Not only does Grayson have first-period psychology with me, but he also has fourth-period gym with me- I avoided him as best as I could.

When I get to the lunchroom, I sit down at my regular table and pull out my lunchbox.

"Hey," Alex greets me as he plops down across from me at the table along with Preston, but Preston leaves his backpack then quickly goes in line to buy himself a lunch as he does every day.

Lunch time is divided by classes; Freshmen and Sophomores get fifth period lunch and Juniors and Seniors get 6th period lunch. The cafeteria isn't how tv shows portray it; it's not jocks at one table, nerds at one table, and mean girls at another. We're all just mixed together and sitting with our friends.

"Hey," I grumble back a greeting, ripping pieces of my PB&J sandwich off and stuffing it into my mouth. I'm a classic sandwich kind of guy, nothing fancy.

"What's up with you?" He asks, taking out a container of salad.

I sigh, "nothing," I lie right as Alyssa and McKenna sit down. Alyssa on the right of me and McKenna next to Alex.

Preston soon follows and sets his tray of food down on the other side of Alex. "Guys, listen to me when I tell you; never get a ride home from Chelsea. I don't care if the only other option is to walk."

I roll my eyes.

"What happened?" McKenna asks leaning forward. Anytime of gossip, McKenna is there for.

Preston is about to speak before someone walks up to our table. By someone, I mean Grayson Clarke.

Both of the girls straighten up and look at him like he's a piece of chocolate. Though, he's only focusing on me. With an innocent smile he asks, "I figured since you're the only one I know here, you wouldn't mind if I sat with you, right?"

"I wouldn't say we know each other," I mutter rudely. McKenna kicks my foot from under the table. I look at her to see her warning glare. Fuck. I turn to Grayson with a fake smile, and through clenched teeth, I say, "no, I don't mind at all."

"Perfect," Grayson chirps then sits down next to me. Too close, might I add. "Thanks."

"Guys," I start, deciding to be nice, "this is Grayson, he's new here. Grayson, this is Preston, Alex, McKenna, and Alyssa." I introduce him to all of my friends. They all greet him with a 'hey' or 'sup' then Preston goes back into talking about his dramatic reasoning on why we shouldn't get a ride from Chelsea.

I'm too distracted by how close Grayson is to me, so I awkwardly eat my lunch and don't comment on their discussion. Though it doesn't last long as Preston stops mid-sentence and shifts the attention onto Grayson as if he just realized something. "Wait a second, you were at that party Saturday night," Preston stated, pointing a finger at Grayson.

I tensed up. Oh my God. He'll know. Preston will take one good look between Grayson and I and put the pieces together. My best friend will know I lied!

"Yeah, I was. It was..." he glances at me with a knowing grin, "eventful."

Please, please Grayson, don't bring it up.

"I thought you looked familiar," Preston continues, "Now I remember; Reid was asking about you."

I start choking on my food.

"Oh really?" Grayson questions in an amused tone, and though I'm avoiding his gaze, I know he's smirking. I can practically feel it.

After I control my coughing, I shake my head. "No- I... that probably wasn't me," I stutter out a lie.

Preston laughs, "never mind, you were so shit-faced you probably don't remember," he turns his focus back on Grayson. "How'd you even know about the party?"

"It was at my neighbor's house and he invited me."

"Wait, you're neighbors with Colton Rivers?" Alex asks, looking horrified.

"Yeah, why? Is he-"

"A terrible person? Yes," I say and the rest of my crew nods. "Trust us, don't involve yourself with him or any of his friends."

"They're toxic," McKenna comments.

"Assholes," Alex adds.

"Don't forget extremely homophobic," I add.

"Geez. Noted: don't mess with Colton," Grayson nods.

"So where'd you move from?" Alyssa switches topics.

"California," Grayson answers.

"Really? Why would you ever want to leave California for a shitty small town in Florida?" Preston asks.

"I didn't want to, but I also didn't have a choice. We had to move for my mom's job," Grayson explains.

"Sorry to hear that," Alyssa says.

Grayson shrugs, "It's okay. Besides, I have a feeling I'll have more fun here."

I know that comment was directed towards me. Grayson proves that more when his knee hits mine. I glare at him, hoping my friends don't see, and shift my leg away from his.

Alex scoffs, "I wouldn't count on it. Austberg is literally the boringest town ever."

"Most boring," McKenna corrects him and that's how their daily, petty argument usually starts between Alex and McKenna. One of these days, they're gonna snap and start making out with each other. It's bound to happen.

My thoughts end as I freeze and my eyes go wide when I feel a hand on my thigh. Not just any hand, Grayson's hand!

He slowly moves his hand closer to my crotch then back down towards my knee.

"Reid, you okay?" My best friend asks, unaware of the inappropriateness going on underneath the table.

"I'm fine," I say as I abruptly stand up. "I just have to go to the bathroom. Grayson, you should come with me, so I can show you where it is considering you're new here and might need to also go, but don't know where it is, therefore you should follow me," I babble, not really sure if what I said even makes sense. Clearly, it didn't as everyone at my table is looking at me like I have three heads.

Grayson stands up, nonetheless, and says "I actually do have to use the restroom. Lead the way."

"Great," I say then walk off, not bothering to check if he's following me, and head into the bathrooms. Luckily, no one's in here.

When the door shuts behind Grayson, I punch him in the shoulder. It was wimpy, but still a punch. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" I scold him.

"What?" Grayson asks innocently.

I narrow my eyes at him. "Don't put your hands on my thighs! My friends could've seen!"

Grayson crosses his arms and looks genuinely confused. "Why? They don't know you're gay?"

I gasp, "I'm not gay!"

"I thought we've been over this. You know what they say; drunk words are sober thoughts. And I do recall you calling me... hmm what was the wording you used?" He mock thinks which causes me to roll my eyes. "Oh right, delicious," he smirks.

My hands ball into a fist. "You—" I can't think of anything clever to say, so instead I lamely tell him, "you make me mad!" I slam my fist against his chest, but it does little to no damage on him.

"Really?" Grayson questions, but looks amused. He steps closer. I back up, but end up bumping into the sink. "What else do I make you?" He puts his hands on either side of me, trapping me between the sinks and him. With him being so close, I have a perfect view of his eyes. They're blue like the sky on a clear, summer day. I internally groan; how typical. He would have baby blue eyes, it completes his perfect looks. UGH!

Grayson leans in causing my heart to speed up and brings his lips close to my ear. I don't make any move to stop him. "Nervous?"

My breath hitches and I can't respond. Again, I can sense his smirk. Gaining some strength, I push him back. And what do you know, a smirk is playing on his beautiful face.

"Stop that," I tell him, glaring.

He chuckles then says seriously. "I'm having a party Thursday night."

"On a school night?"

Grayson smiles at that then continues, "you should go."

Something in my stomach comes to life and begins to flutter around. I try to ignore it. "I'm busy," I lie, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I'll text you my address."

"You don't have my number," I counter.

He holds out his hand in a silent demand.

I stare at it for a moment, sigh, then hand Grayson my phone after unlocking it. Why did I do that? I don't know, I don't even like him! Grayson smiles smugly.

After a minute, he hands it back to me, "there," he says.

Grayson saved his name in my phone along with the sweaty emoji with its tongue out. I roll my eyes but leave it. He also texted himself, this is Confused Boy.

I scoff, "I'm not confused!"

Grayson shrugs, "we should probably get back. Wouldn't want your friends to assume that something's going on between us."

With that, the blue eyed boy walks out.