Ups and Downs, But Mostly Ups

Back Home

It's the day after Grayson got punched in the eye. He's really nervous to go back to school, but he doesn't say anything, because he has a plan. Grayson is going to say that he wants to walk to school, and instead of going to school, he'll go to the train station. He's back a run for it back to Portland. He's got enough money for a ticket. He doesn't know what he'll do there or how he'll survive on his own, but he'll make it work.
"Mom I'm going to walk to school today." Grayson says coming into the kitchen.
"Are you sure Gray? You don't want a ride? It's raining out." Alex ask surprised her son said that.
"Yea, um, I just need some fresh air." Grayson says grabbing his backpack.

He says goodbye to both his mothers and his brothers and make his way to "school". He walks out the door and down the street. When he gets to the high school, he walks right passed it, into town. He gets to the train station and purchases a ticket to Oregon.

"Aren't you a little young to be traveling to another state by yourself?" The teller asks.

"No sir, I'm 18. I'm meeting my parents in Portland." Grayson lies. Truly, Grayson did have one of those faces where he could pass as 15 year old or 18 year old. He gets his ticket and makes his way to the train. He finds a window seat and sits down. He starts thinking about his parents, and how he didn't even leave them a note. Or his brothers, who would've kept the secret. Truly, he didn't really have a plan. When he gets there, where will he go? HIs friends will be in school. Who will he talk to? He doesn't know, and now he's starting to realize this wasn't really a good idea.

"All aboard the train to Oregon!" the conductor yells. The train doors close and now Gray thinks theres no going back.

++++++++++++++++++++++

"Tobin!" Alex yells from the couples bedroom.

"What?" Tobin says from the couch, watching ESPN.

"Grayson forgot his geometry book, can you take it up to him?" Alex says coming into the living room with the large textbook in her hand.

"Sure." Tobin says getting up, taking the book and giving her wife a quick peck on he lips.

++++++

Tobin gets to the school and goes into the office. There's no one there, except the school nurse.

"Why, hello Mrs.Heath, how's Grayson feeling?" She says lifting her head from her paperwork.

"You mean his black eye? I guess it's looking better." Tobin answers, realizing the odd question.

"No I mean his sickness. He's home right?" The nurse says wondering why Tobin said that.

"No." Tobin quickly answers, getting nervous.

"Well he didn't report to any of his classes, I was just going to call to check in on him."

"Where is he then?!" Tobin says resting the textbook on the counter.

"I'm not sure Mrs. Heath, I will notify the faculty and security guards, maybe you should call him." She says picking up the office phone.

Tobin quickly scrabbles for her phone and dials Grayson.

*ring* *ring* *ring*

No answer.

Tobin decides to text him instead.

GRAYSON WHERE ARE YOU?!

no answer.

Tobin is panicking now. She decides to call Alex to tell her what's up.

she picks up on the first ring.