Again | g.d

Part One

FOUR YEARS LATER

I put the final touches on my makeup - putting on my last layer of lipstick just as my phone rang.

When Avery's name flashed on the screen, I eagerly picked up. I placed my phone on my ear while I admired how good I looked in the mirror.

"Anna?" She asked me, worriedly. "You aren't here yet, are you?"

I could barely make out what she was saying over all the noise in the background. Judging by the loud music, and all the talking, I knew her engagement party had probably already started.

I winced, trying to hold in my laughter. "Shit, am I late?"

"You haven't changed one bit since High-school." I knew she was rolling her eyes. "Just hurry up and get here! I am not doing a single thing until you get here - I don't care how long it takes."

I smiled. "I can not wait to see you, Aves."

"I know, It's been too long. And I can not wait for you to meet my soon-to-be husband. Hopefully I'm meeting yours, tonight, too?" She teased me.

It was my turn to roll my eyes. "Goodbye, Avery!" I laughed as I hung up the phone.

I took one last look in the mirror before heading out of the bathroom, grabbing my hand bag and heading to the door of my hotel room. "Jack! Are you ready to go?" I yelled.

"Yes, ma'am."Jack emerged from around the corner in a navy blue suit and tie, his face lighting up when he saw me. "Woah. You look amazing."

I caught a glimpse of myself in the full body mirror. My red dress hugged my figure, showcasing every last curve perfectly.

In a dress like this, nothing could possibly ruin my night.

I giggled a tiny thank you as he pulled me closer to him, placing a wet kiss on my cheek.

"Let's get out of here, yeah?" He asked me.

I nodded, and we proceeded out of our hotel room and downstairs in search of the ballroom.

"How do you know this girl, again?" Jack questioned me as we stepped into the elevator.

"She was my best friend from High school, Jack," I told him with slight annoyance. I had explained this to him a million times. "I haven't seen her since I left Jersey to go to college, though." I added on.

"Right," he dragged out. "I knew that."

"Mmhm," I hummed as the elevator doors dinged open.

From where we stood I could see the party at the end of the hall. Jack offered me his arm, and I gladly took it.

"You nervous?"

"No." I looked up at him. "Why would I be nervous?" I asked him quickly.

"You're squeezing my arm pretty tightly," He strained.

I gasped, unhooking my hand from around his forearm and laughing. "Sorry, about that." I chuckled awkwardly. "I haven't been back in Jersey in years. There's just a lot of people I'm not sure i'm ready to see."

Only one person in particular was running through my mind, and I quickly tried to push thoughts of him away.

He won't be here. He didn't even go to the same High school as us. And I doubt they went to the same College. There is no way Avery knows him.

The moment I stepped foot into the ballroom I felt weak in the knees. Everywhere I looked, I saw a familiar face - the downside of growing up in such a small town.

"Anna, oh, my God!" Someone screamed.

I turned around just in time to catch Avery sprinting over to me. I squealed as she gave me a big hug, overjoyed to see her.

"You look so different!" She yelled, glancing me over. "You look so hot!"

I laughed. "Stop it, so do you!" I shouted back over the music. "And you're freaking engaged! that's crazy!"

"Tell me about it, I am just as shocked as you are." She said seriously. "He is such a good guy, Anna. Like, unbelievably kind. And he's funny, and spontaneous -" She gushed, stopping mid sentence when something over my shoulder caught her eye. "There he is, now," she laughed. "Babe! Get over here, I want you to meet someone!" She yelled.

"Sounds like you hit the jackpot." I humored her.

She nodded, before spotting Jack. "It looks like you did, too."

I smiled as Jack stepped forward. "This is my boyfriend, Jack." I told her as his arm snaked around my hip.

"Don't I know you?" She asked in shock, remembering him from High school as she turned to me. "Wait is this him?" She trailed off, remembering all of the times I gushed over my boyfriend.

All the times I gushed over him. And Jack definitely wasn't him.

"No, Avery, it's not," I said a little quieter. "Me and Jack met our sophomore year at University." I told her, placing my hand on Jacks chest, and looking up at him.

"That's when Grayson and I met!" Avery said excitedly.

My head snapped to look at her the moment his name fell out of her mouth.

There is no way I heard her correctly. And if I did, there are plenty of Graysons in New Jersey. Right?

There was no way she was talking about my Grayson.

"There he is," Avery said sweetly. I could tell they were watching each other by the tiny wave she gave him. "Turn around." She whispered to me.

When I did, I could feel my heart clench in my chest.

I let out a ragged breath, unable to think straight as he stared back at me with the same hazel eyes that have haunted me, for four years.

I never thought I would see those pretty brown eyes ever again. But I was wrong - I was so fucking wrong.

My throat was clenching up tighter and tighter with each passing second. I feel like I'm going to pass out.

"Anna," Avery began, wrapping her arms around him, filling me with something I knew I shouldn't be. "This is Grayson Dolan, A.K.A. my future husband." She smiled.

My heart shattered in my chest as I locked eyes with the man I was supposed to marry for the the first time in years.