Lost in time G.D E.D

76

"They're just high school jerks," Grayson explained as we drove seemingly out of the way from what I'd become semi-familiar with.

Our car had gotten a little farther ahead of Ethans, and I noticed how the snowflakes had stopped falling altogether.

Now it was clear, and I could see the open, icy road we were driving down.

"You didn't have to do that, you know," Grayson  continued.

"Do what?" I asked, snapping my attention from the outside scenery back to the driver.

"Dive in front of the ketchup," He said in an obvious tone with a slight chuckle.

"Not that I didn't appreciate it, but you really didn't have to."

"I really did though," I responded absently. I felt Grayson's side glance and sighed.

"I can afford to take a little humiliation while I'm here."

Which won't be for long.

"While you're here?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," I nodded, zipping up my coat tighter.

"At Columbine."

"Well, wait what does that mean? Are you moving soon or something?" His voice was suddenly laced with disappointment and dread.

"Or something."

"Then what?"

"I'll be graduating," I said with a weak grin, trying to cover my tracks as best as I could.

"Along with everyone else." Grayson seemed relieved.

"Oh, yeah, I get it," he turned his eyes back to the road.

I decided to test him a little while on the subject.

"So what are you doing after high school?" I asked, making sure to sound genuinely curious.

His lips tightened into a straight line like he was concentrating on not speaking.

"The marine corps," he said finally, turning down a lonely road and driving up the hill.

"Wow," I answered, nodding along like he was serious.

"Can't wait to see you in uniform," I said with a grin.

Grayson put on a smile that I could tell was semi-forced.

"I have to get accepted for starters," he said, checking his rear view window to see Ethan's car behind us again as we drove up the steep hill into a forested area.

I looked out the window at the scenery.

"Secluded," I noted as Grayson responded in a low "mm-hmm."

He parked the car and reach around to grab the black duffel bags and his coat from the back,
I looked at him,

seriously.

"Is this the part where you kill me?"

Grayson's grin widened.

"You want me to?"

"I dare you to," I replied, raising an eyebrow and smirking.

We were silent for a moment, just staring at each other.

I held my breath. For a second, it looked like he was considering something such as my murder, before his amused smile returned, and he shook his head.

"You know you're cute when you're crazy," he chuckled, slipping his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose from where they had fallen.

I smiled a little, not really sure where we stood in terms of relationship.