The Gravity of Us (Elements, #4)

by Brittainy C. Cherry

“Lucy is a name for a child. If you ever truly want to make it in the world, you should go by Lucille.” “Noted. If you ever want to be the life of the party, you should consider the nickname Graham Cracker.”

“Don’t worry, the generation before you worried about you, too, and it’s obvious you’re a bright, charming personality,” I mocked. He almost smiled, I thought. And it was almost beautiful.

“Air above me, earth below me, fire within me, water surround me…” He read my words out loud and then whistled low. “Oh,” he said, nodding slowly. “You’re a hippie weirdo.” “Yes, I’m a hippie weirdo.” The corner of his mouth twitched, as if he was forcing himself not to smile. “My mother used to say it to my sisters and me all the time.” “So your mom’s a weirdo hippie too.”

“Okay.” He cleared his throat, his nerves more intense than they should’ve been. “I hated my father, and a few nights ago, he passed away. He was my biggest demon, my greatest monster, and my living nightmare. Still, with him gone, everything around me has somehow slowed, and I miss the memories that never existed.” Wow. His words were few, yet they weighed so much. “That’s it?” I asked, goose bumps forming on my arms. He nodded. “That’s it.” “Graham Cracker?” I said softly, turning my body toward him, moving a few inches closer. “Yes, Lucille?” he replied, turning more toward me. “Every word you’ve ever written becomes my new favorite story.”

“And you’re an author?” Richard asked, knowing very well that Graham was indeed G.M. Russell. “I’m sorry, I’m not exactly sure I’ve heard of your novels. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything you’ve published.” He was being oddly aggressive, making the whole situation uncomfortable. “That’s fine,” Graham responded. “Enough other people have, so your lack of awareness doesn’t inflict any damage on my success.”

“Just because you smile and act free doesn’t mean the cage doesn’t exist. It merely means you lowered your standards for how far you’ll allow yourself to fly.”

im …,, damn ok daddy

“And, Lucille?” “Yes?” “There’s poop on your cheek.” My eyes widened in horror as I moved to a mirror and grabbed a baby wipe to clean my face. I looked at Graham who was snickering to himself, and my cheeks didn’t stop turning red. I crossed my arms and narrowed my stare. “Did you just ask me on a date even though there was poop on my face?” He nodded without hesitation. “Of course. It’s just a little poop. That wouldn’t change the fact that I’m in love with you and want to take you out on a date.” “What? Wait. What? Say that again…” My heart was racing, my mind spinning. “I want to take you out a date?” “No. Before that.” “That it’s just a little poop?” I waved my hands. “No, no. The part after that. The part about—” “Me loving you?” There it was again. The racing heart and the spinning mind. “You’re in love with me?” “With every piece of my soul.”