Shattered Asylum

Chapter 29

I get home after practice and head straight for the shower. The hot water soothes my aching muscles, and I let it wash away the day until my fingers wrinkle like raisins. Stepping out, I wrap myself in my trusty Spongebob bathrobe and shuffle to my room.

At my desk, I try to focus on the homework I didn't finish in study hall. Fifteen minutes later, my phone buzzes on the bed. I reach for it and see Grayson's name lighting up the screen. My cheeks warm as I hit answer.

"Hello?" I ask, sinking back into my chair.

"Hey, bumpkin. What are you doing?" His voice is casual, that dumb nickname making me roll my eyes.

"Homework. Why?" I ask, absentmindedly picking at the chipped paint on my desk.

"Because I'm outside your house."

I freeze, my eyes widening. "You're what?!" I whip around to peek out my window, and sure enough, his car is parked in the driveway.

"Ethan kicked me out for a few hours. Let me in, it's freezing out here." His voice sounds casual, but I can hear the chattering of his teeth.

I sigh, already halfway down the stairs. "Hold on," I mumble, flipping on the porch light and opening the door.

Grayson stands there, smirking as his eyes roam over me. "Nice robe," he says with a chuckle.

I glance down at the cartoon bathrobe and immediately feel my face heat up. "What are you doing here?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Didn't I already explain that?" He steps inside without waiting for an invitation.

"No, you told me why you're not home, not why you came here," I say, shutting the door.

Grayson starts walking down the hall like he owns the place. "Where are your grandparents?" He asks, glancing around.

"Out on a date. They'll be back later," I say, trailing after him.

"So we're alone?" He asks, his tone teasing.

I nod and turn on the TV to avoid his gaze. "How did you even get past the guards?"

He smirks, flopping onto the couch. "That's for me to know and you not to."

"Right," I mutter, tossing him the remote. "Here, picking something. I'm gonna change."

I dash upstairs, shutting my door behind me. My room's a mess, clothes scattered everywhere. I scramble to clean up the worst of it, stuffing stray items into drawers and under the bed.

Then I throw on a bra under my gray, off the shoulder sweater and pull on black leggings.

I spray on perfume and hurry back downstairs, hoping I don't look like I tried too hard.

"Find anything?" I ask, sitting next to him on the couch and brushing through my curls.

"Just a random movie." Grayson looks as relaxed as ever, sprawled out in black sweatpants and a brown hoodie. His legs are spread, his head leaning back against the cushions, and he's somehow taking up most of the couch.

I fold my legs to my chest, keeping a little distance between us, and text my grandma to let her know he's here.

Twenty minutes pass in silence, and I try to focus on the movie, but my mind keeps wandering.

"You hungry?" I ask, standing up to break the quiet.

He nods, so I head to the kitchen and toss a bag of popcorn into the microwave. I jump when I hear his voice behind me.