Broken Hands

107. Folly for two

The ride stretched on, feeling like an eternity to Grayson. He'd spent most of the time glued to his phone, chatting with Savanna, while Julian and Russell kept themselves busy. Julian had drifted off at some point, curled up against the window with Bluey snug in his lap, while Russell, with his usual lack of subtlety, was engrossed in a disturbingly graphic anime. Raymond, who had started the trip blasting old-school rock, now hummed along quietly, seemingly unbothered by the chaos of his passengers.

Grayson's thumb danced on his phone's screen.

Grayson: Feels like a long boring ride.

Savanna: Lol. Your butt must be aching.

Grayson: I guess I'm used to it, after those endless sessions at Durham.

Savanna: 😂 Hope college won't be as terrible.

Grayson's fingers hovered over the screen with hesitation. He had no idea how to bring up what he really wanted to say. This was Savanna—they'd been through so much together, but how would she react? He typed the words before he could second-guess it and hit send.

Grayson: I don't wanna go to college.

He stared at the text bubble as it hung there. Should he delete it? No, it was too late.

Savanna's reply came quickly. Savanna: Why?

The simplicity of the question cut deeper than he expected. Grayson let out a slow breath, unsure if she would understand.

Grayson: Because I hate it. I hate sitting through lectures, hate staring at a board, hate having to pretend like I care about stuff I'll never use. Studying, interactive classes—it's like torture for me. It drives me insane. And I snap. Sav, I just can't do it anymore.

The screen stayed still for what felt like an eternity, and Grayson imagined her on the other side, probably frowning, trying to make sense of it.

Savanna: Grayson, I didn't know it was always like that. That must've been awful for you all these years.

His chest tightened at her response, and he typed quickly.

Grayson: It was. I struggled so hard, but you guys made it easier, at least for a while. That little lunch group we had—back at Marvin before Durham—I felt like I could breathe. But then everything just... blurred when I moved school. It got so bad, Sav. I don't even know how I made it to graduation. I just let everything happen. Too tired to fight back. Too tired to feel alive. It was like being locked in a box and buried alive.

Her reply was immediate: Savanna: God, Gray. I'm so sorry. That's terrible.

Grayson: It's in the past now. But I'm not doing it again. I can't. I want to do something for me—something I actually enjoy.

There was a pause.

Savanna: What's on your mind?

Grayson: Racing. Motorcycle racing.

The silence stretched longer this time, and Grayson's heart sank as he stared at the screen, waiting. Finally, her response appeared:

Savanna: Great, cool. But... 😅

His breath hitched. There it was. The hesitation.

Grayson: But what?

Savanna: I don't know, Gray. That idea makes me anxious.

Grayson steeled himself.

Grayson: I'll handle it. It's not my first time. And this is legal and everything. Nothing can go wrong. I won't push too hard.