Let Me Be Your Gravity (COMPLETE)

Eleven

Sunset

As I follow Carter I think about all the times we were forced to hang out. Cecilia always tried to include him in our adventures but most of the time he opted out to spend time with Sam. There wasn't many to pick from but I can remember him always picking on me. He never saw me for me until she left.

We pull up to the old pizzeria I use to work at before my parents decided I needed to focus more on school. I get out starting at the sunset sign walking to the front steps of the restaurant waiting for Carter to get out. "I'm busy... I'll come by after school." I  hear him say as he walks towards me. His face is scrunched up like he's in pain as he  listens. "Okay bye." He hangs up running his hand through his hair.

"Of all places?" I laugh nervously knowing perfectly well he was on the phone with Sam. As hard as I tried I couldn't push away the feeling of being upset about it.

"This place is the best." He smirks wrapping his arm around my shoulder leading me inside. I shrug his arm off once we get to the counter to order. It looked the same as always. Same ripped up red booths and a beat up counter. That was part of its charm though. It was part of the experience.

"Henley?" The owner Mr. Bailey says as he walks up. He's in his late 30's. His father owned the pizzeria but once his health declined he had to step in. "How've you been girly?"

I give him a smile. "Pretty good just trying to survive senior year." I shrug feeling my face flush.

"We were actually just talking about you last night. We've gone through 5 drivers since you left." He chuckles. "We always have a spot here for you if you need a job."

"Thanks Mr. Bailey." I smile at him as Carter clears his throat. "Can we get a medium cheese and two cokes?" I ask him.

"Of course it's on the house sweetie go get a table." He smiles before heading back to the kitchen.

I follow Carter to a booth right next to the door. "I think he has a thing for you." Carter jokes winking at me.

"Yeah we went out a few times." I shrug looking down at my hands holding back a smile.

"What the fuck he's old." He says as I look up at him with a smile.

"Yeah I like mature guys."  I shrug trying to play it off as a girl in her 20's comes over with our drinks. "High school guys are overrated."

"You're messing with me." He states keeping his eyes on me as the girl sets the drinks down in front of us. She lingers for a second waiting for acknowledgement from Carter but after a few seconds gives up as he keeps his attention on me.

"Maybe... maybe not." I smirk taking a drink of my coke as he grumbles resting his back against the booth.

"I thought you never dated anyone." He states looking at me as if he's trying to figure me out.

I open my mouth to reply as Mr. Bailey comes out with the pizza. I smile at him keeping an eye on Carter. "Thanks again we appreciate it."

"Anything for my best girl." He smiles setting the pizza down. "I gotta head out but come by we'll catch up."

"Sure thing boss." I nod smiling at him before he walks out the door waving. "Told you so." I laugh a little grabbing a slice.

"You dated him of all people?" He questions raising an eyebrow a frown falling on his face. "You could do better than him." He shrugs grabbing a slice keeping his eyes anywhere but me.

"I'm just messing with you." I shake my head laughing. "I really had you going there for a moment. Honestly I don't think I'm the type to date anyone. That ship has pretty much sailed."

"Fuck you got me." He chuckles lowly as I take a bite of my pizza. "You sound like an old lady... you never know you could fall in love one day." His eyes find mine piercing straight to my soul as if to urge me to believe him.

I squint a little trying to figure him out before looking away. "I'm good on that." I mumble as I pull apart my pizza crust tearing it into little pieces.

"What's so bad about falling in love?" He asks suddenly as I plop a piece of crust into my mouth.

"You wouldn't understand Carter. Please just drop it." I mumble keeping my eyes anywhere but him.

"Coming from the girl who hasn't ever been in love?" He questions making sure to keep his eyes on me. "I don't get you."

"I said drop it." I shake my head grabbing my bag from the seat. I give him one last look before heading out the door to my car.

I honestly felt like I could never trust anyone enough to fall in love. I didn't have to explain that to anyone not even Cecilia. It was my own decision to push love away. That's how I was gonna stay no one could ever change my mind on that.

As I open my door I feel his hand grab a hold of mine. "Henley." His voice comes out soft full of concern. I swallow hard before letting out a sigh turning towards him. "What's wrong?"

I stare straight at him as I contemplate whether or not to tell him my truth. The one that I kept hidden deep down to the point where I even forgot about it. I think back to the girl I was before the night of the party. Before I was taken away by someone else.

No one ever ran after me before. No one cared enough to ask me if I was okay. I kept myself busy worrying about Cecilia. It was easy for me to hide behind her. Now Carter stood in front of me staring straight into my eyes seeing what I hoped no one would ever seen. A broken girl.