“A moderate amount.”

I sighed. “You said you were going to avoid this.”

“I said I was going to avoid men,” she corrected. “Alcohol was never part of the deal.”

Fair, unfortunately.

We sat back down, and I handed her water to drink. 

“Drink.” I instructed like I was talking to a baby.

She wrinkled her nose in disgust. “That looks boring.”

“Drink.” I said again, not ready to argue. Michael was looking between us, clearly amused.

She took it reluctantly, sipping like it offended her. The narrowing of her eyes made it clear to me.

“I was amazing,” she said after a moment.

“You were something, that's for sure.”

“I moved people.” She pointed, swaying slightly.

“You definitely moved a lady into a breakdown. She had to be dragged out of here.” I snorted.

“See?” Susan said proudly. “Impact.”

I shook my head. “You’re unbelievable.”

“You love me.”

“Unfortunately.”

She grinned.

Michael chuckled. That drew Susan's attention to him. She blinked at him, clearly confused.

“Grace? Did you know there's a man standing here? Or am I that drunk?” She rubbed her eyes with her fingers.

It was time for my plan to kick into action.

I rolled my eyes, peeling her fingers away from her face. “Susan, this is Michael. Michael, this is Susan, the amazing singer.” 

“Hello, Susan. You killed your performance.” Michael said, nodding at her.

Susan smiled immediately, happy to be seen. “I did, didn't I?” 

“You sure did.” 

Just then, two guys walked onto the stage. They had guitars and looked completely serious and ready for a show.

“This has to be good.” Michael said, and I nodded in agreement.

“Come dance with me,” Susan suddenly said, tugging at my arm. They'd started playing and singing, and it was definitely good.

“No.” I protested.

“Yes.” She groaned.

“No.” I persisted.

“Grace.” 

“I just sang. That was enough social exposure for the night.” I pointed out, in case she forgot.

She pouted. “You’re ruining my vibe.”

“I’m preserving my sanity.” I grinned 

She narrowed her eyes at me.

Then, she turned to Michael.

“Dance with me.” She said. She wasn't really asking, she was telling him.

I blinked. This was about to go better than I could ever plan. 

He blinked.

“Yes. Go with her. And watch her.” I encouraged.

He hesitated, then he smiled. “Sure.”

Awesome.

I watched as they moved toward the small open space near the stage.

Susan immediately started moving like she had no bones, no structure, just vibes. Michael laughed, trying to match her energy. He was failing, but trying.

I smiled a mixed emotions smile. Because she looked happy, but in the previous timeline, that was me dancing with Michael. It was slightly painful, but I was glad I pushed it.

A few minutes later, she dragged him back, both of them grinning.

“You,” she said, pointing at me, “are antisocial.”

“I am reserved..”

“Fancy word for antisocial.” She attacked with a smile. She seemed less drunk then. “You are avoiding life.” she continued 

“I am enjoying it quietly.” I countered, happy I had a comeback.

She huffed, dropping back into her seat. “You need help.”

We stared at each other again, a silent battle raging.

Then Michael laughed softly. “You two are complete opposites.”

“Exactly,” we both said at the same time.

We paused, then looked at each other, then burst into laughter.

By the time we stepped out of the bar, the night air hit me like a reset button. Cool, fresh, and quiet.

I inhaled deeply, almost sighing in relief. “Finally,” I murmured.

Susan leaned against me, still slightly unsteady. “Don’t be dramatic. It wasn’t that bad.”

“It was loud.” I almost yelled 

She shook her head “It was fun, loud is fun.”

“It was chaotic.” I said again, trying to press her buttons.

She smacked my head and countered, “It was alive.”

I glanced at her. She smiled lazily.

“You needed that,” she confirmed my innermost thoughts.

I opened my mouth to argue, then closed it, because she wasn’t entirely wrong.

I knew I'd been uptight to a point that I was behaving like I was still in my mid thirties, wild age by the way. This night helped me release a couple of things. And most importantly, I was able to make Michael see Susan as more than my best friend. It was possible he still had interest in me, but making them dance together was a huge step in the right direction.