Fake Smiles

#16: New Years Kiss

Grayson woke up to Lily lying in his arms. She had her head buried in his chest. He smiled at how cute she looked while sleeping. It was new years eve, and they had been invited to a new years party with a couple friends.

He checked the time on his phone: 10:42am. He slowly got put of bed, making sure not to wake Lily. He left his room to see Ethan eating cereal at the table. Ethan smiled at him as Grayson made himself cereal. They sat at the table together.

"So, we're inviting a few friends" Ethan began to talk about the party. "Alex said he'll be here around 10. And then we can leave together. It'll take about 10 minutes driving there. But we should get there on time. If not, we'll be fashionably late". They laughed at him last statement.

They were interrupted by Lily walking in. They greeted her and she joined them at the table. "Would you like something eat?" Grayson asked.

She smiled, but shook her head. "I'm fine. I'm not hungry". Grayson looked at her confused. She lay her head in her arms and closed her eyes. "I'm just really tired" she yawned.

"Do you want to go back sleep?" Ethan said. "We'll wake you up for lunch". She shook her head and yawned again.

"No, it's alright. I've had plenty of sleep. I don't know why I'm tired, I just am" she admitted.

"No, go back bed!" Grayson demanded. "I don't want you to be ill. Go back sleep and I'll wake you up when lunch is done. Go on! Go back bed!"

She sighed and walked back to Grayson's room. She lay in bed and closed her eyes. She tried to sleep but couldn't. She stared up at the ceiling. She had only just noticed writing on the ceiling. It read: 'have you done 100 push ups today?'

She smiled to herself. That's what Grayson said about being motivated. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep. Slowly, she drifted off into a deep sleep.

She woke up to someone shaking her. She opened her eyes to see Grayson staring back at her. She saw the little sparkle in his eyes. She stared into his eyes, losing herself. His eyes resembled the galaxy; she would lose herself in them every time.

She saw his adorable smile. "Hey" he whispered. "Lunch is ready. We've got spaghetti bolognese. Come on". He held his hand out for her to take. She took his hand in hers. He led her out the bedroom.

She suddenly felt the urge to vomit. She released his hand and ran to the bathroom. She threw up in the toilet. Grayson sat next to her and rubbed her back.

"Lily? Are you alright?" He asked. His voice was soft and full of concern. He placed his hand on her forehead. "Lily! You're burning up!"

She sat down and collapsed onto him, exhausted. He held her close. She started to shiver in his embrace. He picked her up bridal style and walked out the bathroom. He placed her on the couch while he got his shoes on.

"Ethan?" He said to Ethan, who was at the table. "I'm taking Lily to the hospital; she isn't feeling very well. We'll be back later".

He carried Lily to the hospital. She was examined while he waited in the waiting room. His heart was pounding against his chest from panic. It was killing him, with every passing second, not knowing how she was.

"Lily Lovegood?" The doctor asked. Grayson ran to him. "She's got a fever, but she'll be fine. You can visit her". The doctor led him to her room. He opened the door to see Lily lying in the white sheets. He sat in the chair that was by her bed. He held her small hand in his.

"Lily?" He asked. "I love you! I love you so much! Why does everything have to happen to you?! You're such an innocent girl! You've done nothing wrong!" He paused. His voice was calmer and sadder as he added, "And yet you get all of this".

He placed his head near her arm and closed his eyes. Tears streamed down his face. He sobbed into the hospital bed. He soon felt a hand on his head. He looked up to see Lily smiling at him.

He engulfed her in a hug. She giggled into his embrace. He cried on her shoulder. "I love you so much! I know I don't say it regularly, but it's true! My heart is heavy with love for you! I love you so much!"

"I love you way more than you know".

Lily was finally discharged from the hospital at 6pm. They walked back to the apartment for food. When they entered the apartment, they were tackled into a hug.

"What happened? Anything bad?" Ethan asked.

"Everything's fine" Grayson said. "Just a fever. We're gonna stay in tonight so it doesn't get worse. You can still go to the party if you want. We'll just watch a few movies together".

"Are you sure?" Ethan asked.

Grayson nodded his head. Grayson led Lily to the table and made them both a bowl of spaghetti bolognese. They ate that and then sat on the couch to watch movies.

Ethan walked out all dressed up. He stood in front of them. "How do I look?" He asked. Grayson and Lily smiled at him. Grayson stood up to adjust the outfit. Grayson stepped back and smiled at his brother.

"Perfect!"

"Thanks bup!" Ethan said as he left the apartment. Grayson sat back down on the couch and watched more movies. They stopped the movie when it was 11:59pm. They waited until it was 12am.

They made their way onto the balcony to watch the fireworks. They listened to others counting down. 5... 4... 3... 2...1! HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!

Grayson smiled at Lily. He pulled her in and planted a kiss on her lips. She was shocked, but kissed back. She smiled into the kiss; it was her first new years kiss.