Heated // Grayson Dolan

NINE

The sun blared out of the window beside the bed in Dallas' guest room, which has recently become my room for the summer, burning my just opened eyes. A groan left my mouth as I tossed myself over and dug my face into the pillow, attempting to shield my tired face from the harsh sunlight. I was, however, unsuccessful.

I scrunched up my nose as I forced myself to sit up. I squinted as my eyes adjusted to the light. I looked over at the end table to see my phone resting on top of it while plugged into the charger. The screen of my phone was lit up, I automatically reached for it to read whatever notifications were on the screen.

A couple dm's from people back in Florida asking how I was doing, I ignored those. A couple snapchats that were most likely streaks, ignored those. A text from Grayson, it read: No adventure today, I'm going back to sleep.

After the incident the day before, things between Grayson and I had become awkward. It was childish for something that would be even a stretch to call an accidental kiss to make things between two friends become awkward, but I had already figured out why it had and it only made sense.

It was clear to me that Grayson didn't like me like that. I had thought at first that day we ate Chick Fil A in his room and he described the girl he liked he was describing me but I had later realized that was narcissistic of me. He could have easily been describing another girl and most likely was. He was twenty one and I was eighteen, that was only a three year age difference but at the time he was more mature than I was. I barley was considered an adult; everyone treated me as if I was a child, and I felt like one too.

As for me liking Grayson, I wasn't too sure of my own feelings. He was incredibly sweet and goofy. His company was always enjoyable. His smile was so bright and contagious, as well as his laugh. His eyes were a gorgeous light brown with hints of green making them almost hazel but not quite, they were so vibrant yet soft, just by looking into his eyes you could tell how genuine he was. He truly cared about me and my wellbeing.

I felt as if I was slowly falling for him but then again I didn't want to at the same time. I still wasn't a hundred percent myself yet even though he was already helping me get there. Additionally, it wouldn't be very wise to fall for him when I was convinced he wouldn't like me back; that would just be setting myself up for heart break.

I dragged myself out of the comfort of the bed and dragged myself into the kitchen where Dallas was eating a bowl of cereal. I carelessly pulled open the fridge and grabbed an apple before sitting up on the kitchen counter and taking a bite.

"What time is Gray picking you up at?" Dallas asked from the kitchen table right before taking another bite of the cereal.

"He's not."

"Why not is he sick or something?" Dallas cocked his head to the side. His eyes widened. "You're not sick are you?!" He pulled the collar of his shirt over his nose as if it would protect him from my nonexistent cold.

"No." I rolled my eyes. "Things are just awkward between us right now." I shrugged before going back to eating my apple.

"What, Why?"

"A little accident happened where I bumped into him and things just got awkward after it. It's silly but it fine I guess."

"Eh, things will go back to normal in a fat second." Dallas shrugged. "I'm going to their house after I'm done eating by the way. Ethan ran out of batteries for his PlayStation controller and is too lazy to go to the store to get his own."

"Okay"

"You're coming too"

"Why? It doesn't take two people to drop off batteries."

"Yeah but I'm gonna stay awhile and I don't feel like leaving you all alone in this house to die."

"Dude, I'll be fine alone watching tv"

"Nope, you're coming"

. . .

"Yo, turtle man! I got your batteries so your lazy ass can play fortnite again." Dallas yelled as he barged into the Dolan's house.

"Aye!!" Ethan cheered as he ran down the stairs. "Give me that." He grinned as Dallas tossed the batteries over and Ethan caught that. "Hey, Sydney" He smiled before turning around to go back up to his room to play fortnite again, Dallas followed behind him leaving me alone in the living room.

I groaned to myself knowing I'd have to be social and interact with Grayson knowing it would be awkward. I turned to close the door behind me before heading up the stairs. I could've just gone into Ethan's room with E and Dallas but I knew Dallas would give me a problem about it later since he wants things to go back to normal between Grayson and I. I wanted things to go back to normal as well, but I was nervous that if I tried I'd fail.

I decided to at least try that day, though. If I failed I'd just give up, as bad as it sounded, I just tend to give up easily.

"Hey..." I spoke awkwardly as I walked into Grayson's room.

He was sitting at his desk, texting someone. He shut off his phone and shoved his phone back into his pocket before turning towards me in his spinny chair.

"Hey." He said just as awkwardly as I had.

"Sorry, Uh Ethan had Dallas bring over batteries and Dallas dragged me over"

Grayson furrowed his brows. "Sydney, don't be sorry. What, do you think I'd be mad or something that you came over?"

"Things have been awkward between us since yesterday." I looked down at my feet.

"Yeah..." He sighed. "We can just forget about yesterday. Yesterday just... never happened. Sound good?"

That surprisingly stung a little bit.

"Yeah, uh, sounds good..."