Chapter 94

Chapter 18 Grayson actually worked quite a bit; almost every day to be exact. I didn't always stay in the cafe when he was working but when I did, it was always so crowded. It got really annoying. He was working again today and since we had an exam next week for our Intro to Biology class, Belle organized a study group and I was going to go to it. It was actually our last day of classes today and we had exams all of next week before we were going into winter recess. I couldn't wait because I really wanted a break from the classes. "Are you sure you'll be fine?" Grayson asked me for what seemed like the hundredth time. "Yes, I promise," I said. "I know it's a tough course for me, but I'll be able to study fine. And if I'm having too much trouble, you can help me after work." "Okay," Grayson said. "I should be going now." He leaned down and kissed my cheek before heading out of the apartment. I got up from the couch, deciding that it was time for me to leave as well. I threw on one of Grayson's sweatshirts, something I did every time I left the apartment because I was starting to show a bit and Grayson's sweatshirts were very baggy on me. The study group Belle was organizing was in her apartment, so I didn't have to go to far. She let me in when I got there. All the people in the study group were girls, something I didn't want at all. I had a feeling gossiping was going to happen instead of studying. I sat down on an empty chair, feeling a bit out of place. Many of the girls were already talking to each other and I didn't even know most of their names. I've seen them in class, of course, but I never talked to them. Belle sat down on the floor. "So, should we get started?" Belle asked. "First things first," a girl said. I knew her name, Clare, since she usually sat in front of me in the class. "Did anyone win yet?" All the girls said 'No' and I had no idea what they were talking about. Neither did Belle. "Win what?" she asked. "There's this really cute guy working at the cafe and everyone has been trying to slip him their numbers, but he won't accept any," Clare explained. I tried my best not to sigh. Girls were still competing to get my boyfriend's number? Didn't they know that he had a girlfriend? ...Obviously they didn't. "And you're trying to see whose he will accept first?" Belle asked. "Really? He's just a guy." "Have you seen him before?" Clare asked. "Even if I did, I wouldn't care," Belle said. "I have a boyfriend and I don't care about other guys. And if this guy isn't accepting numbers, wouldn't that mean he's not looking for a girlfriend?" "He's probably looking for the right girl," Clare said. "Or he could have a girlfriend," I spoke up. "I don't think he does," Clare said. "I haven't seen him with one." Really? She never saw me and Grayson together? "Can we start studying now?" Belle asked. "And if it will motivate everyone more, we'll study for two hours, then go to the cafe for a break. Maybe your guys's cute guy is working tonight." So that was what we did: Study for the next two hours. Even though it got boring, I still paid attention because the exam was on Monday and I had to understand all of this. When two hours had passed, Clare closed her textbook and stood up. "Let's head down to the cafe!" she announced. "And I bet I'll be able to give the guy my number." I rolled my eyes, starting to feel irritated as everyone quickly gathered up their books. I did as well before following everyone out the door. I lingered behind as Belle locked her apartment before walking with her. "These girls are obsessed," she said. "Seriously, it's just a guy." "Yeah, one who has a girlfriend," I muttered. "It's Grayson, isn't it?" Belle asked. I nodded. "What do girls even see in him?" "Hey, that's my boyfriend you're talking about," I said. "Sure, he may be a bit temperamental, but he's a sweetheart." "Grayson? A sweetheart?" Belle asked with a raised eyebrow. "You crack me up." I didn't really care that she didn't believe me. Grayson actually was a sweetheart. We got to the cafe and like always, it was crowded. The girls from the study group were already lined up, looking eager to get to the front of the line. I watched in irritation as they tried to slip Grayson their number, only to have Grayson push the piece of paper back to them. I loved him for not accepting them, but the girls were the ones irritating me. "Aren't you bothered by this?" Belle asked. Yeah. I was. "Do you have a piece of paper and a pen?" I asked. Belle nodded, opening her bag and ripping a strip of paper before handing it to me, as well as a pen. I pressed the paper against my knee and wrote on the paper before handing the pen back to Belle. Clare was standing in front of me and noticed me doing that. She raised an eyebrow. "What happened to the guy might having a girlfriend?" she asked. "There's no reason I can't try, right?" I asked. Clare just chuckled. "Yeah, well good luck." It was official. I hated everyone. When Clare got to the front of the line, she handed Grayson the money for her order and tried giving him her number, but what Grayson said almost made me crack up. "Sorry, but we only accept cash, debit, and credit cards. No numbers." Clare frowned as he gave her the coffee before she walked away. She stood nearby, watching me with an amused smile. "Hey, Flower," Grayson said. "The usual?" "Yes," I said. "And can you take this piece of paper so the girls will stop their stupid game?" Grayson looked at the paper with furrowed eyebrows. "What game?" "A game to see which girl will be the first one whose number you'll accept," I said. "And I can't handle it anymore so please take it and in return, we'll make out later because I know how much you love that." Grayson chuckled and took the paper out of my hand before slipping it in his back pocket. "You know I would have taken it without you saying we'll make out later, so thank you for that offer. Now, you want the five cookies?" "Just two," I said, giving him the money. "I'm not too hungry, thankfully. It gets quite annoying." "Yeah, you're not the one making all of the meals at home," Grayson pointed out as he put two of the cookies in a paper bag. "I have to keep making extras because you eat way too much." He handed me the paper bag and I took one out. "And who's fault is that?" I asked, taking a bit out of the cookie before walking away and sitting down at a table. I was always blaming Grayson for my increased appetite, even though it wasn't technically his fault. Clare sat across from me. "I don't get it," she said. "He wouldn't accept any numbers but he accepted yours of all people." "Was that supposed to be insulting?" I asked. "Because it sounded that way." "I'm just saying," Clare said. "There are other girls who are way prettier than you." I hated people even more. "Let me stop you there," I said. "First off, that was an inconsiderate thing to say. Second, maybe that guy doesn't care about looks at all. Maybe he likes someone who isn't rude to other people. And third, that guy, whose name is Grayson by the way, has a girlfriend." "Yeah, right," Clare said as Belle sat down beside me. "So, Belle, is that guy cute or what?" "Like I said, I have a boyfriend," Belle said. "And there's no way I'm calling that guy cute when he is a pain in my ass." "What did Grayson ever do to you?" I asked. "He calls me a devil spawn," Belle said. "You've heard it before." I rolled my eyes and started eating my cookie. Why couldn't Grayson and Belle ever get along? It irritated the crap out of me. "I'm actually going to head back to my apartment," I said before standing up. "See you later," Belle said. I walked towards the door, turning around and waving to Grayson, who gave me a smile and waved back, before walking out of the cafe. All I really wanted to do was relax now.