Strong - GRETHAN

Chapter 8

What happened after the awkward hug you may ask? Well...
Up until the weekend, Ethan was just fine. He came over every day, helped me with taking care of Chloe, played with her... then suddenly I never heard from him again. On Monday morning he was avoiding my gaze and refused to talk to me, he never read my text and didn't come over once. Chloe was devastated and I had to lie to her an awful lot, inventing some stupid story that he went on holiday with his family when in reality he was avoiding us like the plague. What happened? Why is he doing this? Was it my fault? All these questions keep running through my mind all day and I can't help it. I feel terrible, I feel like I ruined a friendship for being me, I let my guard down too soon... What have I done...

"Gray I told you to stop thinking about him" said Kris for the thousandths time today, I just can't help it, and that's exactly what I answer with. "I can't help it Kris, there must be a reason he can't just leave coz he feels like it. Something obviously happened and I ruined any chance I had with him, I lost him, even just as a friend..." I say sadly, yet desperate to want answers before blaming myself. "What if it was his fault, huh?" she says, getting mad by the fact that I'm automatically blaming myself. "What did he do, he did nothing..." I say defending him, because it's the truth, he hasn't done anything. "That we know of at least..." she counters back and I give her the point, we don't really know what happened but I can't blame myself for it until he says the reason. "It's just driving me insane..." I say exasperated. "I know Grayson but you can't let this ruin your overall daily activities, you haven't even eaten yet" she says pointing at my still full plate of food and I nod, knowing she is right. It has affected me more that it should but there's nothing I can do about it.

And then it hit me...

"Wait today is Saturday!" I say and Kris answers yes, with a tone that screamed 'finally'. There might be a solution after all! "You're thinking about something, do you have a plan?" Kristina asks basically reading my mind. "He invited me to his game tonight, I could find a moment to talk there!" I say and her face lights up. "Great idea!" but then a thought came to mind. "Crap! I can't have Chloe there, but I can't leave her alone... I guess-" I start but soon get interrupted by Kris shushing me. "I'll come over to take care of her" she said with a smile and after countless tentatives of me trying to not have her do it and her refusing every last one, I eventually give in. "Thanks Kris, you're really a life saver." I say gratefully. "Of course Gray, I know how much this means to you. But also note that this is the last opportunity I'm going to give him" she says in a warning tone and I nod.

The rest of the day came and went and before I knew it it was 6.30 pm. The game was at 7 and I was waiting for Kristina to come over, I know Chloe is in good hands. She soon after knocks on the door and I let her it, reminding her for what seemed to be the 20th time that if she needs anything to just call me and all the rules of what Chloe can and can't do and the basics, basically, to which she laughs and says yes, reminding me I told her already. I laugh nervously and eventually leave. As I am walking there I try to figure out how I should approach Ethan and what to say. Should I text him? Wait for him at his car in the parking lot? Just barge in the changing room and talk? OK maybe the last one is highly inprobable and very much stupid but hey it's still an option... I later decide to text him asking if we can see each other to talk and see where it goes from there. I didn't realize I took my whole walk there thinking about what to do but I soon find myself in front of the school entrance. I walk my way down the hall on my way to the bleachers outside, most of the team rushing down the corridor to arrive into the changing rooms to get ready, but no sign of Ethan...
I find a nice spot in the center of the bleachers and take a seat, taking out my phone to pass time while waiting for the game to start. 6.54... Time seems to be passing so slowly but eventually the two teams walk out their sides and I roam the teams faces in hopes to see the one face I want. I see Jake, Calum, Logan, James... Ethan. He is here. So he's number 8 huh? I think, taking a mental note to look at that number while it's playing. He seems dull... I think to myself, maybe he's just as affected as I am? Then again why would he do it in the first place if that was the case. I eventually get brought out of my thoughts words when the loud sound of a whistle goes off, indicating the game had begun.