Chapter 51

Chapter 20 "Babe, are you almost done?" Grayson whined for what seemed like the tenth time. "You're taking forever!" "I'm sorry, but make up takes a while to put on," I told him. "I don't know why you're wearing make-up," Grayson muttered. "You look perfect without it." "As much as I love that compliment, it's the Halloween dance," I reminded. "Make up is a part of it." Grayson snorted. "So lipstick and all that stuff is for Halloween? Weren't you wearing make-up when you visited me in the hospital? I never knew that was Halloween." "You know, the more you complain, the longer it will take me," I said turning back to the mirror on my vanity table. "I'm just saying that I was ready half an hour ago." "Because you threw on a leather jacket, slicked your hair back, and called yourself a greaser." "I told you. My costume has to make me look sexy and face it. I look hella fine." I rolled my eyes. "If you don't stop talking, I'll poke your eye with my eye liner." Grayson got off my bed and walked to me, bending down so we were at the same height. "How's your back?" he asked. "Still hurts," I replied, putting on my eye liner. "And you're going to the dance because...?" I sighed. "Grayson, Halloween is really fun. The dance will be fun, trust me. Now stop whining so I can concentrate." Grayson did stop, thankfully. He flopped back down on my bed, looking at something on his phone. When I finished putting on all my make up, I turned to Grayson. "I'm ready," I said. It took a while to find costumes that corresponded in some way because I really wanted to win the best couple costume. Grayson was dead set on going as something that made him sexy. So, he was going as a greaser and I was going as a sock hop, both from the 50's. Grayson turned off his phone before turning his head to face me. "You look smoking, babe." "Funny," I said sarcastically, grabbing his hand and pulling him up from me bed. "Come on. Ready to go?" Grayson placed his free hand in his pocket and felt around before nodding. I furrowed my eyebrows, so he pulled his hand out and revealed a small pill bottle for his antidepressants when he wasn't going to be home to take it. "We'll be at the dance when I have to take this," he told me. "You're taking them again?" I asked with a smile. "Yeah," he said. "If both you and my doctor think it's best for me, then I'm going to trust the two of you." "Thank you," I said. "Now let's go." I pulled him out of my bedroom and down the stairs. Mom was in the kitchen and peeked out once she heard us coming down. "Aw, the two of you look so adorable!" "Mom, we're not adorable," I said. Mom swatted her hand. "Oh, whatever. Have fun. And Grayson, please have her home by twelve." "Absolutely," Grayson said before we walked out of my house. We got to the dance about ten minutes after it started. I didn't want to show up too early and Grayson didn't want to show up at all. He was complaining almost the whole way there. It was funny because he was the one driving -his sister's car since his was still getting repaired- and he could have turned around anytime. The gym, where the dance was being held, looked amazing. The committee must have taken a long time to set it up. Spooky decorations were in every corner, and the lighting only made them look creepier. "If you get scared," Grayson said in my ear, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder, "just tell me. I'll make sure to protect you." "I'll make sure you do," I said, shaking my head. Belle and Thalia walked up to us and immediately, I got a bit tense. I never told Belle about the conversation Thalia and I had when we were at the hospital. As much as she irritated me, I knew she was a good friend to Belle. Belle was dressed as a fairy, and thankfully not one in a very short dress. Looking around, a lot of girls were wearing something a bit too... short. Thalia was one of the girls. Her costume was a cop and her outfit was way too short. I even noticed her smiling flirtatiously at Grayson. "It's nice to see you two together again," Belle said. "Having fun out of the hospital, Grayson?" "Definitely," Grayson said. "I know I got out yesterday, but I missed hugging my flower like this." "I like your costume, Grayson," Thalia said. "Greaser, right?" "Yeah," Grayson said, wrapping his arms tightly around me. "It was Poppy's idea." "Oh," Thalia said, her voice turning cold. "Nice idea, Poppy." She said my name as if it was venomous. She could not hate me more. Belle didn't even notice the hatred in Thalia's voice, but Grayson did, thankfully. "Flower, let's go get something food, yeah?" He removed his arms from around my waist and wrapped them around my shoulder before leading me to the food table. "I'm sorry about Thalia. I don't know why she's acting like this." "Isn't it obvious?" I asked, looking at all the food laying on the table. I wasn't really that hungry, but I did want to get away from Thalia. "She hates me for dating you." "Well, that's her problem," Grayson said. "But trust me, she doesn't know anything about me. She might know basic facts, but it's not like she has seen me cry before." "How much of the conversation between me and Thalia did you hear?" I asked. "Not sure," he said. "The first thing I heard was the two of you talking about my favorite place. You were right about everything, though. You know me a lot more than her, than anyone." I smiled at that but winced after my back began hurting. I hated that it hurt whenever I was standing for a long time. The doctor's said it should go away in six weeks after the crash. That meant I had three weeks of pain left. "Need to sit down?" Grayson said. I nodded. I loved how he was able to figure that out without me even telling him I was in pain. He grabbed me hand and pulled me to the side of the gym where a few chairs were. Grayson sat down and pulled me onto his lap. "There are some other chairs for me," I said. "And?" he asked, wrapping his arms around me. "Face it, my lap is comfier than the chairs." I scoffed. "Keep thinking that. Grayson, this is a school dance. I'm pretty sure they won't allow this kind of PDA." "There's nothing wrong with it," Grayson said. "Besides, I see couples do it all the time before school, at lunch, after school. As long as any strict teachers aren't chaperoning." "Um, Grayson?" I pointed towards the DJ, where my brother was standing by, talking to another teacher. "I'll just tell him I needed a hug from my flower," Grayson said. "You need to relax. Don't add stress among the pain." I looked around the gym, observing all the students here. They seemed to be having a good time. Even though Grayson hated dances, I hoped he would have fun here. I caught a glimpse of Thalia, who immediately glared at me. Lately, she hadn't been as discrete at hiding her hatred for me. "Poppy?" Grayson asked. "Don't let her get to you, alright? I don't care if she still likes me. She's a nice girl and all, but she isn't you." I looked at Grayson and sighed. "I know. It's annoying having her glare at me like that. I try being nice to her, even after I found out she's your ex-girlfriend." "And thank you for not getting jealous," Grayson said. "And to change the subject, I never got a thank you for coming to this stupid dance." "Oh, please," I said with an eye roll. "You love being here because apparently, you look sexy." "Damn right," Grayson said. "Now, where's that thank you?" I smiled, cupping his face with my hands and pressing my lips against his. "There," I said. "Come on," he objected. "That was barely a thank you." I leaned down, about to kiss him again, but the familiar voice cleared his throat. "Seriously?" Tony asked. "Just because this isn't school hours..." "Loosen up, Tony," I said. "He was in a coma, remember?" "Yes, I do," Tony said. "But that doesn't mean you have an excuse to make out with your boyfriend at a school dance. Now off his lap." "But the chairs are uncomfortable," I whined. "And my back hurts." "Then I'll get you painkillers," Tony said. "Off." I sighed, sitting on the chair beside Grayson instead. "Happy? Now I'm in a lot more pain." "Sitting on a chair doesn't add pain," Tony said. "If anything, it helps subdue the pain." "Not when the chairs are uncomfortable." Tony ignored me and walked away, shaking his head. I had to be honest, I loved irritating the crap out of my older brother. It was funny seeing his annoyed reaction every time. Thalia suddenly sat down on the other side of Grayson. "Why are you sitting down?" Thalia asked. "It's a dance, so you should be dancing." "Nah, I don't dance," Grayson said. Thalia furrowed her eyebrows. "Then why are you at a dance?" "Poppy wanted me to come," Grayson said. "And trust me, she knows the right way to persuade me." Thalia frowned. "Oh. I see. Well, you could still come dance. It won't kill you." "No thanks," Grayson said. "Poppy needs to sit for a bit, so I'm sitting with her." "I'm sure she'll be fine by herself," Thalia said. She was really determined to get Grayson, my boyfriend, away from me. "Actually, I hate sitting by myself at dances," I said. "Was I talking to you?" Thalia asked, sending me a glare. "Thalia, you don't have to be so rude to Poppy," Grayson said. "She doesn't like sitting by herself, I'm her boyfriend, so I'm sitting with her." "I was just..." "Look," Grayson said. "We dated before, but that was a long time ago. I'm with Poppy now and she knows me more than you, alright? You and I, we're friends. Just friends." Thalia scoffed. "Whatever." She got up and went to the other side of the gym. "It's official," I said. "She hates me." Grayson shrugged, standing up before grabbing my hands and pulling me up. "I know I said I don't dance, but it's a slow song right now and I wouldn't mind having you in my arms. If your back is still hurting, we can sit this one out." I shook my head. "It's hurting a bit, but I'd rather dance with you than sit down." Grayson pulled me to the dance floor and placed his hands on my waist as I wrapped mine around his neck. "Thank you for coming, Grayson," I said. "I know you hate dances, but I really wanted to come with you." "Of course," Grayson said. "Besides, I think I'm going to take my thank you tomorrow." I furrowed my eyebrows. "What's tomorrow?" Grayson smiled. "You don't remember? The field trip the seniors are going on tomorrow?" I thought for a bit before widening my eyes. "No, absolutely not!" "Too bad," Grayson said. "I knew you wouldn't hand in your permission slip, so I got your dad to sign it and I gave it to your brother while you were taking forever to get ready." "Grayson, I hate haunted house," I said. "You know that." "Oh, come on, Flower," Grayson said. "I hate dances, yet I'm here. Besides, we're going during the day so it won't be as scary." He leaned down, his lips hovering right over mine, allowing me to feel his hot breath. "I can persuade you as easily as you can persuade me." He planted a kiss on my nose, then the corner of my mouth. "That's where you're wrong," I said. "I don't cave in easily like you." "Is that a challenge?" Grayson asked. "Because if so, I can easily win." "Bring it on," I said. Grayson didn't say anything as he pulled me into a hug, resting his chin on the top of my head. "What are you doing?" "Hugging you," he said. "I'm not going to let go until you agree to come tomorrow. Not that you have a choice. I handed in your form." "I can always skip or pretend being sick," I said. 'Besides, I like hugging you, so I'm not going to agree to come." "Please come?" "No." "Please?" "No." "I'll love you forever." "You already do." "... Please? I'm at this stupid dance." I sighed. Grayson did have a point. "Alright, fine. I'll go tomorrow. But I'm not going to like it."