Trust Me

Chapter 8: Tidal Wave

     I woke up in my warm bed and really didn't want to go to school. But then, I remembered the field trip. Even if I did have to spend the day with Grayson, the beach makes everything better so I didn't mind it much. I jumped out of bed, did my hair and minimal makeup, got dressed and grabbed my book. I ran downstairs  and met my parents in the kitchen. I quickly grabbed a pancake off of the large stack while looking at the clock and realizing that I was late.
"Whoa whoa whoa slow down there!" My dad said
"What? I'm gonna be late if I don't leave now." I said
"Ok, but we never see you anymore or talk to each other." My dad said
"Look we are talking right now, that was a great conversation, now I really have to go. I'll see you later tonight. Bye! Love you!" I said while backing up towards the front door.
"Love you too!" They both yelled in unison
     I stuffed the chocolate chip pancake in my mouth as I hopped in my car. I turned on the engine and the heater full blast. There weren't many police cars in this small town so I thought I would take my chances with speeding a little so that I could get to school on time. I pulled into the parking lot about two minutes before the bell was supposed to ring and parked next to the bus that was taking us to the beach. I got out, locked my car, and grabbed my book. My teacher was standing by the entrance of the bus, checking off attendance as we climbed in. I stood in the back of the line and waited for my turn.
"Olivia! Great, go right in!" My goofy teacher said
     I climbed in the bus and immediately made my way to the back. None of my friends were in this class, seeing as it was filled with a bunch of seniors so I had no intention of sitting next to any of them. I sat in the second row closest to the back and waited for us to start moving. I stared out the window as I saw Grayson run to the entrance of the school bus and climb aboard. As he walked down the aisle I could see all of the girls whispering and staring at him wondering where he would sit. Yeah ok I understand he is unbelievably gorgeous and all, but really? Whispering about him? Their curious eyes follows him all the way until he had chosen the seat directly behind me. I could hear the whispers that followed with people confused as to why he had chosen to sit behind me. I rolled my eyes in annoyance and dug my book out of my bag. I turned to the first page as the bus roared to life and we started moving. I read the first lines in my head.
It was the best of times
It was the worst of times
It was the age of wisdom
It was the age of foolishness
It was the epoch of belief
It was the epoch of incredulity
"It was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair." I heard a deep voice say into my ear as he picked up right where I left off in my head.
"Do you mind?" I asked Grayson
"I love that book." He said completely ignoring my question
"Well, that's great." I said annoyed
"You know, I wouldn't have taken you as the kind of person to like classics." He said
"There are a lot of things you don't know about me." I replied continuing to look at my book
"I bet there are." He said close enough to my ear that I could feel his warm breath
     The next thing I know, he stood up from his seat behind me and moved so that he was standing in front of my row. He motioned for me to move over and I did with a small grunt. He sat down in the now empty seat and turned his attention to me.
"So, what's your favorite classic?" He asked
"You aren't going to let up are you?" I asked as he continued to stare at me
"Nope." He said confidently "So? What's your favorite?"
"Um...probably The Outsiders." I said finally looking at him
"No way! That's my favorite too!" He said excitedly
     I had to stifle a laugh.
"No way!" I replied sarcastically
     We continued to talk about our favorite books for about a half hour until the conversation tapered off and it grew silent. A few moments went by before we talked again.
"I'm sorry Olivia." He said quietly while looking down at his lap
     I turned my attention from the window to him.
"Why are you sorry?" I asked
"Because you deserve answers that I can't give you." He said
     I don't think he wanted me to notice, but as I watched him, I saw a single tear fall down his cheek and it reminded me of the one he had shed in the truck that night that I had asked him what was going on.
"Why not?" I asked
"Because...they aren't my secrets to keep." He said
     I could tell that he was already saying too much, but I didn't want to stop him. I wanted to know the truth.
"What do you mean?" I asked
"Nothing..." He said
     I knew he wanted to tell me more also, but he couldn't bring himself to. Before I had time to ask anything else, the bus jerked to a stop and everyone started piling out and onto the beach. Grayson stood up and walked out of our row. He waited for me to get out of our row and go before him before he started walking. Most guys wouldn't do that. That's how I knew Grayson was different. It was like being chivalrous was second nature to him and he wouldn't dare think anything else and it surprised me.
     I walked in front of him and hopped onto the sand. The class walked down to the water and formed a circle around our teacher, Grayson stayed by me the entire time.
"Okay class, listen up! You are going to get paired up and go find some tide pools to look at. I will meet you back here in two hours." He said
"Partners?" Grayson asked
"Yeah sure." I said
     We walked down in the opposite direction of  the group and to the water. We had to climb over a couple of slippery rocks in order for us to get to the tide pools.
"Ladies first." Grayson said as he motioned for me to go first
     I started walking over the rocks making sure to watch my step. Grayson was silent. I was silent. The only noise was the crashing of the waves and our footsteps on the rocks. I stepped on a rock that I thought would be steady, but I was wrong. I slightly slipped on the wet rock and before I could regain my balance I felt two strong hands hold firmly onto my waist. He pulled me back so that my back was pressed against his chest and he sighed heavily in relief.
"God Olivia, can't you at least try to be more careful? It's like you just walk directly into danger." He said with an angry tone
"Yeah I'm fine, thanks for asking." I said sarcastically "what's up wth you?" I asked as I shoved away from his strong grip
     Grayson stayed silent. He glanced at the water, completely avoiding my question.
"Hey look, a sea urchin. We needed to find one of those for our project." He said avoiding looking at my eyes
    I laughed slightly at how annoying this entire situation was. When would I finally get answers? I just wanted an explanation. I was certain that there was something big that Grayson was hiding from me. The curious side of me wanted to know this secret at all costs, but there was a little part of me that knew that this secret was too big to handle and I might be better off not knowing. I shoved this small part of me down deeper, until it ceased to exist and I was just left with the curiosity and the hope that this wasn't too good to be true.