It's okay to fall in love.
I'm not in love.
Well?
What is it like to be in love? I don't know. I loved my dad and look where that got me. But this is not about him.
Grayson is picking me up after school to take me on some "mystery date" or so he calls it. He has been geeking out about it all morning, so it better be good.
I'm in art class and Hanna didn't show up to school today. She says she's sick but I know where she really is.
With Ethan.
That's not a shocker, so whatever. They'd probably marry each other if no one stopped them.
I stare at the clock and time seems to be going slower and slower.
"Ugh." I take my eyes off the clock and back on my canvas. I'm painting a mountain range with a lake and a bunch of trees. I ain't no Bob Ross, so it isn't the prettiest painting in the world.
Riiiinnnggggg.
I place my canvas on a drying rack, gather my things, and basically run to my locker. Once all of my things are packed up, I speed walk out of the school, looking for Grayson's car.
And then I see him. Standing outside his parked car with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a McDonald's milkshake in the other.
I mean, if this is isn't love, then what is?
I run over to him and throw my arms around his neck, engulfing him in a hug. I can feel the stares of other people burning into my back, but I don't care.
I let go and look up to see him with the cutest smile on his face. Partly because he was struggling to hold the flowers and milkshake while hugging me.
"You wanna take these, uh-" Grayson asks with a chuckle.
"Oh, shit. Sorry. Yeah." My words are jumpy and nervous as I respond to him. This makes him laugh at me even more while he wraps his arm over my shoulders.
I slightly turn my head to look behind me, and I see Rachel Holmes and all her bitchy minions glaring at me. Grayson senses that I'm uncomfortable and looks for what I'm looking at.
"Hey, ignore them. They're just jealous that they aren't you." He makes me face him and he whispers in my ear.
I only nod, feeling safe around Grayson and I follow his lead into his car.
