Summer Frenzy | Grayson Dolan

chapter nine

I woke up to bright, white lights and a man in a blue mask hovering over me. I blinked rapidly regaining my vision.

I heard the sound of beeping and metal clanking. I couldn't feel my body. It was like I was just a head.

"W-W-What's going on?" I croaked weakly. "Where's G-G-Grayson?"

A lady walked over to me and smooth out my nasty hair. "It's okay, darling."

I turned my head to the machine beeping beside me. My vision blurred then focused. After a few minutes of focusing on the  screen, I saw my heart beat. It read 120.

120 beats per minute. That explained why I loved Grayson the way I did. I fell for him at 120 beats per minute.

I smiled to myself before knocking out again. Hopefully, I'd see Grayson in my dreams.

•••

"Valerie?" I heard a scruffy voice.

My eyes fluttered open to see Ethan in a gray hoodie and a black beanie. His eyes were red from crying. I felt like the worst news was going to come out of his lips.

"Ethan?" My eyes readjusted to the bright lights overheard. "Where's Gray?" I asked above a whisper.

He grabbed my hand and kissed it lightly. "He's sleeping, V."

My eyes roamed around the room. Ethan wasn't the only one around my bed. I saw Rosalyn, Lisa, Sean, mama, Dusty, and Avery.

Avery showed up. She came to check on me.

"Avery?" I asked squinting.

She covered her small lips with her hands choking up on her tears. Avery took a few steps forward. I reached out for her hand.

Ethan held my other one rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand. It was comforting.

"I'm so sorry, Avery." I whispered.

She shook her head sobbing. "I'm sorry, Val. I gave up trying to be your friend. I don't even know why. We were so close and I let our tightness loosen up."

I rubbed the same pattern on her hand as Ethan did to my other one. I figured if I was soothing out with that Avery could, too.

And she did.

I smiled at her weakly. "When I get out of here, we will pick up where we left off."

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, can we please?"

I nodded back as a tear fell down my cheek. Rosalyn's hand stroked my hair. She smiled. I smiled back at her.

"Avery, would you mind if I added another blonde to our dynamic duo?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Of course not."

Rosalyn smiled at Avery. Avery returned the gesture. Mama and Dusty both teared up as I looked them in the eyes.

Lisa and Sean checked on me. Ethan and Rosalyn left with Avery to go get food. Mama and Dusty stood on one side as Lisa and Sean stood on the other.

"Grayson is doing fine." Lisa said as Sean rubbed her arms.

I smiled weakly. "Yesterday-" I was cut off.