Fragile

Chapter 2

My back pack straps rubbed against my skin as my eyes flew through the neighborhood. Every house had the same bricks, all run down and worn. They were bigger than my old house, but not by that much. I stood uncomfortably on the pale sidewalk and waited for the bus to arrive. Since I moved in mid-year, I had to start school the following Monday. I didn't have a car, my family only had one, so I couldn't drive to school even though I had my license.
I looked down on the ground until I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Grayson standing there. He had a smile on his face and I couldn't help but smile with him.
"Are you like me, do you not have a car?" I asked.
"No, I'm just not allowed to drive," He looked down at the ground, his smile slowly fading away.
"Why not?" I asked him, curiosity taking over me. "Did you get in an accident?"
"Something like that." He didn't elaborate and I didn't ask him to.
Instead, I nodded.
"Ready for your first day at school?" From the corner of my eye I saw the bus pull up in front of us.
"No, not really," I answered, my palms starting to sweat. I wiped them on my burgundy jeans.
"You'll be fine. I'm here every step of the way, " He smiled at me.
I smiled back at him. "Thanks."
We started to fill into the bus, a line forming. Grayson was behind me. He held onto the back of my backpack so he wouldn't lose me. I laughed. At the end of the day me and Grayson would always hang onto each others back packs so we didn't lose each other during recess. It was amazing, how one person can set you back in the past. One thing, one object.
From day one I knew me and Grayson would always find each other. We were best friends, and my 7 year old heart wanted to believe so.
I sat down at an empty seat, I didn't expect him to sit down next to me.
"Do you still sing?" He asked me. I looked into his green eyes and he looked back at my blue ones. I wanted to say yes, but I didn't want him to expect me to sing for him. My voice wasn't good, I just did it because It felt like the only way to get out my emotions.
"Yes," I hesitated. I knew I could trust him, this was Grayson after all.
"I knew it," He stared at the seat in front of him but I kept my eyes on his messy hair.
"What about you?"
"What about me?" he smirked, amused.
"What changed? What's the same?"
"I don't know, I guess you're going to have to find out," He smirked.
I sighed. "Fine, I'll figure it out on my own."
"Hey, are you the new girl?" I turned to look at the voice. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes. He looked like a junior, like me, but I couldn't tell.
"Yeah," I answered, quietly.
"Huh?"
"Yes," I answered a bit louder.
He nodded his head and turned away, losing interest in me quickly.
"You're still shy," Grayson noted.
"Am not," I denied.
He laughed. "You also still act like a 5 year old."
I slapped his shoulder. "Stop being mean," I pouted.
He laughed. "I've missed you," His lip was turned up in a half smile and my heart fluttered. Grayson was back, and I never wanted to lose him again.
"I've missed you too."
He sat back against the seat and closed his eyes. He sat in silence, it was reassuring, having him here with me again. When the bus pulled to a stop, Grayson's eyes fluttered open and he stood up "Ready to go?"
"Stop asking me if I'm ready, it's making this worse," I muttered.
He smiled at me and grabbed my hand. "Get up," he yanked me up.
"Ouch!" I slapped his arm. "Don't do that."
He started laughing. "You should've seen your face!"
"Can we just go," I deadpanned.
He got out of the seat and walked off the bus. I followed him into the school. It was huge. Thick white walls lined the outside, glass windows with blinds covering each and everyone, students split into the school. There had to be at least 2 hundred students outside. "This is a big school," I gulped in the nervousness rising in my stomach.
"Don't worry. Can I see your schedule?" I handed him my schedule. "We have lunch together... And Calculus."
"Thank God you're in some of my classes. Can I sit next to you during lunch?"
"Of course," he smiled.
He followed me to my locker and helped me figure out the combination.
I didn't plan on using it, we only had 5 minutes between classes. When I was done, he started walking me to my first class.
"You're going to be late," I told him, but he didn't listen.
"Who cares? It's fine. Don't worry about it," he smiled back at me, carefree and calm.
I smiled back. "Okay."

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I looked around the crowded cafeteria. I looked through hundreds and hundreds of students, how was I supposed to find Grayson? My heart started to beat faster and faster until I felt a light tap on my shoulder.
"Hey Alexandria," He beamed at me.
"Where were you." I whispered at him, my eyes wide with fear.
"Whoa, chill. I was getting lunch," he gave me a worried look.
"Sorry I just didn't want to be alone," I took a calming breath.
"It's fine," He grabbed my hand and I shivered at his touch. He dragged me to a table and sat down. There were three guys sitting around the table.
"Hey," One of them said to me, "I'm Ian."
"Hi, I'm-"
"Alexandria," Grayson said for me.
I glared at him. "Usually people just call me Alex," I smiled at Ian. He had brown hair that curled around his face. His eyes were hazel, almost yellow.
Grayson shoved my shoulder playfully.
"Yes, Grayson?" I asked.
"Aren't you going to eat anything?" He looked at the empty table in front of me.
I pulled a bag out of my backpack. "Happy?"
He smiled. "Anyways, that's Ethan," He pointed to a guy with blonde hair. "And that's Jeffery," He pointed to the last guy. He had dark brown hair and green eyes.
"Hi," I said to them.
"So how was your day?" Grayson asked me, his green eyes smiling at me.
"Not exactly the way I wanted it to go. I didn't really make any friends yet," I answered.
"Don't worry, you will soon," He gave my hand a small squeeze. "Plus, who needs friends when you have me," He laughed.
I laughed with him. In that moment I could feel all the love I had for Grayson spring in my chest. I missed having him as a friend. I missed having someone so care-free around, especially when I would stress out about random things. Maybe I needed him, because I don't think I felt as complete as I do when I'm with him.
He let go of my hand and the smile on his face faded.
"You okay?" I asked.
He nodded, "Yeah I'm fine," He forced a smile to prove he was okay, but I knew he wasn't. I looked over at Ian and he looked back and forth between us.
We talked for a little while longer, and soon enough the bell rung, ending lunch.

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I walked through the front door, happy the day was finally over. "I'm home!" I shouted.
I looked over at the piano that was sitting in the corner of our new fancy living room. I slowly crept to the piano and sat on the bench. I let my fingers press against the cool keys and closed my eyes, hearing the sound under my fingertips.