Shattered Asylum

Chapter 55

Today is Wednesday, and Grayson has been M.I.A. since Sunday. I'd be in complete hysterics if Kristina hadn't told me what they've been up to.

Apparently, he went back to New Jersey to film a YouTube video with Ethan and has been pretty caught up in it. Still, a simple text would have been nice. I mean, Ethan can text her, why can't Grayson text me?

I'm still very sick, basically a zombie at this point. I've thought about just ditching everything, but I'm too scared to actually do it.

Daniel still isn't here, and I'm starting to get nervous. What is he planning? This behavior isn't like him.

He's been gone for weeks now, disappearing without a trace. At first, it felt like a blessing, but now it's only adding to my anxiety.

His unpredictable nature makes his absence feel more unnerving than his presence ever did.

The school hallways seem longer than usual as I make my way to second period, my body feeling heavy as I use whatever energy I have left.

I try to focus on the lesson, but my mind keeps drifting to Grayson's empty seat. Could he really be that busy to not answer any of my texts or calls?

I cough, the sound echoing in the quiet classroom. Mr. Owen shoots me an annoyed look as he drones on about cows.

By the time lunch rolls around, I still have no appetite, just pushing my food around my plate.

I didn't think I'd miss Grayson this much, his laughter, his gentle teasing, the way he's always trying to make me smile.

I decide to head outside, craving some fresh air. I make my way to the nearly empty football field and find a bench to sit on. I pull out my phone, hoping to see at least one text from him, telling me he's okay.

I sigh and lean back, closing my eyes when I see no new notifications. The world seems to spin around me, my sickness and worries blending into a dizzying haze.

"Hey," a voice says softly. I snap my eyes open, turning to see Brooklyn sitting beside me. Oh boy, I can't handle him right now.

I force a polite smile as I watch the cheerleaders stretch. "How are you feeling?" He asks, genuine concern in his voice.

"I've been better," I reply, hoping my short response will end the conversation there.

"Want to talk about it?" He scoots closer to me.

I shake my head. I'm not about to confide in him about my relationship. That would be awkward, and I don't want to hurt his feelings.

I still haven't told him I'm dating Grayson, maybe because I'm afraid of how he'll react.

"Okay, I'm here if you need anything. Sometimes talking helps," he says, nudging my shoulder with his.

"Thanks," I mutter. I feel bad for being short with him, but I don't want to lead him on.

"Maybe we could hand out sometime? I could take your mind off things," he says, smirking at me. I force a smile, hoping to let him down gently.

"Thanks, but I just need some time to myself."

He clicks his tongue, clearly not taking the hint. "Come on, it'll be fun! I could buy you something to eat."

My patience is starting to wear thin. I don't know how much longer I can stay nice.

"Brooks, I appreciate it, really, but I just don't want to right now."

He frowns, clearly not understanding why I'm being distant. "Did I do something? I thought we were a thing and now you don't even want to talk."

I huff, deciding it's time to be honest with him, even if it hurts. "Brooks, Grayson and I have been dating for almost two weeks now."

His face falls, the hurt clear in his eyes. "But you said nothing was going on between you two. Why did you lie to me?"

"A lot of stuff happened that I'm not going to get into, but we talked, and here we are."

"So everyone was right, you were just leading me on until you got him, huh?" He says, more as a statement than a question.

"I'm sorry, but I never led you on. In fact, you forced me into hanging out with you. I was just too nice, and you took advantage of it," i say, standing up for myself.

He scoffs, staring down at the ground with his hands on his hips. "I'm sorry I made you feel that way. I'll leave you alone," he says before storming off.

I watch him go, guilt starting to seep in. I sigh and sit back down, the weight of everything growing heavier.

I hope Grayson comes back soon. The unfamiliar sensation of missing him gnaws at me. I never thought I'd feel this way about anyone, it's both exciting and terrifying.

Feeling emotions was something that had been stripped from me ever since Mom met Joe, a difficult past that left me numb to most things.

Meeting Grayson changed everything. He's made me feel things I've never felt before, and the night we shared a few days ago has only intensified those feelings.

The thought of something bad happening to him knots my stomach. My brain wants to believe Kristina, but my heart won't let me. I feel like he would find time to text me, wouldn't he?

The sound of the bell ringing snaps me out of my weird funk. I stretch my arms overhead before getting up and reluctantly walking back to class.

I sit at the edge of my seat, my phone clutched tightly in my hand. I glance at the screen, maybe for the hundredth time today, willing a message to appear.

My heart jumps with every notification, a surge of hope flooding my chest, only to be disappointed when it's not from him. A sigh escapes my lips as the day drags on, anxiety eating away at me.

I fell asleep crying that night, insecurities creeping into my mind. My heart aches with the emptiness of unanswered questions and the pain of waiting for a text that might never come.

Where is Grayson?

Word Count:1035