never be the same | grayson dolan

fifty two

Grayson's POV:

The loud arguing from down the hallway makes my skin ache with fear. Didn't they know today is an important day? I slowly open my bedroom door and creep down the hallway. My pulse racing with nerves as I reach the tiny square box of the kitchen. Both of my parents stop yelling and turn to face me.

"Grayson." My mother jumps at the sight of me. "You're home from school?"

"I got off the bus an hour ago." I stare up at the black haired woman. "What's going on?"

"Nothing." My father snaps as he takes another sip from something he called his 'special' drink. "Just adult issues."

"Can we go to the arcade?" I pout.

My mother turns to me with a sigh. "We can't afford that right now."

"But I want to go." I plead. "It's my-"

"Grayson, we have more important issues to worry about." My father cuts me off. "The kitchen sink is leaking and I can't afford a plumber."

"But it's my-"

"Why don't you just head to your room." My mother instructs me. "I'll call you when dinner is ready."

"The refrigerator is basically empty." My father scoffs at her. "You were suppose to go food shopping."

"Sorry I've been busy finding a third job!" My mother screams at him.

"Clearly that isn't working out very well." He fires back at her.

The arguing begins again. I slowly walk out of the kitchen and into my small room.

"But it's my eighth birthday." I mumble and sit down on my bed, staring at the chipped floorboards. Is life ever going to get better?"

"Rise and shine birthday boy!" Anthony wakes me up from my deep sleep by screaming in my ear. "Or should I say man." He walks over to the curtains and opens them up, letting the bright light enter my room.

"What time is it?" I mumble with a yawn.

"Time for you to get your old ass out of bed." He laughs and stands over me. "Our flight is in a few hours and we need to get ready."

I fully sit up and rub my eyes. "Where's Bill?"

"He's getting us breakfast." Anthony explains. "I think he said something about egg sandwiches."

"Huh, that's my favorite." Besides Lucky Charms, of course.

"So, how does it feel now that you're an official adult? I mean now you can legally vote and buy lottery tickets." He smirks. "And the next time you have sex with Madison, it's technically illegal."

"Shut up," I groan while shaking my head. "I feel the same."

"Cause you haven't done anything fun yet." He laughs.

"When do you turn eighteen?" I ask as I stand to my feet.

"March." He replies as we walk out of my room and into the kitchen. "So make sure you throw me a huge party."

"Noted." I open the refrigerator and grab a water bottle out of it.

"I put Madison's gift in my suitcase." He leans on the counter and crosses his arms over his chest. "So she doesn't suspect anything."

"Good thinking." I laugh.

"Do you think the bracelet that I got Ava is stupid?" His voice fills with panic. "I just want her to like it."