BRIGHT

Chapter 47- Greyson POV- Welcome Back

I had spent all of first period worrying about Peyton. After seeing the way Matt had treated her, I felt the need to protect her. I had really tried to keep my cool, especially after last time. Anything physical could lead to me not being able to control myself again. And I promised myself I would never get in that state of mind ever again. 

The bell rang and I exited the room with Cameron. My friends had been really supportive after everything I had gone through and it made going back to school far easier. 

"Have you talked to Peyton?" Cameron asked as we walked to our lockers.

"Yeah, I saw her this morning. Matt and his new group of friends were picking on her, so I stood up for her," I explained as I opened up my locker.

"Did they stop?" Cam asked.

"Yeah, I was just chill about it. We talked for a little after and she said she still wants to be friends, which is good," I told him.

"That is good," he replied, shutting his locker.

"Just, really watch out for her, I don't want anything happening to Peyton after everything she has gone through," I requested.

"Yeah for sure, all the guys will be," Cameron promised.

"Good, well, I should get to Calc. See ya," I said.

"Peace," he said back, walking off. As I walked to class, I knew people were looking at me and whispering, but I just ignored it and stayed confident in myself. That was all I could do. 

I walked into the classroom and spoke to Mr. Mason right away. I had kept up with all my assignments in therapy, so I wasn't behind. In fact, my tutor there had helped me a lot, so I almost felt ahead. As I made my way to my seat, I noticed that Josh was sitting in it, talking to Peyton.

"Hey, dude, what's up?" Josh greeted as he saw me.

"Not much, you?" I asked.

"Just giving the little sis a pep talk, you know, big brother stuff," he said with a laugh. "Oh sorry, I stole your spot. I'll see you at lunch, Gray." I nodded and went to his spot. I threw myself into the chair next to Peyton and I saw her taking a deep breath.

"Hey, you okay?" I asked her.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she said softly.

"Peyton, we may not be a couple anymore, but I can still tell when you are lying," I teased.

"It's just been a rough day. I'm lucky to have all my friends to support me, but it's hard to not let Matt get under my skin," she admitted.

"I get it, he's been pretty awful. But, if you just don't show that he is bothering you, even if he is, he should stop. Just know, I'll always have your back," I assured her.

"Thanks, Greyson, that means a lot, it really does," Peyton said.

"Of course," I replied. Then, the bell rang and Mr. Mason began his lesson. I was understanding what was happening for the most part. Having a tutor in therapy really helped me with this class.

After he finished the lesson, he reminded us of the quiz coming the next day as usual then handed us a practice sheet to work on until class ended. I worked on the problems and took my time. To my surprise, Peyton still finished way before me, even after her surgery.

"How are you done already?" I whispered.

"My gene edit was inactive. My smarts are natural," she whispered. 

"Wait, seriously?" I replied. 

"Kole, Simone," Mr. Mason accused with a dirty look. I looked back down at my assignment. How was Peyton's gene-edit inactive? She was just a natural genius.