Either you run the day, or the day runs you - Jim Rohn
Ashley's POV
It's been two weeks, exactly two weeks, and it passed by in a blur. Busy schedules, assignments, Wuthering Heights play, and a whole other lot. These past weeks, so much has gone on and I would like to say, that Grayson and I have somewhat become friends. I know right?
Friends
The word sounds weird. We have the 'hi hi, hey hey! kind of friendship, and it's been pretty cool, won't lie. Practice too has been good so far, even Miss Brooke attested to the fact that ourâGrayson and I'sâ acting skills have improved, and even though she claims it is just a tad, I believe it's better than nothing at all.
It's a Friday today, school has been chaotic, you know, the last day of the school week and all. Students are more than excited to be home knowing fully well the weekend starts now. You know Friday night chills, long hour parties. I do hate, absolutely hate, completely hate parties, high school parties for that matter. It's just filled with drunk, horny, rebellious, and chaotic teenagers that I believe have nothing better to do. If you wanna have fun, do it wisely, come on! Drinking? Drugs? Hookups? How fun is that? That's like a no-no to me. Ninety percent of students who go to those parties end up regretting their actions the next morning.
Imagine losing yourself to a random stranger, huh?! Isn't that scary enough? That's crazy! I don't think I will ever understand this generation. Never!!
On a Friday night like this, here am I, in bed, a bowl of ice cream in hand, and sprawled beside me is my best friend, Cam. All around her is popcorn splattered in all forms as we watch 'To All The Boys I've Loved'.
I turn to her, a scowl on my face."The popcorn," I scold.
"Yeah?"
"You're messing the bed with it."
"I know."
"Re... " A Ping! cuts me off.
I pick up my phone from my bedside table and open it.
I see a message notification."Hey", it says.
Grayson!
Cam stretches her neck to look at my phone and when she sees it's a message from Grayson, she wiggles her brows at me.
"Loverboy, I see."
"Oh! puh-lease." I roll my eyes at her.
"Hi," I reply back.
"So tomorrow, same time?"- Grayson.
"Yeah."
"Okay, cool."
"Yeah."
"How are you doing?"
"Grool."
"That's nice."
"Yeah. What of you?"
"I'm doing great, too."
"Cool."
"So what are you doing, right now?"
"Watching a movie. What of you? "
"Doing nothing actually, just texting."
"Well, texting is something."
"Haha, it is. I guess I'm doing something then."
"Yeah, you are."
"Yeah."
"Something's up, I've got to go."
"Oh okay. Goodnight."
"Night. And thanks."
"It's a pleasure."
I know you're wondering what things are up. Well, Cam stopped watching the movie and was just staring at me so I had to cut short, the conversation.
"Why were you looking at me like that?"
"You so like, like definitely like, like totes like Grayson. You get my point? Up until this stage, I don't know even why you've been denying it all along."
"Who says?"
"Your expression, the smiles, the way your eyes glint in joy, the radiance in your composure. Ever since you started rehearsing your lines with him, you've been more radiant and smiley."
"I'm going to bed," I state.
"See? You don't like truth."
I yawn and close my eyes, covering myself with the duvet. "Goodnight."
"Sweet dreams."
---------
"I'm going to Grayson's place," I informed both Cam and Lucas who were sprawled out on the floor, busy playing game cards.
"I wanna come with you," Cam utters and Lucas looks up at her, displeased at the statement.
"Really?"I raise my brows at her in surprise.
"Yeah!"
"What's happening?" I shake my head trying to decipher the motive behind her words.
"Nothing, I just feel like it." She smiles.
"Okay?.. " I utter, uncertainty lacing my tone ".. but I'll have to inform Grayson, you know we can't just intrude."
"So long as I'm tagging along." She shrugs.
I text, "Hey! I'm about to leave home but my friend says she wants to tag along. Is that okay with you?"
I take a seat.
One minute
Two minutes.....
Five minutes.
"He's not replied yet," I inform her.
Lucas looks up at me and says, "I don't think he'll complain if you take a friend along, that is unless both of you are doing something you're not supposed to be doing. Are you?"
"Come on! We only do what's necessary. I just don't know him that well to tell if he's going to like the idea of a tag-along, that's all."
"I doubt he'll be displeased. Let's get going mademoiselles, the time is ticking." He gets up from the floor and helps Cam up.
"Okay, fine."
-----
"Bye." Both Cam and I wave to Lucas before he drives off.
We walk towards Grayson's door and I ring the doorbell. After what felt like forever, a face I'm not expecting opens the door. I know that face too well.
Pierson!!
"Hello!" he greets flashing us a dashing smile. "Please do come in," he opened the door wide and left the way so Cam and I could scurry in. Once we enter, he shuts the door behind us.
He quickly directs us towards a couch. "Please have your seats."
He picks out his phone from his pocket and types away on it before putting it on his ear.
"Where are you?" He speaks to the person on the line who I believe is Grayson.
"She's here. Just hurry up, man." And with that, he hangs up.
"Ashley." He calls out my name.
"Yeah?"
"Grayson is on his way here, please bear with him."
"Oh, it's no problem, actually."
"Thanks, on his behalf."
He walks towards the couch beside us and plops on it. He then looks at Cam who is already staring at him in aweâI definitely know that look, she's admiring his beauty up close. â"You are?" he asks her.
"Camilla," she utters.
"Nice name." He winks.
"Thanks."
"He's Cole," he points towards the dining table where Cole is comfortably seated with a plate of sliced apple in front of him and his phone in his hands.
Upon hearing his name, Cole turns in our direction and nods his head in acknowledgment.
"Yeah, I know." Cam says, "We all have similar classes together, I definitely know you guys, you're popular. Everyone knows you."
At this, Pierson seemed amused. "I think I like you, you're upfront, we could be best of friends, you know." he winks at her and she blushes.
"I have a best friend."She nods her head in my direction.
He chuckles, "Trust me, I know that pretty well. But she's female. What do you say to a male best friend?"
"Haha, you're funny."
"But I'm serious," he tries to portray a serious face but his lips kept turning up.
"Don't you have a reputation to uphold?" She asks with raised brows.
"Having a female best friend wouldn't taint my reputation." He winks again.
"I'm cool with it, then, best friend."
"Cheers to our friendship, dear best friend."
"Where's the glass we're cheering with?"
He chuckles, "I almost forgot, I'll be right back." He gets up and heads towards, I presume, the kitchen.
"Wow!" I say to Cam "Just like that, you've got yourself a male best friend. I'm so jealous."
"Don't be, he's probably kidding. "
"I highly doubt it."
She shrugs. "Grayson could be your best friend too, you know, that is if you so desire. I bet he would be so glad to be your best friend and more."
"No, thank you."
Just then the door opens and Grayson walks in. Upon seeing us, a smile appears on his face.
He walks towards us, "Sorry for keeping you waiting." He directs towards me.
"It's fine, you're here now so it's okay."
"Hi," he greets Cam.
"Hey!" She flashes him a smile.
Pierson emerges from the kitchen with two glass cups and one champagne bottle.
"Oh!, you're here." Pierson says to Grayson, "You guys go do whatever it is you're good at doing. Camilla and I are going to stay here."
"Cam, call me Cam. Camilla is too long."
"Cam it is then."
Grayson looks at their exchange and confusion registers his face.
"Shoo!" Pierson sacks both of us. Grayson chuckles and lifts his hand up in mock surrender while I laugh silently to myself.
"Shall we?" He asks me and I nod my head.
He leads the way and takes me to a room I recognize as his. He opens the door and when I enter, he follows after me, shutting the door behind him. This is the first time we're practicing in his room. Okay so now I'm a tad nervous.
Wish me luck!
----
Grayson kneels on one knee, as I lay on his bed. He gathers me into an embrace, and after a second or two he is about to pull away but I seize him by his hair.
"Ouch!," he says rubbing the part of his hair that I gripped.
"Oh my! I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to grip you that tight." I utter in alarm.
"Don't worry, it's okay." He waved me off, but it wasn't enough to dissipate how bad I was feeling for causing him physical pain.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, we can continue."
"Okay."
He repeats the action again, and this time, I seize him by his hair but much lighter. I keep him down by his hair.
My heart's going crazy right now.
"I wish I could hold you, till we we're both dead! I shouldn't care what you suffered. I care nothing for your sufferings. Why shouldn't you suffer?" I say.
"Don't torture me till I am as mad as yourself " He grits his teeth and wrenches his head free from my grip. "Are you possessed with a devil, to talk to me in that manner to me when you are dying? Is it not sufficient for your infernal selfishness, that while you are at peace I shall writhe in the torments of hell?"
"I shall not be at peace," I shake my head vigorously, "I'm not wishing you greater torment than I have, Heathcliff. I only wish us never to be parted."
He gets up and moves away from me.
"Won't you come to me? Do!" I say yet he paces back and forth, his back towards me.
-----
I sprung myself and he caught me in an embrace. A tight one, my heart spiraling out of control yet again. His heart rate at the same pace, collides with mine in a rhythmic beating.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
We hugged for what felt like forever, none of us pulling away. At this point, it wasn't about the play anymore, it felt much more than that. We were hugging for real, arms around each other, mine around his neck, and his at my lower back.
Maybe we needed it...
Or I'm just confused. I want to pull away but in his arms, it's entirely warm, I don't have the strength to do so.
Is this right?
******
Hello guys! I'm so sorry for the late update.
Could you believe all of a sudden my phone stopped working? Exactly! That is what I use for writing so I had to go get it fixed. That's why it's so long. Please forgive me.
Anyways, how's this chapter?
Grayson and Ashley???!!