** REWRITING ** Tidal Wave

Chapter Thirty

Hey guys, if you forgot what happened on Ellie's version of October 31st (or you just want to read it again) it's Chapter Twenty-Five!

October 31st: Grayson

"I just wanted to say--" I started. A gust of wind blew Ellie's hair in front of her eyes. I smiled and gently took the piece and tucked it behind her ear.

Our eyes met. I forgot what I was going to say. I was staring into the dark blue abyss. My hand didn't leave the side of her face.

On instinct, I moved closer to her. My glaze dropped to her lips. I really wanted to kiss her. I finally got the guts to do it. I leaned in, our foreheads met.

"Grayson?" My brother's voice called out and Ellie jolted away from me.

"Yes, Ethan?" I asked, slightly irritated.

Ethan looked from me to Ellie and then back to me. He began to smile. "Can I borrow you for a second?"

"Sure," I said to him then I turned to Ellie. "I will be right back, Elle," I said, "Don't move, okay?"

She nodded and I brushed my lips against her hair before standing up. I couldn't help it.

Ethan raised an eyebrow and I rolled my eyes at him as we walked away. "So you and Ellie, huh?" Ethan asked.

I couldn't keep the smile off my face. "Yeah."

Ethan nodded in approval. "Good for you guys."

"Thanks. Now, what did you need my help with?"

We had finally reached the middle of the party scene and Ethan pointed to the ground. "Her." He couldn't keep the venom out of his voice.

Maya was passed out on the ground. "And where do I fit into this?" I asked. I was itching to get back to Ellie.

Ethan looked confused. "Wasn't she like your fake girlfriend for a few weeks?"

"Yes."

"Did you guys have your fake breakup yet then?"

"Yes," I answered.

"In public?"

I frowned. "No."

"Well, then, everyone else thinks you're still together, so be a good boyfriend and take her home."

"Why can't you?" I asked.

Ethan rolled his eyes. "Are you serious? I have more then a few drinks in me."

I groaned and looked at Ellie's silhouette on the beach. I just wanted to get back to her. But Ethan had a point. I sighed. "Fine. Tell Ellie I will be right back, okay?"

"Anything for you man," he said hitting my shoulder then walking away.

I sighed again and looked down at the girl lying at my feet. Her hair was in a tangled mess all over he face and she was wearing a tiny neon green bikini. I wrapped her in a sandy towel then scooped her up. Her breath reeked of alcohol and I resisted the urge to plug my nose.

At least she lived close to the beach.

"G?" she asked.

"Maya," I retorted flatly.

"Where are you taking me?" she slurred.

"To your house."

"No!" she screamed, "I can't go there!"

I sighed yet again. "Why not?"

She started bawling. "I can't... my.... my parents can't see me like this."

"Where am I going to take you then?" I said while plopping her in the back seat of my jeep.

"Your house." she said through her drunken haze.

I rolled my eyes and started the engine. "No, Maya. I'm taking you home."

She started to cry louder. "G! You can't! You can't!" she repeated over and over again through her tears. Finally, I had to stop the car because she was crying so loud and I couldn't concentrate.

"Would you stop crying if I took you to my house?" The wailing ended immediately.

"Yes."

I sighed and did a U-turn. "Fine."

By the time we reached my house, Maya was passed out again. When I went to get her from the back seat, she was drooling. I carried her up the stairs and each step I took echoed through the empty house.

I reached my room and placed her down on the couch. Her hair was in a tangled rats nest but unlike Ellie, she couldn't pull it off. I put a glass of water down on the coffee table for her when she woke up.

I picked up my phone to call Ellie. Her voicemail picked up. "Hi! You've reached Ellie's cell! Please leave a message after the beep!" I chuckled at how adorable her voice sounded. It must've been recorded a while ago.

Beep. "Hey Elle," I said into silence, "it's Grayson. I just wanted to let you know that I had to leave the party to bring a..." I looked down at Maya's sleeping form, "... a friend home. You know how it is." I was referring to Kiera. "I'll call you again tomorrow. Night, Elle." I pressed the 'end call' button and climbed down my stairs to go to bed myself. Maya had really worn me out with all her annoying crying and her over dramatic demands.

I shook off my Sperry's and changed out of my khaki shorts and my long sleeve t-shirt into a pair of sweats. I flopped down on my bed and sighed. I smiled as I thought about what happened at the beach.

Ellie had finally admitted to liking me. I have had a crush on her for god knows how long, and she finally liked me back.

I didn't think I would ever see her again after she left six years ago. This August, when my mom announced that the whole Parker family was coming back to Coby, I knew I had my second chance and I wasn't going to waste it.

Being back at Seaside Cove, with Ellie, brought back so many memories of us when we were little. We had spent countless afternoons playing on that beach and in the waves we watched tonight.

Just sitting there and watching the tide roll in with another person might have been totally boring, but not with Ellie. Anything I did with Ellie was far from boring. With the slightest brush of her hand she could make my heart go wild. Sitting there tonight and holding her, had been a dream come true.

And seeing her in my sweatshirt. Oh god. I know she loved it and I did too. It showed the whole world she was mine. I never needed it back.

I felt my eyes flutter close. My last thought was of her blue eyes, sparkling. For me.

Sorry about the super short update! I just really needed to give you Grayson's full perspective on what happened that night. Next chapter should be coming out over the weekend. Remember to...

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