Wake Up

7

Recap: Grayson grabs Presley's hand as they walk up to Veronica and tells her off. Presley meets with her best friend Gen and they head to class. Gen looks at Grayson's buddy Eli Ward and obviously has a crush. Presley agrees to explain more later on to Gen at lunch.

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Presley's POV

Gen and I walk into the cafeteria and scan around for any free spots. We walk over to a table on the outer edge of the left side and sit across from one another. I barely have time to blink before she is pestering me for details.

"Presley! This is crazy, I leave for a little while and I come back and you and Grayson Chase are a thing? Please tell me I'm not hallucinating!" She rambles on, her face in pure confusion.

I sigh and sit back a little, so tempted to tell her it's all a lie, but I made a promise to Grayson and for now I plan to keep it. "I don't know what to say, Gen. It just happene-"

"Girl! Dating the hottest, most intimidating guy in school doesn't just happen! Give me all the juice details!" She exclaims, antsy to hear our "story".

"Well-- I don't know. I guess it started when-"

"She arrived at my house, and we just clicked instantly. Then, the rest of the week we spent hanging out together and I asked her out. And what was that about me being the hottest guy?" Grayson interrupts me, scooting me over on the bench to squeeze in at the end. I awkwardly cough on my water and feel my cheeks heat up. Well, I guess it isn't that much of a lie. We did end up spending some time together the past couple of days.

Genevieve looks critical of us, not sure whether to believe it or not. She looks as if she's about to start prying deeper but before she can, Eli slips into the space to her right, followed by Finn next him. That's also when she realizes that Grayson heard her saying the he was hot, and immediately she hides her face with her hair, suddenly very focused on her meal. I stifle a laugh as I see her face get increasingly red, the awkward tension almost tangible.

Finn coughs to clear the tension and begins, "So, if you guys didn't already know, I'm Finn, and that's Eli. Although, I have a feeling those two met before..." He states, looking over at Gen weirdly. "Is she okay?" He asks again, this time looking slightly concerned. 

"I'm fine!" She springs up and plasters her friendly smile on her face. Meanwhile, the boys are all giving her odd looks. Not me though, I'm used to her weird tendencies.

"Why are you guys sitting here?" I ask, looking to my right at Grayson. He seems pretty deep in thought about something, and doesn't make any effort to answer.

"Obviously, you two are dating and you guys were alone so why not?" Eli answers, bumping Gen in the shoulder with a silly grin on his face. My goodness those two, can't they just date already?

My gaze at the two is interrupted when I feel someone walk up to me on the left. I look up to see the threatening glare of Vanessa Jordan aka Grayson's ex. I instinctively scoot closer to Grayson, also while putting on a brave face. 

"Well, Grayson, I wonder how long this little fling of yours will last. Once you're done with the girls, come to me for a real woman." She coaxes with a sickeningly sweet smile on her face, completely ignoring my presence. Grayson is about to reply when I place my hand on his arm, as if to say let me handle this.

"Actually Vanessa, I think you have it backwards. Last time I checked, you were the only he only stayed with for a week. Now if you don't mind, I would like to eat lunch with MY friends." I refute, turning back around to the table where the they all give me bewildered expressions.