Chapter 38

A few minutes after Mitchell had left for school, Grayson pulled into the driveway, like a maniac.

I take a nervous gulp before walking off of the front porch and making my way to the passenger side of his car.

I open the door and hop inside.

“Hi.” He greets me shyly.

“Hi.” I respond.

He reversed out of the driveway and began the drive to school as a song by David Bowie began playing on the radio at a faint volume.

“Are you coming to the game tonight?” He asked.

“Uh, not sure.” I reply.

“You don’t wanna watch me score a touchdown?”

“I was thinking of going to visit my mom tonight.” I tell him.

“Oh, yeah of course.”

“Sorry.” I felt bad.

“No, it’s okay. I understand.” He indicated right and makes the turn, despite the way to school being left.

“Where are we going?” I ask him.

“School?” He answered, though it sounded like a question.

“School was the other way.” I stated matter-of-fact.

“We’re taking the scenic route.”

I exhaled deeply. “I don’t want to go to school anyway.” I tell him.

“Why not?” He wondered.

“It’s just pointless.” I say. “I mean, what even is the point?”

“To learn, and go to college.” Grayson says.

“Smartass.”

The car slowed down at traffic lights as the light switched from yellow to red. “We can skip if you want?”

“And do what?”

“Anything.” He said, smirking “Maybe we could go to the theme park in the city?”

“The new one?” I wonder.

“Yeah.”

“Okay.” I smiled.

I know I had to go back to school at some point, but for now, I would rather do anything else.

We arrive at the theme park an hour later, give or take a few minutes. It looked amazing.

From the parking lot, I could hear the screams of exhilaration which kind of made me nervous. We head towards the ticket kiosk to get our tickets before heading inside. Grayson insisted on paying for my ticket, which was a relief, seeing as I did not have any money on me at the moment, or rarely ever, if I am being honest.

I seriously need to get a job.

But I’m far too lazy. I’d much prefer to sit on my ass all day and binge watch tv series.

“What ride do you want to go on first?” Grayson asked.

I take it all in.

“We should check out the haunted house.” I suggest with excitement.

“Let’s go.” He smiled, holding his hand out for me to take.

I look down at it with confusion before meeting his eyes again. “People will see us.” I tell him, my heart palpitating with panic.

“So? No one here even knows us.” He says.

I was scared.

What would people think of us?

What if people talk about us behind our backs?

“Take my hand, Little Cooper.” He urged.

I take a deep breath, slowly moving my hand to take his. Our fingers collide first and the hairs on my arm stand up.

“What does this mean?” I asked him after exhaling.

“What do you want it to mean?” He counter-asked.

I didn’t know what I wanted it to mean.

I didn’t know how I felt.

About any of this.

“What do you want it to mean?” I counter-asked his counter-ask.

He chuckled. “I think you know what I want it to mean.”

Is he saying that he wants to be with me?

Like, as boyfriend and boyfriend?

Together?

As in dating?

Each other?

“Okay.” I tell him.

“Okay?” He raises his eyebrows.

“Okay, I’ll be…” I paused, taking a nervous breath. “Your boyfriend.”

“Secret boyfriend.” He added.

Right, secret boyfriend.

Our hands are still connected when we walk into the haunted house. It felt nice.

The first jump scare was some scary-ass zombie that crawled out from the ground. I almost impulsively kicked it in it’s stupid face!

This was a bad idea.

Holy shit, that was scary!

We continue further through the house in a wary manner. The soundtrack playing through an unseen speaker system was, ironically, haunting. So much that it literally sent chills down my spine.

Flashing lights nearly blinded me when a clown appeared before us, scaring the absolute bejeezus out of me.

“AHH, SHIT, FUCK!” I screeched, Grayson’s hand and mine were still clasped tightly together. He laughed uncontrollably at me, which caused me to punch him in the arm.

I was more than glad when we exited the haunted house with all of our limbs attached, though I swear that I was exhibiting signs of an oncoming heart attack.

Next, we decided to go on a rollercoaster together. We’re seated at the front of the train when the worker pulled down the over-the-shoulder restraints.

“You ready?” Grayson asked before the ride started.

“Hell yes!” I say excitedly.

The rollercoaster begins at a tortoise-like pace before it sped up and raced upward to it’s apex. At the top, it came to a slow pace once again, which gave enough time to breath before it plummeted downwards.

“THIS. IS. AWESOME!” I shouted loud enough that it hurt my larynx.

“I KNOW RIGHT!” Grayson also shouted.

When the rollercoaster ended, we went to the kiosk to retrieve our photos, which were highly unpleasant. I looked like a scared blob of crap! Meanwhile, Grayson looked as charming as ever.

Next, we head to the Photo Booth—Grayson’s idea—and we end up taking a bunch of photos with the provided props in the prop-box.

“Silly face.” I say, pulling my best attempt at a silly face.

Grayson crosses his eyes and sticks his tongue out when the camera flashed.

“Peace sign.” Grayson says.

We both comply, each throwing up a peace sign before the camera flashed again.

I look down in the prop box and pull out a moustache on a handle and place it above my lips. Grayson reached down and pulled out a top hat and a pair of shades before posing for the camera.

CLICK!

I quickly throw off the props and look for more to use when Grayson pulls me backwards, planting a kiss on my lips.

CLICK!

His hand is rested against the right side of my face, sending a charge of electricity through me. In his kiss, I felt oddly safe and wanted.