Inside Grayson Foster's bedroom

02: Catching my Breath

[Madison Fren POV]

"Why exactly am I here again?"

That was probably about the sixth time I asked that question. I could already see Violet's beautiful face become painted with annoyance. Her strawberry curls bounced with each swift step she took. Quickly following behind her, my feet almost became tangled underneath me. It would have been embarrassing if I had actually tripped.

"Just because. Maddi." She says, shooting me a glare. A light layer of mascara coated her long eyelashes, bringing out her deep brown eyes. They were chocolatey enough to make any guy who dared to peer into them, melt. Violet was the definition of beauty. Her long legs took wide strides as her heels dug into the wet grass. We were headed down the football field, towards a group of guys— attractive guys.

"Violet," my voice came out in a plea. "Can I please just wait back there?" I ask, looking back at the school parking lot. Each step I took, my heart accelerated. The group of guys were laughing and tossing the football. The sun was setting just above them, making their white Jerseys glow a tint of orange.

"Nope." With her glossy lips she pops the p in nope. "You cannot."

I almost considered turning around and going back without her permission. Of course, as I was thinking of walking back, I lightly ran into Violet's back as she stopped in her tracks. I stumbled back a tiny bit, realization hitting me as we stood in front of the group of jocks. Luckily, they were so fixated on Violet, they didn't seem to notice my clumsiness.

"Grayson." Violet scowled as she swiveled past a few guys, stepping towards her stepbrother. Even though Violet didn't pay an ounce of attention to anyone besides Grayson—they all paid a gallon of attention to her. I swear one guy was even drooling as his eyes roamed my best friend. Like a ghost, I followed behind Violet.

Grayson's back was facing us, his eyes looking into the orange, cloudy sky. An oval ball soared through the air. Grayson took a few steps back, letting the ball slam into his arms. A perfect catch. A light breeze tickled his hair around, resulting in his hand raking back the soft brown mess. Slightly craning his neck back, his emerald eyes rested upon my face for a slight second before darting over to his sister.

"Damn, bro. Violet Foster is your sister—"

"Stephens. Violet Stephens." She corrects one of—what I assume was—Grayson's friends. Violet's mother's surname was Stephens and Violet didn't care if her mother was married to Grayson's father, and that she was suppose to take his last name.

"Whatever, babe." The boy, who I just recognized as Chris Wells—a popular boy at our school— wagged his eyebrows. "It won't matter if we're just going to end up changing it to Wells, anyway."

Before Violet could throw another witty comeback at the boy, Grayson let out a sigh. My eyes kept darting between Violet and Grayson.

"Couldn't wait to just annoy me at home?" The ball he just caught was rested between his arm and hip. His face clearly showed he was uninterested in why Violet was here.

"Shut it." Violet grumbled. I never had any siblings, but watching Grayson and Violet fight all the time almost made me feel like I did. "Let me see the keys to our car." She demands, holding out her small, soft-looking hand. Her nails were painted a glossy red color.

"Not a chance." Grayson said instantly.

After Violet's mother married Grayson's father, she bought them a car to share. It was suppose to be used as a bonding experience. Sharing the car, picking each other up, driving together, dropping each other off. The list goes on. Although, one thing her mother always failed to realize was: the only thing that resulted from sharing a car was conflict. The two teens always argued over who got the car.