you and grayson were raised the same way. cut from the same cloth if you will.

riches, ridged lines, rude stares. it was all you two ever new. the cruelty of the world was something that was imprinted from a very young age.

either you fight back or go under with it.

grayson was a fighter, so were you. naturally, refuge was found in one another.

from around age 11, grayson began to seek you out at events.

“are you going tonight?” texts became your new normal.

the two of you were best friends. even when he fell for Emily and it felt like a punch to the gut. especially when Avery came into the picture and he needed someone who understood. and even more now when Alisa called on you for a favor.

fake dating was the pitch she gave you one sunny afternoon.

“ ‘Lis…what?” you shake your head, squinting your eyes in the sun. your phone was pressed steadily to your shoulder. “that’s crazy…have you even talk to Gray yet?”

“I figured you would.” her words timing with him climbing out of your pool were painfully fitting.