Chapter 25: Chapter 25

I put my bike in its proper place. I don't know why, but I'm feeling exceptionally lazy to go to school today. What's more, my argument with Rex still hasn't been resolved. It's been two days, and he's been ignoring me. It's like he's pretending I don't exist. It's frustrating to see that only his body is growing; his mind is still that of a child.

My steps come to a halt as I hear a commotion from the parking area. Of course, it's Grey's friends, showing off their fancy cars as usual. However, that's not what catches my attention. Megan is casually sitting on Grey's lap. I immediately avert my gaze. I don't want to look for too long. It's better for me to head to class.

Oh, and another thing—I still haven't heard from Jeni. In fact, I haven't even seen her for the past two days. Coincidentally, we have a class together today. I need to talk to her, I think to myself. I walk along the school corridor, searching for the classroom where I'm supposed to be studying. The atmosphere is relatively calm as the final bell is still twenty minutes away. I have some time to catch up on the lessons I've missed. I settle into a seat near the window, welcoming the sunlight that filters through. It should help keep me awake.

I check my phone for messages from Aunt Anna and my mom. Apparently, my mom called Aunt Anna, and I don't know what she said, but Aunt Anna sent me a message asking about my relationship with my mother. Aunt Anna always worries about me. I wish my mom had half the concern Aunt Anna does.

My thoughts are interrupted as I hear someone pull out the chair next to me. I assume it's Jeni, but the familiar scent makes me realize it's the grey-eyed boy sitting beside me. He stares at me silently before tugging at the corner of his lips. Why does it seem like he's smiling at me? I'm inexplicably fixated on his smile.

"Hey," he greets me, causing me to remain silent as I gaze into his grey eyes.

"Hi," I reply, setting my phone aside and opening my books. As planned, I need to catch up on the lessons I missed. Though I'm not entirely sure how well I can focus with him sitting beside me.

"Did you come early?" he asks, making me nod.

"Have you had breakfast?" he asks with casual small talk.

"Of course, my aunt wouldn't let me leave for school without finishing my breakfast," I answer again, not looking up from my textbook. Why is he trying to strike up a conversation with me by asking these questions?

"Too bad, I haven't had breakfast yet. I was planning to invite someone to join me at the cafeteria, but it seems I'll have to skip breakfast this morning," he says, causing me to finally glance at him and return his gaze.

"You have plenty of people around you. You can choose anyone to accompany you. They'd be more than happy, wouldn't they?" I reply nonchalantly, though the image of Megan flashes in my mind.

"Who are you referring to? My friends? Come on, they'd just drain my wallet if I brought them along. They could probably buy out the entire cafeteria if I did," Gray answers, making me shrug casually.

"Then take your constant companion, your girlfriend perhaps. You could invite her," I suggest, not knowing why I want to see his reaction. Still, I'm trying to resist as hard as I can, afraid of what expression I might see.

"Who are you talking about? My friends? Oh, please, they'd only spend my money if I took them out for breakfast. They might even end up buying out the entire cafeteria," he answers, and I raise an unconcerned eyebrow.

"In that case, invite your clingy girlfriend. You can ask her to join you," I say, struggling to keep my curiosity in check about Gray's reaction. I'm trying my best not to look at his face, fearing the expression I might see.

"Whose girlfriend? Mine?" he asks, pointing at himself, and I mutter under my breath, "I don't have a girlfriend. Everyone in this school knows I'm single."

Gray chuckles and moves his chair closer. "Oh, come on. You really don't have a girlfriend? You're laughing, but you're still single," he states, making me suppress my laughter. It's hard not to laugh when he claims to be single. As Gray inches closer, he leans his head on the table, looking at me. My heart jumps at his proximity."Answer me. Have you ever heard someone say they're my girlfriend?" Gray asks, and I'm once again rendered speechless.

"I don't know. I'm just guessing," I reply, trying to recover. Most people think of Gray and Megan as just friends with benefits. I don't know the exact nature of their relationship.

"Why did you accuse me of having a girlfriend then? Especially when I'm reserving my heart for someone who might become my girlfriend," Gray says again, causing me to fall silent. I can't seem to look away from his grey eyes that always catch my attention.

"And what about her?" I suddenly blurt out, my curiosity getting the best of me. I want to ask directly about his relationship with Megan.

"Her? Who are you talking about? Be clear with your questions," he counters, and I bite my lower lip while restraining a chuckle.

"Guess I have to be direct, huh?" I respond with a sheepish smile. Why do I feel like I'm struggling to keep my composure when Grey gets closer?

"Alright, shoot," he replies, his grey eyes still focused on mine.

"Megan. Who else? Aren't you two a couple? I mean, I've seen you together multiple times," I say, finally revealing my query about Grey's relationship with Megan.

"Megan? Who's she? You could just ask about her specifically," he teases, making me bite my lower lip harder, struggling to hide my reaction. But then, he extends his hand, and I can't help but flinch at his sudden gesture. His index finger brushes against my lower lip.

"Never bite your lip like that. What if you get hurt?" he says softly, and his words are barely audible. I'm left momentarily stunned as his touch lingers, moving around my lips. Eventually, I pull back, not wanting Gray to see my blushing face. It would be so embarrassing.

"Stop touching people so suddenly. You startled me," I manage to say, making Gray pause before breaking into a hearty laugh. I don't understand what's so funny about what I said.

"Alright, alright. I get it," he mumbles, sounding like he's still suppressing laughter.

"So, who's the person you're talking about?" Gray asks, resuming our conversation.

"Megan, obviously. Aren't you two a couple? I've seen you together quite a lot," I respond, this time wanting to hear his direct explanation.

"Yeah, you've seen me hanging around with Megan a lot. First, at the pool, second, at the cafeteria, third, when Megan kissed me in the parking lot, fourth..." Gray trails off as I point my index finger at his lips, cutting him off.

"That's enough. You don't need to remember every single thing you've done with her. I already know," I say, feeling my face heat up, and I quickly pull my hand back, but Gray stops it. He grabs my wrist gently, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me.

"Why, what's the matter? I only remember what you saw between me and other women," he said, now playing with my fingers around his lips. He placed my index finger at the corner of his lips and then moved it as if I were complaining about the angle of his lips.

He had thick and bright-colored lips, and because of his actions, my focus was now on Gray's lips, and I was grateful that it didn't last long when I was startled by several people crowding into our classroom. But I wasn't sure what happened to them; they seemed a little surprised to see Gray next to me. They looked puzzled as to why the most popular guy in school was in their class. They whispered to each other, making me feel uncomfortable. Unbeknownst to me, Gray was still holding my wrist, causing me to pull it away quickly, and that's when they started taking their respective seats.

"The class will start in a moment, so you'd better leave," I whispered as quietly as possible, causing Gray to look towards the people who were starting to fill the classroom.

"I'll be in this class," he replied casually, making me look at him with a questioning gaze.

"I'm sure you weren't in the same class as me last week," I said.

"I can change that. I'll tell Brenda that I'll take the same class as you," he answered, making me click my tongue in annoyance. I don't know why, but it sounded so arrogant when he said he could change classes so easily. Even though I knew Miss Brenda could do it, it didn't seem like a good idea to me.

"Why?" That was the short question I directed at Gray.

"Why else? So I can learn with you. Actually, I have trouble focusing in class, and it seems that when I'm near you, I can concentrate better," he replied, and it really sounded like a cheesy line to woo a woman, but I wouldn't fall for his sweet words.

"Forget it and better go to your class. I don't want to be the center of attention just because I'm near a Gray," I replied, focusing back on the books in front of me, while Gray just shrugged it off.

"Besides, they won't dare to kick me out, so just ignore it. You just need to focus on what the teacher will say later," he said arrogantly, making me curse him in my heart once again. How could I focus when he didn't take his eyes off me? I was sure he came to school just to get his diploma. He didn't care about lessons or anything else, or maybe his life was just too boring.

And as he said, he really didn't leave the class. He just sat there and occasionally glanced at the teacher who looked at him with surprise. The rest of the time, he kept staring at me, at my notes, or writing something silly on my book. I even forgot that Jeni wasn't present in class for the umpteenth time.