Frenemies

13

The flashback of Grayson helping me out plays in my mind as I drag myself out of the bathroom and toward the next event we have planned. I know that Grayson is going to be angry at me for abandoning him, but I let myself remember how he held me even as I cried for more than five minutes. How his hold on me never faltered.

He held me tight against his chest, told me over and over again that it wasn't my fault. That Aidan was the one who was arrogant and a selfish asshole. I held on to his words, held on to them because when I thought about Aidan's words, they made me cry over and over again.

Pathetic, Easy Lay, Eager

All make me feel worthless.

Aidan and I had dated for about three months, two of which we only saw each other once a week. And then after the second month mark, I had taken a liking to him. I liked him, that much was true. I wasn't eager to see him, to touch him, not until he made that point clear. It was he who slipped his hand under my shirt when we were watching a movie, he who pressed kisses dangerously close to my chest.

He was the one who got me attached to him, and then he was the one throwing it all back at me. Making me seem like a worthless peice of trash. A girl who would drop to her knees at the prospect of a guy showing the slightest bit of interest to her.

It was offensive to me, and to every other woman on earth. Grayson had recognized that, and that is why he came to my rescue. That is why he hadn't let go of me until after Katie and a couple others found me. He had let go of me only after asking me if I was okay. And then when I was in my friends' arms, he walked away after sending me an encouraging smile.

I remember spending the night under my covers, crying, yes, but also thinking about Grayson. I hated to admit it, but I had gained a tiny crush toward him. He had caught me at a vulnerable time and his kindness had been imprinted in my heart. I spent my time remeniczing about his every touch and his every word.

But when I went back to school the next day, Grayson hadn't treated me any different. He hadn't asked about the previous day and he definitely hadn't been extra nice to me. Still, the whole week I looked forward to the moments where he would look at me. The moments where he would smile at me despite me being annoying. It lasted for all of a week, but it was the most exciting week of my life.

Now, Grayson and I were on the same page--- if not a step behind. Grayson and I's speciality was that we disliked his other, but we were always almost together. Our proximity was our speciality. But today, Grayson made every effort to not be close to me. Even when accidndkty we ended up at the same place, he would subtly move away from me.

Of course I noticed it and frowned at it. Grayson had been hostile with me a week ago at his house, but I didn't think it was too big of a deal. I didn't think that he was going to be pulling away. What I asked him was the reason he was keeping his distance.

But a small part of me doesn't care that he doesn't want me here. The part who got rescued by him almost a year ago, wants to figure out what is wrong.

If only I could get him to look at me.

••••

Grayson didn't say anything about me showing up late for the next event. He hadn't even glanced at me, and I tried to meet his eye but he walked away assisting a teammate of mine. This followed the rest of the afternoon. And the evening was packed with mini volleyball matches. I didn't see him much in between the three matches our girls team had.

At the end of the mini tournaments, every team took a seat on the gymnasium floor. Since this is all about bonding with your fellow schools in the district, we were appointed to hand each medals for participation. Of course I get to hand the trophy to the captain of our rivals school.