** REWRITING ** Tidal Wave

Chapter Twelve

Kiera

I felt guilty after leaving the Taylor's. I had totally set Ellie up. Ethan had called me the night before, asking me about her. He said he had seen me around with Ellie and was glad that she had made such a good friend. That made me blush. I had always had a crush on Ethan. And I couldn't help but be jealous when he asked about Ellie in such a concerned tone. It sounded like he really cared for her.

I tried to push my feelings aside as dug out all the information he could about what had happened between Grayson and Ellie from me. He said they had been fine Sunday night but the next morning they couldn't even look at each other. According to Ethan, if Ellie was ignoring Grayson, she was ignoring him too. And he needed to know why. He wanted to devise a plan to get Ellie and Grayson back on good terms.

I had told him about my whole 'hot guy watch' worked but I obviously hadn't called it that. Ethan responded by saying what if 'I didn't know' Grayson was coming and had him slip under my radar, would that break the rules of my job? I shrugged but then realized we were talking over the phone so I verbally agreed it would work. From there on, mission Grellie was a go. Name courtesy of yours turly.

The friday lunch thing? Totally planned. The tutoring? Totally not. I was surprised when Ellie called me right after school. I mean Alyssa and Grayson where the it-couple. She was the head cheerleader, him the football captain. Together they were homcoming king and queen for the past two years, even betting out the upperclassmen. People tolerated Alyssa becasue of Grayson. No one would mess with the sweetest guy's girlfriend.

From where I stood, their relationship had looked like a match made in heaven, except that Grayson was the angel and Alyssa was the devil. But everyone thought Grayson loved her. Apparently not if he dropped her in a instant when Ellie came strolling back in.

It was hard not to be jealous. And not to hate her. But it was also easy. Ellie wasn't someone you could hate. It was literally impossible. She was probably the most charming, sympathetic, modest, and reliable person I had ever meet. And I have only known her for a week.

Grayson

I jumped in the shower at six oh five. I wasn't worried. Ellie was always late. When I was about halfway done, the doorbell rang. I didn't even get a chance to put in conditioner. I know most guys don't bother with that crap and I normally don't either, but lately I have. I cared about what she thought.

I turned off the scalding hot water and ran a towel through my hair. I quickly threw on a white t-shirt and some of my football sweats, not bothering to dry off. I ran out of my room and down the stairs. I heard voices in the back of the house. I tried not to sprint to into the den. When I opened the door she was there. In Jason's arms. I couldn't control my pissed off expression and Jason immediately let her go. She slowly turned around.

"Hey," she called out with a smile on her face. I didn't smile back. I nodded at the guys.

"Sorry, but I'm going to have to steal Ellie away from you all." Jason and Scott complained but I managed to get her out of the room within only a few minutes after she waved bye to the all guys. I rolled my eyes.

"What?" she asked, innocently.

I laughed. "All the guys, like love you." I tried to keep my tone light but I could feel myself becoming more jealous by the second. She scrunched her nose up.

"I don't think so." I looked at her to check if she was serious. She was.

"Then you must be delusional. Everyone of them had their eyes all over you." She opened her mouth to protest as we passed through the kitchen but then an voice called out to her.

"Ellie!"

Her eyes brightened. "Hey Marissa!" I couldn't help but smile as I saw her and my mom hugged. They swung eachother back and forth and then finally let go.

"Welcome home!" My mom practically shouted. Ellie smiled as she looked around the house.

"Thanks. Glad I'm back," she said while casting a sly glance in my direction. I smiled back at her. My mom saw this and grinned.

"Well, dinner is ready. I assume you guys want to eat first before you hit the books?" Ellie nodded eagerly. I grabbed three place settings from the cabinets and carried them over to the breakfast room where Ellie and Marissa were already seated. I carefully placed each fork, spoon, glass, plate, and napkin in front of them, leaving mine for last.

"Thanks, darling," my mom said as I did hers, then she turned to Ellie. "Isn't he just the sweetest?" I ignored the comment and Ellie tried to stifle a laugh.

"Yes, Marissa. You raised a very great son."

My mom beamed. "I did, didn't I?" I quickly glanced at Ellie, who was smiling at me. Her blue eyes shined bright.

"So what are we having?" she asked my mom. I could see her cross her fingers under the table for mac and cheese. I smiled.

"Only your favorite," my mom said as she pulled off the lid of the bowl in the center and winked at me. Ellie was in bliss. My mother gave her serving after serving. It was like she could never get enough. It was adorable. She was adorable. Even when she was shoveling food into her mouth.

After the bowl was scraped clean, we all leaned back into our chairs, stuffed. Ellie sighed with pleasure. "Thank you so much, Marissa. That was amazing."

"Anything for you, hon. But there's more!" my mom answered as she jumped out of her seat and back into the kitchen. Ellie looked over and smiled at me.

"Thanks, Grayson."

"What did I do?"

She rolled her eyes. "C'mon. I know you asked her to make mac and cheese for me," she said quirking an eyebrow.

I shrugged indifferently. I had been caught. "Maybe, maybe not."

This made her smile wider. "Thanks," she repeated.

I gave in. "You're welcome." She grinned. I stared at her. She stared back. I wanted to reach across the table and touch her soft blonde hair. My hand moved from my lap and was almost half way there... Then, my mom came back in.

"Here we are," she said, presenting a plate of huge chocolate chip cookies. The type she had always made when I was a kid. They use to be bigger than my face. My mouth watered.

"Marissa! You have outdone yourself!" Ellie proclaimed as she reached for a cookie. I reached for one too but my mom smacked my hand away.

"Grayson! These are for Ellie!"

"Yeah, Grayson. They're all for me," Ellie teased.

I played along. "Well then. May I please have one of your precious cookies?"

Ellie pretended to think about it for a moment. "What would you give me in return?"

"I'm sure we could think of something," I said, my eyes sparkling. Ellie raised an eyebrow suggestively and we both looked away. My mom cleared her throat as if to remind us that she was still there.

"Well you kids can take these upstairs to help with the studying."

"Thanks, Mom," I said as I took the plate from her hands.

"Yeah, thanks, Marissa," Ellie chorused.

We started to retreat out of the breakfast room when my mom called out,"Have fun!" She seemed to rethink this and corrected herself. "Well, not too much fun." I think we all knew what that meant. I could see Ellie trying to hide a smile as we walked up the back stairs and towards the front left corner of the house to my room. I opened the door and let Ellie in first. Finally. Alone at last.

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