Standing at the end of the alleyway, about twelve feet away, is no other than Jessica Wheeler and Marisa Jenkins. I'm so startled, I forget I'm still clinging to Grayson. I frantically push Grayson back a few steps so we're no longer touching.

"Uh..." There's definitely no lying my way out of this one. Grayson and I were kissing clear as day. No, making out! I look at Grayson for help and he looks at me, both of us wide-eyed. Then we look back at the girls.

"It's not what it looked like?" Grayson tries halfheartedly. I would laugh if I wasn't so horrified. Instead, I bury my face in my hands.

"Oh, Sweetie, I've never seen two people go at it the way you guys were," Marisa tells us smirking.

"We know exactly what it looked like." Jessica has the same expression as her best friend.

I can't even look at them. Did they really watch us make out like that? God, I hope they didn't hear Grayson whispering to me. No, they couldn't have, we were out of ear-shot. Right?

"I totally called it," Marisa tells us. I peak through my fingers, she has a triumphant smile. I look at Grayson and his eyebrows are raised.

"She did," Jessica confirms proudly. "She called it and I was like, 'no way.'"

Marisa cuts in excitedly, "And I was all like 'Are you kidding? Um, hello! They are so adorable!'" She recites animatedly.

"Well, I'm gonna go jump off a bridge," I tell them, pointing my thumb in the direction behind us, and turn around to go meet my end. My boyfriend grabs my arm and spins me around before I get the chance.

"They think we're adorable," Grayson says as if that's a valid reason to stop me from walking into the middle of traffic and rid myself of this embarrassment.

I look back at the girls, "Please don't tell anyone, I'm not ready to come out to people at our school just yet."

"We won't tell anyone," Jessica confirms and Marisa nods in agreement and mimics zipping her mouth shut and throwing the invisible key away.

"Thank you," I say with a sigh in relief. A small part of me feels queasy still. Aren't Marisa and Jessica super popular? They talk to everyone and gossiping is their favorite thing in the world. Can I really trust them? Though, thinking about it, maybe they're just friendly with everyone. They usually just hang out with each other. Right?

Marisa gasps out of no where, "oh my god! I just thought of the best idea ever!" She basically squeals, "Let's all go to the outlet mall tomorrow! They just opened a store called For Love and it's all LGBT! Oh! You'll love it, Reid!"

Why'd she single me out?

"Yesss!" Jessica gasps. "Plus, it's like totally far away so you two can by all couple-y in public and not in an alleyway," she laughs.

"Uhhh..." I look at Grayson.

"That could be..." Grayson starts then hesitates when he sees the look I'm giving him;

Tell them no because I don't have the courage to refuse them!

That's an easy expression to read, right?

Grayson squints his eyes then mouths what? He turns back to the girls and with a shrug, says, "fun. We're in."

The girls squeal.

Ah, fuck.

.

.

.

"Hey ladiesss," Preston drags out when we meet back up with our group. Well, half of our group; it appears Reid, and Grayson are missing.

Alyssa and McKenna greet us with a 'hey'.

Preston glances around looking puzzled, "where's Reid?"

"And Grayson," I add. There's a lot of people at the craft fair today, so looking around doesn't do much help to spot our friends.

"I don't know, we were all at the soap booth then we turned around and them two were gone," Alyssa explains.

"Hm. Well, let's keep on. They're probably just further up," I say and the two girls agree.

"Maybe I should call Reid. What if he's lost?" Preston asks worriedly as he pulls out his phone.

I almost laugh, but go for an eye roll instead. "He's fine. Put your phone away, dumbass." Preston's always in distress over Reid. I know Reid has some sort of anxiety disorder, but I think Preston needs to give Reid some credit.

Preston huffs, grumbles something, but walks forward nonetheless. Alyssa follows.

I look over at the beautiful, petite, blonde in front of me. "On ward, m'lady," I say in a fake old English accent. I gestured her forward with my hand and a slight bow.

McKenna snorts, "you're a nerd," she tells me, but she has the cutest smile.

"But, you like it," I say confidently as I walk along side her.

She doesn't respond, but her smile says it all.

I wish I could hold her hand.

We pass by a few more booths until the girls stop at one for crystals. Preston and I wait for them, Preston on his phone and me looking at all the upcoming booths.

Then I spot them. Reid's dragging Grayson around a building and I lose sight of them faster than I found them.

"Oh, guys," I turn back to the girls and Preston but they're not paying attention to me. Looking towards Reid's direction I decide to follow the way they went. I make it to the building they went around and am about to call their name when I step towards an alleyway they enter until I stop in my tracks.

Reid kissed Grayson. Is currently kissing Grayson!

Holy fuck.

I turn around and quickly start walking back to the the others.

"Hey! What, are you running off too?" Preston asks as he walks towards me.

I laugh nervously. "We should go that way," I tell him in slight urgency as I gesture in the opposite direction of Reid and Grayson. Preston looks confused. "I... there was a booth I wanted to check out," I lie.

I just don't want Preston to stumble upon what I just witnessed. It's clear Reid and Grayson are secret about their... relationship? Maybe they're just hooking up? Either way, it's not my business and nor is it anyone else's.

"Oh okay. Sure," Preston says then informs me, "I think Alyssa and McKenna are still looking at crystals."

"Cool, cool, cool, cool, cool." I don't know what to do with this new information. I can't tell anyone obviously, but should I tell Reid I know? Would that freak him out?

Maybe I should bring it up to Grayson? He seems more open about his sexuality.

I shake my head at my inner thoughts. I just have to leave it alone. They'll tell me when they feel like telling me.

"Who wants some food?" I ask once the girls join Preston and I.

.

.

.

Today 12:14 PM

wher the fuk

are you dude? Did yoo die?

I roll my eyes.

Grayson and I parted ways from Marisa and Jessica and agreed to meet at the outlet mall around one tomorrow. At least they didn't spit on us or start a hate crime against us. Not that that's what I thought they were going to do, but I definitely didn't think they'd want to spend their Saturday with us.

I text Preston back before he sends out a missing person's report for me.

Wym? I've been

looking for you!

Meet us at b-dubs

Okay, be there in

a couple minutes.

"Preston said they're at Buffalo Wild Wings," I tell Grayson.

"Cool, I'm starving."

I agree with that statement and we head in the direction of the restaurant, shoulders brushing again each other's as we go.

"Wanna spend the night? My mom won't be home," Grayson tells me.

The butterflies in my gut stir up at that sentence.

"Yeah, I'll have to ask my parents first. Maybe you could come over for dinner tonight and then we can go to your place?"

"Dinner?" I nod. "With your Christian parents whom I'd have to act heterosexual with?"

"Yes, but you've never met my parents and I'd like you to. It won't be that bad. But, yeah, you're gonna have to act heterosexual."

He sighs. "Ehhh..."

"Please?" I ask. We walk up to the restaurant we're meeting our group at.

Grayson opens the door for me. "Okay. Only because you begged." He leans in and whispers, "and you know I like it when you beg."

I blush and say "Grayson," in a hushed, appalled tone which makes him laugh.

We find our friends at a big table in the middle of the restaurant and greet them as we sit down.

"I saved you a seat," Alyssa says to me. There's a slight pink tint to her cheeks.

"Oh great!" Grayson exclaims and sits down in the seat that is reserved for me as if he doesn't know that Alyssa was talking to me.

I stifle a laugh and sit down across from Grayson which happens to be in between Preston and Alex.

"Nice of you guys to join us," McKenna jests. "Where were you guys?"

"Yeah, I had to go to the bathroom and the closest public one was at that coffee shop down 1st," Grayson lied smoothly.

Wow, I'm glad he knew what to say cause I'm a shit liar. Part of me feels guilty that he has to lie for me, but also grateful he's being so patient with me.

A waitress comes up to us and we all place our orders. (I got honey barbecue boneless wings).

"Ruby's cafe?" Alyssa asks.

"Yeah, you been there?"

"Of course! I love their coffee!"

"Yeah, coffee's great," Preston says, his tone contradicting himself. "We have more important matters," he claps his hands together with a devious grin and pauses for dramatic effect.

I raise my eyebrows, "well?"

"Your birthday, dumby! You turn 18 in three weeks!"

I catch Grayson looking at me with his head slightly tilted and his eyebrows raised. He mouths birthday? to me.

I give a subtle shrug. Oops, I forgot to tell him about my birthday.

"We have to throw the most epic party," Preston continues enthusiastically.

I scoff, "yeah, no way are my parents going to be okay with a party."

That gets my best friend to roll his eye. "Obviously. That's why we need to throw it at someone else's house."

"We could do it at mine," Grayson says right as our food finally arrives.

"That's up to you. I'm really fine with keeping it low key and it just being all of us," I tell them truthfully. I've never made a big deal out of my birthday. Usually, Preston and I hang out and that's how I liked it. Of course this time I'd like to spend my birthday with my boyfriend and having us all hangout would be nice. Maybe by then I'll be out to my friends and I can openly be with Grayson for my birthday. We'll see.

"No way," Preston shakes his head. He already has barbecue all over his face and hands.

"You know there's a fork you could use," Alex tells Preston in disgust.

"This is finger food," Preston declares. "Anyway, Reid, we're throwing you a party. You never care about your birthday. This is your eighteenth! You're officially an adult."

"Eighteen doesn't mean shit. It's 21st that matters," I say.

"I agree with Preston," Grayson says surprising me. "You deserve a big celebration."

I try not to smile at that, so I shove a piece of boneless chicken into my mouth. For some reason Grayson saying I deserve a party is more endearing than Preston wanting me to have a party."

"Fine," I give in. "But I get a say on who goes."