You swim? Grayson Hawthorne X OC

57

"Skye Hawthorne and Ricky Grambs are trying to get an interview going." Alisa said clearly upset, as she walked into the living room.

I was sat with the Hawthorne brothers and my sisters, as Alisa placed the iPad in front of us.

"We can't let that happen." I said hastily picking up the tablet, as Grayson leaned over my shoulder to read the contents.

"Exactly, that's why we need to overshadow them with our own interview pair. It'll buy us time to stop them from getting an interview." Alisa huffed, taking the tablet out of my hands and swiping to the right.

"We've got many major broadcasting stations wanting interviews, they don't care who, as long as either Avery or Lieta are present." Alisa looked up, her eyes darting between Avery and me.

"I can't do that, it sounds terrifying." Avery shook her head. I sighed and looked down at the floor, knowing Avery was going to leave this to me.

"I don't want to go alone though." I added, making sure my stance was clear.

Alisa nodded and looked past my shoulder towards Grayson.

"Can you join Lieta?" She questioned. I turned to look at Grayson, as he nodded.

"Perfect. I'll get Bonnie back for styling and Evelyn for speech and media." She spun on her heels and left the room. Leaving us and especially me to hope I wouldn't mess this up.

*

"Alright, we need to train you to answer coolly and happily. No stress, no worry and especially no arrogance." Evelyn listed the three things I couldn't risk doing, as she stared at me.

"Why are you only telling me?" I questioned, as Grayson kept scrolling on his phone.

"I've been media trained since I was six." Grayson replied and shrugged, heading towards the left chair, which was set up next to an identical chair, so that it imitated an interview.

"Oh this will go terribly." I sighed and made my way towards my chair.

"You'll do great." Evelyn spoke and sat down, as Grayson grasped my hand and gave it a squeeze.

"See that's already perfect. If she asks something and you find it upsetting, Grayson can squeeze your hand and it will portray the connection you two have." Evelyn explained.

"But this wasn't just for the media." I said, gesturing towards our interlocked hands.

"Maybe not, but anything to make people like you will benefit you. Now let's work on posture, sit up straight..." Evelyn started pushing my shoulder back, moving my back and moving my head.

This was going to be a while.

*

"Bonnie will see you two tomorrow for styling." Evelyn nodded and left the room, as she finished our session.

"You did fantastic." Grayson came and kissed my forehead. I sighed and wrapped my arms around his torso, nuzzling my face into his shirt.

"I did terribly, stop lying." My muffled voice came out, as Grayson let out a chuckle.

"Terrible is a strong word, but we'll work on your answers, so you don't get too nervous." Grayson hooked a finger under my chin and tilted my head up.

"I was never good at presentations in school and that was only twenty people. On telly everyone will see it, it'll be shared everywhere." I said worriedly, though Grayson just rubbed my back, before hoisting me up.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and let myself be carried to the bed. Grayson sat down and kept me on his lap, as I sighed, placing my forehead against his. He closed his eyes and I followed, letting the silence ebb through the room. You could hear all the sounds usually hidden during a conversation.

Grayson's breathing matched how his chest rose and sunk, the wind's breeze let the chimes make their delightful sounds, light rain drops hit the ground outside and the smell of wet grass met my sense of smell.

For a moment, I didn't care, if the interview would go terribly. It would be a small moment of my life. Something which wouldn't harm me and would stall my father from saying something terrible along with Grayson's mother.

"Remember, I love you." Grayson said softly, as I opened my eyes to meet his.

"I love you too." I smiled. Grayson hummed and led down backwards, letting me fall on top of him. His arms wrapped around me and tightened, squeezing me around my waist.

"I'm lucky." I spoke. Grayson tilted my head and raised an eyebrow, questioning my words.

"I'm lucky, because I have you." I laughed and pecked his cheek. Grayson rolled over and kissed my neck carefully, as he led on top of me.

"Actually,", he spoke with a hint of smugness, "I'm lucky, because I have you."

"Stop joking around." I smiled, though he shook his head.

"You are beautiful." He kissed my collarbone.
"You are a star." He kissed my left cheek.
"You are stunning." He kissed my right cheek.
"You are captivating." He kissed my nose.
"You are breathtaking." He kissed behind my earlobe.
"You are sweet and kind." He kissed just above my left chest, where my heart would be.
"You are intelligent." He kissed my forehead.

"And most importantly, you are the love of my life." He spoke and kissed me on the lips. I sighed and let him distract me. My worries weren't present, as long as he was there.

*

(5/8/24)