Runaway // Matthew Espinosa

Chapter 3

Before I start I want to clear things up. Firstly, chapter one was a dream. Secondly, Evie is Zoe's good friend in college. As well as that Grayson, is NOT played by Grayson Dolan. Thirdly, this book will contain cursing, a little bit about drugs (not extreme, no worries) and sex. So read at your own risk or simply skip the parts you don't like.
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A puff of smoke escaped my lips as I turned to look at Sammy, Jack, and Shawn. Smoke escaped their lips too. I liked it when I was high. My cares were pulled off of my chest and I was free of it all. It gave me this sensation that I loved.

"Hey Zoe." The words slipped from his mouth with ease.

"Yeah Jack." I answered.

"You remember Matt." Jack smirked.

"What about him, shithead?" I was slightly annoyed. It depressed me every time anyone mentioned his name.

"You've forgotten about him since you keep meeting Grayson." Sammy spoke while tilting his head back.

"I haven't." My head felt heavy with every word I said.

"He's a good guy, gone bad now." Shawn added in.

Bad boy Matt, I liked that thought for some reason. It made me wonder if he had gotten more tattoos since the first one.

"He's coming down here." Jack's voice slurred.

"Bullshit." I laughed with another puff of smoke erupting from my mouth.

"I'd stay away from Grayson. Matt's going to be mad." Sammy pointed his finger at me.

"Matt isn't here. He isn't coming back for me." My head was heavy enough, and my eyes shut sending me to sleep.

-

I woke up at Sammy's place in the guest room. I remember Jack waking me up and telling me to go sleep in. A thing I liked about these boys is that the never took advantage of me when I was high. They let me sleep in a different room than them. It was like they had respect for me.

Every morning I checked my phone, I was waiting for a specific message. I wanted to deny it but I couldn't. One day, I wanted Matt's name to pop on my phone. I wanted a message from him. Anything. Even a 'hi' would do.

I got up finding the boys already awake, which was unusual. I was used to seeing them scattered around the house shirtless.

"Pancakes?" Jack called out.

"I'll take a plate Gilinsky." I answered, as Shawn handed me a plate.

"You're improving on your cooking skills." I took a piece and chewed on it.

"You want to come with us somewhere. Its a surprise." Sammy excitedly told me.

"I wish I could, but I made plans with Grayson." I looked down at my plate. I felt like going out with Grayson wasn't the right thing.

"Oh. Can't you cancel? This is super important." Jack pouted.

"I dunno." I shrugged, rethinking all of this.

"What coffee shop will you be at?" Shawn asked.

"The one at the corner of Cresent street." I told them, confused.

"Okay, have Grayson gone by 2. I'm serious." Sammy sternly told me before I left.

-

I checked my watch, 12:30. Where the fuck was Grayson? He is half an hour late. I should leave. I should have gone with the boys to wherever they went.

Grayson came in with two coffees in his hands. Finally. He took a seat and kept apologizing.

"I'm so so sorry Zoe. I'm not even going to tell you an excuse because that's going to make things worst. Coffee and our next date is on me. Zoe, I'm so sorry." He grabbed my hand.

"Its fine, let's just forget about it for now." I smiled at him.

"So whatcha been up to?" He smiled.

"I've been busy with college." I lied. He would hate me if I told him I did hookah.
-

The hour and a half passed by fairly quickly and I wanted to leave. It was exactly 2 and I remembered that Grayson had to go.

"I've got to go." I lied. I just needed to walk him out and sneak back in here.

"I'll use the restroom and be back. Excuse me." He politely spoke and left. I groaned.

Why was he so posh, preppy, and polite? I hated it. Why couldn't he be like Matt and forget his wallet and make me pay? Yes, I actually missed that.

I held my head between my hands and took a deep breath. I wanted to leave. This wasn't fun. This was sofisticated. I hated it.

"Long time no see." A familiar voice told me.

I frowned. It couldn't be him. He wasn't back. How could he? College is still going on for him.

My eyes slowly made their way up to him. Matt was back and this wasn't a dream. Tears filled my eyes. I was so happy right now. I couldn't process what was going on.

He walked over to my seat and extended his arms out to me.

"Come here babygirl. I've missed everything about you." His voice got a little bit deeper since I saw him 8 months ago.

I rushed into his arms and hugged him tightly.

"Matt." I looked back up at him as he wiped my tears.

"I'm back Zoe. Don't cry." His thumb rubbed my cheek softly.

"Don't ever leave me. I can't stay away from you that long. It was almost a year. You're my boy fri- I mean best friend." I held onto him still.

"I won't. Not anymore." He rubbed my back.

"Um Zoe." Grayson rubbed the back of his neck.

"Oh Grayson, I um. This is Matt, my best friend." I watched as Matt shook his hand.

"Who is this Zoe?" Matt raised an eyebrow.

"My boyfriend, Grayson." I cleared my throat and avoided eye contact.

"Well, I'll call you." Grayson frowned and left.

"Do you want to grab a burger at In & Out?" He smiled at me and pulled out of the parking lot.

"I'd like that." Finally, a casual meal. No damn coffee and fancy shit with Grayson.

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Merry Christmas!

This book is going to be so exciting, I can't wait to share all my ideas. You all are going to love it. It will be a lot more chill and mature.

A lot of jealousy will be rising in the next few chapters so enjoy protective/jealous Matt.

My social media (Twitter and Insta) : @espinosacoast

Love you all and thank you for the reads and votes.