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If you’ve been reading this recently, you probably know that I just started editing/re-writing the chapters for this story and am planning to write more soon. If there’s anyone here who started reading this story before 2019, leave a comment to let me know. I think that’d be super cool dedication. Anyways, hope you enjoy mush because you’re about to get a lot of it.
ETHAN’S POV:
I’m smiling from ear to ear when I walk up the front steps of my house. Greyson walks up them with me and is standing in front of me, smiling as well. “Well, I should probably be getting home soon. My moms will be wondering how my first day was,” he tells me with a slight frown. “And how was your first day?” I ask with a smirk. “He smiles right back before replying happily, “It was amazing. Just like you.” I smile and blush, looking at my feet. He places a hand under my chin and lifts my face to meet his. “You okay?” He asks. “Yeah,” I smile at him, a real smile this time. “I’m awesome.” He smiles and takes a step toward me before placing his hands on my waist. “Alright then. I’ll see you tomorrow. 7am?” He asks. “Yep,” I smile and he places a gentle kiss on my lips. “Okay. I’ll see you then,” he tells me and turns, walking away and leaving me with butterflies in my stomach and a stupid grin on my face.
I turn the key in the lock and find that the door is unlocked already. That’s weird, I know I locked it this morning before I left with Grey. Realization hits me and I turn around to see a red truck parked in front of the house. It’s my step-father’s truck. I walk to the side of the house to see if my mom’s car is there. It is. I heave a sigh of relief before running back up my front steps and going into my house. I kick off my shoes and shut the door behind me. I hear my mom call down from upstairs. “Hello?” I ring the small bell beside the door that was put there for this purpose. It’s my way to tell her that I’m home. “Ethan,” I hear the smile in her voice as she speaks. “I’ve missed you so much! Come up and give me a hug!” She shouts and I smile, heading up the stairs. I enter my room and toss my backpack onto the floor. I walk down the hall to my mom’s bedroom and find her there. I smile at the sight of her. My mom is such a beautiful person, inside and out. My smile lessens as I see my step-father is also in the room. I stand as close to my mom and as far from him as possible. She pulls me into a tight hug and I close my eyes, smiling. She pulls away and looks at me with her hands on my shoulders. “How was your weekend? Was everything alright at home?” I nod and she smiles. “Good! I was so worried”. I give her a look that says, “Really, Mom?” And she laughs. “Okay, you’re right. I had no reason to be worried. But that didn’t stop me, of course.” She says and I smile.
I look around the room with a touch of confusion on my face. I look to my mom and raise an eyebrow. “She’s still at your aunt’s house. I’m going to be leaving to pick her up at four. I look at the floor and swallow at the thought of being alone with my step-father for the hour it would take her to pick up Ellie. When my eyes meet my mom’s, I fake a smile and nod. “So, how was your day? Anything exciting happen?” She asks and I think about it a moment before an unstoppable grin appears on my face and I feel my cheeks burn. I force myself to have a serious look and simply shake my head. “That face didn’t seem like nothing happened today,” she smirks and I look down so she doesn’t see my smile, and hope she doesn’t ask what I know she’s about to. “Who’s the boy?” I feel a blush spread across my face again and I bury my face in my hands before giving her a look that reads “Moooommmmm.” She laughs and says “Is he cute?” I blush and am about to hide my face again before just giving up and nodding. My mom squeals and I silently laugh. “Don’t be embarrassed, sweetie. I’m just glad to see that you have an interest in somebody. And as long as he treats you right, I’ll be happy for you.” The fact that my mom cares about me as much as she does makes me incredibly happy and I pull her into a hug. I make the ASL sign for “I love you” with my hand (I use Sign Language when I really need to, but really only with my mom) and she says, “I love you too, Ethan.”
I’m in my room, just writing the last sentence in my history paper and breathe a sigh of relief. All my homework is done. I pack it all into my bag and lay down on my bed. “Ethan?” I hear my mom call. I ring the bell beside my bed to let her know that I’m in my room. She knocks on the door and I ring the bell again, telling her to enter. She comes into my room and gives me a hug. “I’m going to get your sister now, okay?” I nod and sign, “I love you” again and she says “I love you, too, sweetheart. See you soon.” I nod and wave before she exits my room, closing the door behind her. I quickly go to my door and lock it, hoping that will be enough to make my step-father leave me alone. I pick up my phone and see that I have a few new texts. They’re all from Greyson. “Hey you,” the first one reads. “So, I was thinking,” reads the second. “Maybe we could hang out or something?” Says the third. “In, like, half an hour?” Reads the last. I smile and reply quickly, happy that he wants to see me again so soon after being with me, but also relieved to be leaving my step-father. “Would love to,” I send, followed by “Meet me at your house in half an hour?” He replies within seconds, “Perfect! See you then.”
I write a quick note for my mom saying I went for a walk and would be home by dinner. I change into a turquoise sweater and brush my hair and teeth in the bathroom attached to my room. I put on deodorant and cologne and place the note on my pillow, knowing Mom would see it there. I unlock my door, walk out of my room, and sprint across the hall and down the stairs. I pick up my shoes, deciding to put them on outside to save time, and swing the door open, slamming it shut behind me just as I hear my step-father yell, “Hey! Where do you think you’re going?”
I heave a sigh of relief when I get outside, happy to have escaped my step-father. I pull on my sneakers and start walking towards Greyson’s house. I get there about ten minutes early and take a seat on the curb in front of his house. I text him to let him know that I’m here, and scroll through Tumblr as I wait. I hear a door open and shut behind me and turn to see Greyson, wearing a tight, dark red t-shirt and the black skinny jeans he had worn to school. He has a black hoodie folded over his arm and, as usual, a black beanie over his straightened hair. I smile at the sight. I probably shouldn’t admit it to him because he would surely tease me and use it against me, but I think Greyson looks really attractive in beanies. I mean, I think he looks really attractive always, but even more so when he has one on his head. He walks down his steps and I stand to greet him. “Hey,” I smile when I see his already smiling face. “Hey” he copies, slinging an arm around my shoulder. “So,” he starts, “where to, kid?” I laugh. “Kid? Really? You’re gonna keep calling me that?” He pretends to think for a moment before replying, “Yep, why wouldn’t I?” I turn to him and say “Maybe because you’re only a couple months older than me?” Actually, it’s two months and thirteen days,” he corrects, earning an eye-roll from me. “Yeah, whatever,” I say. “Want to go for a walk or something?” I suggest and he nods. “Sure. Sounds good.”
Greyson tries to be discreet as he casually places his hand in mine and looks at me to see my reaction. I smile at how cute he is and squeeze his hand. We begin walking toward the beach, talking casually about the classes Greyson started today and what he thinks about the teachers and students. We arrive at the beach and take a seat on the sea wall, continuing our conversation. “So, which class do you think is your favorite?” I ask him and he gives me a goofy smile. “English, of course!” It goes right over my head and I reply, “Yeah? Why English?” He chuckles and gives me a raised eyebrow. “Because you’re in it, you dork,” he says and I blush, hiding my face in my hands. “You’re so lame,” I tell him and he chuckles again, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and pulling me into his chest. “Maybe, but hey, that doesn’t stop you from liking me,” he says and my blush deepens, knowing he’s right. “Psshhh… What would give you the idea that I like you?” I joke and he chuckles before replying, “Oh, I don’t know, maybe the fact that for one, you’re blushing right now, and two, this,” he says and puts a hand behind my neck and pulls my face to his, kissing me deeply. I laugh around his lips and pull back. “And what about either of those things makes you think I’d like you?” I giggle and he puts an arm around my waist. “Oh, I don’t know. Just a hunch, I guess,” he tells me, smiling.
It’s about an hour later and we’re just talking and laughing when I start shivering slightly at the light breeze. Greyson’s arm is still around me and he notices almost right away. “Are you cold?” He asks and I shake my head, not wanting him to worry about me. “A little,” I tell him, “but I’m fine.” “Here,” he says, picking up his sweatshirt and holding out to me. I shake my head quickly, “No, that’s okay. You need it,” I tell him. “I’m not even wearing it. I’m not cold,” he reassures me and I hesitantly stand up, taking the sweatshirt. “Good boy,” he says, causing me to laugh. He helps me into the sweatshirt and I return to my place beside Greyson on the sea wall. “There,” he says, “Better?” I nod and he puts an arm around my back, pulling me close to him. I rest my head on his shoulder and hear him sigh happily. “I’m so glad that you told me what you told me today,” Greyson says and I flinch slightly, remembering the start of the panic attack that I had earlier today because I was so upset about him knowing the truth. “I’m sorry,” he says while looking down at me, “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” he apologizes and I look up to meet his eyes. “That’s okay,” I tell him. “You didn’t,” I promise. “I’m glad I told you, too,” I assure him and he smiles slightly, pulling me back into his side.
We continue sitting and talking like this for a while longer, just watching the water wash up on the sand before going back out. The sun is starting to set and I say quietly, “It’s so beautiful,” staring out at the setting sun above the peaceful water. Greyson is looking at me and speaks, “Yes, you are.” I blush and look up to see him smiling at me. I take a deep breath and kiss him quickly before I can get nervous about it. I pull away and he’s smiling wide, “You kissed me,” he says, amazed. I laugh at his expression and nod. “I kissed you,” I agree. “Do it again,” he says and I giggle, leaning in and kissing him once more. When the kiss ends, we just sit there, our foreheads resting against each other’s. I feel so happy and calm, sitting there with my eyes closed. I regretfully open my eyes and glance down at my watch. I sigh and look back to Greyson. “It’s seven. I should get home”, I tell him sadly and he pulls me into his chest and childishly says, “No.” I laugh at his kid-like behavior and kiss his nose. “We still get to walk home together,” I remind him and he smiles, “Okay.”
We walk for a few minutes before reaching his house. He pulls me into a hug and speaks into my shoulder, “I’ll see you tomorrow morning at 7, right?” I nod against his body and pull away to look at him. “Text me later?” He asks with a puppy-dog look on his face and I giggle. “Okay,” I promise, ruffling the beanie on his head before giving him a quick kiss on the lips and turning to walk home. After a few seconds, I realize I’m still wearing his sweatshirt. I turn and walk back to him, calling his name. “Greyson,” I shout. He turns around and I jog up to him. “You forgot to take your sweatshirt back,” I tell him and he smiles. “Nah, I didn’t forget. I just want you to keep it,” he tells me. “No, that’s okay,” I say. “It’s yours.” “I have tons of sweatshirts,” he tells me, “and besides, it looks much better on you.” I blush and look down, smiling. “Okay,” I give up and he gives me a soft kiss on the forehead before running up his front steps and entering his house.
I arrive home a few minutes later and kick off my shoes. I head up the stairs and walk into my room and flop down on my bed with a huge grin plastered on my face. “Ethan?” I hear Mom call. “Is that you, sweetie?” I reach over and ring the little bell beside my bed. I hear footsteps down the hallway and Mom walks into my room, the door already being open. “How was your walk? Did you have fun?” She asks and I smile and nod, being sure not to think about it too much so I don’t blush this time. “Good,” she says and a smile spreads across her face. “Want to see Ellie?”
Okay, so this was kind of just a filler because I wanted to give you guys something and cute mushy stuff is always fun, but I promise there will be more plot-type stuff soon. Please vote and comment.
Wash your hands before every meal,
A.J.
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