Stars

07

"It's right up here on the right," I told him.

He nodded and turned into my driveway. He put it in park and surveyed my home.

"Your windows are low to the ground. I am so sneaking into your room at night," he said.

I laughed. "You are not."

"Why not?"

"Because Tim will kill you."

"Who's Tim?" He asked. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his hands grip the steering wheel tighter.

"My stepdad."

"Oh." He relaxed. "What, does he have a gun or something?"

"Multiple."

"Sweet," he said, smiling.

I rolled my eyes. "You like guns?"

"Nope."

This surprised me. "Really?"

"Yeah. Why does this surprise you?"

"Well, you seemed like the type to like them," I admitted.

He snorted. "Because of my tattoos and piercings?"

"Hey man, everyone I've met with tattoos and piercings have guns. You can't blame me for assuming that."

He chuckled. "I don't like guns, Genna. If anything, I prefer no violence."

My jaw hit the floor. "You're joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Grayson Dolan, the school's bad boy, doesn't like violence? What about all of the fights you've been in?"

He shrugged. "Just because I've been in fights, doesn't mean I have to like violence. Shit happens."

I was a bit baffled. Here Grayson was, sitting in his car on my driveway, sounding like he wasn't a complete idiot. He sounded as if he had some brain cells left in his head, and I felt like an ass for assuming they were all dead.

Guilt rushed through me then. I had done what I promised not to do anymore. I had assumed too much from physical appearances, and I judged too quickly. Grayson was a human being like me, and had feelings like me. They may be different than mine, but he could still bleed and be hurt like I could. Me calling him an idiot all the time was probably hurting his feelings.

Me and my stupid mouth.

"Hey, Grayson?" I asked hesitantly.

"Yeah?" He gave me a concerned look, no doubt picking up on the change of mood.

"Listen, I'm sorry for the things I say. Also for hurting you today. I don't control my mouth a lot, and it's hurt a lot of people before without me knowing until it was too late. Please, don't take anything I say to heart. I'm also a very peaceful person. Today was the first fight I've gotten into in years," I told him.

It was silent for a minute. The only sounds in the car were our breathing, and the engine running. Each seemed like agony. I couldn't see any emotions run across his face; it was a mask. Is he thinking of the best way to tell me that what I did was unforgivable? Is he calling bullshit on my apology and is planning on hating me forever?

His abrupt laughter broke the silence so suddenly, that I jumped. I poured a bit of my heart out to him, and this asshole had the audacity to laugh. Embarrassment burned my cheeks, and I opened the door and began to walk to my front door. "Fuck you."

I heard his door open and his footsteps as he ran to catch up to me. "Wait a second!"

"What?" I whipped around, my face no doubt bright red.