Lost in time G.D E.D

72

March 1998

"Just tell her youre not home."

Ethan had flung himself across his Grayson bed, wrinkling the navy-blue flannel comforter.

The conversation had turned to Hannah when she sent a message to Grayson's beeper saying that she was on her way.

As hed mentioned earlier, He had promised he'd help her study for calculus.

And goddammit he was going to keep that promise.

It made me wonder where Hannah fit into all of this yet.

Had she already bought the guns?

Grayson sat in his computer swivel chair, facing the bed where Ethan was tossing a baseball he'd found on Grayson's nightstand up in the air and then catching it in a steady rhythm.

I sighed, throwing my backpack down next to Grayson's bed and sat down, smoothing out the wrinkles in the comforter that Ethan had created.

Noticing my presence, Ethan shifted into a sitting-up position so he wasnt so sprawled out, allowing me to move closer from the edge.

"Dude, your house is freezing," I spoke up, shivering and rubbing my hands around my arms.

"What the fuck, you're window is open!" I laugh, pointing to the window next to his desk that was slightly raised open.

"Its two degrees out, Jack Frost. What are you doing?"

Ethan cracked a smile, setting the baseball back on his nightstand.

"Grays cold-blooded."

Grayson shuffled over, almost tripping over a pile of laundry, to close the window.

"Our mom likes to ventilate the rooms sometimes, I dont know," he said, pulling the window shut without difficulty.

"Can we make hot chocolate or something? Im still so fucking cold, I complained, trying to make myself warm." Grayson backed up from the window after closing the blinds, going to sit back into his chair.

only to accidentally fall again.

his face flushing as he pulled himself up lightning-fast.

"Are you okay?" I asked

Ethan was laughing, as Grayson looked even more embarrassed.

I patted his arm, standing up as well.

"Im fine,"

I laughed, but I think it works better the other way around.

Ethan blinked, and I just tried to conceal the burst of giggles that was threatening to explode out of my mouth.

Grayson blushed profusely.

"You can sit here if you want gray," I said smiled up at him.

"no, thats okay. You can sit there," he said, suddenly very shy as if none of us knew each other.

Ethan shook his head, giving me a look that read Grayson doesn't take hints.

I smiled back at him and shrugged.

When Grayson reluctantly sat down,

I moved over to Ethan's spot which was warm and smelt a tiny bit like Calvin Kline cologne and cigarette smoke.

"Grayson, can i get under the blankets?" I asked, making him look up from his textbook that he was pretending to read.

"Its freezing."

"Sure"

He looked toward the closed door warily, taking off his hat and running a hand through his hair, seemingly afraid, as if his mom had installed a 24-hour camera in is room to monitor his activities.

"Yeah, thats fine," he said finally, looking back at me,

He watched as I pulled back his comforter and sheets, sliding in contently.

"Your bed is comfy" i said, snuggling under the covers and closing my eyes.

"Are you sure its okay? I dont want your mom to freak out if she comes in here" I immediately sat up cautiously.

He nodded, but not confidently enough to ease my nerves.

I did not want to see Mrs. Dolan angry side.

I slid under the sheets, warming up.

His bed was soft and cozy, and I was tempted to take a quick nap right there.

Ethan noticed my eyes closing.

"You gonna fall asleep?"

He asked in amusement.

"No I'm not a little bitch." I said firmly with a teasing smile.

"Im just going to take a quick power nap. And then we can do homework" I promised.

Yawning, I closed my eyes. "Don't draw on my face or anything. I will end you."

I heard Them laugh quietly,

Twenty minutes later,

I woke up to hear Ethan and Grayson talking.

I kept my eyes closed and listened.

They were talking about me, I had to hold my breath so my heart would stop beating so loudly when the discussion moved to The shooting in hushed whispers.