Nightingale

7

"So, how was shopping with my brother?" Gabby asks as soon as I walk through the door "where's your stuff?" She adds upon seeing my empty hands just then Grayson comes in carrying all my textbooks and everything else he insisted on buying me.

"That's how it went" I mutter walking into the bathroom "what happened?" I hear her ask Grayson as I shut the bathroom door "she's mad I bought her things" he answers agitated from our car ride "why would you be mad about that?" Gabby yells through the door "that's what asked" Grayson grumbled.

"Lacey" Gabby calls knocking on the door I don't answer but I unlock it so she can come in. "Why are you so upset?" "Because I don't want to owe anyone" I tell her breaking down "this was supposed to be my chance for a fresh start, do things on my own; but no, here comes Grayson all protective and controlling and domineering and.." "and loving and caring" Gabby interjects making me sigh.

"He can't be "loving"" I tell her adding air quotes around loving "you can't love someone you don't know and we" I say gesturing back and forth between myself and the door "don't know each other, like I said earlier we just met, it's been two days! You can't be loving to someone in two days!" I practically yell feeling like a crazy person but trying to keep my voice down so Grayson doesn't hear me.

"Yes two days is quick to fall for someone" Gabby starts "but you don't know Grayson, the real Grayson not the façade he puts on in front of everyone. He's a good guy, he's loyal, and fierce, and protective, and slightly controlling, but he loves with all of his heart. He cares for his friends and family so much, there's not a thing he wouldn't do for someone he cares about." Gabby pauses momentarily collecting herself.

"Now he just needs someone to love and care for him just as fiercely as he does them. He'll deny it because he's the care taker, but he just needs someone to take care of him, someone to be there for him no matter what, someone that doesn't want anything from him, they just want him; the good and the bad; And honestly Lacey I think that person is you" Gabby finishes practically staring into my soul "and if you ever tell him I said that I'll deny it" she adds giving me her stern look.

"How can you say that?" I ask dumbfounded "I am the last person someone like him needs. I'm broken, physically and mentally, my god all I've done is cry and panic the whole time I've been here." "So maybe you both need each other" she adds quietly "just think about it, give him a chance. See where things go and if it's not what you want then at least you tried right?" Gabby finishes her speech sounding hopeful that her words sunk in "I'm gonna stay with Colton tonight" she tells me leaving me alone in the bathroom.

I sit in the bathroom for I don't know how long replaying my conversation with Gabby, the desperation and hope in her voice eating at me. Why does she care so much I mean my god we literally just met yet her and Grayson treat me as if they've known me my whole life, they definitely treat me better than anyone in my life ever has, but how long will that last.

How long until they tire of me, ignoring me as if we never knew each other, or what if they start beating me, I don't think I'd survive if Grayson ever decided to beat me, especially when he gets mad. He's easily twice the size of my dad and Danny put together, he's so tall and muscular, I've never seen anyone like him before.

Slowly I drag myself out of the bathroom with nothing but my towel on, the room is quiet with Gabby gone. It used to be that I would crave the quiet I always wanted to be alone, it meant I was safe; but now the quiet means time to think and time to think means loneliness and emptiness. I miss the warmth and happiness Grayson provides.

I've never felt anything like it "come on Lacey you can't be attached to him already" I tell myself already missing his arms wrapped around me and his warm minty smell and his deep velvety voice "god what's happening to me" I groan forcing myself to get dressed and start getting everything organized for tomorrow morning.