Blair POV.
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"We have to take two cars." Carter says.

Noah goes up to Grayson, looks at me, squints his eyes, and whispers something in Grayson's ear. Grayson eyes widen and look over at me. I hold in a groan.

"I'll drive myself and Blair, the rest of you guys go with Carter." Grayson says

"But we'll all be cramped." Grace complains. Grayson gives her a look that shuts her up. I know better to complain. He opens his car door for me and I hop in mumbling thanks.

It's quiet and he's about to say something when my phone goes off. "Oh shit" I mutter. It's Natalie, the feeling of guilt rushes up my chest. I totally forgot about her.

"What?" Grayson asks

"It's Natalie, I kinda forgot about her."

"Well I invited Zack, so I'm guessing she'll be at the beach." I read her text and instantly feel more guilty.

Hey, do you want to hangout. I asked Zack to but he's going to the beach with the guys. I think he's mad at me. -N

"Do you know what's up with that?" I ask after reading Grayson the text.

"Zack was pissed about something but said he would explain when he got to the beach."

Oh, I was with Emma when the guys were planning on going to the beach and we were invited. I would totally ditch them. That's a lie. But we are almost there and I'm not the one driving. -B

Zack said it was just the guys- N

He probably didn't know, he's driving separately-B

I kinda fucked up and I think he knows-N

What did you do???- B

I put my phone after five minutes waiting for her reply. The car ride is quiet with only the radio playing. I reach to turn it up right when Gray starts to talk. I pull my hand back fast.

"So, umm are you into my brother?" He blurts out.

"What? No, why would you think that?"

"Noah said he saw you guys alone together."

"That's only because I bumped into him looking for the bathroom."

"Oh, ok" he said. It's quiet again for a few more moments. "I think you're beautiful" he blurts out.

I whip my head and look at him. I can see his cheeks growing a faint shade pink. "Just in case you didn't know, you know with the whole conversation about us not complementing you, sorry we don't."

"Thanks," I smile "You don't have to complement me though, I never thought it was rude that you guys didn't. I never thought about it at all actually."

"I know" he mumbles embarrassed. "But just in case you didn't know."

"Thanks" I mumble. This. Is. Awkward. I don't do sappy things and this is sappy.

"Anyways, when do you think we should start fake dating?" Grayson changed the subject "After I announced to the class I asked you out, I'm sure it's gotten back to Ashlyn."

"Umm, I guess we can like start doing couple things I don't know."

"Couple things?" He laughed

"I don't know, like hold hands and stuff in front of people." He laughed again and I punched him. "Don't make fun of me."

"Hold hands and stuff?" He smirks

"I don't know what fake couples do."

"Exactly what real couples do, the only difference is that it doesn't mean anything."

Ouch. That one kind of hurt. I give him a tight smile, and the double takes.

   "What's wrong?" He asks. Shit. I forgot that he could tell when I'm hiding something.

   "Nothing" I lie, "I just feel bad about Natalie, but I don't want to talk about it."

   "Okay"

   Lying. I was as good as it as I was good at walking, talking, eating. I found something comforting about it. It was my super power that sheltered me from situations I didn't want or need to get into.

   The ride was peaceful the rest of the way. I turn my head and watch the trees go by. Green, like Grayson's eyes. I look up at the sky and watch the clouds. Blue, like Grayson's eyes.

   My head whips to Grayson when I hear him singing. "I wanted love, I needed love" he sang. I've heard him sing the song yesterday. I was too drunk to notice of how good of a singer he is. I'm not surprised I guess, perfect body, perfect voice, perfect everything. Perfectly unavailable.

   I'm snapped out of my daze when my phone starts to ring. Emma.

   "Hey what's..." she cuts me off

   "The she devil is here, hurry."

    I look over to Grayson and repeat what Emma tells me, his eyes widen and he starts looking nervous.

   "We are pulling up right now." We say goodbye and hang up,

   Grayson starts to drum his fingers on the wheel anxiously. I noticed that about him, he always fidgets.

   "So, what do you think we should do?" I ask

   "Act like we like each other."

   "Damn that'll be hard for you, huh?" I joked. He didn't respond, clearly too distracted.

   We get out of the car and see Ashlyn and her friends. Grayson comes up to me, linking our hands. "Whose that?" I nod towards a pretty brunette next to Ashlyn.

   "Allie, Ashlyn's cousin. Carter kinda has a thing with her."

   "Oh god."

   "No, she's cool." He says. We walk up to them hand in hand. Becca is the first to notice, and whispers something to Ashlyn. Everyone's eyes turn and wide when they see our hands.

   "What's up." Grayson says

   "Shouldn't we be asking you that?" Becca sneers.

   "Are you feeling sick Grayson?" Kate asks. "Did she like drug you or something?"

   "Oh my god, you never shut up." Allie says clearly annoyed. "Like seriously, do us all the favor and just leave."

   I snort. Like actually snort. My hand quickly covers my mouth, and Kate glares at me. I like this girl.

   "Oh Allie, always a ray of sunshine." Carter smirked.

   "Oh Carter, always a pain in my ass." She mocks back.

   "I thought you said they have a thing?" I whisper to Grayson.

   "This is their thing." He laughs

   "Hi, I'm Blair." I smile at her sticking my hand out. She gives me a wide smile and shakes it.

   "Oh I know, you're the one everyone is talking about. I even hear it all the way over at my school." She laughs then leans in and whispers. "My cousin said you look like a toad, I don't think you do."

   "Thanks" I laugh.

   "I'm going to hangout with them, you guys can do whatever." Allie says to Ashlynn and the other two girls. She then turns to me, "is that ok?"

   "Fine by me." I smile and look around. The rest of group nods in agreement. Ashlyn, Kate, and Becca huff before walking away.

   Emma and Allie starts squealing, jumping, and hugging each other. "Oh em gee!" Emma says, "I missed you."

   "You guys know each other?" I ask

   "I'm Grayson's cousin, she's Ashlyn's. They've been dating since freshman year, our families would hangout a lot. Ashlyn's mom is best friends with Grayson's."

   I nod understanding. I look at her and Allie then feel a hint of jealousy. They seem really close.

"Common," Grayson tugs me "To the beach we go."

We walk towards the ocean. I'm about to set down my towel next to Emma and Allie, when Grayson shouts my name.

"Blair, come next to me."

I walk over and place my towel between him and Drew.

"No, put it on the other side of me" Grayson adds on, "so you can sit by Gracie."

I nod and place my towel between the two siblings. Grace has these big cat eye sunglasses on. I couldn't tell if she's looking at me, until she gives me a smile.

Today is the perfect beach day. The sky is clear, the weather is warm. I stand up and take off my shorts, Grayson's shirt, and the tank top under it.

I hear a whistle and turn. "Damn sweetheart, you look s..." Noah is cut off by Gracie clearly her throat.

   "So beautiful" he finishes.

"Thanks." I turn my head to right, lookin at the two Heart brothers. I see both of them staring, Grayson eyeing my body and Drew just smiling at me.

Grayson grabs my towel and moves it closer to his. I don't question it and lay face down. "Let's go in the water!" Noah shouts. The guys all agree and the girls stay back. Normally I would go in the water, but I want to wait since we just got here.

"So what's up with you and Grayson?" Allie asks. I lift my head and look at her.

"We go out sometimes." I lie. She's Ashlyn's cousin and I'm sure anything I say will get back to her.

"I think they're cute" Emma lifts up her head and winks.

"I agree." Gracie says. I put my head down and close my eyes deciding to take a nap.

I'm woken up by cold water dripping on my back. "You're dripping on me Gray" I look up at him.

"You don't like getting wet?" He smirks at me.

"I guess I was getting hot, so it does feel good." I ignore the dirtiness in his statement.

"So you do like getting wet?"

I groan, "Sure Grayson." Next thing I know, Grayson is laying half on me, practically cuddling me with his arm around me.

   "Grayson" I groan again.

"You said you were hot, I'm helping you stay cool." He says innocently.

***

   We spent the rest of the day swimming and tanning. We were now on our way back to the house. Grayson and I driving in his car again.

   "There's a party tonight, do you wanna go?"

   "Sure" I say. We are almost back to his house  when I get a text. Natalie.

   I really need to talk to you tonight, can we please hangout later? - N

   Zach never came to the beach because he told Gray that something came up, so I don't know if he was mad.

   Are you not going to the party?- B

   No, were you planning on going?- N

   Yea, but I can ditch it. I went to the bonfire party yesterday I'm partied out -B

   Didn't know you were a partier now- N

   I'm not, I just went with Gray- B

   Ok, come over whenever you're back from the beach?-N

  Yup-B

   "I don't think I'm going to go to the party, Natalie asked me to come over. So, do you think you can just drop me off at my car? It's still at the school."

   "Are you going home or straight there?"

   "I'm all sandy and gross so I need to go home, shower, and get clothes."

   "Is your dad home?"

   "Probably" he looks over at me worried.

   "You can shower at my house."

   "I don't have clothes."

   "You can borrow some of mine."

   "No it's fine..."

   "Please" he cute me off.

   "Okay." I sigh

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