crush | g.d. ✓

t h r e e - G.D.

I pressed my hand against my lips as soon as Emily shut the door, my mind filling instantly with thoughts of regret. I almost told Emily that I had loved her! I walked back to the elevator and clicked the button for the loaded. When the doors opened I clicked the lobby button and the doors shut.

I leaned against the wall and pressed my fingers to my temples. How did I almost say that? But, how could I not? 

I could've taken a chance. I could've confessed my feelings and she might've felt the same. But why would she? She didn't need me; she had Matt. That idiot has no idea of how poorly he's treating such an amazing person. He has no right to treat her like trash.

She was acting like Matt didn't exist at the moment, though. Holding my hand, leaning her head on my shoulder, she was being romantic. Or maybe she was just being friendly and I'm trying to convince myself she wasn't.

The doors open and I leave the building, pulling my hood on over my head and shoving my hands in my pockets. Tears start to well in my eyes a little bit and I wipe them away. I continue walking down 85th street until I reach my building.

I immediately walk to the elevator, disregarding whoever was behind the desk in the lobby. I click the up button and wait, puking out my phone. The doors open. I step in and click the tenth floor button. I see a missed text from Ethan sent almost an hour ago.

E: Dude where are you? Are you still w/Emily?

I decide not to respond and shut off my phone. I make it to my floor and walk out of the elevator to the apartment. I unlock the door with my keys and toss them on the kitchen counter when I walk in. "Ethan? Are you up?" I call.

No response.

I walk into my room and pull off my sweatshirt and pants. I pull on a pair of sweatpants and climb into bed. I shut my eyes but all I can see is Emily...and me. Holding hands. I turn to my right and pull the covers over my head.

-

"Grayson, I love you too." Never did I think I would hear those words come out of Emily's mouth. I pull her close and kiss her, wrapping my arms around her tightly. "I also wanted you to know that-"

"Grayson, wake up!" I hear Ethan scream.

"Jesus Ethan," I mutter, "I'm up! What do you want?" Ethan walks into my room, showing me the time. "It's almost one, when did you come home last night?" He asked me.

"Like...twelve hours ago," I respond, "I walked Emily home." Ethan chuckles and looks down. "What?" I ask.

"You're so in love with her, dude," He says, "don't forget we have Matt's party to go to today." I groan, remembering how I have to see that douche with Emily. "Then let's get some lunch. I'm not in the mood to cook," I tell him, pulling the sheets off of me. I walk into the bathroom and take a warm shower. I wrap a towel around my waist and look for something to wear.

I hear knocking on the door and yell for Ethan to get it. No response, again. He's probably showering. I walk to the door and open it. Emily's standing there with two sweaters tucked under her shoulder, looking at her phone. She looked up, then down at her phone, then back up again.

She hands me the sweaters. They're covered in red and green. One has Christmas lights all over and one has a reindeer on the front. "This is for tonight. Everyone's dressing festively and you guys should too," She says, her eyes scanning my body.

"Uh, okay, thanks. See you tonight," I tell her with a smile. She smiles a gleaming smile back. "Bye, Gray."

I slowly shut the door, watching her leave. When I completely close the door I walk into Ethan's room and put the sweater with the lights on his bed. I walk back into my room and change into jeans and a shirt and pull the sweater over the shirt. I slide on a pair of black vans and walk into the kitchen, grabbing my keys. Ethan comes out of his room wearing the sweater and a pair of black jeans with boots. "Let's go," he says.