Damaged -Grayson Dolan-

Chapter Forty-Eight

"Was it fun?" My mom asked when I finally got out of bed the next morning around 11.

I nodded, helping myself to a cup of coffee. We hadn't gotten home until after 2 last night.

"Well you look half out of it," my father commented as he folded up the newspaper. "We're going to the art bazaar this afternoon so you can nap for as long as you want."

I took a sip of coffee. "That sounds heavenly."

He chuckled as we finished our breakfast. I wandered back upstairs, intent on heading for my room. But something made me pause in the hall in front of the door that always stayed closed.

I stood in front of it, one hand resting on the knob. I slowly turned it, the door creaking as it slid open. I reached for the lights along the wall on the left side. The flickered to life. I glanced around. Everything looked exactly the same as if one day Brandon would just come home again.

His bed was pushed against the far wall, blankets tucked neatly over top. His nightstand held a clock and lamp. His desk was littered with sports magazines and a few books. Even his baseball bat leaned up against the wall, mitt beside it. I went over and pushed open his closet doors. Everything was still there, clothes hanging off the hangers even though they would never be worn again.

I closed the door and went to sit on his bed. I looked around the room. I didn't know why I was in here. I never came in here. None of us did, hence the reason why it was untouched. My eyes fell on Brandon's running shoes by the door and I felt the first pang of sadness.

I missed him.

I stood up and left his room. I went back into my own bedroom, finding my phone and texting Grayson.

There's something I want to do. Will you come with me?

He responded a few minutes later. sure, do u want me to pick you up?

I texted back. No, I'll run there. I'll be outside your house in 20

Grayson met me in his driveway, tugging on his sneakers. "How far?"

I watched him. "You could've driven."

He shook his head. "I'll run with you." He stood up.

I glanced out to the street. "It's only a few miles."

"Alright." He didn't push me or question where we were going as we ran side by side down the street and to the park. I took a shortcut through the woods, coming out on the other side of a grassy hill. We climbed to the top and I stopped, looking down at the cemetery spread before us.

Grayson didn't say anything as he took in where we were and then waited for me to start running again. We went down the hill and entered through the gates that were kept open daily. I kept running further down the path until I reached the row I was looking for.

I'd only been here once before but the memory was seared into my brain. I would never forget.

It was also the first time I'd had a breakdown.

I made my way down the row, glancing at the names on each marker. Grayson trailed behind, not saying a word. Finally, I stopped, my eyes falling on the gravestone I was looking for.

Brandon Hath
beloved brother and son

I approached the tombstone, running my fingers over the surface and the place where his name was engraved. I stood there for a minute, just staring at the marker.

As if a rock could represent everything Brandon had meant to us in this world.

The grass crunched behind me as Grayson quietly stood beside me. "I've never visited it...him...before." My words seemed loud in the silence.

"Why not?" Grayson's voice was soft.

I gave a shrug. "I'm not sure. I don't think I was ready."

"What changed?" Grayson wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

I leaned my head against him. "Everything."

"That's a lot."

"Everything needed to change. I needed to change."

Grayson kissed my forehead. "You changed for the better."

I turned to face him. "I changed for the better," I agreed. "And it never would've happened without you." I looked back at the tombstone. Then I wrapped Grayson's hand in mine and walked out of the graveyard. We made our way back to the top of the grassy hill. I turned and looked one last time at the tombstones spread out below us. That was my past. Then I turned to look at Grayson. And he was my future.

It was like he could sense was I was thinking as he kissed me softly. A cool breeze whipped around us, tousling my hair. I pulled back. "There are so many things I've wished for after the accident. But you... you surpass all of them."

Grayson chuckled, pressing his forehead against mine. "You're mine, Alanna Hath. And no matter what happens or what we go through, you will always be mine and I will always be yours. I love you."

I gripped his hands in mine and let out a laugh of pure and unending joy. "I love you too, Grayson Dolan."

THE END