MADELINE POV

I quickly got ready for school and headed downstairs to eat a quick breakfast. There was a note on the kitchen table and a plate of waffles, eggs, and sausages.

"For my love, I hope you enjoy the breakfast I made."

I was flattered by his kindness. He didn't have to make me breakfast but I was happy anyway. Sadly he had football practice so we couldn't eat together.

Oh no! Did I actually miss him? This was bad, I could not be missing Grayson because that meant I was starting to have feelings for him.

Maybe eating would help me forget. As soon as I was done I washed my plate and headed out to meet with Lisa.

I got in her car and she began to talk to me about her date yesterday.

"He was such a gentleman. He opened every door for me, pulled up a chair for me to sit, and even paid for my meal."

From the way Lisa was talking about this guy it seemed like he was a special individual.

"We went to an expensive Italian restaurant and then we walked around the city and talked all night. The best part was when we kissed!"

I was really happy for Lisa. She seemed really content with this guy, hopefully they would become a couple.

"I can't wait to see him today!" She screamed.

I just laughed from hearing her squeal with joy.

We finally arrived at the school and headed inside the building. English class and physics went as usual and I was glad it was time for lunch.

Although I did completely avoid Grayson at all costs. He tried to talk to me during English class and even followed me during break. I just didn't know how to face him. Would he ask me how I felt about him? I still didn't have an answer yet.

Lisa and I sat in our usual lunch table as we ate in silence.

"Alright Maddie, what's going on? Spit it out women!" Lisa always knew when something was wrong with me.

"It's a long story." I said. There was no need for Lisa to get caught up in my problems. She was so happy with her guy I didn't want to ruin her happy mood with my issues.

"Well I'm your best friend and I want to hear it. I see how your avoiding Grayson more than usual and you've been pretty quiet all morning. I'm genuinely worried about you."

Maybe it was a good idea to talk to Lisa about everything that had happened with Grayson. She could probably help me decide if dating him was a good idea. Although in the end it was my choice to make.

But before I could open up, I heard loud yelling that was rather familiar.

"Are you satisfied! You finally got Grayson, my man! But I will be honest, you really are stupid. I mean he's been obsessed with you for as long as I have known him and yet you still never figured out he was in love with you. What a worthless bitch, you don't deserve him, I do!"

"Alright calm down you crazy women. Leave my best friend alone!" Lisa stood up and looked angrily at Anabelle.

I was surprised to say the least, Lisa had always tried to avoid problems with Anabelle, but now she was ready to stand up against her.

"You think you can talk back at me? My family can destroy yours in an instant!"

Anabelle was about to slap Lisa but Dylan stopped her just in time.

"Please calm down miss."

"Don't touch me you creep!" She screamed while walking away.

Dylan then sat next to me looking concerned.

"Are you girls ok?" I was glad he had stopped Anabelle from hitting Lisa. That woman was truly crazy.

"Thank you Dylan." Lisa said.

"Yea, thank you so much for saving us there. Anabelle was really upset with me and instead of talking about her problem with me calmly, she preferred to scream."

"I can see that." Dylan laughed.

"Ok but like did she just say you got Grayson to yourself now?"

Oh no! I hadn't told Lisa yet about Grayson's confession and everything that had happened over the course of two days.

"I have no idea what she's talking about. Grayson probably broke up with her and now she's blaming it on me."

Lisa seemed to be satisfied with my answer and didn't ask me anything more about the subject.

"Can I speak with you for a minute? In private?" I turned to look at Dylan.

"Sure, we won't take long Lisa." I said as I got up.

"It's fine by me, take all the time you need." Lisa winked at me and I couldn't help but laugh.

I grabbed my backpack and followed Dylan to some benches outside.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"This is going to sound weird but are you by any chance in a relationship with your brother?"

Wait, my brother? Was he referring to Grayson?

"No, not all, and Grayson isn't my brother to be exact. Well not my biological brother that is. But why are you asking me this?"

"Well just now this Grayson guy walked up to me and practically threatened me to stay away from you. He claimed that you belong to him and that you are not siblings."

I was upset to hear that Grayson would do such a thing. He didn't seem like the type to do that.

"Madeline, I really like you. You know, as more than just friends. But if you're already in a committed relationship then please let me know. I would hate to get in the middle of it."

Wow! This was the second confession I had heard in less than a week. Was the universe trying to test me?

"No, not at all. I am not in a relationship with anyone at the moment. I am really sorry about Grayson and what he said to you. I have been staying with his family since I was a child. But that's the only reason why you might see us together. He tends to act like an overprotective brother sometimes. But there is nothing between us."

I was lying to Dylan, but I needed to figure out what was going on. Why would Grayson threaten Dylan? What could be his problem with me making new friends?

The bell rang and we headed to our class.

I still didn't have an answer for Dylan. He had practically just confessed his feelings for me and I told him to give some time. But time for what? Did I want Dylan or Grayson?

Throughout the lesson I couldn't stop but think about what Dylan had told me. I would have believed that rudeness came from the old Grayson, but not the guy I hung out with the past two days. He was sweet, kind, and very understanding of my feelings. I just couldn't understand why he would act so aggressively towards Dylan.

School was finally over so I decided to look for Grayson. I recalled he had math, so I headed over to his class.

As I walked over there I ended up seeing him near some lockers as he talked with Anabelle.

I decided to go back, maybe I could talk to him later. Although things didn't go as planned since Anabelle saw me and gave me an annoyed look. Grayson seemed to have noticed her staring at someone since he turned around to face me.

"Madeline?" He looked pleasantly surprised.

"I'm sorry, let's talk later." I really didn't feel like getting in the middle of their argument. As I turned around I heard him speak again.

"No wait! We can talk now." He yelled.

I looked over at him and agreed to talk now. Anabelle stayed in her spot and Grayson and I went over to another corner to talk.

"Is something wrong? Are you not feeling ok my love?" Grayson grabbed my hand and kissed my palm.

"I'm fine, it's just that I had a talk with Dylan regarding an argument you two had."

Grayson's entire lovable energy turned into that of upset and somewhat anger.

His grip on my hand grew tighter and my hand began to hurt.

"You're hurting me." I said.

" I'm sorry my love." He immediately let go.

"Look Grayson I just want to know if it's true that you told Dylan to stay away from me?"

This couldn't be true, Grayson didn't seem like the possessive type.

"Yes, it's true. I don't like that guy at all. He doesn't seem like a good person and I don't want him anywhere near you."

Grayson seemed very upset. But he wasn't the only one.

"Why the hell would you do that? Dylan is my friend! You have no right to tell me who I can or can't hang out with!"

This seemed to anger him even more.

"No you will not, like hell you're going near him! He doesn't see you as a friend Madeline, he wants you as his woman."

"And so what? He can like me all he wants. I'm not bothered by it in the slightest."

I was getting really mad at this point. Who did he think he was to tell me what to do and push people away from me?

"You are not going near him and that is final!"

"Really, you're going to act like this? You know what, I don't even want to see you right now." I answered back.

He had reverted back to his annoying and rude old self. This is the Grayson I despised and I wanted nothing to do with it.

As I walked away I heard Grayson call out my name and I could hear footsteps behind me as he ran to catch up to where I was. I almost made it outside until I saw Anabelle.

"You think this is the first time he's told a guy to back off? Sweetheart, he's done it with practically all of the guys in this school. I suggest you avoid and stay away from Grayson before his possessive side gets too much for you. Because trust me honey I doubt you can handle it."

I was in utter shock. This wasn't the first time he had harassed a guy into staying away from me? This made so much sense now. Every guy who showed interest in me just ignored me after a day or two. I always felt like no one was attracted to me, but turns out they were just afraid of Grayson.

I practically ran out of the building and got inside Lisa's car.

"Can you please take me to work? I think it would be better if I go in earlier today. " I asked Lisa.

I stared into space thinking about my argument with Grayson. How did I even get in this mess in the first place! Maybe it would have been better if I had never found out that Grayson was in love with me In the first place. This was just causing me lots of problems and stress.

"Is everything okay? You look upset about something."

I wondered if telling Lisa about my issues would be a good thing or not. She had been so happy about her date with the guy from her music class, I didn't need to ruin her happy aura with my negative one.

"It's nothing really. I just have a lot of studying to do for this weeks finals. Tomorrow I am having my physics test and I am not too happy about that."

"It's alright Maddie. There are still a lot of fun things to look forward to like Friday's football game and next week's graduation trip."

Lisa had always been the optimistic one in our friendship, I was usually more dramatic and looked at the bad side of things.

"You know what, you're right. I need to focus on the positive side of things."

This seemed to be a good enough answer for Lisa, so she didn't ask me anymore questions.

I headed in to work and changed into some casual clothes, I put on my name tag and walked to the cash register.

Today would be my last day working at this bookshop. I had talked to the manager about this day for a while now and the day finally came. Although I would certainly miss this place.

I worked my four hour shift and then headed out dreading my encounter with Grayson. He was my only ride home meaning I would have to see him again.

His car was parked in front of the shop and I decided to get inside the back of the car. There was no way I would be sitting next to Grayson. This would make it easier for me to avoid him.

"Why didn't you sit in the front?"

I hated how innocent he sounded when he asked me that question. He made it seem as if I was the mean one for trying to avoid him.

"I am still upset with you Grayson. The way you acted with me back at school was very aggressive. I don't even feel like I can properly speak with you without having you get extremely angry with me."

Grayson didn't answer. I wondered what he was thinking about. Maybe he realized he was in the wrong.

The entire car ride was silent and finally we made it home.

We went our separate ways and stayed in our rooms. I studied for my test tomorrow and went to bed early. Hopefully Grayson and I would be able to talk about this issue and resolve the problem.

I much preferred being on good terms with him rather than see him angry.

END OF CHAPTER 7

(The next chapter will be the real confrontation between Grayson and Annabelle. There will be a steamy moment so be prepared for that.😎 Until next time my lovelies!😆 Don't forget to VOTE if you enjoyed.)