❝all we do is drive; all we do is think about the feelings that we hide❞
"That is so not true." Kats' laughter filled the room.
"Yes it is, i have proof." The familiar voice spoke.
"What proof?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Pictures." He taunted, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Oh god." She hid her face.
"How was your dad's birthday?" Grayson asked after taking a screenshot of her smile.
"He got drunk and left with Jessica so we didn't make it to dinner." She frowned.
"I'm sorry."
"It's whatever." She shrugged.
"So, he's still drinking?" Grayson watched her eyes shift.
"Yeah, but it's not as bad as it used to be. Wine for dinner and hard liquor for special occasions." Katrina smiled slightly.
"That's good, that he slowed down."
"Yeah, i guess." She played with the ends of her hair.
"Can i ask you something?" Katrina broke the silence.
"Of course." Grayson furrowed his eyebrows.
"Do you-do you like me?" She stuttered.
Grayson's eyes widened. "W-What do you mean like?"
"Like Scott likes Allison." She referenced their favorite tv show.
"Uh." Grayson was speechless. "You're my best friend, i'm not supposed to like you."
He cringed after speaking the words he repeated to himself daily.
"Yeah, i know, i was just-i was just wondering."
"Why?"
"Because, nevermind. It's stupid." She waved her hand, dismissing the thought.
"No, tell me." He pressed.
Katrina sighed before looking at her ceiling and then towards her phone screen. Grayson's face read confusion and she fought internally with herself whether or not she should tell him the truth.
"When we were in middle school, i had the biggest crush on you. But we were such close friends and i didn't wanna ruin it so i pocketed my feelings. As we got older they got stronger and i thought about telling you, just to get it off my chest, but then you started dating Chloe and i started getting over you but now that i'm here, and you're there-" She paused and let out a breathy laugh. "I really like you, a lot. And it's so much deeper than i can explain. You've been there for me through everything and vise versa. For a while, i thought i was falling in love with you-actually- i am in love with you; but now, knowing that you don't feel the same way, i guess i have to get over it and not waste my time."
Katrina looked at Grayson and his face made her stomach drop. "I should have never said anything, i'm sorry."
"No no Kat-"
"I'll text you later." She cut him off before hanging up.
Grayson stared at his phone, processing what had just happened. He wanted to punch himself. Katrina had just told him the words he had been so desperate to hear and he did nothing. He tried calling her back but she declined. He blew her phone up for the next thirty minutes but she wouldn't reply.
Ethan walked into their shared hotel room and looked at his brother, who had an unreadable expression.
"You okay bro?" He asked, setting the bags of fast food on a table.
"Katrina just told me she loves me. Like, actually loves me, and has for years." Grayson spoke slowly.
"Dude, that's awesome. Did you tell her how you felt?" He sat on the edge of his bed.
"No, i couldn't say anything. She asked me if i liked her and i said no, then she spilled her feelings and i just stared at her." Grayson shook his head in disbelief. I froze up like the big fucking idiot i am and now she won't talk to me."
Ethan didn't know how to help. "She'll come around Gray, i mean come on, it's Katrina."
"I hope so." Was all he could say before setting his phone down and preparing for their next show.
