Duke Basketball

Chapter 8

The next day when I woke up, I layed in bed for a while before I actually got up. I checked the weather when I realized how cold it was. I realized I was no longer able to get away with shorts and a t-shirt. It was crazy that it was already november, it seemed like just yesterday I was in systematic inquiries with Luke. I pulled on some jeans, white converse, a t-shirt and Duke sweatshirt. I grabbed my backpack and headed out to my psych class. I realized I was early. I kept walking to the building when I saw Grayson sitting on a bench right outside the door. I sat down next to him.

"Hey! You're here early." He said handing me a cinnamon roll and coffee.

"Thanks! Yea, I just got up earlier than usual today." I looked over his shoulder to see what he was doing on his laptop.

"Corporate finance? That's a really hard class. I can't believe you're doing corporate finance, psych and spanish all in the same semester."

"And oral history and cultural anthropology." He said sheepishly. My jaw dropped.

"5 courses? Are you crazy?" I asked, practically spitting out my coffee. The average Duke student took 4 classes. But Grayson was not the average student. He was on the basketball team. And he was taking one course more than the average student. I couldn't believe it. Unfortunately, I let the wrong words slip.

"You're actually smart?" I said. Luckily, he didn't take it the wrong way. He laughed.

"I guess you could put it like that." He said smiling. We made eye contact for a second longer than normal when we both realized what we were doing and went back to what we were previously working on. We could both feel the awkwardness though. I changed the subject.

"So, Thanksgiving's coming up. What're your plans?" I asked him.

"I'm going back home. Just going to hang out with my family. What about you?"

"I'm staying here but my mom and aunt are going to come see me, so that'll be fun." I said happily. I loved spending time with my aunt and mom. Grayson nodded.

"That's awesome! I'm coming back Friday night, maybe I'll be able to meet them!" He remarked cheerfully. He quickly read my expression.

"I mean, not if you don't want me to which I totally understand. It's your time with your family. Don't worry about me, I'm not important. Sorry to even bring it up." He said all at once.

"No! Of course it's okay. They want to meet my friends anyway." I explained. His face brightened.

"Really? That would be awesome!" We both walked into the building.

I was on the phone with my mom the next day, sorting out Thanksgiving plans.

"And I know you're only here for a short time but one of my friends really wants to meet you. Is that okay?" I asked.

"Of course! We kind of have stuff planned for thanksgiving and black friday shopping but Saturday or Sunday would be fine." She answered. I was so excited, I knew how happy Grayson would be.

"That sounds great. I have to go now but I'll talk to you later." I said, hanging up the phone. I texted Grayson letting him know that it was all going to work out. I was suddenly craving ice cream.

"Mia! Do we have and ice cream?" I shouted into the bathroom.

"Nope. I finished it last night. Sorry!" She shouted back. I groaned and got out of bed, slipping on some leggings, nike shoes and a sweatshirt, pulling my hair into a bun.

I was walking to get ice cream when I suddenly found myself at Grayson and Luke's apartment. I knocked on the door.

"Hey!" Grayson opened the door. I pulled him out of his apartment.

"Come with me, we're getting ice cream." I told him.

"Okay then." He laughed.

* * *

GRAYSON POV

I was surprised when Lucy showed up at my apartment at midnight to get ice cream, but I didn't mind. I liked spending time with her. She was pretty much my only friend outside of basketball. Don't get me wrong, I love the guys, but it's nice to have a break from them every once and awhile. There was something about her that made everything more fun. She wanted to walk to get ice cream but I wouldn't let her, it was freezing outside.

"Come on, Gray! It's not even that cold. Can we please walk?" She whined. I shook my head.

"Nope, get in." I said opening the door for her. She rolled her eyes and slid into the car. She connected my phone to the aux and put my music on shuffle. Sha began to rap along to one of the songs, or attempt to. I started laughing and she turned to me, scowling.

"Like you could do any better." She huffed, jokingly.

"Fair enough." I said, still laughing. When we finally got back, it was past 1 am. I dropped her off outside her dorm and then back to my place. Luke was lying on the couch. I lifted up his feet and sat down, setting them back on top of me.

"We have a problem." I said. Luke rolled his eyes.

"What's going on now?" He asked.

"I think I like Lucy." I replied. He paused the game he was playing and sat up.

"You what?" He exclaimed.

"I think I like Lucy." I said again.

"I heard you the first time I just can't believe it." He shook his head.

"Since when?" He asked.

"I don't know. I always had kind of thought about it but it didn't really hit me until tonight." I answered, truthfully.

"Do you think she likes you?" I sighed.

"I don't know. I mean, we're really good friends. I don't want to ruin that by telling her." I told him.

"It'll probably pass anyway. Just try to forget about it." He said.

"Okay, thanks man. I'm gonna go to bed. Night." I walked off to bed, contemplating everything he had just told me. I knew I was going to have to figure out what to do about the whole situation.