Heard it Through the Grapevine

Grady Ending

I take a deep breath, and look them all in the eyes individually.

"I need some air. I'll meet you at home, I promise." I hurriedly push past them. Once I'm away, I take off running down the hall. I don't stop until I'm bursting through the stage doors and into an empty alley. Well, almost empty.

"Hey, you alright?" I hear someone say. I look up to see a beautiful girl wearing punk-looking clothes, spiked up hair, and silver chains smoking a cigarette leaning against the alleyway. I quickly recognized her as one of the judges from tonight.

"Oh, hi, uhm, no I'm okay, thanks." I stammer out.

"You don't look like it. I'd think you'd be doing a little better seeing as you guys just won." She replies coolly. When I don't answer, she continues. "What, are they finally making you choose?" I look up at her in disbelief, and she laughs. "I've been following up on all the meme page blasts. The Honeyboys seem to have let drama follow them around ever since I left."

"Are you..." I start to ask.

"Erin. Hi. I used to be in the Honeyboys. Didn't work out, no hard feelings. Don't know if all the boys know that, but give them my love for me. I haven't seen them in a while, and I know they were upset about it. But it was really hard to stay friends with them after the pain of leaving the band. I hope one day they can accept that."

"I'm sure they will, you could try talking to them?" I offer.

"We'll see. For now, I'm gonna let them do their thing. You guys are on your way to being real rockstars."

"Right.." I say, standing a bit closer to her. She offers me a drag and I accept. "Yeah, I guess they are making me choose." I say after a silent minute. She laughs again.

"You know, I know you won't like this advice much, but it's the truth. Go with your gut – you already know who you want." She says as she stubs out her cigarette. I stare back at her in shock. But, before I can speak, a gaggle of pretty girls are calling her name from down the alley, wanting her attention.

"I gotta go, it was nice talking to you, saxophone boy. Have fun back at the Hive." With that, she heads down the street and disappears into the night. Suddenly filled with a new sense of determination and courage, I start heading home. There's someone I need to talk to.

I knock on his door. I don't hear a response right away, and I start to get a little nervous. I assumed everyone would come back after the battle of the bands, and my mind started racing. But before I could freak out too much, I heard the doorknob rattle.

The door was slowly pulled open, and there stood Grady.He looked almost relieved to see me in the doorframe.

I walk further into his room, next to his Rubix Cube decorations. I hesitate as he looks down, taking a deep breath. "I love you Grady." I murmur. I have been waiting for this moment since I tried to kiss him on the porch and it was finally here.

"Are-are you sure Nathan? Do you really choose me?" His orbs stare me down, not sure of what he just heard.

"Yes Grady, I choose you." With that he reaches for my face, placing it on my cheek. He leans in, his lips meshing with mine.