I thought about my first time with Ethan all the way back home. My feelings were confused, as so was my mind. It didn't surprise me.
What surprised me though, was the fact that when I got home, Grayson was there, standing on his knees while staring at my opened aluminum briefcase that contained all the money I'd collected to that day.
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"Gray!" I shouted, startling him, crouching down next to him. With wide eyes, he stood right back up and stepped aside, stuttering as he tried to apologize.
"R-Red, I'm sorry, I didn't me-"
"Save it" I spat, examining the cash before closing the chest and hiding it back under my bed. "What were you even doing in my room, without my permission" I sighed, standing back again, scratching my temple.
"Uhm, that Jack guy said it was alright" He scratched the back of his neck.
I rolled my eyes. "Jack" I growled.
"Was I not allowed to?" He asked innocently.
"Of course you were, Gray. But you should not be looking into somebody else's stuff. It's rude." I plopped on to the bed.
"Sorry" He simply said, sitting beside me. "So, uh, can I ask something?"
"Shoot"
"Why do you have that much money? Did you steal it?" He asked, fiddling his fingers.
I swear this kid was so innocent. Too innocent.
"Um" I trailed off, thinking deeply about my answer. "Alright, I'm gonna tell you something very important, Gray, and I trust you won't tell anyone else."
He nodded slowly.
God, he was adorable.
"My sister is being held hostage right now." I started. Silence conquered the room. He didn't say anything, but kept listening instead. "People that have her are asking me for an specific amount of money in such a short amount of time."
His eyebrows knitted. "Have you called the police?"
"Gray, no" I sighed, tears building up in my eyes. "I can't call the police."
His expression saddened as he pulled me into a tight hug. That afternoon, I let it all out. I cried on his shoulder and he let me.
His calloused hands caressed my head and my back to calm me down. "I'll help you" I heard him say over my sobs.
I pulled away, with my eyebrows furrowed. "What?" I said, almost in a whisper.
"You heard me, I wanna help"
"You can'-"
"Red, don't fucking tell me that I can't alright?" He snapped, rising from the bed and taking a few steps around the room.
"It hurts to see my only friend suffer this way. It hurts to see you cry and to see you so vulnerable. I-I wanna help."
Tears streamed down my cheeks. "Let me help" He pleaded, gently grabbing my arms, staring right into my eyes.
I slowly nodded.
That was perhaps, one of the biggest mistakes I had ever done in my life.
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