** REWRITING ** Tidal Wave

Chapter Thirty-Two

I quickly exited Grayson's room and closed the door. I leaned against it and took a deep breath. I gave myself a second for my mind to process what just happened.

The. Picture. Was. Fake.

Or that's at least what Grayson had told me. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't question that. I trusted him. But all the signs pointed in the opposite direction; it wasn't a fake. Grayson had ditched me that night to be with Maya. I didn't want to believe it but I had no reason not to. Except maybe the way Grayson's eyes dimmed when he realized I was going to leave without knowing the truth. The truth!

Stop it, Ellie! You're letting him get in your head again. You can't let him control you like this.

Slowly, I dragged my body off the floor. I won't let this drama ruin my Christmas Eve. I had to get back to the party. I dabbed under my eyes, grateful this morning I had put on waterproof mascara, and let my feet, guiding by my crutches, lead me down the hallway and the stairs. I spotted Kiera in the corner talking energetically, her arms flying, and her eyes wide. I smiled when I saw she was talking to Ethan. I made my way over to them.

"Hi guys," I said in the strongest voice I could muster.

Kiera practically jumped on me. "Ellie! Oh my god! Where have you been? I've looked everywhere for you!"

"I- I've been upstairs," I stuttered.

She raised an eyebrow mischievously. "Doing some catching up with Jason?"

I grimaced. "Not exactly."

Before Kiera could say anything else Ethan asked, "Hey, has anyone seen Grayson?"

Kiera's mouth dropped open as her eyes shifted from Ethan back to me. "My oh my. Our sweet, little girl has some explaining to do."

Ethan leaned in. "I'm interested."

I sighed. "Guys, nothing happened."

She rolled her eyes. "Sure. That's why Jason is sitting in the corner like a sad little puppy dog."

"Kiera," I warned.

"Fine, but promise me that you will tell me everything later." She held out her pinky.

"Kiera, I don't want to ta--"

She shoved her pinky closer towards me. "Promise."

I shoot her a mean glare as I interlocked my tiniest finger with hers. "I promise." That seemed to satisfy Kiera. She did love her pinky promises.

Ethan mock pouted. "But what about me?"

Kiera pointed a finger at his chest. "You honey, are just to close to the source of gossip."

"It's not gossip," I told Ethan, "it's just--"

"Girl stuff?" he asked. I shrugged. "It's alright. I get it."

"Thanks, Eth," I said, giving him a side hug, “Just don't tell Grayson that--"

Ethan smirked. "You obsess over him twenty-four seven? I won't."

"I don't obsess over him!" I protested.

"Yeah, you do," Ethan and Kiera said simultaneously.

"No, I don't," I tried again, “If you didn't ready know, I have a boyfriend."

"Or maybe you had a boyfriend," Ethan pointed out.

"How did you know that?" I screeched, drawing the attention of many pairs of eyes. "How did you know that?" I repeated in a quieter tone.