Speechless (GRETHAN)

Chapter 31: A Life So Changed

Ethan Dolan

What's the most romantic gesture?

It's not cooking together or walking hand in hand down at the mall while checking out the stores housing the fresh arrival of fashion that is so explicitly displayed with the words 'Sale' pasted all over the store windows.

For me, the most romantic gesture is laying in bed together doing separate tasks. Grayson rested his head on my chest while the same head was burrowed deep in a book. He clutched it tight in his hands while his eyes scanned each word. His lips moved, indicating that he was reading or mumbling to himself silently. I had my game controller in hand while I played the newest release of 'Call of Duty'.

"This is so romantic.",I spoke with my eyes focused on the TV screen. Grayson shifted until he was sitting upright and looking at my face. "You reading, me playing a game. It's like us 50 years later."

He rose his eyebrows in suspicion. Then he reached for his phone and began typing. I paused my game ahead in time and waited for him to hand me his device.

'Stop talking rubbish and let's study. Put the game away.'

"Awwww, is Gracie jealous? Is it because he doesn't know how to play PS4?"

'I'm not jealous Ethan. We have exams and I'd like to study with you if you haven't caught my signals all day! 😒😒'

"Awww Gracie is jealous!",I laughed and dramatically waved my legs in the air. "Little Gracie is a nerdy kiddo."

In a flash, he stood up and tossed his glasses aside. He climbed over me and grabbed the controller from my hand. He also typed in his phone and stuck the screen in my face while he sat over me.

'STOP CALLING ME GRACIE. I'M NOT A LITTLE GIRL.'

I'm moments away from laughing my lungs out. Grayson was huffing; his chest was heaving up and down quickly while he had me pinned on the bed. "Gracie, let go.",I laughed out loud and he began to throw punches to my sides. He wasn't punching me hard like one would do in an actual fight. His fists colliding with my side felt like him tickling me.

I worked out and from the position that I was in, it wasn't a great task to overpower Grayson but I decided to roll with his punches. "Come on Gray, hit me harder." A smile tugged at his lips and his fist balled up tighter. He rose it above his head and it was just about to come down when the door opened. Our heads snapped towards it.

"Sorry to interrupt your play time boys but we need to wrap it up in here. Olivia is here and we have somewhere to be.",spoke mom. She appeared dressed up for this time of night. It was 9pm.

I wasn't surprised. These days, Olivia was here a lot. It was actually bugging me. She'd storm up at the doorstep at a godforsaken hour and my parents being the fools they were, they'd do as she said. I know she's mom's friend but hey, you might wanna stay off knocking on our door after 9pm.

"Where do you think we're going?",I questioned rhetorically. Grayson was in the room as well but it wasn't like he knew the answer. He just smiled at me while he slid into his pants. Once we were dressed, we stared at each other for seconds. Grayson came closer and put his arms around me. I did the same.

He snuggled his little head in my neck and sniffed like a puppy which I found adorable. "I love you.",I mumbled as I rubbed his back. He kissed my neck and nibbled lightly, making me blush and smirk crazily. He had this effect on me, brother or no brother.

"It's good to see you again.",said Ms. Harper. She was seated on the couch but she immediately stood to greet us when Grayson and I walked downstairs. "I'm sorry to come around at such an hour but the time has come."