Shades of Gray

Chapter 4

Driving to school Monday morning, I cannot contain the loud yawn as I pull into Starbucks to buy a large frozen carmel macchiato with an extra shot of expresso for the caffiene boost. Nanma scheduled our visit with mama for this Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. The prision mama is housed at is here in town, so we are going to meet at the cafe near the prision after school for a snack and drink. After the visit we will have dinner out before heading home.

Paying for my drink, I continue my drive to the high school to park in the student section, lock the door after grabbing my bag, cell, keys, and drink. Heading inside, I keep my head held high, focusing on what is ahead of me. I may not be comfortable with my peers, but I refuse to let them know they get under my skin which they do.

"Hey dude," Wyatt greets warmly when I reach my locker which is located in between his and Kyler's.

"Hey man, where is Kyler?" I ask when I notice my friend isn't here with Wyatt while opening my locker to leave my bag, and get what I need for my first class.

"He had to help his uncle with something in his classroom this morning, but he's meeting us in our first class by the time it starts," Wyatt replies as we walk toward our class.

"Awe, that's nice of him," I softly reply with a smile - I like Kyler's uncle Martin, who teaches English here.

When someon calls out my name and Wyatt's the both of us turn around with a frown since it wasn't Kyler who called out to us. We find Ryker walking quickly toward us with a smile. He falls into step with us as he greets us which we return.

"How do you Grayson?" Wyatt asks Ryker curiously.

"We met Saturday night at his place for dinner since mum is Ms. Lucy's new P.A.," Ryker answers him seriously.

"I forgot about that! That was why you couldn't stay the night at mine, and why weren't Kyler and I invited?" Wyatt cutely pouts as we sit in our seats near the back of the classroom.

"Yes, and Nanma wanted it to be just us even though she loves you and Kyler," I murmur feeling slightly guilty at his pout.

"I was just joking, Gray," Wyatt instantly replies, noticing my guilty expression, and it seems, for some strange reason, Ryker growls at Wyatt.

Wyatt and I snap our heads toward Ryker in surprise as he lowly tells Wyatt; "Don't be rude to Grayson!"

"Calm down, man! Gray knows I was only teasing," Wyatt says irritated at his other friend.

"He doesn't seem like he thought you are joking," Ryker growls catching my gaze with his and holding it for several seconds before I drop my gaze to my lap.

"I overreacted and I know he was joking," I murmur while fidgeting with my fingers in my lap nervously - I hate tension especially tension I created.

"He still should have been nicer to you," Ryker grumbles before dropping the subject when Mr. Kullen starts class as Kyler slips into the class a the last second with a mumbled apology, and tinted cheeks.

The entire morning there was tension between Wyatt and Ryker, and I quietly explain to Kyler what happened when he asked why. The four of us enter the cafeteria with me walking a few steps behind the other three until Ryker drops back to walk with me.

"Are you alright, Grayson?" he softly asks with worried eyes.

"Yeah, I'm just a little off today is all," I mumble with a fake smile.

"Didn't sleep well last night?" he questions while we grab and pay for our lunches before joining Kyler and Wyatt at a table.

"No, I didn't, but it's okay," I mumble around a yawn that I hide behind my hand.

I think I'm going to bed early tonight, and by early I mean 10 p.m. instead of midnight like normal.

"Why not? Did you fall asleep after midnight?" Kyler worridly asks with a cute pout.

"Yeah, I think I fell asleep around 3 this morning," I reply while tearing my turkey, cheese and mayo cheese sub.

Before anyone can say anything else, Kent Warren, the biggest asshole in our school sneers from behind me; "Hey fag. Is your mommy still in prison?"

Despite Kyler and Wyatt knowing this information but Ryker doesn't, I can feel my face burn crimson from shame. Turning my upper body slightly toward him to find Kent smirking at me, sneer back; "Fuck off!"

I'm instantly terrified as Kent's smirk turns evil at my outburst while he steps closer. When Kent moves to do something physically to me, I shut my eyes tightly, but when nothing happens, I snap my eyes open to find Kent in a headlock by Ryker. Boy, does Ryker look scary when pissed, and Kent and his two friends look absolutly terriefied.

"It would be wise to rethink any action or words you may take toward Grayson," Ryker lowly growlsas he slightly tightens his hold on a fridgeting Kent, who instantly stops his movements. "From now on, you won't speak to or look at Grayson, and if even breath wrong toward him, you will regret it. Do you understand me?"

Kent nods slightly as he mumbles out in a raspy voice; "Understood."

Ryker tightens his hold once more for a second before releasing his hold on Kent, who instantly rushes away with his two wide eyed friends. Ryker sits back down with a scowl on his face as he rolls his shoulders as everyone else in the cafeteria quietly goes back to their buisness.

"That guy is an idiot," Ryker grumbles as he looks at us before his gaze settles on me. "Are you alright?"

Silently nodding with wide eyes, he smiles as he comments; "Good. Does he normally bother you?"

"Sometimes, but it is usually just verbal, not physical, and thank you," I murmur with tinted pink cheeks.