Freshmen

Chapter 3

Amanda's POV
After a very dreadful morning I once again make my way off the bus and head to my locker. I pick up my stuff for first period and head to English class. I hate class with the sophomores it feels so intimidating. All I know is Eduarda, Grayson, and Ethan are all in this class. I'm so excited. All of us are talking smack about the teachers in our group chat, while they finish off the list of school supplies we have to buy.
~
Amanda: Are you guys going back to school shopping today?
Grayson: Yeah, E and I are going after school. Wanna come with us?
Amanda: sounds awesome:)
Ethan: How about you Eduarda?
Eduarda: I'd love to!
Grayson: Awesome, had anyone even been paying attention to what we have to buy?
Amanda: yeah I made a list. I'll bring it.
Ethan: Nice, when does this class end?
Eduarda: like 3 min I think
Amanda: about time haha
Grayson: ikr haha
~
We all start to pack up and wait for the bell to ring.
*riiiing*
Finally.
We all get up and head towards our lockers.
Grayson walks up to me with a smile on his face.
"Hey Amanda" he mumbled
"Hey Gray" I replied
" Listen there is a party tomorrow night at my place and I wanted to know if you could go. I could give u a ride if you want." He's nearly jumping for joy by now.
"I don't know, it's a school night, and my mom is really strict."
"Cmon I'll convince her, it'll be fun." He pleads.
"If you insist." I give in.
"Awesome, can I pick u up at 7:00?"
"That would be great, thanks."
"Alright see ya later." He smiles.
The day goes on and I don't see Eduarda and Ethan for what seems like forever, must have done the same as Grayson and I did and skipped. I don't blame them. After school we get a ride from Grayson and he drives us all to Office Depot. After about 2 hours of gathering supplies we head home. Grayson drops off Ethan and Eduarda at his house because they wanted to hang out. I had to go home because my dad was already pissed I went shopping without his permission. He walked me to my door while helping me carry my bags. We hugged goodbye. My dad swung the door open and grabbed my arm.

Fuck he was drunk.

"What the hell is the matter with you? You think you can just run off with boys and waste your money without even consulting me?" He yelled. Grayson was stuck in his tracks, he saw it, he saw all of it. My dad slapped me across the face causing me his to fall to the floor. My face was burned with a red hand mark. He took off his belt and flung it over my back.
"Stop!" Grayson barges in.
"Please stop, it was my fault. She didn't even want to go!" Grayson pleaded. He held up his hands to protect me.
"Grayson no, it's okay, I'm okay."
I muttered to him.
I tear slipped from his eyes and slid down his perfectly chiseled face.
"Get out of my house boy! I never even let you in. The nerve." My dad exclaimed.
"Grayson, go" I begged.
I didn't want anything to happen to him. He didn't even do anything wrong. What have I brought him into.
"I can't Amanda, you don't understand. I'm sorry Sir. I'll never take her out without your permission again. I swear."
Grayson begged.
He stood in front of me as a shield, my dad still gripping his belt in his clenched fist.
My overly-drunk dad knows he can't hit him or he'll have lawyers on his ass. So he grunts and turns away. Grayson comes down to me and hugs me as tight as he could. I hugged him tighter.
"Thank you Gray" is all I could manage to get out.
"You're safe Amanda, you're safe. I promise. I'm here for you."
He says through his tears.
We are both crying, my mascara smearing onto his gray sweatshirt.
He kisses me on the forehead. We hold each other for a while. I just sit in his lap enjoying the security and tranquility he brings. This is what I want. This is what I need.
I text me mom to ask if I could sleepover Eduarda's house and she agrees. I slowly peek into my dads room. He's passed out on the bed. He won't remember anything tomorrow. I impatiently walk back to Grayson and grab his hand and say, "please let me spend the night at your place. I don't feel safe here." I wipe the tears off my face and look deeply in his eyes. He stares back into mine. We just stand there hand in hand, touching foreheads, knowing everything is okay. "Of course Amanda." He kissed my forehead and opens the front door for me.
"Thank you Gray, I'll make it up to you. I promise." I respond.
"No need" he smiles.
He opens and closes the car door for me and hops into the drivers seat. He turns on the radio, revealing the song 'All of me' by John Legend. We let the wind reck our hair as we listen to the melody, his hand resting on my thigh. I look over at him, admiring his every feature. I can't help but love everything about him. Nobody else would do that for me. No one. What would have happened if he wasn't there? I owe him everything. We arrive at his house, and Eduarda must have left because the house is quiet and that's how you know if she's not there. Not throwing shade though, I love her. He introduces me to his parents.
"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Dolan, nice to meet you, I'm Amanda. You have a lovely home." I say as politely as I can.
"Hello Amanda! It's lovely to meet you as well. Aren't you just the sweetest." His mom replies.
"Grayson you didn't tell me you were bringing a girl over." He says while jokingly punching him in the arm lead by a wink. Gray pulls me over to the side, " is it okay if I tell them about it? They'll understand." Grayson asks.
"Just tell them I'm having family troubles, I don't want to get them involved." I reply.
"Okay." He says with a smile.
He goes over to his parents to tell them what's happening. Meanwhile I'm looking around his beautiful house. I spot Ethan coming down the stairs.
"Hey Amanda, what are you doing here?" Ethan asks happily.
"Guess who's having a sleepover?"
I joke around.
"Ooh yay, want anything to eat? Mi casa es tu casa." He points to the fridge.
"I'll pass, thank you though." I respond.
Grayson finally comes over,
"They understand, they said you can stay as long as you'd like." He proudly states.
"Oh thank you so much." I pull him in for a tight embrace.
"Anytime. Here let me show you to your guest bedroom." He points upstairs.
"Uh Gray, I was kind of hoping I could stay in your room. I don't want to be alone tonight. But don't worry, I can sleep on the floor. You won't even know I'm there." I beg.
"Oh of course. Here's my room." He opens the door, revealing a large room with a gray theme, what a coincidence. It's very neat, which I was not expecting.
"What do you want to do?" He says awkwardly.
"Netflix?" I suggest.
"Perfect." He smiles.
"Any recommendations?" He questions.
"I don't know, friends? Grey's Anatomy?" I list.
"Feels like a friends kind of day." He replies.
"Agreed." We hop onto his bed, respecting each other's privacy.
After about 4 episodes in, we are huddled together with his arm around me, constantly laughing at the shows witty remarks. It's about 2 am and I'm drifting to sleep but I'm determined to finish this episode before I have to leave Grayson's warm embrace to the cold, hard floor.
*bzzz bzzz*
Huh?
Where am I?
Oh shit I forgot, I'm at Grayson's. I gotta get home to get ready for school. By now Grayson's arm is around my waist and he's still sound asleep. What a heavy sleeper. I turn to look at him, what a sight. I start poking him.
"Gray, Gray, wake up." I start shaking him.
" huh? Oh Amanda hey." A big smile emerges on his face.
"Rise and shine" I smile. At this moment we are laying in bed facing each other, sharing a blanket, trading our morning breath, staring into each other's eyes, smiles plastered on our faces. I feel so safe.

A/N: Hey reader, I have been working really hard on each and every chapter. So please comment any things you've enjoyed and any constructive criticism you might have. Don't forget to vote! And add it to your library to know when I post another chapter! Thanks for reading!