crush | g.d. ✓

f o u r - E.M.

When I get back to my apartment after running a few errands, I let out a deep breath. I saw Grayson half freaking naked. But...it's no big deal. He's just my best friend. That's all.

By the time I'm home it's already five thirty. The party's at six thirty at his apartment near Times Square. I open my closet and take out a long sleeve, cropped, v-neck shirt and a high-waisted black skirt. I change into the clothes and put on some light makeup, only covering my blemishes and applying mascara and lipstick.

I open my jewelry box and pull out a golden necklace with a cross on it and put it on as well as a pair of stud earrings. I put on a pair of velvet black heels and grab my purse, sticking my keys and wallet inside. I grab my phone as well and leave the apartment.

I take a cab to Matt's place and walk into the studio apartment, on the top floor with access to the roof. His parents must have very successful jobs.

The twins are already there, wearing the sweaters I brought. "You two look so adorable!" I exclaim, hugging them both. "So do you!" They say at the same time. It used to freak me out before, but you get used to it. I put my purse down under a nearby table covered in a tablecloth.

We start walking over to where everyone is dancing and start dancing too. We scream to our favorite songs together. The music is blasting in our ears but it doesn't bother us.

Matt walks over to us, putting an arm around me. "Hey, you guys. So glad you could come. But the party down here's boring..the roof is where it's at," Matt says, planting a kiss on my lips afterward. I smile back at him. "Why not?" Ethan says.

Us and a few more people ascend the stairs to the rooftop. The view is beautiful and the music from downstairs is quieter and sort of muted. There's people up here as well, enjoying the view and each other.

"Let's play would you rather!" Matt says as we all take a seat on the patio furniture outside. I sit down on a loveseat with Matt. I quickly glance over at Grayson and see him looking down at the ground. "I'll go first," I say.

"Okay Emily, would you rather kiss Grayson or Ethan?" Says Ariana, one of my closest friends. Grayson looks up at me, and so does Ethan. "Isn't that a weird question to be asking her? I mean I'm right h-"

"Matt, shut up. Choose, Emily."

Grayson looks away. "Grayson," I respond, leaning back in my chair. His face lights up with confusion. "Ooh!" Goes half the group. I can feel my cheeks heat up. "Stop, you guys. I'll go next," Says Gray. My breath hitches. "Okay," says Ethan, "Would you rather date Ariana or Kelsey?" I let out a breath. I'm glad Ethan didn't say my name.

This game goes on for a while until we decide to go back downstairs and dance some more. The amount of people has greatly increased and things are getting more hectic. Our giant group was dancing together at first but then slowly split up. Matt went to get a drink, which left me alone with the twins. But a few minutes later Grayson's face turns sour and he walks away. I ignore it and share a confused look with Ethan, continuing to dance.

Then a few more minutes later I heard people screaming. I walk over to the group of people.

"Yooo! Holy shit!"
"He knocked him out!"
"He's such a douche..."
"Damn, Gray!"

I gasp and cover my mouth in shock. Grayson just punched Matt in the face. "Holy shit!" Is right. "Grayson, stop! I'm serious get over here," I say, dragging him away from Matt on the floor. I give a death stare to anyone who tries to touch him, other than Ethan. I take him to the bathroom.

I point to the edge of the bathtub in the bathroom, gesturing for him to sit. I look through the cupboards for a first aid kit for the cut on his lip. "What the hell happened, Gray?" I say, almost screaming. I found it.

I take rip open an alcohol pad and wipe his lip with it, resulting in him slightly groaning. "I-damn that stings- I saw him flirting with another girl, and they were really close and touchy feely and-"

"Did you hear him talking to her?" I ask him. He looks down. "No. I-It really seemed like they were though," He says. I crumple up the alcohol pad. "What? You didn't hear him? What if they were like, cousins or something?" I asked again. "They didn't seem like 'cousins' to me," He responds. I toss the alcohol pad into the trash and storm out of the bathroom. Was he serious?

I grab my purse from the table I set it down under earlier and sling it over my shoulder. I can hear Ethan walk up to Gray, asking how he is, but Grayson completely ignores him and walks out after me. I open the door and leave, slamming it shut. I take off my heels and take the stairs.

"Emily!" I hear Grayson calling after me. This just makes me go faster until I reach the bottom floor of the building, which took a while. I slip my heels back on and leave the building.

The door opens behind me. "Emily! What the hell was that for?" Grayson says. I shake my head and ignore him. How could he just assume that about Matt? He's not some douche who goes around hooking up with girls. He grabs my shoulder and turns me around. I look down at the ground, avoiding his eyes.

"Emily! Talk to me!" He exclaims. Tears start to form in my eyes and I turn away, letting one slide down my cheek. I wipe it away and turn back around. "How could you think that about Matt? What, you just think he's the type of guy to flirt with other guys while dating me?" I yell.

"He is! One day he'll sleep with some girl then the next day you're still together. Are you clueless or do you just choose to ignore it?" He fires back.

"I can't believe you, Gray! None of that gave you the right to punch him in the face! And he doesn't hook up with other girls!" I snap back.

"I was protecting you! More than he does! And-" He trails off. "And what?" I say.

"You know Kelsey? Kelsey Green?" He asks me. I swallow hard. "Yeah...why? How is she relevant to the situation right now?" I ask.

"He hooked up with her a week ago."

My jaw drops and tears start rushing out of my eyes. I try to wipe them away with the back of my hand but they keep coming. "W-What?" I ask, sniffling.

Grayson pulls me into a hug. "I'm sorry," He mutters. I let out a small sob and hold him close. Grayson was serious. How could Matt have done this to me? All the love I felt for him was just some joke to him, obviously. He needs to learn what a 'relationship' is. I wipe my tears and let out a deep breath.

I pull away from Grayson and look him in the eyes. "I'm going to teach that bastard a lesson. Come with me," I say, opening the door of the building. I walk over to the elevator and click the up button hard. The doors open and I step in, with Grayson following. The doors close and Grayson clicks the top floor button.

When we get to his apartment, I open the door to see Ethan, sitting on his phone on a couch, the same amount of people still partying, and Matt in the corner, making out with Kelsey. I slam the door so their attention turns to the sound. Matt looks at me and his eyes widen. I start walking toward him, clenching my fists.

"I see Santa brought you a whore for Christmas! I'm surprised though, because those are all you have. Don't even try to talk to me anymore. I can't believe you. Screw you, Matt." The words came out of my mouth instantly.

"Emily, babe-"

"You know what, Matt? Drop it. Drop the 'good boyfriend' act. I didn't know you were so stupid as to cheat on Emily with girls like Kelsey." Grayson says, stepping in, getting an "Excuse me?" from Kelsey.

"Oh I'm sorry, Grayson," Matt responds, laughing nervously, "sorry that I hurt the love of your life."

Grayson steps closer to Matt. "Do you want me to finish what I started?" He asks, clenching his jaw, grabbing Matt's shirt collar. He looks at him in fear and swallows hard. Grayson lets go.

"Didn't think so."