Whispers Of The Heart

Chapter 15

Had his actions been nothing more than a fleeting moment of compassion, or was there something more beneath the surface?

"This doesn't change anything"

His words echoed in my mind, a stark reminder of his declaration when I had asked for his help with math.

He had made it clear that our interactions didn't signify a return to friendship, and his demeanor had always hinted at a certain disdain for me. So why should I believe that last night meant anything more?

I glanced out the window, my heart skipping a beat as I noticed something unusual.

His curtains were open—the same curtains that had remained closed for months, severing the only connection between us. But today, they were drawn back, allowing a sliver of light to filter into his room.

My mind raced with possibilities, each one more tantalizing than the last. But deep down, I knew that I couldn't allow myself to read too much into it. After all, actions spoke louder than curtains, and Grayson's words had made his feelings abundantly clear.

With a resigned sigh, I pushed aside the tumultuous thoughts and reached for my phone on the nightstand. My eyes landed on a water bottle and a packet of ibuprofen placed neatly beside it.

My heart skipped a beat as I realized that Grayson must have left them there before he left. The simple gesture filled me with a warmth I hadn't felt in a long time, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for his unexpected kindness.

Shaking off the lingering sense of unease, I focused on my phone, scrolling through notifications. Missed calls from Leslie, Justin, and even Dylan blinked on the screen. I decided to call Justin back, knowing he must be worried sick.

With each ring, I hoped that his voice would bring a sense of normalcy back to my chaotic world.

"Baby?" Justin's voice sounded relieved but concerned.

"Hey" I greeted, my voice sounding hoarse as I rubbed my temples, attempting to dispel the remnants of the pounding headache

"Where were you? I was freaking out!" Justin's concern was evident.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I wasn't feeling well, so I left early," I explained, attempting to downplay the severity of the situation while secretly hoping my voice didn't betray the truth.

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line "I'm just glad you're okay. Do you need anything? I can come over if you want,"

"No, no, I'm fine now. Just needed some rest," I reassured him.

"Okay, just let me know if you need anything, alright?"

"Thanks, Justin" I said, genuinely touched.

"So, what happened last night? You were having a good time when I last saw you," Justin's curiosity piqued.

I actually wasn't...

"Yeah, I was. But then I started feeling lightheaded, so I decided to head home" I replied, deliberately omitting Grayson's involvement, knowing it would only complicate matters.

"How did you get home?" His question caught me off guard, and for a split second, panic coursed through my veins as I scrambled for a plausible explanation.