Only Ever Best Friends

★ 12 ★

                               {Ellie's POV }

"Sophie, I'm calling him and telling him that the game didn't mean anything."

S: "nooo"

"I need him to stay my best friend. I can't lose him because of a stupid dare that Erica made up."

S: "he probably already fell asleep. Just talk to him tomorrow morning."

"Ok. Goodnight Soph."

S: "Goodnight stupid."

I hung up.

I heard my dad knock on my door and say "Time for lights out." I happily complied. I was exhausted.

I do one last thing before going to sleep.

New Text to "Gray💞😁✌️":

see u tomorrow 🏝

- - -
He didn't answer.

• • •
{Grayson's POV}

I got home, threw my clothes in the wash (don't ask) and took a shower.

As I was brushing my teeth I got a text notification.

[Ellie🌸 » Me]:

see u tomorrow 🏝

I choked on the toothpaste.

I am screwed. I am so so screwed.

Fuck me.
The project.

• • •

As soon as I woke up I began to panic. God, why does Ethan have to be sick? What if she asks me about last night? What do I say?

I'm not remotely equipped to talk about it and as I gather my stuff in preparation to drive over I'm praying that she won't say anything.

Right as I grab the car keys and open the front door, my mom interrupts.

"Gray."

"Yeah?"

"Please behave yourself."

"Mom what are you-"

"You know what I'm talking about."

"Mom, I-"

"Just— promise me that there'll be no funny business."

"Mom!"

"I'm serious!"

"Okay!"

That really didn't help set me at ease at all. Thanks mom. I'm still thinking about what the fuck I'm gonna say to Ellie if she asks what happened. And deep deep down.... I'm also wondering something else.

I'd hardly even call it a drive over, considering we're neighbors, but as soon as I pulled up she practically ran out of the house with a duffel bag and her Nikon in hand.

{Ellie's POV}

I woke up around 9, quickly packed an overnight bag, and told my mom that Gray and I needed to collect data for a chemistry project, which involved going on a short road trip.

"Just the two of you?" She asked, giving me a look.

"Well Ethan was supposed to come too but he's still sick... the project is due Monday, mom please."

"I see... be safe and have fun."

"Thank you."

"AND—no bedroom stuff."

"MOM."

[DEAR GOD.]

"You're that age. I know he's your best friend, but he is also a boy."

"Gross," I said, waving her off.

I walked outside and Gray pulled up. I got in.

"Please tell me that you didn't get the same mini-lecture I just got," I said.

"The one about not sleeping with you?"

"Yeah, that one."

"She made me promise that I wouldn't touch you," he laughed.

"Oops," I said, 'accidentally' touching his thigh as a joke.

He inhaled sharply and I took my hand off.

[Did I scare him?]

"Let's go," He says.

He passed me the aux and I began playing our childhood nostalgia playlist.

We drove for about an hour and a half,
belting out songs like:

Every Time We Touch by Cascada
Down by Jay Sean
Replay by Iyaz
and even some good old Britney Spears.

Then, we arrived the motel we were staying at and parked, went to the front desk, and got our room keys.