Out Loud

Fifteen

-Grayson-

I made sure to get up extra early this morning. I walked out of the bathroom and started to make my way back to my room, but my mom saw me in the hallway and stopped me.

Don't worry about today, ok," she said as she rubbed my bare shoulders.

I nodded in reply.

"I know Miranda is really worried, just do what you can to comfort her," she smiled.

I nodded again and smiled.

"If you or Miranda need a quick get away, call me," my mom laughed, "and that Eli is pretty cute, I wouldn't mind having him over more often."

I shook my head and laughed as I went into my room to get dressed. My mom already likes Eli, she's probably expecting something to come out of it. I'm sure he likes Levi or something, who wouldn't? Levi is amazing. I grabbed some black skinny jeans, a fitted black V-neck, and a black flannel. Today was black-out day, or at least it was for our crew. I hope Eli got the memo.

I went downstairs and saw my mom in the kitchen, I grabbed the keys to her van and jingled them to get her attention.

"Just don't scratch it," she chuckled as she sipped some of her coffee.

I nodded and gave her a quick hug before heading out. Today I was picking everyone up, which I why I needed the van. I can only fit five in my car, and I'd rather not force people to squeeze. I started up the engine and headed off in the direction of Miranda's house, she was the closest one to me. When I pulled up Miranda walked out in one of the cutest outfits I've ever seen her wear. She wore her black designer jeans, a black cropped sweater, and black leather boots. Her hair was down and straightened, I've always loved how the black of her hair and feathers made the hazel of her eyes pop out. Miranda climbed into the passenger seat and turned some music on as I put us in the direction of the Jenkins' house.

We were making a statement today by showing up together and ignoring all this drama. Only a few people clued into what is going on will understand it, but that's all we really need. Showing up with Eli is still going to be a bit risky, I hope he's still on board with it.

I pulled up in front of the Jenkins' house and Lexi and Levi came running out. Levi and Lexi were matching today, as they usually do. They both wore ripped black skinny jeans, fitted white T-shirts, black leather jackets, and white and black converse. I could see their necklaces bouncing out from underneath their shirts. When they both turned three their parents gave them matching necklaces, matching L's. They were simple but cute.

"Hey girl," Lexi said as she climbed into the back of the van with Levi.

"Two more stops," Miranda said, "first Jamie, then Eli."

We listened to some music as we drove down the highway, it was still really early so traffic was light. I guess I didn't need to leave the house at 3:45.

"Eli still coming with us?" Levi asked as he scrolled through his phone.

"I hope so, I haven't heard that he isn't," Miranda replied.

"Showing up with Eli is going to make Elliot go berserk," Lexi giggled.

"Is that what we want?" I signed quickly.

"Well, one of two things can happen," Miranda said as she bit her lip a little, "she'll flip out and try to make us look worse for hanging out with Eli, which is more likely to happen, or she'll just be quiet about it."

"Please let it be the second option," Levi chuckled.

We pulled in front of Jamie's house and waited for him to come out. After a few minutes he rushed out the door and into the back of the van with Lex and Levi. Jamie was also following our theme for today, he wore black sweatpants and a black hoodie. Simple, but still cute.

"Hey guys! Nice to see you again!" he said with a smile as he buckled up. All of his "S" sounds dragged out longer than everything, he probably can't help it being a snake and all. "Hey, Silky," Levi laughed.

"Shut up," Jamie chuckled.

Silky was the nickname Levi had given to Jamie years ago. It was all started when Levi and Jamie were helping Lexi and Miranda pick out dresses for some modeling event and Jamie kept having trouble saying the word "silk". We all started heading over to get Eli next, and then maybe some breakfast to kill time. Miranda put on one of Jamie's songs and we started jamming out to it. Jamie was cringing harder then I think he ever has, which caused us all to erupt in laughter.

I pulled in front of Eli's apartment complex and waited. We sat in silence, the hum of the engine was the only thing that announced that we had arrived.

"It's been a while, should we go?" Jamie asked as he checked the time on his phone.

"We have more then enough time to kill, give him a few more minutes," Miranda said as she looked out her window.

I saw a figure come out of a door and start making his way to the van. I could tell it was Eli by the way he walked, all German Shepard's walked the same.

"Sorry I'm late guys," he said with a smile as he climbed into the very back of the van with Jamie. He wore black jeans and a black hoodie, good job Eli.

"You must be Eli," Jamie said as we drove off, "I'm Jamie."

"Nice to meet you," Eli replied.

I drove us to the nearest McDonalds for breakfast, I didn't really feel like getting on the highway to go to iHop or something. No one had any objections, we pulled into the parking lot and went inside to get some food. It was great, we shared pointless stories, ranted about teachers, and totally regretted eating McDonalds for breakfast. Afterwards we all piled back into my van and headed off to school, which we all were dreading.

We parked in Miranda's parking space and walked together to the front doors of the school. We stood for a minute and watched people stare at us as they passed. Some started whispering to one another while others just kept walking.

"Into the flames of hell my children!" Miranda laughed as she and Lexi led the way into the school.

If this were a movie, we'd be the people walking down the hall in slow motion as people stopped and stared. We'd have that magic wind blowing back our hair, with some voice over introducing each of our characters. Miranda Williams, Queen of the School, Lexi Jenkins, total badass, Levi Jenkins, heartbreaker, Jamie Fisher, all around bad boy, Grayson Callihan, American boy-next-door, Eli Henry, sports juicehead. Imagining that made me chuckle a bit.

The funny thing was, that's exactly what happened. Everything felt like it was in slow motion as we walked down the hall together getting all sorts of looks, I'm sure most of them were directed at Eli. Suddenly there's a new member of the crew after the Jenkins' party, that's bound to stir up some talk. We all reached the commons and split up into our respective groups, Miranda was swept away by her underlings, Lexi and Levi went off in search of their brother, and Jamie and I went off to go wander the school.

I'm not quite sure where Eli is going to end up, probably with Elliot.