meant to be // grayson dolan

three

It's finally lunch break. I exit my class and head to my locker. Vicky just texted me, saying she'll meet me in the cafeteria.

I open my locker and stuff my books inside. Suddenly, someone grabs me by my waist and makes me jump a little. I turn my head and see Jason. I roll my eyes and keep looking through the locker.

"Hey, Kayla!" oh, now he wants to talk.

"Hi!" I answered vaguely.

"Look, I'm sorry for earlier. I have no idea why I yelled at you."

"Something was clearly pissing you off," I scoffed and closed the locker. I start walking to the cafeteria, and he follows me.

"Yeah... I'm sorry for directing that anger on you. I truly am."

I stop and look up at him. His eyes were puffy like he cried. His expression was sadder than ever.

"Jason, what happened?" I asked him.

"Nothing..." I lift my eyebrows and he sighs. "It's about my family."

"What?"

"You know that my dad is an alcoholic, right?" I nod my head a little.

I was at his house probably two months ago. We had a sleepover - we didn't do anything, don't worry. As we were watching a movie at night, I heard screams and things being broken from downstairs. Jason told me to wait in his room as he was checking the floor. So, I waited. But... there were a lot of people screaming at each other, and more things being broken. Then, when Jason came back, his left hand was bleeding. His father broke an empty bottle of beer and a shattered glass cut his hand. I took care of it before it infected. He has a little mark right where he was cut.

"Yeah."

"Well, this morning he left us for good. My mom and I. But first he made sure we won't forget him." he lifts his right sleeve and I see a big dark red to purple mark on his forearm. "He tried to hurt my mom, so I stepped in. And he hit me."

"Oh, Jay, I'm so sorry!"

I wrap my arms around his neck and hug him tightly. I think he started crying again because he whined a little.

"I had no idea," I continued. "Today, after classes, we should go somewhere. Come on, I have to cheer you up somehow."

"Alright," he smiled.

"Perfect." I stretch out to kiss him shortly on the lips and his smile grows bigger.

°°°

"Grayson, you know how much I love you, right? You are my favorite brother I've never had."

"What about Gabe?"

"Well, he's my favorite brother that I have. Anyway. I'm so sorry, but I can't come today to your house. Something happened and... I am busy." I feel so bad for canceling my plans with him.

"What happened?"

"I don't know if I should tell you this, but it's about Jason's family. Something pretty fucked up happened and he needs me today. But, I promise I'll make it back to you tomorrow," I started smiling as we were walking to our last period.

"Okay. It's okay. Don't worry."

His smile was fake and his voice seemed depressed. His eyes were on the floor and his head was somewhat down. It's not okay.