behind me | d.t

EP 20: Caught

E t h a n

Grayson and I have dated other people before, but third wheeling with Kaiden and Grayson wasn't the worst thing in the world for me. I really enjoyed Kaiden's company. She was a lot like Gianna and her personality corresponded well with ours.

I couldn't bring myself to have fun with the two of them though, for I was too wrapped up with concern for Gianna's whereabouts. None of her messages were sending today, indicating her phone died, and none of us had any idea where she was. If she's not in the dorm this time around, I was gonna drop everything and search this university inside out.

"I think I'm gonna shower," Kaiden yawns as we make it to the door. She blinks a few times upon putting in the key. Grayson and I exchange a few looks from her announcement, mine being a push of encouragement. He winked at me, causing us both to chuckle as we enter the room

"Shh," Kaiden quiets our laughs. My heart bursts at the sight of Gianna, laying on top of her bed, still dressed, but sleeping peacefully.

Grayson nods, giggling a little after. I'm quick to shut him up with a biff over his head, not wanting his idiocy to wake up Gi. He looks over to me shocked, then slaps my chest. I buff it and shake my head in disbelief. We stare at each other for a few moments then assault one another silently, with multiple slaps to each others chests, arms, and stomachs.

"Okay, stop!" I whisper scream, stepping back so he can't hit me. Kaiden shakes her head with a quiet giggle as she gathers her stuff for the bathroom. "I'm gonna order the food in the hall so she doesn't wake up." Kaiden whispers to us as she approaches the door.

"I'll come." Gray quietly adds, shuffling passed me to leave the room with Kaiden. I hurry over to the door, so that it closes silently, then take off my shoes.

It take me a good minute to crawl into the bed with her gently, trying to find a way to hold her. She was on her stomach with her head tilted towards me, and since the moment I saw she was okay, I wanted her in my arms. I sighed in contentment from being near her again with it being understood that my body constantly thrives off of her. Guess that explains the huge amazon order of SAT books, and my lack of sleep from editing her video.

She crinkles her nose with a soft yawn as I slide further down the bed to be eye level with her. She hazily smiles when she sees me, closing her eyes again. "Did you upload for me?" Her voice rasps.

"Mhm," I hum, reaching out to tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. "How was your day?" The question provokes an elongated sigh from her plump lips, and I immediately regret the question.

"I have an asshole teacher in dance, a competitive partner in drama, and I'm too dumb for my creative writing class." She wines, rolling onto her side, signaling she wanted to be comforted. I pull her into my arms, reveling in the chills I get when she breaths against my neck.

"You're not dumb Gianna, I've never read your writing, but your not dumb." I compliment her with a kiss to her forehead. "What about tomorrows classes? Anything easier?"

"I have dance again, directing 101, and then sorority interviews." She mumbles into my neck before pulling away. "I'm so stressed Ethan, and it's only my first day."

I nod, initiating a silence between us. After a few moments of us thinking, her hands reach up to cover her face in frustration. "I think I need sleep, I don't know what else to do."

"You need a distraction," I mumble between the two of us as I trace circles against her shirt — waiting to look up at her. In a matter of seconds, the burn of her glare entices me to slowly rake my eyes up to meet her beautiful brown ones. "Do you agree?" The words leave my parted lips.