pieces | ethma

SNEAK PEEK 3/3

"Perfectly Wrong"
Grayson Dolan/Original Character
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Brooklyn

I was jolted awake by a knock on the driver's side door.

Fuck.

My first instinct was that the police caught me sleeping in my car for the second time this month, but it wasn't the police.

It was Grayson Dolan. From school.

This was my worst nightmare.

I turned the car on, and rolled down the window.

"Hey," I said.

"Hey, Brooklyn, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"Brooklyn, are you okay?"

I bit my lip, trying to think of the quickest answer. I don't want anyone to know that I was sleeping in my car on purpose. I'm already the girl at school whose mom died.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

"Do you need help getting home?"

"Nope. I must've just fallen asleep. It's been a long day. I should go home now," I said, glancing at the clock.

11:30.

"Well, drive safe, okay? I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

Was he this nice to every girl? No wonder they throw themselves at him. His looks scream player, but his personality screams romantic. I've never seen a more attractive person be as kind as I've seen Grayson can be.

"Thanks, Grayson," I said, rolling the window back up and driving off.

Once I found a more secure spot to park my car, I fell back asleep and let my brain get the rest it much well deserved.

I got to school early the next morning, so I could shower and get ready in the girl's locker room. I did this a lot because we don't have hot water at home.

It's not like I wanna be home anyway.

My dad has been worse than usual lately, and I don't feel comfortable enough to go home right now.

I was at my locker later that morning when Grayson came up to me.

"Hey, Brooklyn," he said. "Make it home okay last night?"

I glanced around for a second. "Yeah," I said. "But please don't tell anyone I was sleeping in my car, okay?"

Before he could answer, I grabbed my stuff for first period, closed the locker door, and started to walk away.

"Wait," he said, gently grabbing my arm and turning me around. As soon as he looked into my eyes, I knew I wouldn't be capable of lying to him.

"Are you sure you're doing okay? I don't think you were sleeping in your car on accident, Brooklyn?"

"Why does it matter?" I said, trying to walk away.