To Infiniti & Beyond

Chapter Eight

The bell on top of the door at the bagel shop rings. Brynn, Eva and I all snap our heads to see who just entered.

"MAYA!" We all scream in unison as we scramble to get up and race over to her.

She squeals as the three of us practically tackle her. I'm actually quite surprised none of us toppled over.

"Aw I missed you guys!" She gushes as she gives us a squeeze before releasing us.

"We missed you more!" I exclaim.

The four of us walk over to the counter and place our orders before taking our seats in the back corner of the shop.

"How are you guys? Fill me in on everything!" Her eyes get wide with anticipation as she reaches over to grab one of Eva's hands and one of mine.

Maya moved away for college so we haven't seen her in months. It's been rough without her here. Eva commutes to school, so I've gotten really close with Brynn seeing as her and I have not pursued further education, but I've always felt a deeper connection with Maya.

I love all three of the girls equally, I do however love them all in different ways. Eva is the logical one, Brynn is the impulsive one, but Maya and I have very similar views and opinions on a variety of topics. In other words, if I need someone to agree with me - Maya is my go to.

I fill her in on all the drama with the Tristian rumor. Brynn fills her in on Jaxon's return. Eva fills her in on adult things like school, work, and the gym.

Maya rants to us about school, informs us that she's talking to a boy, and gives us some insight as to what life out of state looks like.

Brunch is over too soon. We go our separate ways for the afternoon and plan to reconnect later in the night.

On my way home my music cuts out and Grayson's name is displayed across my phone screen. I click answer, "Hey Gray, what's up?"

"Hey Kie. Not much, you?"

"I'm on my way home from brunch."

We make small talk before he finally asks if I'll be going out with gapplebees tonight.

"Umm I don't think so. My friend is back from college for the weekend so I'm going to spend some time with her."

"Damn."

I smile at his disappointment. "Do you even know what's going on with me and the group right now?"

"No, fill me in."

So I do.

"I don't know why their being like that. From an outsiders point of view even I can see you're not interested in him."

"Right! Darcy is being so whack. I even tried to ask her what I did to make her feel uncomfortable or give off the wrong impression and she just kept avoiding it."

"Weird. Just ignore it to be honest, she'll get over it eventually."

"I guess."

Grayson and I talk for the rest of my drive home.

I spend the remainder of my afternoon staring at my wall listening to music, just counting down the seconds until I get to see my girls tonight.

The time drags on but it's finally 8pm and I'm on my way to meet with the girls. On the other end of the strip mall that gapplebees hangs out at, is a restaurant the four of us hang out at.

While we were in high school it was a tradition that every Friday night we'd grab a late dinner. Then we'd fuck around in the parking lot till the early hours of the morning. Doing stupid stuff like that with my girls was just a reset, something I could always look forward to at the end of the week.

On the drive to the restaurant, I think about how much has changed since September. When Maya moved away life got dull. Then gapplebees formed a couple months later and life was exciting again.

I hope that this rumor goes away and I can reconcile with the group. I'm not sure what I'd do if gapplebees fell apart completely.

Time feels so relaxed when I'm with the girls. It's now 10pm and Maya and I have started our dance party. We just finished the Cotten eye joe, and are in the middle of the Cupid shuffle when my phone rings and cuts the music out.

"Oh boooo," I slump my shoulders before jogging over to my phone.

A unintentional smile appears on my face as I see that the caller ID says Gray.

"Oooo is that Grayson," Brynn nudges at me.

"Shush," I snap at her while grinning as I click the answer button. "What's up?"

"Hey, where are you?" His voice comes through on speaker.

"At the other end of the strip mall, how come?"

"Okay I'm gonna come see you."

I look to the girls for their approval to which they nod yes, "sounds good."

Maya and I finish the Cupid shuffle before joining Brynn and Eva who are sitting on the ground behind our cars. We sprawl out exhausted and no longer chilly as Brynn and Eva giggle at our actions.

A short while later I hear Grayson's car rip through the parking lot.

"That's him," I say all giddy to the girls as I stand up and they follow suit.

He whips his car into the parking spot next to mine and gives it a couple revs before I hear the engine turn off.

"Hey," the four of us stop talking as we all face the direction of his voice. He comes into frame, all 5'11 and then some of him.

"Hi!" I say all cheery. He brushes his medium length hair back while smiling. In this dark light his hair looks black, but in the sunlight you can see it's a very deep brown.

He comes to stand by me, I see Maya's eyes light up and give me her approval. I internally chuckle at her actions.

Before I can introduce him, he does it himself. "Hi, I'm Grayson."

Brynn and I slap the palms of our hands to our foreheads in sync. "See I told you he was going to introduce himself like that!" I point at Brynn laughing.

"I can't help it, I'm used to introducing myself professionally." Grayson chimes in.

"Yeah yeah we know, we just think it's funny." I smile up at him, he smiles down at me. "Anyways, this is Maya and Eva."

The night continues on and everyone is getting along so well. At one point Gray pushes me around in a shopping cart while the girls just laugh at our antics.

He asks me to race, of course I say yes knowing damn well I will loose. We decide on a 40-roll on the strip behind the complex we're in.

The girls run to under the sign advertising what's in the strip mall - aka Grayson and I's finish line. He takes the outside line on the first run, and I take it on the second run. To no one's surprise, he beats me both times.

Once we're back in the parking lot just passing time, Tristian, Dean, and a handful of other cars I've never seen them with pull up and recruit Grayson.

After he left the girls couldn't stop gushing about how cute we were together. It was strange to have all three of their approvals, it has never happened before in the history of our group. That thought alone made me feel like I was on top of the world.