Damaged -Grayson Dolan-

Chapter Twenty-Nine

"So as you can imagine, he's very excited about this."  I closed my locker door as Mina fell into step beside me. 

"Well obviously!  Syracuse University!  That's huge."  Mina curled a piece of hair behind her ear.  We exited the school, walking out to the student parking lot.

"I know, I'm so excited for him."  A slight breeze whipped my hair into my face as we made our way to my car.  I froze at the sight of it.  My entire car had been covered from top to bottom in sticky notes.  Each note had the word "prom" written on it.  A heart was formed in the center of the hood along with a question mark on the windshield. 

"Oh my gosh," Mina said from beside me. 

I burst into laughter.  "Only Grayson would do this."

Then he came into view, looking hot as usual in jeans and a black shirt.  He held a bunch of flowers in one hand and was leaning against the driver's side.  I shook my head as we reached where he was standing.  He grinned at me.  "So?"

I tapped my chin, pretending to contemplate my answer.  "I guess I'll say yes." 

He handed me the flowers, sweeping me into a kiss.  "I knew you wouldn't be able to resist." 

I rolled my eyes.  "Of course you did."  I locked my arms around his neck as he gently kissed me again.  It took my breath away and I honestly felt like my heart was melting. 

He finally pulled away.  "I've got one more question to ask."

"Okay," I said slowly.

"What do you think of you, Mina, Ethan and I going to Flordia for spring break?" 

I pulled back.  "Are you serious?  The four of us?  Alone?"

He nodded.  "We're all 18 already so it's not that big of a deal.  My parents are cool with it.  We usually go every year but this year they didn't want to but Ethan and I still wanted to go.  So we figured we'd invite you and Mina along so it wouldn't be just the two of us."

I swallowed back my suprise, a huge smile splitting my face.  "I'd say that sound like the most fun I've ever heard of.  I'm totally in.  It shouldn't be that hard to convince my parents."

"Good," he smiled again, showing his perfect teeth.  "I've got to get to practice but text me after, okay?"

"Okay," I said as he began to walk away.  Then I looked at my car.  "Wait!  How am I supposed to drive with all this?"

He flipped around, still walking backward.  "No clue!  I have faith you'll figure it out!"

"Grayson!  Asshole!" 

He smiled.  "You know you love me!"  He shouted back.

I shook my head with a sigh because he was right. 

I did love him.

~~~

"Spring break?  Flordia?  Alone?"  My mom continued to stir the broccoli in the boiling water.

"Yep," I answered, popping a noodle in my mouth. 

"And Mina is going?" 

"Yep," I said again. 

"And you want to go?"

I stopped to look at her.  "Mom, it's Flordia.  The beach.  The sun.  With my friends.  Of course, I want to go."

"I'm not sure, Al."

"Come on."  I swiped another noodle to eat.  "We're all legal adults.  Grayson's parents already have the rooms booked because they usually go every year and they have traveling points.  So it's going to be pretty cheap.  And I can pay for my plane ticket myself."

She set down the spoon and turned to face me.  "It's not the cost that I'm worried about, Alanna."

"Mom, please.  You've met Grayson multiple times now.  And I'm a big girl.  I can take care of myself."

"I know you can, honey.  I just worry."

"Mom, I understand.  But eventually, we have to move past this.  I can't stay here forever." 

My mom turned back to her broccoli.  "Alright.  We'll tell your father over dinner."

"Yay!"  I passed her the butter to put in the pot.  "I'll go tell Grayson now."  I hopped down from my stool and went up to my room.  I grabbed my phone from my nightstand and texted Grayson.

She said yes.  I'm in.

I didn't expect him to reply, he was still at practice.  But he'd be leaving soon and then he would see it.  I was excited.  I'd never gone on a trip with just my friends before and I couldn't wait.