Gasoline.

Chapter 16: More Than Two Sugars

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Chapter 16- More Than Two Sugars.

I can still smell the smoke and see Grayson being lifted out of the rubble. I rush back in to save him, eyes watering thinking I'm too late...
I feel tugging at my arms to move, but I stay rooted to the spot. Reaching out to pull him away from the fire, to pull him back to safety.

"Katie, we have to go!" They yelled in unison, it all seemed too rehearsed. It feels as though I've been here before, I know that I should turn around and run out of the door. But, I just stand there and watch my childhood brutally disappear before me.

I hear a loud bang and then watch the house crumble. Right in front of my eyes, right on top of him.

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I leap out of my chair, a cold sweat taking over me.

"Katie, are you okay?" My mum whispers from the hospital chair opposite.

"Huh?'" I take in my surroundings, realising we're at the hospital, next to Grayson's bed. "Yeah I'm fine, just a little bored."

My mum studies me, starts nodding and then turns to look away. "Go an get some fresh air."

I walk out of the room, quickening my pace to get out as soon as possible. My mind running non stop at how I could've done something, I should've found him.

I slam the wooden double doors open and find myself standing in the hospitals canteen, the smell of chips, fish, beans, chicken and all sorts of other foods welcoming me to try them.
I walk over to the drinks section and take out a bottle of water, a coke and then make my way to the hot drinks section. I also got two packets of crisps and made my way to the till.

"That'll be £5.57." The lady mumbles, obviously bored of her job. I give her a ten pound note and she gives me the change.

"Have a good day." I smile, trying to spread some sort of happiness around...she grunts in response.

I make my way back to mum and she softly smiles and gives me a reassuring nod to ask if I'm okay and also to say that it's okay to come in. "'Here." I say, passing a packet and the styrofoam cup full of tea in her direction. "Two sugars, and extra milk. The way you like it."

"Thank you, Katie." She takes a sip and then places the cup in between her legs.

"Any word?"

"Sorry, not yet." She sighs.

"We're never going to be able to exchange again are we, mum?" I giggle.

She laughs, picking up her tea again, taking another gulp. "I guess not."

"To be honest, I don't think I could stand another one if they're the same as Grayson." I mumble.

"Oh be quiet, Katie." She sort of demands but laughs at the same time. "We all know you two like each other."

"As a friend, yeah."

"No Katie," She takes a sip and then looks at me with a funny look, eyebrows raised. "We mean like like."

Me? How could she possibly think I like him?

Gross.

"Mum, I don't think I put any more than two sugars in that, so I think you're messing with me."

"No, Katie. It's so obvious." She smirks. "You two just don't know it because you are the ones who feel it."

"Sure, mum." I say, rolling my eyes. "Believe what you want."

"Don't get cheeky with me young lady." She glares. "I'm your mum, not your friend."

I open my water and take a sip, leaving the coke in my bag. It's sitting there, it's waiting for him to wake up.

"Ms Mitchell?" A doctor asks, instantly grabbing our attention.

"Yes? That's me."

"There's an officer out here who would like a word."

My mum and I share a questionable look before she hands me her drink and snack. She obediently follows him out of the room, curious as to what the topic of the conversation may be.

I decide to use the few minutes she's gone to my advantage and drag my chair over to Grayson's bedside. "Hey, you."

Silence.

"I know you can't hear me, or you can, but I just wanted to say 'hi'."

Silence.

"Okay, so you don't wanna talk?"

Silence.

"Fair enough, it's my fault you're here anyway." I sigh.

Silence.

"Ugh, Gray just wake up please. I hate seeing you unconscious and damaged."

Silence.

The door creaks open and my mum comes into the room looking solemn and like she's about to cry. "What's wrong?"

I hug her, leaving Grayson behind. "The house fire wasn't an accident, Katie."

I let go of her, stepping back in utter confusion.

What does she mean it wasn't an accident?

"It was started because..."

"Katie?!" He asks. My head whips around and tears already spring to my eyes. I run over and wrap my arms around him, being careful of all the cuts, burns, casts and stitches.

"Grayson!" I bury my head into his shoulder, he moves over slightly on the bed, welcoming me. However, I look at all the weird hospital contraptions and decide that not going near them is probably the best idea.

"Where am I?"

"The hospital, dear." My mum smiles behind a hand covered mouth. "I'm going to grab a nurse."

The door shuts lightly behind mum but, I continue to hug him. I refuse to let him leave again.

"Ugh, what happened?"

"You decided to stay in the house whilst it was on fire, that's what."

He looks slightly shocked as if he doesn't remember and I start to panic.

What if he doesn't remember things?

Did he get hurt?

That was a stupid question Katie.

"Calm down Katie, I know there was a fire."

"Cause I just told you."

"Katie..."

"Grayson, what if you had died?" I whisper. I really do care, no matter how much I act like I don't, I really do care.

He still lies there but he gets enough effort to lift his hand onto mine. "Katie."

"Yes?"

"Calm down." He sighs. "I'm still here."

"Yeah, I know."

"Good." His voice is a little husky. "Katie?"

"Yes, Grayson?"

"I like you. Like, like you like you." He half smiles.

My stomach does a flip and I smile, really wide. Cheshire like. "I like, like you too."

"Good." He smiles, he closes his eyes. "Oh and one more thing?"

"Yes, Grayson?"

"I started that fire." He yawns and then drifts off to sleep.

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