Page 2 of Come Back to Me

“Did you know that violet isn’t a common color in nature?”

I shake my head. “No, I didn’t know that, but now I do.”

“Yeah. It means you’re one of a kind. Anyway, it was nice to meet you. Guess I’ll see you around.”

Will you marry me?

My cheeks heat up. “Yeah, it was nice to meet you, too.”

Grayson brushes against my shoulder as he walks past me.

Oh, I’m never washing this shoulder again.

I can’t stop smiling. My head turns toward the kitchen, sneaking glances at the boy I just met.

My brother’s new friend.

It’s going to be hard to stay away from him.

One of my favorite TV shows has reruns playing, so I grab my remote and cozy up underneath my blankets. This all happens as the door to my room bursts open, making my eyes grow wide.

My brother walks in, stopping in front of my TV.

I wish I could punch him in the face right now.

“Hey, you’re in my way!”

“Sorry,” he says.

Wait, that’s not Blake blocking my view…it’s Grayson.

I look up to find him staring at me. “No, I’m sorry…I thought you were Blake. He’s always coming into my room without my permission.”

My heart is beating so fast, and the butterflies have returned. I’m not sure if I like this feeling.

I turn down the volume on the TV, so I can hear him better.

“It’s okay. I should’ve knocked.”

“I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but why are you talking to me when you could be hanging out with my brother?”

“He asked your dad if he could take his bike down to the grocery store to get more soda.”

“How do we not have any soda? The fridge is always full of drinks and food. I think it might explode one day.”

Grayson laughs.

It’s the kind of laugh that starts in somebody’s belly and hurts in the best way possible.

Ah, I made him laugh.

“You’re funny,” he says.

“Thank you.” I can feel a shade of pink adding color to my face, and I can’t hold back my smile. “Since Blake won’t be back for some time, do you want to talk for a little while?”

“Sure. There’s not a lot for me to talk about though. I live in Breakwater, which is on the other side of town. I’m sure you haven’t heard of it.”

“I have heard of it.” I cross my arms and turn my body around, so I can properly face him.