Gray walks into the house and straight up the stairs. He opens his room door and places me on the floor gently.

I place a hand on my chest and try to steady my breath. Gray tilts his head, narrowing his eyes as he studies my face.

"Are you okay?" He asks, furrowing his brows.

I nod my head without looking at his face.

He clasps my face with his hands, bringing my head up. His eyes roam around my face, and he nods his head.

"Stay here, okay?" He says softly. He opens the door to walk out, but I stop him.

"Don't leave me," I plead.

I didn't want him to leave because I was scared he'd get hurt if he went out. He looks down at my hand and curses.

I follow his gaze and see my bruised bleeding arm. I must have scratched it when I fell.

He pulls me towards the bathroom and carries me to sit on the counter. He brings out the first aid kit and places it next to me.

"This is going to hurt a bit," he frowns at me, dabbing an antiseptic solution on a cotton pad.

I suck in my breath as the antiseptic makes contact with my skin, and he does the same.

"Why are you acting like you're in pain," I chuckle at his reaction.

"Cause I'm in pain," he shrugs.

"Did you hurt yourself?" I ask as he applied petroleum jelly to my cut.

"Seeing you in pain hurts me," He replies, staring directly at my eyes.

His dark blue eyes hold me in a mesmerizing gaze. His eyes were everything. He smiles and returns his attention to my wound, breaking our gaze.

"It's just a little cut, though, " I mutter

"it's just a little cut, though, " he repeated in a barbie type of voice.

That's not how I speak.

"So how was London," I ask in a lame attempt to start a conversation.

"Boring, " He chuckles.

"Boring? Thought that word didn't exist in your dictionary," I say, making air quotes when I said dictionary

"It doesn't, " he shakes his head. "Imagine my shock."

I chuckle and shake my head. "Why was it boring? I hear London's pretty cool,"

"Because you weren't there," he replies, applying a bandage to my arm.

"Done," he smiles at me.

I roll my eyes at his usual flirty behavior. I couldn't tell when he was being serious or not. I jump off the counter.

"Thanks," I smile and walk away.

He stops me, holding on to my wrist. "We need to talk one of these days."

"About?"

"You and I."

I roll my eyes and release my wrist from his grip. "What about us?"

"I can't stop thinking about you, Kelch."

"And I can't stop thinking about Kim Taehyung. Your point?"

"Who is that?" he frowns with a small pout.

"It doesn't matter. I'm just trying to say there's no you and I, Gray, " I shake my head, gesturing with my hands.

His face contorts with hurt, and I felt like taking back my words. He strokes the back of his head and brings his eyes to meet mine.

"We kissed last night, Kelch, " he points out.

He did not just bring that up.

"You were drunk."

"No, I wasn't, " He states in a firm tone. "And neither were you."

I cross my arms and stare at him, trying to figure out what was going on in his mind. But the sight of him drives me crazy. I don't know why I like him this much.

"Kelch, I just want you to give me a chance, " he says in a softer tone, clutching my hands.

I pull away like his touch burns because it did.

"A chance to break my heart again?"

He shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair

"There are so many things I have to tell you. There are so many things I need to say but can't find the courage too."

He stares at the ground, his expression hardened. I had an idea of what he meant.

I know he's probably in deep with the Cagers. I had seen him kill that man that day, and he knows I saw him. But, we both refused to bring it up because we were scared.

"You know you can tell me anything, right?" I furrow my brows at him.

He gives me a small smile and shakes his head. "No."

"I'm serious, " I whine.

He chuckles softly and pulls me in for a hug. He wraps his arm around my waist and nuzzles his face in my neck.

"Just stay next to me and I'll be fine," he softly whispers. His voice felt like a caress.

My breath hitches in my throat at the feel of his lips on my skin. His body stiffens at my reaction to him, and he starts to trail soft kisses on my neck.

I gasp and clutch onto his bare arms when he kisses my sweet spot, and a small smirk forms on his lips. He starts kissing, sucking, and flicking his tongue at the spot.

I close my eyes and bit my lips, enjoying the sensation I get from his overwhelming scent and wet kisses.

He blows my neck and places one last kiss. "Done, " he smirks at me.

My eyes open, and I narrow them at him. He did not just do what I think he did.

I rush to the mirror and widen my eyes when I see a big red Hickey on the side of my neck.

I snap to glare at Gray, who was leaning on the wall, a smug look on his face. "What did you just do?"

"You should have just worn the bracelet, " he shrugs nonchalantly.

"Everyone's going to see this, " I point at the Hickey.

"That's kinda the point?" He raises an eyebrow.

He pulls from the wall and places both hands on my shoulders. "Let's just say I'm marking my territory."

Territory? Boy, I'm single a lady. If you like me then you'd put a ring on me.

"I'm not an object, " I snarl.

He raises his hands up defensively. "Never said you were. But I could be your object."

He motions towards his body and raises his brows slightly. "I'm half-naked. Have your fun."

I roll my eyes and push past him. I untie my bun and place my hair around my neck.

I hear him chuckle as he followed me out of the room. We get downstairs and see a bunch of teenagers in the living room.

Aaron was sitting with a blond girl on his laps, his arms wrapped around her waist. I scan the room and see Eliot at a far end corner, talking to Fawn.

"Where Zyair?" Gray asks Aaron.

Aaron looks up from the girl and motions for her to get up, slapping her ass as she did.

"He and Luca are outside with the police."

"Has the shooter been caught?" I ask.

"Yeah. We fought with some college guys earlier, and they came back with guns. Losers, " Aaron rolls his eyes, grabbing an apple.

"Is the bonfire still happening?" Amy walks up to us and grabs Gray's arm.

"Probably not. It's safer to stay indoors," Aaron replies.

Gray subtly removes Amy's hands and stands behind me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

Amy looks at him and gives a fake smile, trying hard to hide her emotions.

"Drive with me tomorrow, " Gray whispers in my ear, oblivious to Amy's feelings.

"Please, " He adds when I didn't speak, and I nod my head.

To be quite honest, I didn't know where we stood. But, I've always been the type of person to enjoy the present and worry about the future later.

And right now, I enjoy being with Gray.

~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning I get dressed and sit in the mirror to apply my makeup. I sigh when I see the purple hickey on my neck.

The guys and I were going to a local restaurant downtown. Amy had found it on the internet, and apparently, it had a lot of great reviews.

After dinner, Gray and I would be heading straight back home.

I let my curls down and brush it. I apply some foundation on the Hickey and walk downstairs.

Ding.

I look down at my phone and see another strange message. Was it in this person's habit to send weird morning texts?

This time it wasn't about Gray.

I frown at my phone and immediately look up to see who was waiting to see my reaction.

Everyone was busy talking with their friends. Fawn was flirting with Zyair. Zoe and Ashley were giggling over something in their phones.

The guys were playing video games as usual.

And Amy was not here.

"Where's Amy?"

"She went home early this morning, " Aaron calls over his shoulder, his eyes fixed on the tv screen.

Gray drops his gamepad and walks over to me, earning him a groan from Aaron.

"Hey, " he grins at me, placing his hands in his back pocket.

I instantly smile back. The way he smiles at me makes me melt. I don't know why. It just does.

Zyair looks at me. "Are we all ready for lunch?"

I look at my watch and notice the time was 11:20. I didn't realize I spent that much time dressing up because I've been awake since 9 am.

Gray nods and intertwines our fingers. Aaron drops his gamepad angrily and glares at Gray as he stands up.

"I'm never playing with you again, " he shakes his head and walks out the door.

"We are using two cars. Mine and Aaron's" Zyair announces, raising two fingers.

"We would go in my car, " Gray says and walks towards the door.

Luca stops us and places a hand on Gray. "Why would she go in your car?"

"Dude, " Gray sighs.

"She's your ex-girlfriend so why do you keep acting as if you own her, " Luca raises an eyebrow and clenches his jaw.

The word ' ex-girlfriend' made me flinch and pull away from Gray. I knew I was his ex, but hearing it made me feel some type of way.

Gray notices my withdrawal and turns to face me. "Do you want to go with Luca?" he asks. His voice held no anger, only understanding.

I hated being in a spot like this. I cared for both of them and didn't want to hurt either. I made a mental note to myself to get a driver's license as soon as possible.

"I'll go with Aaron and Elliot, " I smile and clutch Elliot's arm.

Elliott pats my hand and walks out with me before any of them could talk.

"I wish I were you, " Elliot sighs as we get outside and walk towards Aaron's car.

"Why?" I snort.

"You've got two hot guys fighting over you. I could only wish."

"Wanna trade bodies?" I joke and get into the back seat.

" I heard there are great magicians downtown. Or better yet, we might meet a real witch and get her to do the bibbidi bobbidi boo," he grins, turning to look at me from the passenger seat.

"But a fairy did bibbidi bobbidi boo."

"Fairies. Witches. Same thing. They all fly, " He shrugs, and I roll my eyes.

The car door opens, and Gray gets in next to me.

"Thought you were taking your car, " I chuckle.

"Changed my mind, " he shrugs and rests his head on my shoulders.

Just as I was about to flip him off, he speaks. "Just give me a minute."

I sigh and let him rest on my shoulders. We get to the restaurant a few minutes later.

"That was fast," I commented, getting down from the car.

Gray looks at the restaurant, and his eyes turn a visibly darker shade. He clenches his fist, and I trace his gaze.

Before I could see anything, he stops me by placing both hands on my cheeks.

"Get in the car, " He commands, still holding my face in place.

"What's going on?" Aaron asks.

"Your keys?" Gray asks Aaron.

Aaron frowns and stares into the restaurant. His eyes widen in shock when he sees whatever Gray doesn't want me to.

"Is that?" He gasps.

"Your Keys." Gray states, in an authoritative tone, and Aaron quickly hands him the keys.

What don't they want me to see?

"Okay. I'll get in the car, " I sigh, trying to trick Gray.

He nods with a tight-lipped smile. "Thank you."

Just as he releases my face and opens the car door, I turn to stare into the restaurant.

My giddy expression soon turns sour, and mouth hangs in shock while my heart tugs in pain, making me wish I didn't turn.

••••••••••••••••

A/N

Thank you for your sweet comments. I update faster because of you guys. I try to make the chapters as long as possible without boring you.

Each chapter is roughly 2000 words, by the way.