𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐃 ━ GRAYSON DOLAN AU ✓

Chapter 23

Grayson's POV
I licked my strawberry ice cream as April and I walked down the rode to my house. We walked in silence since things between us are a little awkward. I have a feeling I know why they are, but I'll never be sure until I ask. But I won't. It's a bit awkward to ask her if it's because she jerked me this morning. Instead I chose to ignore it.

As we were walking our hands brushed against each other's. I took this as a chance to take her hand in mine. At first she didn't intertwine her fingers with mine, but after a few seconds she took a deep breath and locked our fingers.

"You want some of mine?" I tipped my ice cream towards her. I figured she'd want to taste it since she got cookie dough.

She leaned in and tasted it. "Mmmm. It's good." She smiled, something I haven't seen her do all day. She pushed her ice cream towards me and I licked hers, savouring the taste of chocolate chips.

Some people might think this is disgusting, but if you think about it, it's basically kissing. So that's why I wasn't embarrassed to do that on a street where everyone knows me.

"Oh look! Someone's moving in. Let's go say hi." I dragged April towards the house. Personally, I like meeting new people. So if the people moving in have kids then, for sure I'll befriend them. Just like I befriended Hunter, Brandon, and Jacob.

We walked around the moving truck to be met up with a bunch of men in uniform emptying out the truck that consisted of furniture. I looked around to see if the family is around, when I spotted a boy who looked around Hunter's age looking around.

"Come this way." I told April as our hands were still connected. "Hey bro." I greeted him, smiling to make him feel welcomed. "Hi." He said back, smiling as well. But he did look a little shy.

"Is your family moving in?" I asked a dumb question just to keep the conversation going. "Yeah we just moved here from Texas."

"Oh wow, I've heard it's a really nice place there." I watched as he looked down once I said that. It seems like he didn't want to move. "I guess we needed a little change of scenery."

"Fair enough." I said as I took a look at the house trying to remember who lived two doors down from my house, but I didn't. "Anyway welcome to the neighbourhood..." I realized I still didn't know his name.

"Blake." He finished for me while sticking his hand out for me to shake. I shook his hand as I introduced myself,"I'm Grayson and she's April." I said as I motioned towards her with a tilt of my head.

Blake smiled at April. His attention was suddenly drawn to our connected hands and he smiled wider. "You guys are cute together." I looked back at April to see her blushing at his compliment.

"Thanks." She said softly. "Hey Blake how old are you?" I asked. "I'm fifteen." He answered. "Perfect." I chirped. He looked at me confused. "Come with us. We're going to get you a new friend." Blake didn't question us any further, and he followed my lead.

I knocked lightly on Hunter's door which was right next to Blake's house. Luckily Hunter opened the door for us. He was dressed in a light blue shirt and jeans, and he wore a SnapBack backwards matching Blake.

"Hey guys!" Hunter exclaimed, giving us his million dollar smile. Now that I thought about it, I don't think I've ever seen Hunter not smiling. He always looks like he's happy and has positive energy radiating off of him at all times.

"Hunter this is your new neighbour, Blake." I introduced Blake to Hunter. At first Hunter stood there awkwardly, not saying a thing because he's a very shy person. But after a few seconds he smiled big, like he always does.