𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 • 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯

two

After settling in over the weekend, it's the start of a new week and Grayson's first day at his new school. His eyes flutter open to his new room which he's still getting used to, he glances over to the clock sitting next to his bed.

7:30 AM

"Ugh." he groans, turning over and burying his head under his pillows. After laying in that position some more he decides it's finally time to get up.

"High School sucks, how could Los Angeles be any different from New Jersey?" He questions with dread.

The last time he was at school, he said his goodbyes to the few friends he had and got into a fight with his usual bullies as a farewell gift. They sent him off to California with a busted lip and some bruises, which by now were healed properly.

He heads to the bathroom, and turns on the shower stepping back as he waits for it to heat up. Pulling off his sweatpants he looks in the mirror at his sculpted legs and thighs. He rips off his long sleeve wincing in pain as the cloth brushes against his self inflicted wounds. He looks down and stares at the collection of slits that rest on his wrist, some new, some old. He sighs before getting into the warm shower, finishing quickly and getting out.

He walks down the hall and goes back into his room to change. He opens his newly organized drawers and rummages through his clothes deciding what to wear. He throws together an outfit and glances into his mirror that rests on the wall before heading downstairs.

I hope this school year will be different. I just want this semester to go by smoothly. I don't think I can handle anymore challenges life throws my way. He thinks to himself while walking downstairs to the kitchen to grab something to eat.

"Good Morning, hun." Lisa smiles.

"Morning, Gray." Sean adds with a wave.

Grayson just nods with a small smile as they turn their heads back to each other continuing their conversation. He eavesdrops while grabbing some food.

"So what's your new patients name?" Lisa questions as Sean opens a file that sits on the table.

"E.G." Sean says his initials while scanning the pages.

"What's his deal?" Lisa asks.

"I guess I'll have to find out later today, he seems pretty complicated. Most therapists say he's hopeless." Sean states going over the file biting into an apple.

Grayson finishes his breakfast before he and his mom head to his school. After a silent drive, they pull up to the intimidating new building.

"Have a good day sweetie." Lisa says with an encouraging smile. "I hope you make some friends, loosen up, maybe you'll surprise yourself with how many people you can relate with."

"Thanks mom." He smiles instantly taking her advice before anxiously walking into the building.

After a few boring classes, consisting of nothing much but him having to introduce himself over and over again, it was lunch time.

Grayson walks through the campus taking a puff from his cigarette, letting the smoke out of his mouth with one slow exhale. He started smoking a year ago, he mostly does it out of boredom.

He was in his own world, he could care less what the other students thought. He unknowingly stuck out like a sore thumb at this school, California was so different from the East Coast.

"Hey!" an unknown voice calls. Grayson looks over, seeing a muscular blonde teen sporting a letterman jacket approaching him with narrowing eyes.

"Smoking's not allowed. Can't you read?" He points to a 'No Smoking Sign' across the campus.

"Listen I'm new. I didn't know."

"and besides, I don't blindly follow rules like the rest of you weak minded people." Grayson says looking right at the blonde jock taking another puff.

"What are you an animal?" The blonde challenges.

"Maybe. So if I were you I'd get out of my way before I bite." Grayson threatens calmly, blowing the smoke in the seniors face. This clearly pissed off the older student, He's probably used to kids scurrying away and complying to his every demand.

"Charming." The kid smirks fanning the smoke away from his face.

"I'm apart of the students against smoking club and It's a pretty serious deal. We don't need new kids like you introducing drugs on our campus, got that?" He announces.

His entourage of fellow douchebags bud in "I wouldn't want to mess with Blake when it comes to this, his grandfather died from smoking." A short chubby kid says while nodding.

"Put it out." Blake demands eyeing the cigarette in Grayson's hand.

"Read my lips. No." Grayson replies taking another drag as he turns to walk away, this only pissed off Blake more.

"Listen kid." Blake replies while suddenly grabbing Grayson by the shirt.

"What are you doi-"

"Put it out or I'll make you fucking eat it." Blake threatens. Grayson's eyes widen at his words. Blake tightens his grip on his shirt as he reaches for his cigarette while Grayson pulls away.

"I'm not going to fucking eat it are you insane?" Grayson yells before biting the Senior in the shoulder.

"I'm gonna kick your fucking ass!" Blake harshly pushes him onto the floor and gets on top of him reaching towards the cigarette. Before he can grab it Grayson pushes the cigarette deep into his skin and knees him off.

"What the fuck!" Blake hisses as he falls over clutching his burning arm. Grayson gets up quickly and runs off.

"You're dead! You're fucking dead!" Blake screams while his entourage come to his aid.

Grayson turns his head back to the senior and shows a devious grin as he hurries off laughing.