Page 100 of Come Back to Me

“Well, considering the circumstances, I’m glad it was you and not him.” I cover my mouth. “Was that mean?”

“I don’t think so. This would’ve been a totally different conversation between you two if he came in here instead of me.” She gets up off the floor and wraps her hand around the door handle, looking at me. “I want you to know that you can talk to me about anything. Okay?”

“Okay.”

A wide grin grows on her face as she walks out of the bathroom.

It’s going to take a while to get used to the fact that I have friends to talk to about my struggles because I didn’t have that luxury growing up. I got so jealous when I would see a group of girls hanging out together at lunch or freaking out about a boy during class.

To this day, I wonder how I would’ve turned out if I had friends in middle school and high school.

Would I be any different?

Would I be insufferable to be around?

Would I be more interesting?

These aren’t thoughts I have often anymore because life has put me on a path that it believes I should be on. I can wonder about all of these things, but in the long run, none of it matters. I’m excited to see what happens as I continue in this direction, whether it’s career-related or what could happen with my love life. Life knows what it’s doing, and I’m just going along for the ride.

Scrutinizing my reflection in the mirror, I notice how puffy my under-eye area is. It’s not red, which is surprising because it usually gets red after I cry my eyes out.

Luck is working in my favor tonight.

now

GRAYSON

After Violet rushed into the bathroom, I figured it was the best time to make my appearance downstairs. I’m standing in the foyer near the front door.

The team is busy drinking and playing games.

I’m not in the mood to get involved in any of that, so I keep my distance.

The sound of Queen echoes in my ears, making me feel dizzy.

When I realize what song is playing, I’m transported back to my homecoming varsity game during my senior year of high school.

Rushing out of Stingray House, I’m bombarded with memories of that night.

I can barely stand upright, let alone walk.

My teammates are busy making out with the cheerleaders, drinking until they pass out, or jumping off the roof into the pool.

I lost count of how much I’ve drank after my third beer, which is obvious since I can’t form cohesive thoughts anymore. I can’t keep my eyes open either. At first, I was happy and relaxed. Now, I’ve fallen down and can’t get back up, plus I want to punch everybody in this room.

“Gray, y-you don’t l-look so g-good,” Blake stutters before he downs his cup of beer.

“Wh-what? I-I’m f-fine,” I slur my words. “Y-you d-don’t r-really k-know m-me.”

“Y-you should g-go home.”

“F-fuck y-you. I-I’m s-staying. Y-you’re n-not m-my d-dad.” I fill my cup with more beer and chug it down my throat so hard it starts to burn.

“Whatever, m-man.” Blake walks away, his legs unstable.

Violet sprints over to me. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I actually agree with my brother. I’m taking you home.” She reaches out to touch me, but I push her hand away.

“Y-you’re n-not m-my m-mom!” I shout.