power over me

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Song for this chapter: Power Over Me

- Dermot Kennedy

I stumble into Chemistry two minutes late and after apologising profusely, I make my way to my seat at the back, separated from everyone else.

The door opens again two minutes later and Grayson walks in with a huge smirk on his face.

"I'm so sorry miss." He smiles with his teeth, making him handsome enough for someone to do anything for him. Screw him, I say.

He walks down towards the back row where his friends are waiting, but stops at my desk; he leaves a scrunched up piece of paper, before winking and then carrying on his way.

I'll pick you up at 7?

It says and I frown before scrunching it up, turning around in my chair and launching the paper at his head, once I'm sure Miss Harroway isn't looking in my direction. It lands at his feet as he begins to take a seat. He stops moving and straightens up as he sees what I threw.

When he picks it up and unravels it's, seeing that I wrote nothing he looks up at me in confusion.

Then he smirks.

"Yes, Layla. You may pick me up at 7. So, where are we going on our date then?" He questions, his voice loud enough to gain the attention of the whole class.

"T-that was-" I start, my jaw clenching in anger, before I come up with a way to get back at him. "Am I paying, or are you? I know you've been waiting to pay. Must be your desperation that attempts to throw money at situations in order to make up for what you haven't got." I taunt. His eyes glitter with amusement as he sucks in a loud, overdramatic gasp.

"Are you t-talking about my p-penis?" He fakes a stutter and my eyes go wide.

"What penis? You told me you didn't have one?" I fire back and he raises his eyebrows at me as some of his boys let out "oohs."

"You two, as romantic and sweet as your bickering is, please may you be quiet." Miss Harroway orders sarcastically and I nod obediently, turning back to the front.

"Miss?" Grayson's loud voice echoes across the room, when she gives him her attention he asks his question, "how do you get a girl to go on a date with you?" I let out a groan and rest my forehead on my desk, deeply pitying myself.

"Grand gestures always work. Now shut up and listen." She says, and carries on teaching but not before sending a wink in my direction.

"You will have thirty minutes to answer all questions in the paper. If you get a grade below your target then you will have to resit. You can't start as soon as I hand them out. No talking!" She orders and then hands out test papers to the entire class.

I set my eyes in the first question and inwardly groan.

I'm so gonna have to resit this paper.

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All week, Gray has done stupid little gestures to try and make me go on a date with him. I have pretended that it isn't affecting me at all, but I feel butterflies whenever he sends a grin my way. I think he knows it too. Well he must do with all the blushing I do.

It's now Friday, and after he's placed a giant teddy on my porch, left cute messages on every single coffee he's bought for me and sung me a song from below my window; I'm not sure what else he could do.

Walking into the cafeteria, I notice everyone's eyes on me, I make eye-contact with a few people who are desperately trying to make work of the quick glance system. Trying to ignore them, I grab my food hastily, wanting to sit down to get away from all of the stares.

When I walk to our usual table, I halt in my steps as I see Grayson holding some red roses with a huge sign with the words 'Go on a date with me?'

He stands with the roses in one hand, his other hand in his left pocket, with Reece and Myles stood on the table holding the sign up. Myles has a camera in his hands. Grayson smirks as he notices my star struck expression.

"Holy hell." Lydia whispers from beside me.

"More effort was what you wanted, wasn't it?" Grayson questions and I roll my eyes.

"Or for you not to kiss someone else?" I say back, making him chuckle.

"I told you why I did that."

"It doesn't make it okay just because you wanted me to feel jealous, in fact it's slightly worse because you did it with the purpose to upset me." I rant, "that's not what you do to the girl you claim to like." I say.

"You just love making my life difficult." He tuts, shaking his head in disappointment. "Yes, okay maybe the idea wasn't properly thought out and I'm sorry for that." He apologises, it kinda feels awkward doing this as the whole cafeteria watches us like we're performing a play or something. "But I just wanted to provoke your feelings. Truth is, Layla, I really like you and I want to get to know as more than friends. We can take it as slow as you want, I just want you. And if you don't go on a date with me, you'll never know whether this is what you really want. At least if you said yes, you could make your mind up and then break my heart later. Just one date. Please." He begs, and I glance at Lydia through the corner of my eyes. She sighs and then looks at me, mouthing "say yes."

While I'm never sure about any of my decisions, I think I'm sure about this.

Despite me telling myself, desperately trying to convince myself I didn't want anything more with him; I know that I do. And although I promised I wouldn't get a boyfriend, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to keep that promise whether I like it or not. Because Grayson has shoved his way into my life and there's no going back now.

"Fine." I grumble, "yes, I'll go on a date with you." I smile and he walks to me with his arms open, a cocky smile resting on his lips.

"What did I say? I'm irresistible, lil' one."

"I can take it back." I threaten, but he brings me into a tight embrace.

"Nah." He says, "you're stuck with me now." He kisses my forehead, and leads me to the table. I sit in front of the tray that Lydia grabbed from me when Grayson started harassing me.

"What's with the camera?" I tilt my head up at the camera that's resting in Myles' hands. He looks down at it, before letting out a deep chuckle.

"My new hobby." He enlightens with a wonky smile. "Life was getting boring, so I decided to start taking pictures."

"Why pictures?" I question, resting a hand on my chin as I stare at him in interest, eating my muffin with the other hand.

"For memories, Layls." He smiles and then brings the camera up, "say cheese." He directs at me and Gray.

We both respond with 'cheese,' and Myles clicks the picture with a huge grin on his face.

"What a beautiful couple." A voice tuts from the end of the table.

"Kenzie." Lydia shudders dramatically, causing Kenzie's snake eyes to narrow in on her.

"We're not a couple." I state at the same time as Gray who throws an arm around me and says "thanks." She flutters her eyelashes at Gray.

"Is there room for a little one?" She asks and gestures to Grayson's lap. Reece starts laughing at the opposite side of the table as we all begin to protest at the same time. She squeezes past anyway, or attempts to anyway, because in a split second Grayson stands up and lifts me, then proceeds to sit down in my place and places me on his lap.

"Baby." She whines and I hear everyone at the table cringe at the same time.

"Yes, Layla?" Grayson questions as he looks at me, I frown in confusion and watch as a smirk forms on his face. "Did you not saying anything? My bad. It's just you're the only person that's allowed to call me that." He says and I roll my eyes.

"Please leave Kenzie, you're embarrassing yourself." Lydia huffs and then munches on her carrots while resting her head on Reece's shoulder.

"Gray, you know where I am when you get bored." She states, running her hand down his bicep which he shivers at. His eyes widen and he tried to cover it up, but I saw it. I stiffen in his arms and then slide off of him once she's finally gone.

It's not Grayson's fault that she's interested in him, but I just feel awkward, almost like I'm getting in the way of something between them, and I hate it. There is a small amount of chatter on the table throughout lunch, but I just remain quiet in my own thoughts until the bell rings and I'm ready to sprint away. I'm not able to though, as Gray grabs my arm.

"Are you gonna be at the game tonight?" He asks. Shit, the game.

"Yeah of course." I say, eliciting a bright smile on his face. 

"Cool, I'll pick you up at 5. I have to be in for practise before." He tells me and I nod my head.

"Why don't I just go with Lydia then?" I question.

"No, you're coming with me because we're going on a date after." He states and I turn to face him in shock.

"Already?"

"Yes."

He walks me to Spanish, chatting to me about what's going to happen at the game tonight and what time he'll be finished showering so I can meet him outside. He's always ordering me about.

"Car Park after school." He demands as we get to my classroom with his pointer finger directed at me.

"No." I say and walk into the room finally.

"Layla Greene, meet me in the car park after school or else." He calls after me and I turn around, offering a cheeky smile.

"Or else what Gray?" I ask. He lets out a deep sigh, while shaking his head in disapproval.

"Just meet me." He finally says and then walks away.

Like I said, demanding.

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A crowd is formed right in front of my locker, disabling me from being able to get my bag and make my way outside to meet Gray. I try to stand on my tippy-toes in order to get a view of who is causing such a commotion in front of my locker, but once I see who it is I push past everyone in the crowd.

Connor is being held against the locker by a guy much bigger than him. I can only see the man's back, but just that terrifies me as he looms over my brother.

"He wants her back." He spits in Connor's face. I recognise the voice. The colour in my face drains and my heartbeat picks up violently. It's Brody's best friend, Rob. "He would do anything to have her back." Me, he's talking about me. "So where is the gorgeous sister of yours?" He questions, and soon everyone's eyes land on me. Crap on a cracker.

I notice Lydia making her way through the crowd, with Reece and Grayson by her side. My heartbeat picks up, and I'm nearly gasping for breath.

"Dearest Layla." His slimy voice reaches my ears and I turn away, not being able to look him in the eye. "You can look at me, darling." He says and I feel a hand grope my chin and pull my face to look at him. I squeeze my eyes shut instead.

"Get your hands off of my sister." Connor demands and I hear him groan in pain, making my hastily open my eyes, to see him hunched over on the floor.

"There she is." Rob coos and I swallow harshly as I finally look at his cold, dead eyes. I can't breathe.

"Bitch, you better back away from my best friend." Lydia shouts, and begins to walk forward.

"Lydia!" Reece calls, "fuck!" He curses before charging after her, coming into the circle with us.

"Bitch, huh?" He chides, turning around to glare at her. "Darling, you might want to get her in check. He doesn't stand for defiance." I'm shocked to the core at the brief mention of him. I feel terrified. Rob steps closer to me, and brings a hand to my face which I flinch away from.

"Get the fuck away from her." Grayson orders, his voice deep, thick warning of violence laced within his tone.

"And who are you, pretty boy?" He turns around and gets in Gray's face.

"That's none of your fucking business." Grayson spits and my heart beats faster. I don't want him getting hurt.

"Oh really?" Rob laughs, purposely being provocative in order to set off a reaction.

"Leave him and my sister alone." Connor growls and grabs Rob's collar, dragging him back from Gray. In a split second, Rob throws a fist sending Connor flying to the ground.

"You piece of shit!" I screech, charging forward. I reach Rob in seconds, grabbing his collar and shoving him back into the lockers, only succeeding because of his obvious shock. "I know exactly what you can tell him. You tell him that him and I are never gonna happen, in fact tell him that I never wanted him ever. Tell him that I say fuck off. I hate him and I hate you. Now get out of my school and never come back." I whisper, not wanting anyone to hear about my bad past. He pushes me back and I almost fall, but Reece grabs me quickly and Grayson takes my place, throwing his fist at Rob.

"Stay the fuck away from her." Gray spits, then helps my brother up from the floor, before walking to me and slinging an arm around my shoulders.

"He won't be happy you have a boyfriend, darling." He calls from behind.

"Good thing I don't give a fuck about what he thinks!" I shout back.

"He's gonna hate this attitude." He continues and I just flip him off, cuddling closer to Gray in attempt to calm my shaking hands.

"You okay?" Grayson asks, picking up my hand and bringing it to his lips.

"Yeah." I let out a shaky breath. "Do you mind if I drive Connor home? I'm worried about him."

"Of course." He nods, before placing a quick kiss on my forehead. "I'll see you at 5, yeah?" He checks and after I've nodded my head, he heads off to his car.

I say goodbye to Lydia and Reece, quickly after I turn to Connor, throwing my arms around him.

"Layla." He soothes, kissing my hair. "It's okay, Brody won't touch you. I promise."

"Don't make promises you can't keep. You know as well as I do that he can do anything he wants. If he wants to hurt me, he will. I'm scared Connor." My lip quivers and the tears well up my eyes before I can stop them.

"I'll protect you, you don't have to be scared."

"I'm not scared for myself. I'm scared for you." I say. "And after today, I'm scared for Grayson too." I walk off to the car and get into the passenger seat without saying a word to him.

I thought it was about time to bring parts of Layla's past into the story. She's been through a lot, bless her.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

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