** REWRITING ** Tidal Wave

Chapter Twenty-Six

My foot began to itch. I sat up to scratch it but immediately laid back down. My head felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. I dragged my eyelids open.

All I could see was a bright, white ceiling. A fan was spinning fast but I still felt sticky.

Where was I?

I rolled over on my side. I took in blue walls and the striped carpet. I recognized the dark wood finish. The backpack that sat next to the long desk pilled high with papers and notebooks looked extremely familiar. I had been in this room before. Everything was hazy but I was sure. This room I knew. I was safe in this room.

My eyelids began to slide close again when it hit me. This was Grayson's room. I immediately shot up to a sitting position, suddenly full of energy.

What was I doing here?

I swang my feet over the side of the bed and set them on the ground to stand. Pain shot through my left ankle. I fell to the floor. My eyes burned with tears. It hurt so bad. I clutched my ankle. It was covered in a bright blue cast. My favorite color.

When did this happen?

I sat on the floor with tears rushing down my face. I tried to get up a few times but the pain was unbearable. My head pounded. I could barely make out my surroundings.

I heard feet coming down the stairs. It sounded like a herd of animals. I covered my ears. The noise vibrated in my head. I let out a cry.

Finally, Grayson's face appeared through the haze. He saw me on the floor and ran over.

He crouched next to me. "Ellie, what happened?" He asked, his eyes frantically searching my face.

I cried harder. He wrapped his arms around me."Ellie, don't cry," he whispered into my hair while tracing big circles on my back with his big, warm hands,"don't cry, Elle." He laid me back down on his bed and pulled the covers up to my chin. Grayson sat down next to me."You're okay, Elle." He stroked my cheek and glazed down at me with those wonderful brown eyes. "You're okay."

I would always be okay with Grayson.

I pulled my hand out from underneath the covers and rested it on his cheek. His face that was hovering over mine smiled sadly. He took my hand in both of his. Warmth spread through my body and I sighed, finally content.

Grayson chuckled. "Get some sleep, Elle. Okay? Get some sleep."

I nodded tiredly and slowly let my eyes close. The last thing I remember is the feeling of his thumb brushing over my palm over and over and over, rocking me to sleep.

~*~

The next time I woke up, everything was clearer. My head didn't hurt as much and I was fully aware of my surroundings.

I was in Grayson's room.

I was staying at the Taylor's because my house had termites.

At the basketball game on Friday, I hurt my head. I glanced down at the blue thing on my ankle and frowned. My ankle too.

Just as I was about to attempt to stand up again, the door barged open.

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Grayson."

"Hey, how are you feeling?" he asked, concerned.

"Pretty well," I answered breezily.

Grayson shifted awkwardly in the doorway. "That's good." He looked down at the floor. I hated this silence between us. It was so... Weird. And unnatural. Grayson and I use to be always comfortable around eachother.