MADELINE POV

I woke up to the bright morning sun shining in my face. Ever since I was a kid I had always preferred the sunny daytime over the dark night. 

The warm and welcoming sunshine reminded me of my mother. In contrast, the scary darkness that lingered at night reminded me of my father. I only ever saw him during the end of the day. Everything he did and how he treated both my mother and I still haunts me to this day.  

I got up and headed to the bathroom. It was a habit of mine to brush my teeth first thing in the morning. As I opened the door I noticed Grayson was getting out of the bathroom.

I immediately looked away from him as I noticed he didn't have a shirt on. Luckily I was able to see a glimpse of his well defined abs. They were a lot better than what I had imagined. 

"I need to talk to you about something." He said as he walked towards me.

He seemed to have noticed I was going to the restroom because he stopped.

"Go ahead and use the bathroom, we can talk when you're done." 

"Thank you" I answered without looking at him. 

I immediately ran into the bathroom before he questioned me about looking away from him.

Quickly I grabbed my toothbrush and brushed my teeth. Then I threw water on my face to help me wake up, although Grayson being shirtless had definitely helped with that.
I used a towel to dry my face and headed out. 

I had devised a plan to run straight to my bedroom and make no eye contact with Grayson whatsoever. That way he wouldn't feel the need to speak with me and I wouldn't have to look at him half naked.

It all seemed to be going well until Grayson called out my name.

"Madeline" I heard him say. I was so close to my bedroom, just a few more steps and I would make it.

"Are you avoiding me?" I heard him ask
 I didn't answer in hopes he would understand that I didn't want to see him at the moment. It was then that I was pulled back and placed against the wall. 

His hands rested on the wall as he remained in that spot. This moment truly felt like deja vu. It reminded me of the time he did the same thing at school not too long ago. Only this time he was shirtless and had sexy bed hair. 

"Are you scared of me?" I heard him ask in somewhat of a low voice. Did it hurt him to think I feared him?

"No, not at all." I answered looking up into his eyes. 

He smiled at me and grabbed my hand. I felt his warm lips on my skin as he kissed it.

"I'm glad." Is all he said as he continued to stare at me.

I looked away turning my gaze down to my feet. Although his amazing abs distracted me and I couldn't help but stare at his well defined body. I wondered how much he had to workout to get a body like that. 

I heard him chuckle and realized he caught me ogling him.

 I immediately closed my eyes for some reason. It was a mix of embarrassment and a  need to look away that got me to do it. My thoughts for Grayson were becoming improper and I didn't like it.

Once again I felt the warmth of his lips on my eyes and realized he had just kissed them. It was this sweet gesture that made me open my eyes once again.

"It seems I can't stand a day without touching you my love." 

The loving things this man said is what lured me in and pushed this attraction I felt for him to grow stronger. 

 "What did you want to talk to me about?" I asked him trying to change the topic. 

Grayson seemed in a daze as he gently brushed my hair. He had loving eyes and it was evident he was smitten with me. 

"You're so beautiful Madeline. I always tried to avoid you in the mornings because I knew I wouldn't be able to stop myself from wanting to touch you. The innocence and gentle nature you present as soon as you wake up in the morning is hard to resist." 

He kissed my forehead and moved away.

"If I stay here any longer I don't think I will be able to hold back. I will meet you downstairs and then we can talk." 

"Ok" Is all I could answer with. Wow, I never noticed how much Grayson truly liked me until now. It felt somewhat overwhelming to have him show so much affection towards me. Although I would be lying if I said I hated it.

I walked inside my room and changed into a cute and casual outfit I brushed my hair and then headed downstairs to meet with Grayson.

As I entered the kitchen I saw Grayson taking out ingredients for a meal I presumed.

"Do you need any help?" I asked.

He looked up at me and smiled. 

"I would love it if you could help me make pancakes." 

"Great! What do you need me to do?" I asked.

I walked over to him and he explained to me exactly what was needed to make pancakes from scratch. I began to mix ingredients as he had explained to me before while he began to make scrambled eggs and bacon.

We finished with our part of the meal and placed it onto some plates. I grabbed some orange juice and served us some on glass cups. We headed to the living room and placed the food on the table 

I sat down and Grayson took the seat next to me. To be honest I didn't mind that he wanted to be near me so I didn't say anything.

"So I was thinking we could go grocery shopping today. We don't have anything for dinner today and I noticed we're running out of eggs." 

He was right about that. We would also be coming back to school on Monday and I knew we wouldn't have time to go grocery shopping during the weekday. 

"Yeah, that sounds good." 

We ate in silence as we engrossed ourselves in our own thoughts. Finally we finished our meals and brought our plates back to the kitchen.

"I'm going to grab my bag and then we can head out." 

"Of course, no worries my love." 

I still wasn't used to his nicknames for me. I found them endearing but it felt weird hearing him say it. We weren't dating after all.

A soon as I grabbed my bag I met up with Grayson downstairs and we got out of the house. We then walked over to his car and like a gentleman he opened the door for me to get in.

Soon we were on our way to the supermarket. It felt nice to think that we were really spending time together. It was a simple outing, nothing fancy, but Grayson and I were finally bonding. 

Throughout my childhood he had never shown any signs of wanting to get to know me nor spend time with me. Everything I have seen from him since his confession is so foreign to me. Finally I am getting to know that young boy who hid his true self from me.

We finally arrived at a supermarket and headed inside. I grabbed a cart and followed Grayson inside. We went through each isle checking to see if we needed anything from this particular area. 

Cooking wasn't something I was particularly great at but it certainly was more Grayson's thing. He knew exactly what to get. 

Every time we walked through a new isle he would asked me what I would like to eat for dinner and breakfast during the week. I would tell him what I wanted and he would grab the ingredients. He didn't mind how difficult it was and that he just wanted me to enjoy his cooking.

"Can we buy ingredients for a pizza! Look they have all of the ingredients here." 

I began to grab pepperoni and the premade crust from the pizza section.

"Maybe we can look over the produce and add some vegetables to spice up the pizza. Or we can buy some sausage for a meat lovers pizza I don't know what would be good? What do you think Grayson?" I looked over at Grayson and all I saw was his loving stare towards me.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"No, not at all. It's just that I love to see you so excited and happy like this. You're breathtakingly beautiful when you smile."

He truly looked in awe as he spoke to me.

My cheeks were probably a deep red right now. I looked away feeling nervous. I touched my chest feeling my heart beating fast.

I felt someone's warm hand over mine and I turned to look at Grayson. He then kissed my palm and continued to hold my hand encasing it with his larger one.

"Can I hold your hand while we do the rest of the shopping?" He looked like a cute puppy begging for attention.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"We won't be able to shop properly if we hold hands." I answered.

He pouted but nevertheless agreed.

Finally we finished shopping and brought all of the shopping bags to the back of the car. Correction, Grayson placed all the shopping bags in the back of the car while I sat in the passenger seat. He wanted to be the one to do all of the work which after a small argument I ended up agreeing to.

As soon as we arrived back home we put all of the groceries away and started making popcorn. I suggest we watch a movie together since neither one of us felt like going out. 

I grabbed a couple of other snacks and we headed to the theater room. 

"So, what do you want to watch?" I asked Grayson.

"I don't mind, whatever you like is fine with me." 

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"I'm positive my love." 

It weirdly felt as if we were dating already. I mean isn't this what couples did? In fact it felt like we were newly weds. 

"Madeline?" 

I realised I had been lost in thought about us supposedly dating that I didn't notice I was quiet for a good minute.

"Oh, I'm sorry I was just lost in thought." 

Grayson seemed to be curious about my deep thoughts and asked me what exactly it was that I was thinking about.

"Is something bothering you? I want you to know that you can trust me? Whatever you may be feeling, please open up with me." 

I could see the sincerity in his eyes and his body language.

I was surprised and happy with his response. He had never seemed interested in hearing me out or helping me out with anything really.

"I was just thinking that everything we did today is almost as if were dating. Going out to buy food together, eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner together, and watching a movie in a cinema like room reminds me a lot of a date. Although I wouldn't really know much about how a date is like since I have never been in a romantic relationship with anyone before." 

Grayson became quiet as soon as I responded to his question.

"This might look like a date but it's nowhere near being in a romantic relationship with someone. It's more like friends hanging out." 

"So if this isn't like dating, then what is?" 

I was curious to see what he would say. He obviously had more experience than I did. 

He finally looked straight at me and began to speak once again.

"If you and I were dating Madeline, I would keep you by my side at all times. For example, right now you would be sitting in my lap while watching a movie. I would embrace you and keep you in my arms while I occasionally gave you gentle kisses on your side and delicate neck. If we were watching a horror film you would nuzzle up to me and hide your face in my chest as I whisper soothing words to you and tell you you're safe with me. But most importantly I would finally be able to touch you and feel your body against mine. I would kiss you to my heart's content and your heart would belong only to me as mine belongs to you." 

I didn't know how to respond to Grayson. The way he spoke was filled with so much sincerity and emotion I knew he wasn't lying. I could see how much he longed for me to love him back the way he loved me. But all of this was too soon, there were many other questions I still had to ask him.

"Look, Grayson I…" 

"Madeline it's ok, I know you don't feel the same way. But I promise you that one day you will say you love me, and that will be the happiest day of my life. I am willing to wait for you my love, no matter how long it takes." 

I couldn't help but notice how Grayson seemed sad, but he definitely looked determined.

"I'm going to grab the popcorn from the microwave. Please pick a movie, I honestly don't mind what film you choose.

He gave me a weak smile and left to the kitchen.

I felt bad for him but I couldn't lie to him. Although he was still dating Annabelle and I would never think of dating someone who was already taken. 

I decided to put on the movie Grease since it was one of my all time favorite romance films. 

Grayson finally came back and we began to watch the film and eat the snacks we prepared. I couldn't help but think back at how he had described us as a couple. 

I imagined myself sitting in his lap with my head rested against his strong chest. How would it be like to feel his abs over his shirt? Would I like his gentle caresses and loving kisses? 

I mind slapped myself trying to forget about my weird thoughts about Grayson. Nope, I could not like this man. He was dangerous, how could I be so sure that he wasn't lying to me about his feelings. After all he was no more than a stranger since he was so distant towards me since we were children. 

After the film was over I headed out of the theater room. It was getting dark and I needed to prepare for school tomorrow.

I grabbed the tray of snacks and took them to the kitchen. I washed the dishes and Grayson dried them. 
 
Now it was time to prepare for school tomorrow. As I walked up the stairs I felt someone grab hold of my hand. I looked back to see Grayson.

"Can I take you out somewhere? We haven't had dinner yet and there's a place I would like you to see." 

I wondered where he wanted to take me. But I didn't mind going out to eat. 

"Ok" 

We headed out and decided to get some burgers at a drive thru. I still didn't know where we were going but I was hungry and didn't mind us eating some good old junk food. 

Grayson drove for some time and finally we made it to the mysterious destination.

We had just parked at a drive in theater. I had never done this before and was extremely happy to be here. 

" I know we already watched a movie but I just thought you would really like this. Plus it's a great spot for a first date." 

I couldn't help but smile. He seemed nervous and excited before we got here. 

"Grayson this isn't a da…" 

"Please, can't we just pretend it's a date? You can ask me anything you want, I am an open book." 

Grayson seemed oddly desperate to have us pretend as if we were really dating. But this would be a great time for me to really get to know him. Maybe I could even give him a chance.

"Alright fine, but you have to be completely honest." 

"Of course, I would never lie to you my love." 

He said sounded pretty genuine.

I grabbed my burger and took off the wrapping. Then I took a bite of it. Grayson seemed to do the same.

I took a sip of my milkshake and the questioning began.

"To be frank with you, I don't think I can even think about dating you while your in a current relationship with someone else already. Anabelle might not be my favorite person in the world but I wouldn't think about dating you while your still with her. It's just not right." 

I wouldn't like it if someone were to cheat on me. It's morally wrong and I couldn't live with myself knowing I am just the side chick. 

"You are completely right about that Madeline. You're worth more than being just a side chick. I love only you Madeline and I would never be in a relationship with you while I'm seeing someone else already. Which is why I need you to know that I have already broken up with Anabelle." 

He what? When had he broken up with her? 

"Yesterday when I left the house after we kissed I decided to make things right. My entire relationship with Anabelle has been a lie, I never truly liked her. She was someone I was dating to try and get you out of my mind, maybe even forget. But as soon as I confessed and when we kissed…" 

He stared hungrily at my lips and then into my eyes. 

"After we kissed, I was positive that I wasn't going to be able to forget you. The way your body feels in my arms is so addicting, I never want to let you go." 

I could see how much he was attracted to me. His body language and way of speaking gave him away. How could I not realize he was smitten with me?

"Everytime I am near you and the time we spend together keeps reassuring me that you're the women I want to spend my life with. I spoke to Anabelle in person and explained to her that our fake relationship was over. I am wholeheartedly devoting myself to you." 

That was a relief to hear although it made me worry. I couldn't use that as an excuse not to date him anymore.

"Thank you for being honest about your feelings. I just need time to think. Just please I need some time." 

I was scared. Never in my life had I been in a relationship and had a boyfriend. Grayson had changed so much in such little time I didn't know if I should trust him.

"I am willing to wait for you no matter how long it takes." 

"Thank you" I answered.

We finished our food and headed back home. Both Grayson and I walked straight to our own bedrooms and prepared for school.

As I laid in bed I wondered what tomorrow would bring. I hoped there would be no confrontations with Anabelle. Although something told me she would definitely hate me after her breakup with Grayson.

            END OF CHAPTER 6

(I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I have two other chapters that I have finished, I just need to edit them so that they are perfect for all of you to read. Don't forget to vote if you enjoyed.😊 Thank you all who have taken the time to read my book it really means a lot!)