After Hours

Chapter 2.

Grayson's POV.

   I can't believe I got a job at Disneyland! I have had a few jobs in my life before, but nothing like this! Before I continue, let me tell a you little about myself. My name is Grayson, as you know. I live on the border of Oregon with my dad and my dog. My mom died when I was young. It was really sad. Anyway, I'm 18 and and I just graduated highschool. I don't know what I'm going to do in my life now that I have graduated, but I guess I will figure it out.

   I got a job at the Haunted Mansion. Basically, I check people's wristbands and tell them a little bit about the attraction. Not interesting, but it's better than Ember's job, I guess. Ember is really nice. Not to mention, pretty. I have only met her today, but I feel like I've known her for a lot longer than that. It's kind of weird. Anyway, I just finished my day at the Haunted House. I'm going to Ember. I told her at lunch I'd meet her after our days are done. I see her by the ticket stand and jog up to her.

  "Hey, Ember! How was your day?" I ask, nudging her shoulder playfully.

  "Ugh, boring and tiring. The sun was hot and all I did was sit here. I'm kinda bummed, but I'll get over it I guess," she says. "How was your day?"

   It was great, but I don't want her feelings to be hurt that I had a good time and she didn't, so I smile slightly. "It was alright. Not to exciting," I lie.

  "Don't lie. I'm glad you had a good day," Ember smiles at me.

   My face turns red and I look down. "Yeah. It was pretty good."

   She smiles. "I'm going to my car now," she says.

  "I'll come with you?" I ask. "There is a lot of people still here."

   That has nothing to do with it. I just really want to talk with her more.

  "Sure," she says, not suspecting a thing. I hope at least.

   We walk to her car, which happens to be parked by mine. We stand awkwardly by her car. I put my hands in my pockets and cross my feet.

  "Have a safe trip home," she says.

   I run a hand through my hair. "You too," I say.

   She gets in her car, and I get in mine. I'm about to drive off, when I stop. I get out and she rolls down her window.

  "Yeah?" she asks.

  "Do you want my number? Actually, I kinda want yours," I say, blushing.

   She seems to not notice my awkwardness. "Sure," she says and hands me her phone.

   We swap phones and I type in my contact information. "Thanks," I say, get in my car, and drive off.

   The drive back home take about and hour and a half. I pull into my driveway and am greeted by my dog. He's a German Shepherd and his name is Tiger. I honestly don't know why I named him that. I got him when I was little and apparently he reminded me of a tiger. I don't know why though.

  "How was your first day?" my dad asks me at the dinner table later that night.

  "It was great! I got a job at the Haunted House," I say, and my phone buzzes with a text.

   It's Ember! Thanks for befriending me today. It means a lot to have a friend.

   I smile. No problem! Thanks for being a friend too! I respond.

  "Who is that?" my dad asks.

  "Ember," I answer, waiting for her response.

   My dad raises his eyebrows. "Ooh. Who is this Ember?" he asks.

   I blush and smile. "Just someone I met at Disneyland today," I say, avoiding eye contact with my dad.

   He doesn't say anything else, but I know what he's thinking. We don't like each other that way. At least she doesn't anyway. She doesn't respond, so I put my phone back in my pocket. My dad suddenly gets serious and I look at him.

  "What?" I ask.

  "Veronica called today. She wants you to come see her. I'm afraid she doesn't have much time left," my dad says.

   Veronica. My best friend since I was 5. She was diagnosed with cancer and she doesn't have much time left at all. I have been visiting her almost every weekend but I need to visit her mor often. She's almost gone.

  "Ok. I'll go over after work tomorrow," I say.

  "Grayson, I know this is hard for you. I'm always here for you,"my dad says.

   I'm really upset, so I push my chair back and wipe my mouth. "I'm fine," I say, and go up to my room, followed by Tiger.

   I crash down onto my bed and stare at the ceiling. Veronica lost her brother, Collin, and her sister, Mikey to cancer when she was only 6. Collin and Mikey were twins and they both had cancer in their brain. They didn't last long. And now she has it. I can't imagine what her parents are feeling like.

   My phone buzzes and I turn it on, hoping it's Ember. It's actually Veronica and I wince. I'm scared about her news. I answer the call and her sweet voice fills the phone.

  "Hey, Grayson! What's up?" she asks.

  "Hey, Veronica," it amazes how happy she can be in her situation. "I'm good. How are you feeling?"

   There is a pause, and a shaky breath. "I swear I'm feeling better, but the doctors say I'm getting worse. It's spreading to other parts of my body," she says, her voice catching.

  "I'm so sorry, Veronica. I'm coming to visit you tomorrow," I say, hoping to lighten the mood.

   As if she didn't hear me, she whispers. "I only have two weeks left. The doctors say at least."

   My heart catches in my throat. "Veronica," is all I can think to say.

  "It's ok, though. I'm ready to go," she says.

  "No, don't say that. Keep fighting," I say.

  "I can't," she says. "I'm so tired all the time and it's getting hard to think and breath and I want to see Collin and Mikey again."

   I swallow and blink back tears. "I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow, though. Ok?" I say.

  "Ok. Have a good night, Grayson," then she hangs up.

   I lay back on my pillow and let the tears fall.

I hope you liked this chapter!

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The picture is of Grayson's house.