New York State of Mind *Grand Army*

12

There's no way to mask how fucked up you all are.
~

Grand Army High School radiated good energy throughout the hallways as everyone was dressed in a costume for spirit day. Ryan sighed, as she straightened out her costume feeling slightly self conscious.

"Oh stop, you look great babe." Grayson smiled at her. Grayson and Ryan had decided on matching couple costumes. Ryan pulled at her tight shirt and sighed. "Listen to me." Grayson spoke, grabbing Ryan by the shoulders and pulling her face close to his.

"You look amazing,  beautiful, sexy, okay?" Grayson asked, and Ryan smiled. "Okay?" Grayson asked again. Ryan nodded, and lifted her head up high. Just when she started to feel confident, she saw Luke Friedman staring her down, making her feel small again.

Ryan diverted her eyes, and coward behind Grayson. "What?" Grayson asked, following her eyes. Grayson's face turned red with rage, and held back any outburst because he knew Ryan wouldn't approve.

"Don't look at him, okay? Look at me." Grayson said, switching spots with her so her back was towards Luke. "I can't." Ryan muttered. Grayson took her hands in his, and felt them shake under his grip.

"Look at me." Grayson demanded. Ryan looked into Grayson's blue eyes, and took a deep breath. "He can't hurt you, not while I'm here." Grayson comforted. Ryan nodded, and wrapped her arms around him.

"Don't worry, okay?" Grayson said, leaning down and pressing his lips against Ryan's. "Yo, welcome the fuck back!" A voice yelled, gaining Ryan's attention. She looked over her shoulder, and saw one of the guys on the swim team dabbing up Luke and George.

Ryan felt her blood pressure rise, and she shook her head. "I can't believe they get celebrated while Joey's going through hell." Ryan scoffed. "I know. The truth always comes out though." Grayson said.

Ryan watched Tim walk passed her, headphones in his ears and red bloodshot eyes. Tim looked at Ryan, but only for a second before he turned away. He couldn't bare to look at her. "Hey." Anna called out, getting her brothers attention.

Tim pulled out his headphones, and looked down at her. "She's gonna regret all of this. It's not on you." Anna said. Ryan's head snapped in their direction, and she laughed loudly. She gained the attention of Tim and Anna, and along with most of the hallway.

"You all are fucking delusional. Anna, I can't even believe that, as a woman, you would even say something like that." Ryan chuckled again. Grayson didn't stop her, and just stood back and watched the scene unfold.

"Ryan, you're taking Joey's word over the boys? She's Joey. There's literally video of her making out with both boys, voluntarily!" Anna exclaimed. "Consent can be revoked. Your obsession with these boys, who aren't ever gonna want you, no matter what you do is nuts!" Ryan said, throwing her hands up in the air.

"Stop, Ryan." Anna warned. "Stop what? Your crush on them is pointless! You can kiss their ass all you want, but they're always gonna be thinking about someone else, you're the last person they want. You want me to stop, well Joey wanted them to stop too!" Ryan yelled, shoving Anna into the lockers behind her.

"Ryan." Tim spoke, pulling her away from his sister. "Don't touch me. You're a liar, you're just as bad as they are." Ryan said, pointing to George and Luke. Tim's face fell, and Grayson walked over and gently grabbed her waist, and led her down the hallway and outside.