Damaged -Grayson Dolan-

Chapter Twenty-Six

I was so bored that I was struggling to keep my eyes open. I glanced at the clock on the far wall. 20 minutes until the bell rang and school was over. Mina jabbed her elbow into my side and I hissed in pain, sitting upright. She shot me a look and I rolled my eyes. I propped my head up on my hand and tried to focus on what the teacher was saying. But at this point, it was honestly impossible for me to learn anything from this lesson.

My thoughts wandered to Grayson and whether or not he had plans for tonight. Finally, the bell rang and I jumped up from my seat. Mina followed me to the door and out into the crowded hall. She dodged a student with books stacked a mile high in her arms. "Want to come over later? The guys have that away game, remember?"

"Oh yeah," I realized she was right. "Sure."

"Good," She said. "We've got a lot of planning to do for prom."

"Prom?" My thoughts flew to the school dance. I usually tended to avoid those types of events.

"Yes, prom." Mina rolled her eyes as we stopped by the stairwell. "It's our senior year. We are definitely going."

"Grayson hasn't even asked me yet," I pointed out. Then I frowned. "Has Ethan asked you?"

Mina shook her head. "They're guys. They procrastinate these types of things and leave them until the last possible moment." She patted my shoulder. "But don't worry, they'll ask us."

"But-"

"No buts," She held up a finger. "Come over at 3, okay?"

I glanced at my watch. It was 2:30. "Okay," I said reluctantly.

Mina clapped her hands together in celebration before climbing up the stairs. I turned and headed out through the doors into the student parking lot. Grayson was lounging on the hood of my car waiting for me. And damn did he look make black joggers look good.

"Hey, beautiful." He pushed off my car as he spotted me approaching. "I came to tell you bye now because we leave soon for our game."

"I guess that means you'll be needing my good luck kiss." I raised up on my toes to press my mouth to his. I wrapped my arms around him and we backed all the way up until I bumped into the outside of my car.

"Yeah, Gray! Get it!" A group of Grayson's teammates walked by, shouting and wolf whistling.

I pulled away with a chuckle. "Alright, that's enough for now, mister. Maybe if you win, you'll get more."

Grayson huffed. "You're such a tease."

"You love it." I picked up my bag from the ground. "Call me after your game?"

Grayson nodded, stepping back so I could back out of the parking space. "Good luck!" I called out of the open window as I headed home.

When I pulled into my driveway it was 2:45. I hurried inside, ditching my shoes and backpack by the door. I grabbed a protein bar from the pantry and ran up the stairs to my room. I changed into running shorts and a hoodie. I went back downstairs, throwing away my wrapper and then climbed back into my car. I pulled up to Mina's house at 3 on the dot.

She answered the door when I knocked letting me inside. I said hello to her mom before following her up the stairs and into her room. "I'm so excited!" She gushed, sitting down in her desk chair.

"Well, I'm glad you are." I flopped onto her bed.

"Come on, Alanna. We've literally been talking about our senior prom since freshmen year. Why don't you want to go?"

"I don't know." I stared at the ceiling. "Things are different now. What if it's not what we imagined it would always be?"

"Al, you have a hot boyfriend who is absolutely head over heels for you. He's going to ask you to prom and you will look like a damn goddess in your dress. The whole time he won't be able to take his eyes off you and you'll dance the night away and have a good fucking time because that's what prom is. A time and place to make memories."

I rolled over with a sigh. Mina gave me puppy dog eyes from her perch on her chair. "Please, I promise it will be a good time."

I groaned. "Fine. I'll try."

"Yay!" She turned her attention back to her laptop. I pulled out my phone but instead of clicking on the safari app to look at dresses, I texted Grayson.

how's the bus ride?

He responded right away, so I knew he was bored and on his phone. too fucking long. wish u were here to keep me company:(

I smiled at his answer. Sry, we'll hang out after school tmr to make up for it.

sounds like a plan. hopefully, my practice will get cut short but it depends on how well we play tonight

"Ooooh, I like this one!" Mina's outburst drew me from my phone. I rolled off the bed, going to peer over her shoulder at the dress she was looking at. I had to admit it was pretty. The entire thing was covered in sequins a rose gold color. The v neck was plunging and daring as was the slit along the leg.

It was totally Mina.

"I approve," I told her. She grinned, saving it on the website. Then she turned to me. "Found any yet?"

I shook my head. "Nope. Still looking."

"Well look faster. Remember we also need to make hair and nail appointments."

I laid back down on her bed. "That sounds like a lot," I muttered.

"You said you'd try." MIna reminded me.

"Sorry. I'm super excited to spend so much money getting ready for a high school dance that lasts four hours!"

Mina glared at me and I chuckled. I got back on my phone but actually opened up the safari tab, intent to look at a few dresses at least. I scrolled through picture after picture, hopelessness setting in.

Then I came across one that made me stop in my tracks. I smiled, saving the picture.

Maybe prom wouldn't be as bad as I thought it would be.