never be the same | grayson dolan

nineteen

"Grayson, say something." I wipe my eyes and pick my head up from his chest. He has been too quiet this entire night.

"I haven't fully gathered my thoughts yet." I could tell his voice was shaking with anger. "How the fuck could he do that to you?"

"It was terrible." I look back down at the ground.

"How come his parents don't know about it?"

"They were visiting family in Orlando and weren't home the night it happened. When they came back, Ben was gone. He started living in Georgia with his brother and they didn't question it. Everyone in town knew, but I guess they never found out." I shrug lightly.

"Why the fuck is he coming back?" Grayson practically screams.

"I don't know. Anthony apparently threatened him but he clearly wasn't phased by it."

"Don't even get me started on fucking Anthony." Grayson shakes his head. "How could he leave you there? This wouldn't have happened if he didn't sneak off with Scarlett."

"I know." I shamefully begin to play with a strand of my hair. "A lot of people in town thought I made the whole thing up."

"Are you kidding?" Grayson lets out a fake laugh. "Why the hell would you make something like that up?"

"It's because of the reputation I had around town." I close my eyes and lean my head back against the wall. "I was so scared to tell you."

"Why?" Grayson tries to keep his voice steady. "It wasn't your fault. You didn't do anything wrong."

"I know that." My voice cracks. "But it still haunts me."

"We need to tell your dad he's coming home." Grayson goes to stand up from his bed, but I grab onto his arm.

"Let's just tell him tomorrow." I whisper. "I don't want to disrupt him at work."

"I swear if I ever see this guy around." Grayson makes a fist with his hand. "I will do everything in my power to keep him away from you."

"I'm just tired of being afraid." I shrugs and look back down.

"Hey." Grayson places his hand on my cheek and looks down at my broken soul. "You never have to feel afraid, ever. I will never let anything bad happen to you. I know Anthony said that, but I actually mean it. Nobody else means more to me than you do."

I look into his eyes and smile lightly. "Grayson I-"

"I wasn't finished." He grins down at me. "You should never doubt how smart or beautiful you are. I'm sorry this terrible experience happened to you, but I promise that from now on you will be safe."

"I love knowing that." I smile and bring him into a tight hug. He holds my waist gently as he places his head on my shoulder.

"I can't believe anyone would want to hurt you." He whispers into my ear.

I pull away from our embrace and cup his face in my hands. "At least you don't. That's all that matters to me."

I lean forward and press my lips onto his. My heart races as he wraps his arms around my waist while passionately kissing me back. I add more force to our connected lips and pull his body on top of mine.

I roughly glide my tongue against his and press my body completely on him. Small moans escape his mouth as he places his hands on my hips. I need every part of him in this moment. I tug aggressively on his shirt, indicating him to take it off.

He breaks away from my face and looks down at me. "What are you doing?"

"It's okay, you can take your shirt off." I reassure him.