GHOSTS - GRAYSON DOLAN

thirteen: repeat

Valerie didn't answer Grayson's texts. Or his calls.

He must've tried dozens of times at this point--it was probably coming off creepy or pathetic. It's been four days now, and radio silence from her.

His dreams though, they were only getting more intense. It seemed to be a story he could piece together, but he was getting the pieces in the wrong order. None of it made much sense together though, some of the things that happened or that they spoke about couldn't possibly be real.

But all the time they spent together in his dreams was starting to make him wonder about what it would be like while he was awake. If nothing else, he really needed to talk to her... as if she might be having the same dreams or holding some sort of explanation. Grayson knew it was crazy, but since he woke up, nothing has felt normal.

He's staring down at him phone screen, despite the headache he has. Still no answer.

"Gray, maybe she doesn't wanna talk," Ethan sighs, snatching his phone out of his hands. "You know that's bad for your concussion."

"Dude!" Grayson groans, reaching for it again. He tries to stand up and grab it from Ethan's hands, but almost loses his balance. He remains seated after that. "...woah."

He still has dizzy spells, still has the nausea. The doctors said they'd probably lessen with time, but he could have them until the concussion was gone, which would be at least a few more weeks.

"See? You gotta be more careful, bro," Ethan sighs, walking to the kitchen to grab a glass of water for him. "You can't make Valerie talk to you, y'know."

"It's important," Grayson huffs, mumbling a thank you for the water. "I just don't get why she wouldn't even answer and tell me no by now. Do you think she's okay? What if she had complications after her accident?"

Grayson's worried about her. He's been worrying about her a lot for the last couple of days. It's strange--he doesn't remember her, all he has is the dreams, yet he feels attached. Ethan shakes his head, "I don't know, man. I hope not, but... why are you so invested? You don't really know her, do you?"

He feels like he does. He feels like he knows almost everything about her.

The boy even tried finding her on social media, but there were so many Valerie Santos' online that his search didn't turn anything up. This girl he was so curious about was harder to find than he thought.

"It's just important, alright?" Grayson sighs, rubbing his head.

"Well, I can--I do have her moms number still. If it's that important, I can at least make sure she's okay? Since she isn't answering her own phone," Ethan offers, watching his brother perk up. "I'll send her a message now."

He definitely doesn't understand why his brother is this interested in Valerie, but if it'll make him feel better to know if she's okay, he'll reach out. He's already tried reaching Valerie himself, actually, but she didn't respond to him either.

Ethan receives a response from her mom a few minutes after texting, and immediately afterward they're getting in the car and leaving for her moms house. She invited them to come over and talk, since Valerie was meant to be visiting within the hour. Ethan didn't really want to go right that second, but caved. Grayson's head is pounding but he needs answers.

It didn't take more than twenty minutes to get there. Ethan walks up the stairs first, ringing the doorbell and teetering on his feet. Grayson follows behind, feeling like everything is spinning.

He trips and topples backwards, falling down the set of stairs.

There isn't even time for them to react. Grayson hits his head on the hard ground and goes limp right when Valerie's mom opens the door.

"Grayson!" Ethan gasps, rushing time his brothers side. He's out cold. "Shit shit shit... Grayson, hey, dude, wake up! Please. Not again--please wake up. Holy shit--"

"I'll call for help," her mother promises, wide-eyed and rushing off. Ethan barely registers it, terrified of losing Grayson again. She comes back outside, insisting Ethan move aside so she can take a look at him. "He's not bleeding, that's a good sign. The ambulance should be here soon. It's gonna be okay, sweetheart."

Ethan's begins crying to this woman he's only met once before. He sniffles and sobs as Grayson lies unresponsive, mumbling nonsense to her.

Valerie's mom listens and reassures him, even giving him a hug before he climbs into the ambulance with his brother. With Grayson already having a concussion, they can only hope he'll be okay.

A/N

slightly extra short chapter but it's fine

next chapter is the last one