Summer Frenzy | Grayson Dolan

chapter four

It was finally Sunday. Grayson and I went to go find jobs. He got a job in Hollister. I wasn't very fond of his job, but it was whatever. All he had to do was stay tan, walk around barefoot, and say "surf terms".

I, on the other hand, got a job at Forever21. Avery was excited when she heard about it. She claimed she had the intel on Forever21 now because of me.

That wasn't true. I was just there to ring clothes up and count money.

I was told I was starting tomorrow after school. I  was sort of excited, but knowing that I had a job now made me feel weird. I wouldn't be able to go straight to Grayson's,  or Avery's, but I'd have to stay behind a register today and every weekday for the summer and next school year.

I kept in mind the road trip/vacation. It'd be the reward for a hard working year.

•••

In English, I fell asleep. Mr. Bosky's voice was so boring on top of learning about Shakespeare. I couldn't stay awake.

"Miss. Brooks!" His voice boomed in my head.

I jerked up from my desk and wiped my mouth. "Shakespeare was a English poet and writer who died-" He cut me off.

"Valerie? Class is over." He smirked.

I looked around and saw the room was completely empty. I looked at the time on my watch and rushed out with my stuff.

I was about to be late for my first day on the job. My car waited for me in the parking lot with Grayson.

"Where the hell were you?" He shouted from across the parking lot.

"I was in the bathroom." I lied.

Grayson rolled his eyes and waited for me to reach the car. "You ready for your first day at work?"

I smiled. "Always."

Grayson gave me a quick kiss and began to walk to his own car. "You're going to do great, baby!" He shouted before disappearing in his car.

I smiled and blew a kiss in his direction. I got in mine and started the engine. The clock lit up and displayed the time, 3:18.

I started work in twelve minutes. I put my bag in the seat next to me and put the gear into drive. I should reach work in less than ten minutes.

Hopefully.

•••

NEXT SUMMER

"Welcome to Forever21." I called as a group of freshman walked in giggling.

I looked at my watch. Pay time is only twenty minutes away. The road trip was only few weeks away.

Time slowly dwindled away. In that time, I texted Grayson.

Val 🤤: when do you get off???

I waited on a response. As I was putting my phone down, it dinged. I picked it back up and smiled.

Gray ❤️: i got off early. i'm in the parking lot waiting for u 😇

I smiled and put my phone down to ring up a woman's clothes. She looked obnoxious, but I wasn't going to say anything.

"Did you find everything okay?" I asked in my sweetest voice possible.

She looked at me and nodded. "You guys have cute clothes, but I wish they didn't have those irrelevant phrases on them."

I smiled at her. "I agree."

I thought back on Avery and I's last time shopping here. We were such good friends. I wish we were still the same.

My job got in the way and I got closer to Rosalyn. She was cool cat. Avery got jealous and distanced herself. I tried to reach out to her as many times as possible, but she barely ever answered.

When she did, she was with Luca or her parents in some exotic place. I rung up the girl's clothes and bagged the before giving them to her in exchange for her money.

She paid and left with a smile. I watched her leave. Then I looked at the clock, my shift was over.

I jumped in glee and grabbed my purse, charger, and phone before running to my bosses office.

I knocked on her crystal door and smiled. My paycheck was coming soon. She waved me in and smiled back.

"Ayeee, Val." She cheered.

I danced into her office laughing. She was a cool boss. It was easy to joke with her and not have to worry about my job being on the line.

"Hey, Jenny." I replied sitting on the edge of her desk.

She held up a finger and nodded. "I got it."

She fiddled in her drawer and pulled out an envelope with my paycheck inside. I smiled and held out my hands. She lightly put it in my hand.

"Thank you for your work these past two years." She said.

I finally did it. My road trip was within reach. I was ready for my summer. I graduated high school, Grayson and I were getting into the same college, and now we could finally get into our first vacation together after four years of dating.

I took the paycheck. "Thank you for the best two years, Jen." She knew where I was going for the summer. She gave me two months off.

These next eight weeks were going to be the bomb. I saluted her before leaving her office and ran out to the parking lot to Grayson. Our time apart slowly gained. I eventually only got to see him on the weekends.

Now, I can indulge in some Grayson time for eight weeks.

He welcomed me with a hug and kissed me. "Longest twenty minutes of my life." Grayson said kissing my forehead.

I smiled and patted his chest. "I'm sorry, babe."

We both laughed and giggled in the empty parking lot. I felt free with Grayson. He was my wings.

Grayson was my everything.

"Paycheck?" Grayson asked taking my envelope.

I nodded and sighed. "So much hard work."

He smiled and gave it back. "Let's go cash it out."

I left my car in the parking lot and rode with Grayson to the bank.

Summer break was about to get frenzy.
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thanks for reading 💛
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see what i did with the title and the last sentence??? yeah? no? okay...

+ this was kind of short but i hope it wasn't confusing. if you didn't get the time jump, it's been a year since Val got her job, and her and Gray have been getting more money to use for their trip, Avery isn't as close to Val, and Rosalyn is kind of replacing her. just stay tuned tho bc it's finna get 'frenzy'. haha. that was bad.