Have Faith In Us ✅

2

I quietly chat and exchange numbers with Emily in the back table of the Spanish classroom as the teacher talks.

"Have you seen Grayson today?" I ask.

"Nope. He's usually not late, unless..." Emily sighs. "Shit."

"What? Tell me."

"He's probably-"

She's interrupted as Grayson walks into the classroom in a grey sweater, jeans, and black basketball shoes. His hair is in a mess, and he's all over still wet from a shower.

"Sorry I'm late, sir." He hands the teacher a tardy slip then sits in his table with a guy a few tables across from us.

"I knew it." Emily said.

"What?!" I ask again.

"Girls! Shh!" The teacher demands, and we both shut up for the rest of class.

Before math class, I walk up to Grayson's locker. "Where were you this morning?"

"Oh, you know..."

"Actually, I don't know."

Grayson smiles and leans close to me, whispering in my ear. "I was with a girl this morning. It took longer than we expected."

I scoff. "Wow, I'm an idiot."

"What? No, you're not." He grabs his book and closes his locker.

"Yes, I am. I thought you liked me. I'm sorry, but I have to go." I walk to the math classroom and sit at the desk behind Emily.

She sees my sad face, then sees Grayson, also looking blue, walking in after me. He's smart enough to sit far away.

"What's wrong?" Emily says, twisting around in her seat.

"He was sleeping with a girl. I thought he liked me. He kissed me last night."

"He did?! That idiot! Kissing my friend with out my permission."

I stifle a laugh. Before I can change the subject, the teacher does it for me by starting today's lesson.

Various times through out the day, Grayson tries to talk to me. But I just ignore him. Turn my back, walk away, talk to Emily instead.

I shoulder my bag and close my locker, and Emily does the same as we start walking out of the building.

"You really upset Grayson." She points out. I notice him standing by his Jeep, staring down at the ground as he fiddles with his keys.

"Well," I say, looking away from him. "He shouldn't have gotten me to think he likes me."

"Faith. He obviously does like you. He just went back to his old ways."

I sigh. "Fine. I'll apologize after we do our homework. Are you sure your parents are fine with you coming over?"

"Yeah, they're cool."

"Alright." I step into the house, and see my mother sitting at the couch, watching her crime show. "Hey mom! I brought my friend over."

"The one you hung out with last night? The boy?"

"Turn around and you'll see."

My mom pauses her show and turns her head. "Ohh, it's a no. Hello, I'm Faith's mom."

"I'm Emily. It's great to meet you."

"You too, dear. Will you be staying for dinner?"

"Yes, if that's okay."