Shattered Asylum

Chapter 9

I slept as well as I could've hoped Tuesday night, waking up with the same dream that always haunts me. I forced myself through my morning routine, barely able to shake the haze of sleep deprivation.

It's Thursday now, and I'm sitting at our lunch table, scrolling aimlessly through TikTok. One of Madison's posts pop up on my For You page. I'm about to scroll past when I spot a familiar face, the brown-haired boy who seems to have a knack for making my life more complicated.

The video shows Madison lip-syncing dramatically to a song while Grayson, Vinnie and Noah talk in the background of the parking lot. Grayson doesn't seem to notice he's being filmed, at least until the end, when he turns and catches the camera mid-smirk.

I cringe at Madison's caption: "When your only friends are these guys." The comments are worse, filled with, "You're so lucky!" and "Is that Grayson Dolan! I didn't know he hung out with Vinnie and Noah!!!"

Some fans even have the audacity to ship her with Grayson, making me rolls my eyes.

I scroll down further, but the comments keep coming.

"OMG! Grayson is soooo hot😍🥵," one fan writes.

Another comments, "Grayson and Madison would be the perfect couple, don't you think?" My stomach tightens.

I don't see Madison with anyone as a good match. She's too much of a player, jumping from guy to guy, and I doubt anyone could keep up with her. And as for Grayson? I just don't see it. He doesn't seem like the type of guy who would stay interested in someone like her for long. But then again, maybe that's the kind of relationship she's into, short-term, fleeting, without much meaning.

I quickly tap the screen to exit out of the video, but the comments just keep nagging me.

"Are they dating😱? pls let them be dating."

"I bet Grayson would love Madison. She's perfect for him."

I let out a frustrated sigh, tossing my phone down onto the table. Honestly, it's not like I'm invested in Grayson or anything -he's not my problem- but it just rubs me the wrong way how easily people can throw them together. It's like they don't even know either of them.

Nora texted earlier to let me know she's eating lunch with Madison today. Kristina and Ethan didn't even bother coming to school. So, I've spent my day as a lone ranger, which I don't really mind.

Honestly, it's easier this way.  

I used to sit in the bathroom during lunch, the only place I could get away from Daniel.

At home, I was always locked up in my room waiting for Joe to remember about me and give me their leftover food. The only times I got to eat or really drink anything was at school.

Anywhere else I was invisible, a speck floating in air only being noticed when getting too close. I liked being invisible to them though, once they remember i'm there is when I wished I wasn't anywhere at all.

I glance up from my phone as someone sits down beside me. The table wobbles slightly, and I instinctively scoot over, only to find Grayson settling into the seat. His knee brushes again mine, and I quickly move my legs away.

"Can I help you?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Pretend you're talking to me," he says, glancing over his shoulder like he's hiding from someone.

"I am talking to you," I reply, annoyed. "Why are you acting so weird?"

He lets out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Okay, now pretend we're having a good time," he whispers urgently.