Okay, Reid, just go up and ask if you can talk in private.

I was standing at the end of the 'C' hallway before school started Monday morning (approximately 14 minutes until first period), and was trying to work up the courage to go over to Alyssa. I had to talk to her; apologize about how I ended things, tell her I missed our friendship, and blah, blah, blah. She was at her locker, in the 'D' hallway, talking to McKenna at the time.

Did I really want to do talk to her while she's with her best friend? I was worried McKenna might butt in. Or tell me to fuck off. Which would have been fair, but really embarrassing in front of all the students crowding the hallway.

My left shoulder was lightly bumped. Grayson- the cause of said bump- smirked at me. He checked me out from my Old Skool Vans, to my slim-fit, black jeans, my plain grey long-sleeve shirt, and back to meet my eyes. He then asked flirtatiously, "You come here often?"

I snorted, "Is that your best? If so, I don't see us working out," I joked (No one was around us, so it was safe to joke about our relationship). I looked back over at Alyssa. She's alone now, perfect. "I'll see you at first, I'm gonna talk to Alyssa."

Grayson stepped in my line of sight. I checked my boyfriend out, but more brief and subtle than he did to me. He was also wearing black pants, just not denim like mine. His were cuffed at the bottom to show his white socks that stuck out from his Nike Air Force 1. A pale pink crewneck with a white collar and a silver chain that was not too bulky nor was it too long. God, he's so perfect. I wished we were alone so I could kiss him.

"You know," Grayson broke my thoughts, "you don't have to make things right with her. It's not your job to rekindle Preston and Alex's relationship with your ex."

"I know, but..." but I'm a people-pleaser and feel guilty that our friend group fell apart. But, I also feel panicky whenever I see her, terrified she's gonna pin me down and force me into something I don't want to do. Am I pathetic for being nervous around a girl? Cause that's how I feel.

I shrug, and don't look at Grayson when I lie and say, "we were good friends before we dated. It wouldn't be horrible to be friends with her again."

Grayson didn't bother to hide his distaste at that, but still told me, "As much as I hate her, if you're doing it for yourself, you have my support." I smiled at him before he added, "90% of my support."

"I'll take what I can get. See you later," I stated once more and walked over to Alyssa who was putting her windbreaker in her locker. Yes, Florida does get cold in February, especially living further north!

I took a deep breath before taking the final step towards her. "Hey, can we talk?"

Alyssa turned around, looking surprised to see me. "uh..." her eyes hastily searched the hallway as if looking for McKenna for assistance. She focused back on me. "I guess."

"Well..." Fuck, I should've rehearsed! I scratched the back of my neck, feeling uncomfortable. "I, um, I just wanted to apologize for... everything, I guess. I feel horrible about how I ended things. You didn't deserve that. And, I don't know, I miss hanging out and-"

"You want to get back together?" Alyssa asked looking hopeful.

"No," I declined too quickly. I took a deep breath, "I mean, uh, no. That's not what I meant."

"Oh, like friends with benefits?"

Jesus Christ. "I meant hanging out like we used to... as friends. I miss... ya' know, our friendship. And talking. Just talking."

"oh," disappointment evident in her tone. "I- I miss our friendship too."

"You and McKenna should sit at our table again. We all miss you guys."

"Um, yeah. Okay."

"cool. Well then..." what now? "I'll, uh, see you at- at lunch," I said awkwardly as I slowly start backing away.

"Yeah."

I gave a weird wave before turning around, almost ran into someone, then swiftly made my way to my first period class.

"Of course, she'd mistake what you were saying as trying to get back together," Grayson rolled his eyes. I filled Grayson in on mine and Alyssa's conversation when I settled into my seat. We had a couple minutes before class started. And then some, considering our teacher was late again.

"Yeah, well, at least that's over with."

Marissa and Jessica sat down right in front of us. All four of us talk every now and then in class. They're cool, I guess. Picture a popular cheerleader from your average teenage movie, that's basically how both of them are. But not mean like how movies portray.

Jessica was going on about the fair that's going on downtown this weekend, to Marissa. "Girl, we have to go!"

"Oooo! Yes! Let's go Friday. Oh! I forgot to tell you about this hot guy I saw-"

I tuned out the rest of their conversation and looked at Grayson. He was already staring at me.

I raised my eyebrows as if saying, 'what?'

Grayson pulled out his phone and thirty seconds later, I received a text.

Grayson🥵
Today 7:36 AM

Grayson🥵: Do you know
how beautiful you are?
I just can't help but look at you.

I blushed and the butterflies were acting up again in my stomach. I bit my lip to keep me from smiling too much and replied.

Grayson🥵
Today 7:36 AM

You use that line

Grayson🥵: No, but I did
use that line on Marisa,
Do you think she'll go out
with me?

I chuckled and went along with his banter.

I bet she'd say yes to
a proposal from you

Grayson🥵: Oof idk
about that, I'm not really
a commitment kinda guy

I get that, I'm dating
this guy and I'm not
sure how much longer
I can take him.

Grayson turned to me. "oh really?" He questioned quietly for only us two to hear. We were both grinning at our repartee.

I almost replied until our teacher finally walked in eight minutes late. She gave us an excuse about the printer jamming so it "took me a while to print out your homework for tonight," were her words. Grayson and I turned to each other and rolled our eyes, knowing very well that the reason Mrs.Spencer was late was because she was chatting with Mr. Louis across the hall. They both love to talk. Specifically about students of theirs or teacher drama.

*

"I was thinking, now that the gangs all back," Alex started excitedly. It was lunch period and Alyssa and McKenna were back to sitting with us. Yay. "No hurt feelings, right?"

Alyssa and I didn't respond to that.

"I'll take that as a good sign," Alex continued, "how 'bout Friday we all hang out? We can go downtown? I think the craft fair is this weekend."

"Oh, awesome! I didn't know Austberg had a fair in February. I love carnival rides!" Preston exclaimed with his mouth full.

"No, you idiot, Craft fair," McKenna emphasizes. "As in a bunch of booths set up with things people made and are selling."

"Oh, well... that's not as awesome," Preston muttered glumly.

**

That's a brief synopsis of how I ended up in the situation I'm in now; smushed in the back seat of Preston's mom's car (The newest model of the Mercedes-Benz SUV) on Friday morning. She let us borrow it for the day. Preston insisted we all ride together.

Preston's driving, Alex took over passenger seat, I'm behind the driver's seat, Alyssa's next to me. McKenna is next to her and Grayson is behind passenger seat. How did I get stuck sitting thigh to thigh with Alyssa, you ask? Grayson was going to sit next to me but before he got the chance, Alyssa nudged past him, and beat him to it.

It's not necessarily uncomfortable with me and Alyssa because we are with everyone else, but it's not ideal. Though she keeps 'accidentally' toughing me which is starting to annoy me. I lean my head back and glance at Grayson, but he's not paying any attention to me. My boyfriend is chatting it up with Alex. I guess they're both really into anime.

I sigh and lean in close to the back of Preston's seat. "This is inhuman," I say to my best friend, low enough for only he can hear.

"Should've called 'shot-gun'," he tells me.

When we say 'downtown,' it's not skyscrapers and business buildings like one would think. No, downtown Austberg is a bunch of boutiques and shops lining the streets. Expensive restaurants, and a small, outdoor, venue where all Austberg functions are held. Like today's craft fair.

At first when we get to the fair, all six of us are moving from booth to booth together, looking at various art paintings until Preston and Alex spot a Star Wars themed booth and leave us.

"Well, they're going to be there for hours," I say with a sigh.

The girls stop at a soap booth and begin smelling each one. I'm about to grab one until the sleeve of my t-shirt it yanked. Grayson is pulling me away (which I have no problem with) and brings us to the next 'aisle' of booths.

When we're out of sight from the girls, my sleeve is dropped. "Ugh, thank god. If I had to watch Alyssa put her hands on you again, I would've yanked her hair," Grayson exasperates as we slowly walk by each booth. Finally alone and side by side.

I laugh. "Yeah, I'm definitely never sitting next to her again."

"Oooo!" My boyfriend exclaims as he grabs my arm and takes us to a booth with a bunch of crystals.

Grayson is picking up bracelets and asking the lady, who's working the booth, what each bracelet is for.

I turn away and look at the rest of the crystals on display while they chat. This booth had everything made into crystals; necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, etc.  There are so many! I don't know anything about crystals. Though, the way my boyfriend seems so excited and curious about each one, makes me want to know about them all as well.

After ten minutes or so, Grayson comes up to me. "Okay, I'm ready," he says happily. Grayson has a bracelet on with what look like clear beads all around it with the exception of three matte black beads.

I nod towards his wrist. "I like that. What crystal's that?" I ask.

"Clear quartz. It'll help to balance me out. It's supposedly the 'master healer'. And these," he points to the matte black beads, "are lava balls so I can pour essential oils on them and it'll help relax me," Grayson explains.

"Oh wow, that's pretty cool," I tell him honestly.

"Thanks! I also got you something." His grin is infectious. Grayson lifts a tiny velvet black pouch up then instructs me to hold out my hand.

I do as told and lay my hand out to him, palm up. He tips the velvet pouch upside down over my palm and out comes a small light, blue stone.

"What's this?" I wonder as I move it around.

"Celestite. It'll help you keep a clear head and ease some of your anxiety," he tells me with a warm smile. I love that smile.

Fuck, I love him.

I close my palm with the stone inside and draw my hand to my chest and smile. I look back up at my boyfriend. "Thank you," I say earnestly.

I look around. There are a lot of people, but I don't see our friends around or anyone I know for that matter, but just in case, I say "come on," and grab my boyfriend's arm. I bring him into the direction of an alleyway just around the corner and out of sight of the fair.

"What are we- Mmm"

My lips are on Grayson before he can finish his sentence. He melts into our kiss and takes a step forward. I'm against the faded, brick wall, and in seconds his hands are cupping my cheeks while his perfect lips are eagerly on mine. My hands grip the side of Grayson's shirt and pull him closer to me. His tongue is in my mouth. I almost groan out loud when he presses his body against mine. I wrap my arms around his neck. One of his hands move under my shirt and slowly, glides up and down my body while the other is flat against the brick wall.

Grayson peppers me with kisses down toward my ear. "I want you so badly," he whispers and it's the sexiest words I've ever heard. A shiver runs through my body.

Oh, what I'd do to be in his bedroom right now. I'd let him tear my clothes off me in a heartbeat.

"OMG!" Exclaims a high-pitched voice along with another one shouting, "I knew it!" at the same time.

Both of our heads whirl to the sound of the voices. My mouth hanging ajar at the sight.

Shit.

**

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Xoxo, Bert