Falling For my Best Friend || Grayson

six

warning: this chapter's topic may be sensitive to readers

Riley's POV

"okay, so if you take x and multiply it by 27, what's the outcome?" my math teacher says. i hated his man. he talks so monotone, i actually want to go crazy. i honestly stopped listening at this point. i looked down at my paper and started doodling. i was so out of it today. i looked up when i felt something hit my face. i look over at Grayson and smile when i see he's throwing little wads of paper at me. things weren't the same after he kissed me. it was kind of awkward, but we were working on it.

"Grayson, Riley, please pay attention to-" he says when we hear a loud bang. "holy shit..." my teacher says and everyone looks around the room. there's another loud bang and the code red alarm starts going off over the intercom. "alright everyone! stay calm! get down in the corner away from the door!" he shouts as we hear screams. i start to panic and shake. there's a shooter in the school.

Alex quickly follows everyone to the side of the room and Grayson helps me over too. i'm shaking so hard i can barely walk. most people are crying and the teacher shuts the lights off and locks the door. my mind instantly starts to go to the bad things. "G-Grayson..." i say, about to cry as he grabs me and holds me close. "you're okay, Riley. calm down" he whispers in my ear, pulling me into his arms and rocking me back and forth. i don't know how he was handling this.

i look over at my teacher and he exhales, "the police are here. everything's going to be okay guys..." he whispers. then it hits me. my dad. then i break down. i start crying into Grayson's chest as he sways. "what is it Riley?" he whispers realizing something made it worse. "m-my dad... he's on duty right now and i'm... i'm just-"

he makes a hushing sound and kisses the top of my head. "it's okay Riley, it's going to be okay..." he whispers, his voice sounding weak.

Grayson's POV

i didn't know what to do. what to think. i held onto Riley as she cried. my hands were shaking and my shirt absorbed her tears.

"it's okay Riley, it's going to be okay..." i whisper as i squeeze my eyes shut. it was like i felt that i needed to protect her over myself.  i told her it would be okay, but i really didn't know. i pull out my phone and text Ethan.

Grayson: you okay?

Ethan: yeah, i'm with Nate and Cameron in PE. we're in the locker rooms now. Alex and Riley okay?

Grayson: Riley's freaking out, but we're all okay. 

Ethan: stay safe Grayson.

Grayson: you too Ethan.

i slide my phone back into my pocket and look down at Riley. "Ethan's with Nate and Cam in the locker rooms. they're okay" i whisper. 

Riley's POV

when he says that Ethan, Nate and Cam are okay i calm down a little. i hope everyone else is safe. i sniff a little and focus on the sobs. everyone jumps when we hear a slam and someone yelling. i dig my nails into my palms trying to calm down. "all clear!" i hear someone yell.

"d-dad..." i whisper and start breathing heavily. "oh god, he's okay!" i say holding Grayson close to me. 

-----

a voice comes on over the intercom and announces that everyone is okay and that we can go home. i just wanted to see my dad at this point. Grayson helps me get up and i'm still shaking. i run out into the hallway and see my dad talking to a few other officers. i start running towards him. "dad!" i yell and he grabs me, hugging me tight. he kisses the top of my head and whispers, "it's okay Riley, everything's fine" he says. 

"i'm so glad you're okay! what happened!?" i ask.

"there was a fight outside the school, and someone had a gun. we arrested him. no one's hurt." i sigh and feel someone lightly grab my shoulder. i turn around, still jumpy.

"i'm going to look for Ethan and the guys... i'll see you later", Grayson says and heads toward the gym.

my dad doesn't ask who he is, but he raises his eyebrow. "go help him. i'll probably have to stay for a while. go home and relax" he says, smiling and i nod. 

"love you dad" i say and run after Grayson. "wait up!" i yell and Grayson turns around, smiling a little. i catch up to him and we walk down the hall together.

-----

Grayson pulls up to my house and parks in the driveway. Ethan got a ride from Nate so it's just us in the car. we sit in silence for a while. "thank you Gray" i say, looking into his eyes. 

"for what?" he asks, confused.

"for everything. for protecting me today" i say looking at the floor. he smiles and i look back up at him. "thanks for the ride. go home, and tell Ethan i'm glad he's okay" he nods and i open the passenger door. 

"hey Riley-" he says and stops himself.

"yeah?"

"i- uh... i'm glad you're okay" he says and i smile. 

"i'm glad you're okay too, Gray"

Grayson's POV

"hey Riley-" i say, stopping myself.

"yeah?" she asks.

"i-uh..."

i really like you. 

"i'm glad you're okay" i say. i'm so stupid. 

"i'm glad you're okay too, Gray" she says, smiling and heads inside. i bang my fist on the steering wheel and curse to myself. I'm really starting to hate this 'Trent' kid.