Worlds Collided |g.d.|

chapter eight

-Jana pov-

"Hey Jana! Can you grab my charger? My phone is about to die!" Ethan called.

"Yup!" I yanked his phone charger out of the outlet, conveniently labeled with an 'E'. I balanced it on top of my stack of various snacks.

The twins and I were planning out the new few videos, and it was taking much more time than we first envisioned. Probably because Grayson was ordering us around rather than helping us. I walked back outside, where we had set up our work station next to the pool. The sun was hidden behind the clouds, but it was still a fairly warm day for it being autumn in LA. I set the snacks on the table as I took my seat in between the twins.

I had been working for them for almost two weeks now but it feels like a lifetime. I had become comfortable with my position and the twins very quickly. It seems like we all got along, well most of the time. Ethan was great. He was super friendly and helpful, always patient with me. Grayson was another story. He spent his days brooding, a constant frown on his face.

We definitely butted heads more than Ethan and I did. Grayson always had to contradict me, my new ideas were never good enough for him. I could never type fast enough, schedule perfectly, or speak with sponsors in a way that pleased him.

But sometimes he surprised me. I had learned that Jenson was their personal driver, now mine. But on the days that Jenson was off, or we worked late Grayson would take me home. Granted, it was a silent and awkward ride but I appreciated his small gesture of kindness.

I still had many unanswered questions. Emma had come around a few more times, mostly to hang out with the twins. But I've never seen her and Ethan as close as they were that first day. However, there was definitely some tension between them.

Ethan dug into a bag of potato chips, his mouth full as he spoke. "Okay, tomorrow we film going through our old phones so the next few days will be filled with editing..."

Grayson finally looked up from his phone. "I have plans."

"Tomorrow?" Ethan clarified.

"We can film it tomorrow night," Grayson said, indirectly answering Ethan's question.

Ethan shook his head. "No, Jana needs to be here-."

Grayson rolled his eyes. "She can stay late."

I ducked my head, wishing I hadn't been brought into the argument.

"You can't make that decision for her Gray! It's not fair to keep her that late, because knowing you it'll be midnight by the time you get home!" Ethan's lips formed a thin line.

"It's okay! It really is, I can stay." I quickly interjected, hoping to defuse the growing tension. I had seen them argue before and it was not pretty. Dave even told me about times when the twins got into physical fights. Grayson was bigger in bulk, but Ethan was leaner and therefore quicker. So they were a pretty even match.

Grayson lifted his eyebrows, in a mocking "see, I told you so". He chuckled harshly, standing up. "Of course she'll stay overtime, she's only here for the money." He stalked off, probably to go to the gym like he does when he's in a foul mood.

Once he was out of sight Ethan sighed. "Sorry about him."

"Don't apologize for him..." I fiddled with my fingers. "Is that all he thinks of me? That I'm only here for the money?"

Ethan wouldn't meet my eyes. "Grayson has...a hard time trusting people. He doesn't make friends easily, it'll take him time. I hope you can understand that."

"Yeah, yeah, of course." I couldn't blame Grayson for not trusting very easily. I, myself, was similar. I trusted people out the outside, like how I took Dave's offer without even knowing what I would be doing. But I never truly let people all the way in. I even keep Stella at a certain distance. I guess I was afraid of being hurt.

Ethan looked at phone. "Oh, Jenson's here, you're good to head home."

"Okay, thanks." I closed my laptop, gathering my stuff before bidding him goodbye and walking inside since I had to go through the house to get to the driveway.

As I was passing by the hallway I heard Grayson's deep tone from the other room. I slowed my steps, eavesdropping on his conversation.

"I'll pick you up, we can go check out that place I was talking about. Yeah, it's sick I think you'll like it." It sounded like he was smiling, this was definitely the most happy I've ever heard him. "Okay, bye love you."

I felt my heart stall. Grayson never showed affection toward his own twin brother, and here he was saying "love you" go someone over the phone. I knew I shouldn't have heard that intimate moment he had so I rushed out the front door, shutting it as quietly as I could in hopes he didn't catch on.

I practically ran into Jenson's car, my heart still beating. I only gave a brief hello before falling into my own silence as he drove, my thoughts twisting around.

Screw Ethan having a girlfriend. I think Grayson does.