"Why didn't you just tell me you liked me?"
"After what I called you in the seventh grade when I found out you liked me?" he asks, "I couldn't, and yes I had four more years, but I was a coward."
"What made you tell me now, after all this time?"
"Well, when we were partnered together, I made a plan. Which, I didn't end up doing because I screwed it up by almost kissing you and then actually kissing you." he inhales deeply, "Then you ran and I realized a blew it and probably should've been nicer to you before it."
"Probably?"
"Definitely been nicer to you." he clarifies, "But, I figured I could try explaining to you and then leave it alone if you don't wanna do anything."
"So, just tell me about you." I say, taking a cookie.
"Okay, um, I have a twin brother, Ethan. But he's older. Cameron is our older sister and we have a bird, Gizmo. Our house is really big for only five people living there. My favorite color is green. I'm allergic to dogs, and basically everything with fur and saliva." he explains, "I hate when girls are all over me and think I love them. Your turn."
"I'm an only child, my dad left us because my mom wanted more kids and it's only been two years. My mom basically hates me. I'm in three advanced dance classes, I have no certain music tastes I just like all of it, depends on the mood. I've gotten used to putting up walls around me to protect me, so don't be offended if it's hard to let you in." I explain, "My favorite date would probably be pizza in our sweats or comfortable clothes and going on a walk after."
"Noted." he smiles, which he probably hasn't done in a few days.
"You're right, I'm not popular, but I have a few close friends. And I sing, a lot. It's kind of like my escape." I respond, and he looks at me.
"Sing something."
I look at him with an eyebrow raised, "No, oh no." I respond and he looks at me.
"Please."
"It's too awkward and weird..." I respond and he gives me a little puppy dog face. I tilt my head and sigh, giving in. "Okay, but you can't look at me."
"Deal." he nods, holding his head in his hands. I take a sip of water and clear my throat, sitting up straight and reaching for my guitar. I've already memorized the chords and lyrics to this song, so I begin playing I Was Made For Loving You.
"A dangerous plan, just this time. A strangers hand, clutched in mine. I'll take this chance, so call me blind. I've been waiting all my life. Please don't scar, this young heart, just take my hand.
I was made for loving you, even though we may be hopeless hearts just passing through, every bone screams I don't know what we should do, all I know is darling I was made for loving you." I sing, some of my raspy voice hitting the lyrics which I think makes it sound a bit better than it could without it. I continue singing and playing the guitar along with it.
When I'm close to done, Grayson slowly raises his head and looks at me. Butterflies fill my stomach, but I keep singing. It was my escape, I was calming down. He made me nervous, I'm never this nervous when I sing, not even in front of big crowds. I slowly finish the song, and put the guitar back on the stand, he looks at me, staring right in my eyes.
I take a deep breath and he moves closer. I don't move away, either. I want it this time, I want his lips against mine and his hand on my cheek, his fingers in my hair. I want it. That's all I can think of.
He doesn't break eye contact with me and he moves slow, which is killing me. I grab his shirt in a fistful and pull him closer to me, his forehead against mine for a few seconds before he finally attaches his lips to mine and we move in perfect sync.
I move my hand to tangle my fingers in his short hair. We part the kiss slowly, a big part of me upset. "I don't want to run away from a kiss like that, so don't get the wrong idea. But, we're still taking things slow, that was just a spur of the moment. So, you should probably go."
"Yeah, yeah." he nods along, biting his bottom lip and standing up. I walk him to the door, and he looks at me with a concealed smile on his face and then he licks his lips, "See you tomorrow, Mads."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
