hopelessly devoted // e.d.

Chapter 10

The final bell rang and we were finally free. It might be a new school, but school is school and I wanted out.

The four of us walked out of class together. We were discussing our after school festivities when the devil caught up with us.

"Hey wait up!"

Julie was jogging towards us. My body stiffened as I forced myself to unclench my fists and form a tight smile.  I felt a hand grip my wrist and saw Grayson holding me back. Yeah that's how little trust he had in me, but then again I'd do the same thing to myself.

Ethan was a different story. His body language immediately change when he saw her. His posture straightened and his face lit up with a wide smile on it. She still has his heart. 

He still has mine. Ouch.

"Hey Julie. What's up?" Ethan asked.

"I was just wondering if we could go out to Starbucks and talk for a bit. I still feel bad about my impulsiveness and wanted to buy you a treat,"

God she acts like he's a puppy. He might as well be one by the way he's drooling over her.

"What do you say?" she finished.

"Sure! I'd love to," his voice faltered, "but I already had plans to hang out with Sky after school."

"Oh that's ok. Next time?"

I jumped in saying, "Hey it's fine Ethan. I know you want to go out with Julie. We can have our game another day."

"Are you sure?" Ethan asked with concern. He had to cancel plans with a friend and I know he hates it when people do that to him.

I flash a way-to-wide-to-be-real smile and said, "Yeah don't worry about it. As long as ditching me doesn't become a habit.

"It won't. I don't want to be the fork between a friendship," Julie smiled.

"Then it's settled. You two go on your date. Grayson and Lauren can go on theirs. I'll third wheel their date so I can see how this boy treats my best friend."

I sent a menacing look at Grayson who immediately distanced himself from me. I linked my arm with Lauren's as I stood between her and Gray as we walked to our cars and went out separate ways.

----

"Skylar! It's nice to see you again, honey. I hope Gray and Ethan were helping you at school?"

I hug Mrs. Dolan. 

"Yes they showed us around. Grayson especially."

"That's my boy. Where's Ethan? He didn't come home with you guys," she asked.

"He went out with Julie to Starbucks, Mom. He's the basic child," Grayson said.

"Oh alright. And Grayson Bailey Dolan, were you not going to introduce me to your new girlfriend? Sky here already texted me before that you're going on a date with her best friend."

Lauren blushed and stuck out her hand, "Hi Mrs. Dolan. I'm Lauren. It's so nice to meet you."

"Oh she's so cute. No need for formalities sweetie. It's so nice to meet you too, " she said giving Laur a small hug, "Alright you three. Go do teenager things. Tell me if you guys want anything."

Grayson led us downstairs into their basement and Laur started fangirling a bit.

"Lauren are you ok?" Grayson asked.

"Sorry. It's just I've seen this place in your videos and Vines and it's so strange actually being here. Not in a creepy way or anything but uhhh."

"I agree with my mom. You're so cute. Skylar can you get blankets and pillows from the closet over there? I text my mom to send down popcorn and tissues. I'll set up the movie."

I got the pillows from the closet and Lauren helped carry the blankets. Said my short legs would step on and then trip on the blanket ends.

We set up the blankets and pillows and sat down. 

"How much are you freaking out right now?" I asked in a low voice.

"On a scale of 1-10? 1000. I'm on a date with my YouTube crush. What did you expect?" She answered.

I giggle. Mrs. Dolan came down with buttered popcorn and set it down by us. She then went by Grayson who was almost done setting up the stream and whispered something in his ear. All I heard was be a gentleman and there's condoms in the bathroom.

I try to stifle my laughter into a pillow. Th lovebirds are both red. Actually I think Lauren is turning purple.

Mrs. Dolan leaves the basementturns off the main light, and shuts the door. Grayson starts The Notebook and makes his way to us, a bright hue still visible on his face even in the dark.

He lays next to Lauren and they begin to get comfortable with each other. A popcorn bowl is between the two as they watch Noah in the opening scene. I wish Ethan was here. I wish he would hold me close instead of latching onto an unattainable dream.

 But here I am. Alone. Sitting cross legged with my own bowl of popcorn in my lap. A box of tissues is to the left of me. Let the Crying Games begin.