180 Degrees- Completed

Chapter Thirty Four

The music ended and I just laughed at the audience staring up at me. Most of them had left now, just the volleyball girls who were falling asleep but me Eve and Amber were enjoying dancing like it was in one of the dance studios. Oscar smiled at me, signaled phone and then left with his friends. I'll deal with that later. I'm actually chilling here now with the girls. I felt better. They always knew what would work. 

Things were a little weird between the 2 of us. I couldn't pin point it but despite me waiting forever to have him waiting for me like this. I didn't feel it. No excitement, I wasn't giddy, wasn't rushing to respond to him or hoping he was going to be around every corner I turned. I didn't wake up smiling because of him and I didn't go to sleep wishing he was there either. Maybe James' little trick after the party a few weeks ago had done it's job. 

"Have you  girls seen who the next match is?" Caz shouted from the front row and we made our way down, sitting with our legs hanging off the stage. 

"No, been a little busy." I chuckled, drinking some water as it was passed to me. 

"Its here with Stanford. Next Monday" 

"Oh shit." I giggled. "Pass me my phone, Izzy's going to flip."  I unlocked, swiping Oz's texts off the notification bar and texting Iz. 

So you're coming for the weekend right? 
Don't tell me you're just coming for the night.

Also- lots to catch up on!!!
Drama 

The room had fallen silent which made me slightly uncomfortable with these girls. They were always talking or giggling about something. 

"You're all too quiet. Someone speak." I continued texting without even lifting my head. A deep chuckled forced me to look up. Almost dropping my phone as the girls started giggling and gave us some space. 

"You're Avery right?" He raised an eyebrow and I nodded. Breathe Avery. Its just some guy. A hot guy. Just as hot as James but in a different way. Dripping confidence like its sweat. "I've not seen you around the department before. I mean, I've seen you with Eve and Amber leaving the dance studios but I didn't know you were singing too."

"You just caught the first time." I smirked, locking my phone as it buzzed in my hand, setting it down beside me. 

"You're joking?" 

"No." 

"You're really good for a first timer." 

"Well what can I say? I tend to be an expert in my crafts." I sat up straight looking him over. 

"I can see." There was a glimmer of a smile on his face. "I heard you and James split up." I chuckled. 

"News travels fast around here. Doesn't it?" 

"It does when it's about you." He took a step closer, holding his hand out. "I'm Grayson." 

"Ah. A name to the face." I nodded and took his hand, shaking it with an eyebrow raised. That first touch was electric. I can't explain how a hand shake alone had me trembling but it did. He didn't let go as I stopped shaking. Just stood there looking at me. 

"Have you eaten?" 

"I-um. Sorry what?" I lifted my eyes from our hands, steadying myself. Careful there Vee. Almost looks like you're falling in love at first handshake. That would not be cool would it? No. Get your act together.

"It's like 1pm. Have you eaten lunch?" 

"Oh. No." He nodded and pulled my hand, forcing my feet to hit the ground below the stage. It was a much steeper drop than I was expecting and that mixed with the movement and my brain being foggy because of his touch I slipped, his arm wrapping around me quickly to stop me getting hurt. I let out a short, sharp breath at the feel of him being so close, his chest practically pushed against mine. 

"You good?" 

"Mhm." I nodded quickly, standing up straight as he stepped back from me, I smoothed my hair down. 

"Food then?" 

"Sure. Just um- Give me a sec to grab my stuff?" 

"I'll wait outside." He pointed to the door at the back of the room that was now empty. Just my girls stood in a corner watching me try not to faint. I nodded and watched him leave, slowly moving my back to the stage and putting my hand over my mouth as I giggled nervously. The girls ran over, surrounding me as I shook the energy out of my body. "What the fuck." I was still laughing as I laid my head on Caz's shoulder. 

"Who is HE?" Caz giggled like I was, turning to face Eve as I stood up, bright red and on the verge of hyperventilating. 

"That piece of art, ladies, is Grayson Holland." 

"And you've been hiding him from us for the past month Evelyn? Unacceptable." Caz shook her head as she crossed 

"Hey, the entire music department is gunning for the mystery guy. We don't know much about him. All we do know is he took a gap year after high school to work on a tour with his dad. No one knows which one or who his dad is, we kind of guess he's like 20 or 21 just from the gap year but that's literally it." They all looked at me and I choked under the pressure. 

"What?" 

"What did he say?" I giggled again, swallowing hard. 

"He asked me if I'd had lunch and then pulled me off the stage." 

"That's what that was? I thought you slipped?" 

"No. He pulled me." I bit the corner of my lip thinking about how he felt under my hands. 

"OOOOO." Liv laughed. "She's smitten." 

"He's so fucking hot."  I smirked, turning and grabbing my phone. "Anyway. I have a lunch date. I don't want to keep him waiting too long." I raised my eyebrows and Caz cackled. Eve handed me my bag, letting me pull it over my shoulder as I moved up towards the door. 

"James who?" I looked over my shoulder and laughed at her as I approached the door. 

"James who indeed."