It felt like I was entering a morgue. Everything was silent, which was new in this class. I could feel everyone's eyes on me, and I felt uncomfortable. I became very aware of how loud my footsteps were on the hard floor, and I tried to walk as quietly as I could to Ms. Smith's desk.

She gave me a sympathetic smile as I approached. No doubt she had already heard the news, and knew how I felt about it.

"You can have a free day today. I don't want you doing anything that could damage your project. Make whatever you want today," she told me.

"Thank you so much," I thanked, and took my seat.

As I took my seat, I noticed a lump of fresh clay already sitting in my spot. Bless the old woman's soul. She had already gotten me clay, and had even turned on some classical music. My favorite genre to calm me down. Paired with the silence, and the rhythmic movements of working with clay, it was the best way to calm my frayed nerves.

I sighed in content, and began to sculpt flowers.

Roses, sunflowers, daisies, you name it, I was making it. Flowers were such delicate works of art, and drawing them was my favorite thing to do. Making them was a lot harder, but I loved the challenge. The delicate slopes and curves of their petals was like polishing a gemstone. It took awhile, but in the end it was worth it to see the finished product. They required a lot of attention as well, so it took your mind off of everything.

It took my mind off of everything a little too well. I hadn't even heard the door open until it slammed shut, and I jumped, dropping my rose. I groaned and picked it up. The petals were all bent out of shape, and the flower was nearly flattened.

I looked up to see the boys take their seats, Cameron winking at me. Grayson had a large bandage on his cheek, and didn't even look at me. I ignored him, and rolled my rose into a ball. I did take a peek at Grayson's wrists, only to see nothing there but the dark swirls of ink.

I mentally rolled my eyes and looked away. I was an idiot for overreacting like I did. Why did I care for him anyway? I didn't care what he did in his spare time.

Because you love people no matter what, that voice in my head said again. I internally groaned. Why did my mind always have to be right?

"So, Genna," Cameron said. I looked up at him, my dark eyes meeting his light ones. A smile grew on his face, and I felt my stomach drop with dread. Please don't.

"Why is she playing this awful music?" Oh thank god he didn't ask for nudes.

"It's a special occasion," I stated.

"Who's birthday is it?" Ethan asked, looking around at our classmates.

I rolled my eyes. "No ones. It's just a special day to listen to classical music."

"Why though?" Cameron asked.

I felt Grayson's eyes on me. He was watching my face, gauging my answer. I shrugged, not trusting my words. I would slip up and end up confessing that she's playing it for me. Ms. Smith knows how much I hate fighting, and how easily stressed I become whenever there is one. I confided in her my love for the music, and how working with clay is therapeutic to me. When she heard about the fight today, she must've known I was going to be a mess when I arrived. Again, bless her soul.

I also wasn't about to let Grayson know the reason behind all of this. He obviously didn't like me after today, and would use anything he could get his grubby hands on to use against me. All of this is also showing that my emotions are erratic right now. It would be a prime time for him to mess with me further if he knew it would get to me faster. He would think I'm weak, and I hate it when people think I'm weak. It's degrading.

As I worked, I couldn't help but look over at Grayson. His profile was gorgeous and delicate. His nose turned upwards, and his lips looked soft. His jaw was clenched, but that didn't take away his otherworldly beauty. His hair looked soft, and drooped onto his forehead, the fight earlier being too much for the hair gel to hold anymore.

Imagine what it would be like to draw that profile.

Now there was a thought. Grayson was so photogenic. He was beautiful without even trying, and his edges and curves were captivating. He looked like he belonged as a marble sculpture, especially right now with his stony expression. I could clearly see every detail of his face, and I wanted to capture it in a drawing.

I sighed, and went back to my clay. I don't draw portraits, unfortunately. Drawing features was my downfall, and I could never get the feel for it. It was almost like a fish trying to climb a tree; it just wouldn't happen.

"So I had no idea you liked to be called 'kitten'," Ethan spoke up.

I frowned a little. "It's Mason's nickname for me. Only his."

"What if I called you 'kitty'?" He asked, smirking.

I scowled. "No."

"Aw come on, Kitty," he said.

"No," I said, more forcefully this time.

"What about 'darling'?" Ethan asked.

"Definitely not."

"What about 'princess'?" Cameron asked.

"Do I look like a princess to you?"

"What about, 'little one'?" Grayson suddenly spoke up, and I gaped at him.

His full attention was on me. His face was expressionless, but those eyes were staring at my face intensely. I suddenly felt very uncomfortable under his gaze, but I couldn't look away. His eyes were a deep green right now, and I could see the brown in the center of his eyes clearly now. The light hit them perfectly, and it made the color stand out against his bronze skin. I really liked the way that rolled off of his tongue.

I cleared my throat, and blinked away his gaze. I turned back to my clay, using any excuse to not be sucked back into his eyes. "I don't like that one either."

A chuckle rumbled through his chest, and I felt my ears and then my face heat up.

"Holy crap! She's bright red!" Ethan pointed out.

I began to blush more, and I covered my ears.

"The blush literally went from her ears to her face! I've never seen that happen," Cameron joined in, pointing at me.

A voice suddenly spoke into my ear, their warm breathing tickling it. "Do you like it when I call you that?" His voice was low and husky in my ear, and I sucked in a breath. "Little one?"

I quickly shot to my feet and began to clean up my mess. "No I don't. It's just hot in here."

"Then why are you rushing to get away from me?" Grayson smirked, causing the other two idiots to start chuckling.

"Because being around so many people is only making it hotter." I snapped as I slammed the drawer closed. I turned to Ms. Smith, and her eyes were already on me. "Can I go to the nurse please?"

"Go ahead," she told me.

Before she could say anymore, I bolted from the room. I ran a shaking hand through my hair, sighing in frustration. Why did he have this effect on me? It was pathetic how easily I was falling farther and farther for him. Grayson was bad news. I was acting like a white person in horror movies; walking right into danger.

Feelings were stupid. Correction, romantic feelings were stupid. Those feelings got you in trouble. They made you weak and easy to be hurt by an asshole like Grayson. It made it easy for that one person to worm their way into your heart until the disease spread to your mind. Then they completely take over your mind, where they become all you ever think about. You'll become a mindless zombie, only thinking about that one person.

I let out a groan. Love sucks. Thank god I'd never be in it again.

I pushed open the doors to the nurse, and entered the cool room. It was small and compact, with red plastic chairs for patients to sit at. Two desks were wedged into the end of the room, where two nurses in blue scrubs were sat. They looked up at my entrance, and smiled. I had come down here so many times for stomach problems, that they knew me by name.

"Hey there, Genna. Stomach problems again?" Nurse Amy, a perky blonde with dark eyes, asked me. Her hand was already on the phone.

I grimaced. "Yeah. It's up in my ribcages now."

"I'll give your Mom a call. Please take a seat," she told me.

I set down my bag and quietly sat down. I took out my phone, and felt the inspiration to write some more to my story that I was currently working on. I was definitely taking some inspiration from today and working it in there. Before I knew it, my fingers had become a blur as they typed away.

"Hey Genna, Mom didn't pick up. Is she working today?" Nurse Amy asked.

I groaned. Makes sense she wouldn't pick up when I wanted to go home. "Yeah she is. Is there anyway I can just have a friend drop me off and they can come back to school after?" I'd figure I could have Caitlyn drive me home. I'd do it myself, but I didn't have a car. The only one that I would be able to drive was sitting scrap metal in my driveway.

"You can. Who would you like me to call down to the office?"

"I can take her home."

I rolled my eyes at that voice. Why did he follow me down here? I left that room for a reason, but the problem was starting to follow me around.

Just then my phone vibrated, and I saw I had a text from Caitlyn. It read, "Mom had to go into work. Getting a ride home from grandparents. Sorry babe."

Fuck. I would never get a ride with them even if my life depended on it. Her grandparents were the biggest religious people I knew, and they didn't like me at all. They thought I was the spawn of Satan, and tried to pour holy water on me once.

"Oh! Thank you for volunteering, Grayson. Is that alright with you, Naomi?" Nurse Amy asked, looking at me now.

I heaved a great sigh, and rose to my feet. "That's alright with me."

"Alright. Here's your pass then. I hope you feel better," she called out to me as I walked out. I shoved past Grayson and pushed the door open with a little too much force. It slammed into the wall, and I grimaced.

"Easy there, little one. What did the door do to you?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't call me that."

"Oh come on! We both know that you like it," he said.

"You don't know anything about me," I snapped.

"I know how to read body language, though. You're pretty readable, doll face."

I huffed. "Whatever. Just drive me home."

"As you wish, little one." He chuckled.

I groaned, and handed the greeter my pass before marching to the doors.

"For a small person, you sure walk fast," Grayson pointed out, merely speed walking to catch up to me.

Curse my short legs. I didn't respond to him, and instead continued to head to the parking lot. I was about halfway through it when I realized I didn't even know where his car was. I didn't even know what he drove.

Suddenly a hand was intertwining with mine, and I jumped. I turned to see Grayson smirking at me. I glowered at him. "You seem a little lost."

I didn't respond. I only looked down to hide the creeping blush on my face.

He chuckled, and began to lead me further towards the back of the lot. It was quiet out here, and a bit chilly today. The sun was hiding behind gray clouds, and I missed the warmth. I regretted wearing jeans and a black crop top today.

Grayson lead me to a teal Ford Bronco. He unlocked it and opened the door up for me. I blushed, and he laughed again. "Why are you blushing?"

"Because boys don't do this for me," I told him, and hopped in. The step was higher up, so I had to use the seat and door for support.

"Why don't boys do this for you?" He asked.

"Because I don't let them."

He shut my door and walked over to his side. When he got in, and sat in his seat, his hand immediately went to my thigh.

I scoffed, and wiped his hand off. He gave me a questioning look. "Why'd you do that?"

"Because I don't want you to do that."

"Girls love it when guys do that."

"Correction, girls love it when their boyfriends to do that. We're not dating."

"We could be, but you hate me," Grayson said, rolled his eyes.

"I don't hate you. I don't hate anyone. I'm just mad from what you did yesterday, and what occurred today at lunch," I confessed.

He gave me a confused look. "That's it? Really? I could've sworn you hated me."

"I wouldn't be letting you drive me home, and learn where I live, if I hated you," I stated.

He smiled. I had to do a double take, because it wasn't his usual smirk. It was a genuine smile, teeth and all. I don't think I've ever seen it before, and it dazzled me. I suddenly felt extremely happy seeing this, and I felt a smile creep on my face as well.

"Good. Because my next question would've been really awkward if you hated me," he said, glancing at me.

I raised an eyebrow. "And that is?"

"Can I come in?" He asked.

I smiled. Maybe hanging out with Grayson wouldn't be such a bad thing. He seemed to be a lot when he was with his friends, and it doesn't mean I'd have to date him. We could be friends. It wouldn't be the first time I was friends with the wrong crowd.

I laughed. "Yeah sure."

"Good, because I'm kind of horny and I need to fuck something."

"Suck a dick, Grayson."