| Emma's POV |
I have to admit ever since the night I slept in Grayson's bed I've felt a little lighter, like something has been lifted off my chest.
Grayson hasn't gone a day without whispering to me that he's glad I'm happy, or that it's been really fun hanging. I know its all part of his plan to prove to me that I'm not better off dead, and although the days have dragged I'm slowly getting better.
We're basically best friends, I never believed people when they said that being friends with boys is better than girls but it's hella true. I don't know where I'd be right now if it wasn't for him.
I've been wanting to go home for a while now too but Gray says it's not safe from Aaron and he can't bare to see me hurt like that again. I'm just thankful that he agreed for me to stay in his room and not on the cold couch in the front room.
—
Grayson's singing really loud to Tame impala as he's flipping the pancakes he got from the store in the frying pan. He says it makes him cool if he pretends he made them and not bought them already edible.
"You're hurting my ears" I squeal holding my hands over my ears to stop his awful tune from giving me a headache.
I don't realise that when I cover my ears that Grayson's T-shirt which I was gratefully wearing rides up just as Ethan enters the kitchen.
"Can you shut up" he growls before glancing at me and suddenly he becomes drawn to my bare skin where the top is no longer covering. I immediately pull it down as a red blush starts to spread upon my face.
We haven't even properly spoken for over a week, mainly because the words Meredith spoke still ring round my head. Surely if I push him away he might come to his senses and realise that he deserves better. Although it hurts so deeply I just hope that the slow distance is easier for him to adjust.
It's hard because I still want him.
"You're still attempting to cook vile food?" Ethan snaps at his brother
"Leave him alone" I find myself firing back at him. Ethan looks at me in disbelief and then turns to sit on one of the stools to eat a banana with a huff.
I'm still swinging my legs off of the side when Grayson moves between them and reaches up to get the maple syrup from the cupboard above me. Through the gap in his arm I watch as Ethan's jaw clenches and he glares our direction only to snap his gaze away when Gray pulls away too.
"What do you wanna do today, Elmo?" Grayson asks using his weird nickname making me reach out and slap his bicep in annoyance.
"James said he's having a party, didn't he, Gracie" I tease and he returns the slap but much lighter
"Actually he said it was a big gathering" Grayson mocks in a high pitched voice, before skimming the plate across the kitchen side towards me. I catch it before it smashes and giggle into my first bite of pancake.
"It's gonna be messy isn't it?" I ask knowing full well that if his brother, Ian, was going to be present it would more than likely turn into a frat party.
—
We arrive at James' party venue fashionably late. There's loud music echoing through the walls and he jumps on top of Grayson as soon as he sees us.
"Sisters!" He screeches wrapping his arms around me and then Ethan who is dragging his feet behind us.
James pulls me towards a large white table littered with champagne flutes, it all looks very classy and I wonder how long it'll last.
There's a warm hand that snakes around my waist and I turn to smile at Grayson who asks if I'm okay
"You can drink if you want, you know me and E don't so I'll look after you" he assures but I shake my head. I really don't feel like not being myself right now.
I take a seat at a table and watch James as he drags Grayson onto the dance floor while a heavy bass song plays. James is really getting the hang of twerking and everyone's filming him on snapchat with their flashes on.
I look around subconsciously for that one person, and soon I find him. Ethan. He's talking a girl on the dance floor but he's watching me, that is, until he notices I'm looking back.
Over the course of one song, Grayson had become sweaty, James had become out of breath and Ethan had talked to at least 7 girls. It was a record I was sure.
"You okay?" Grayson pants wiping his forehead as he squats in front of me.
I don't answer him but he follows my gaze to where Ethan is chatting to another girl. His hand is on her waist and she's giggling and playing with her hair.
"He's doing it on purpose, Elmo" he assures looking back at me with a sad smile and tapping his finger under my chin to higher my head "don't let him get to you, that's what he wants"
I trust that Grayson's telling the truth, after all they are twins and he is supposed to be the person who knows him better than anyone else.
"Do you want to dance?" He asks offering his hand out for me, I know that Ethan's eyes are burning into mine
"Not overly" I giggle and Grayson rolls his eyes "only if we go home straight after, okay?"
"Promise."
