spaces between us (grayson Dolan)

ch.30 happy days

* 1 week later *
Tessa (POV)

This week has been hell for me! I haven't really seen Grayson since we talked in chemistry. And to be honest, I'm not sure if I even really do want to see him that much. It's just too painful, everything that went down between us and Abbey.
Ever since that happened last Monday, I've been keeping my distance.

I currently was laying on the couch covered in a thick blanket, these thoughts racing through my head, when the pain was getting too hard to handle. The never ending cramps had been going on since last Wednesday. Yes, I'm on my period. Perfect timing, right? Note the sarcasm just now. This is why I had been so emotional.

Cramps. They were so bad that I could barely think. I had already taken Advil and Tylenol, which hadn't done a thing. If this doesn't subside soon, I think I might start crying. At least I'm home alone. I was no longer grounded, but I was just feeling way too gross to hang out with anyone. I heard the doorbell suddenly ring, causing me to force myself off the couch. Ugh. People, go away!

I opened up the door to see Grayson Dolan standing on my front step.
"What are you doing here?" I asked in a rude tone. The minute it came out of my mouth, I regretted it. Grayson's eyes were full of sadness.
"Um, I just wanted to check on you. I haven't seen you in a while and I've been worried." Grayson stated while keeping his grim gaze on the ground.
"I'm fine. Now, can you please go?"
I started to close the door when something stopped it. Grayson's foot was wedged in the doorway to stop it from closing. Ouch, that looks like it hurt!
"No! I'm not leaving. I know your lying to me, Tessa. Please tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can fix it." Grayson pleaded with me.

"Grayson, you can't fix this even if you tried."

"How do you know, maybe I can." he retorted, which caused me to mentally laugh.

"Trust me, you can't."

"C'mon. At least tell me what's wrong. I've been so worried this past week. Please talk to me!" Grayson was now holding both my hands and looking deep into my eyes with a pained expression.

"It's nothing, I swear." I replied, not wanting him to know I was on my happy days.

"I know it's something. Why can't you just tell me." he fired. He wasn't gonna give up was he?

"I don't want to tell you. It's embarrassing." I said, feeling my cheeks heat up just thinking about it.

"It can't be that bad. If you tell me then maybe I can help you." he quietly uttered.
This went on for at least another 5 minutes. Us going back and forth about my "problem".

"Fine! You really want to know what's been bothering me." I had given up. If he wanted to know so badly, then I would tell him.

"Yes, I do." he declared.

I took a deep breathe. Here it goes.
"I, uh... *sigh* I'm on my period." I said really fast, my face burning from embarrassment. I don't even know how Grayson was taking this. I currently was staring at the ground.

It had gotten quiet, too quiet. I looked up to see Grayson's mouth hanging open and his eyes wide from shock.

"Um. Wow. I was not expecting that! Do you need anything? Food? Candy? I could run to the store and get stuff. Whatever you guys use. Those weird things, pads, I think? I don't know, I mean, I don't really know what to do." Grayson looked utterly scared and would not stop talking in a fast paced rhythm. I just started laughing.

"Grayson, calm down. It's ok." I chuckled.

"Ok, good." He sighed a sigh of relief. "So, I brought some movies if that will help?" He said. His sentence came out as more of a question.

"That's perfect!" I smiled.

We were now situated on the couch in my basement, surrounded by popcorn, candy, blankets, pillows, and an endless stack of movies.

"Ok, we have The Notebook?"

"No way! I am already too emotional." I laughed.

"Good point. How 'bout Despicable Me, Tangled, Toy Story, or Wreck It Ralph?"

"Why not all four?" I grinned.

"Sure! We can have a Disney movie marathon!" Grayson cheered.

"YAS!" I shouted, causing Grayson to burst into laughter.

"No, no, no, no, Eugene. Oh, look at me, look I'm right here. Don't go, stay with me Eugene."
We had just gotten to the part in Tangled when Eugene is stabbed. Seeing him die and me being on my period was not a good mix. Plus the pain from all the cramps, I was an emotional train-wreck. I couldn't help it. The constant throbs sent me overboard. A slight tear gliding down my cheek. Suddenly a very sharp, pain-filled cramp came, making me hiss in pain.

"What's wrong? Are you ok?" Grayson stared at me with worried eyes.

"Uh yeah. It's just cramps." I sighed, closing my eyes tightly.

"Oh. I'm sorry." Grayson said sincerely, "Here, come here." He opened his arms towards me, signaling to lie down. And I did just that. I slowly leaned back into Grayson's outstretched arms. He was so warm. Something about him just made me relax and feel safe. Like nothing bad could happen when I was with him.

"Ready for movie #3?" Grayson asked me.

"You know it!" I replied. He got up and switched movies, putting in Toy Story. He laid back down on the couch and pulled me back closer to him. His hand rested on my waist, fingers drawing little patterns across my skin. It wasn't till his hand accidentally brushed a little bit up my shirt when I felt it. The tingles and sparks his hand had left when it grazed my hip. I shivered.

Halfway through our third movie, I got distracted by something.

"Hey, Grayson?" I spoke up.

"Yeah?" He replied softly.

"I have a small confession. Being on my period wasn't the only reason I was acting so weird at school." I said sitting up.

"Oh. Well then, what was it?" he asked sitting up as well, still holding onto my waist.

"On Monday, when Abbey asked if we were dating and you said no. It hurt me. I know that we aren't dating and you were just answering honestly, but it gave me this feeling like, maybe the kiss changed something. Like it changed your mind on liking me? That's why I kept my distance. I was hurt and confused." I quietly ranted.

"Tess, does this seem like I changed my mind." he replied gently, leaning in close till the spaces between us were filled. My lips embraced by his lips.

Immediately, my stomach exploded with butterflies and all I could focus on was our close proximity. My head was spinning, yet he kept the kiss going. It was a sweet, tender, passionate kiss.
I couldn't help but kiss back the whole time. He was such an amazing kisser. Gentle yet passionate. My hand held tightly onto the back his neck as one of his hands caressed my cheek and the other wrapped itself firmly around my small frame. He pulled back just as both our eyes opened.

His smile captivated me, causing me to beam with joy.

"Nothing can make me change my mind about you." he whispered, pecking my lips once more and burying his face into the crook of my neck.