Strong - GRETHAN

Chapter 10

(not proofread because I really wanted to start writing the next chapter:3)

It was my...

I pause, my voice failing me and not being able to talk, my mouth immobile and not continuing the phrase. "Gray..." he says lowly and stern, wanting the answers he worked so hard for to receive, but I can't move. I stay still, I can't move, can't speak... "Grayson... who was it" he states more than ask, getting closer and leaving almost little to no space. "It was my mum... but I can explain, it wasn't exactly her to do it-" I try but Ethan cuts me off before I can continue "Just because she was in a drunk state does not mean shit, it was still her!" he says forcefully and I flinch slightly at the loud tone he used and he seems to notice my reaction and takes a deep breath. "Sorry..." he says softly, bringing a hand behind my head and lead it into his chest and then into a hug, and I relax immediately. After a short moment he pulls away again and I look up at him "How did you get all these?" he asks, referring to my bruises and cuts. "I-" I try speaking but yet again can't say anything, "Grayson I can't help you if you don't talk, I won't be able to do anything" he says seriously and I look at him confused. "Why? What were you planning on doing?" I ask and he hesitates before answering...

"I was going to call the cops" he says and at that my eyes go wide and eventually just snap. "You're joking right? You want to call the cops?!" I ask raising my voice, noy believing his statement at all "I was trying to help you" he says calmly but I'm not as calm "By arresting her?!" I essentially scream at this point "I'm trying to help" he says sternly yet somewhat with a gentle, soft tone. "She is my mother!" and I guess that was Ethan's breaking point and he snaps too "She's not your mother Grayson! She's an alcoholic abusive person now! That's not a mother figure anymore!" he says screaming and the more I take in of what he said the more I realize that... He's right... I stay there still staring out int space, not even realising the presence of the few tears that start to well up in my eyes. "Crap!" he whispers and pulls me into a hug and once I feel his arms wrap around my waist I breakdown, letting all my emotions go in the form of tears. All the anger, frustration, confusion, sadness... all of it. "I'm so sorry Gray..." he says softly and soothingly, obviously not wanting to say the things he did but having the need to at the same time. He combs my hair in an attempt to calm me down which slowly works, my sobbing soon turning into small little hiccups. "I didn't mean to make you cry I'm sorry..." he says yet again, apologizing over and over again. "You're right... she's not a mother figure anymore, but she still is my mother... she's still the one that brought me up. Aside from Chloe she's all I have left..." I say as a response to his lash out. "What about rehab?" he offers as a second option. "It would work only for the time she's there. Once she's out again she'll just start drinking again. There's no point" I reply back with. He doesn't say anything and just hugs me comfortingly, getting the message that there is no point in continuing on this conversation.

I sigh and push away from his touch, much against my liking, and wipe my tear-stained cheeks and puffy eyes from any tears left. "God, I feel so weak for crying all the fucking time" I say annoyed, tired of all the affects my sensitivity. "You're not weak Grayson, I mean look at you. You take care of your sister like a parent and have school; you work to provide yourself money to have a house and food on your table. You have your rough past, with your dad and your mum... to me this is not a weak person. This person here, standing right in front of me, is the strongest person I know, with lots of will power and intelligence. He's someone who will do anything to make others happy, no matter how he's feeling, because it makes him happy. He's so kind and generous, determined and stands his ground when he knows he has to.
Being strong isn't just about being a big macho man with no emotions, Grayson. Someone as petite and delicate as you can be strong too. And the fact that you cried does not imply you're weak, nobody can go without letting out their emotions and definitely not someone with a whole lot of shit going on like you have. You're strong Grayson, don't let your display of emotions convince you otherwise" he says, the whole time staring into my eyes, the passion with which he was saying it and the sincerity present in his beautiful hazel orbs. I start to tear up again, this time happy tears, touched by his word and hug him tight again. I hide my face in his chest and he rests his chin on the top of my head, playing with the soft, short hairs at the nape of my neck. He brings his hand from my waist to under my chin, making me look up at him. I can't help but stare into his eyes, so deep and full of love. He leans in ever so slowly, wanting to set the intimate mood, me moving in just as slowly, matching his pace.