UNPROVEN Chapter Eighteen "Grayson Meets Grandma..."

If you're loved by someone, you're never rejected, decide what to be and GO BE IT
-The Avett brothers

Recommend Reading Introduction to Unproven

DEFINITELY READ Prologue

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Ary stood in front of the full-length mirror that hung on the back of her bedroom door frowning at her reflection. When she’d replaced her wardrobe she’d completely forgotten about a bathing suit, and the one she wore was not particularly sexy. The top looked like a sports bra, the bottom a pair of skintight shorty-shorts, and when she’d bought it two years ago she’d liked it for the color which had matched her eyes. Had matched her eyes.

Unfortunately, the chlorine from the public pool had faded it significantly. She supposed she was lucky it hadn’t begun to fray, but considering the party she would be attending and the girls who would be there... she would not fit in. Doubtless they would be wearing brand-new bikinis purchased from some high-end store she’d never set foot in.

Oh well, she thought. Grayson had seen her house, he had to know she was far from wealthy and he didn’t seem to care. And neither should I, she thought firmly. After all she already had friends, the only reason she was excited about going to this party… Okay there were two reasons, first and foremost being with Grayson and a distant second, partying in general. She had planned for Friday to be her first drunken experience but that aspect of it had been cut short. Not that she was complaining, in retrospect she was enormously glad she'd been sober for the night's events and wouldn't change a thing about it.

She gave the mirror one last look and straightened her spine. Who cares what they think of me, I’ll have fun anyway. With that resolved she crossed to her bed and pulled on a yellow tank top and a pair of jean shorty-shorts. She grabbed a change of clothes and a towel and stuffed them in a beach bag before sliding on a pair of sandals and turning back to the mirror. She’d been sparse with the makeup, not wanting it to run in the water, but luckily the eyeliner and mascara were waterproof and what made the biggest difference anyway. Her hair still looked great, the shampoo and conditioner she'd bought at the salon giving it the same glossy sheen as when she’d first had it done.

You look very pretty, she told herself. She winked at her reflection and checked the time. He’d be here any minute. Her stomach did a giant somersault and she grinned as her legs went a little weak. Grayson Teller. She wondered how long it would take for the novelty to wear off, and hoped it wouldn't be soon, she liked this feeling of nervous excitement.

She left her room and sought her grandma whom she found putzing around in the kitchen as usual. “I’m going to the beach then to a friend’s house," she informed her, "I might stay the night.”

Her grandma raised an eyebrow as she took in her outfit. “New clothes?”

Ary nodded, blushing slightly.

“A little short. And tight.”

She took a deep breath, “I know. But Nanna I’m a senior in high school, not a little girl anymore.”

“Well. I suppose you are growing up though I’m not sure why showing off your body needs to be a part of that.” When she didn't respond her grandma sighed heavily and for effect. “Well if you think it does what am I going to say? I’m ancient and old fashioned.”

Ary smiled and crossed the room to her, leaning in and kissing her cheek. “You are not ancient and there’s nothing wrong with being old-fashioned. I love you.”

“Mhmm. So when will you know if you’ll be home?”

Ary shrugged, “I’ll call and let you know.”

“Is Andie picking you up?”

Ary hesitated. This was tricky. Her grandma was a firm believer in certain courtesies. Andie generally came in and said hello though she’d earned the right over the years to pull up and beep without her grandma getting bent out of shape. If Ary was being picked up by someone new however, particularly a boy someone, her grandma would definitely expect them to come to the door. Damn. If she lied there was always the chance her grandma would look out the window and know she lied, but she hated to put Grayson on the spot in case he was uncomfortable with ‘meeting the parents’, so to speak.

Her hesitation spoke for her.

“Not Andie then. Is it a boy?”

Ary nodded and her grandma’s eyes narrowed slightly. “He will come to the door, won’t he? In my experience a young man who doesn’t come to the door has no respect for the young woman he’s taking out.”

Ary grimaced. “I know you feel that way Nanna, but times have changed, guys don’t open doors for girls anymore.”

“Hooey. They certainly will if the girl expects it.”

She opened her mouth to argue but was distracted by the sound of a car pulling up out front. She started to move toward the door but her grandma put a hand on her arm.

“Aryanne listen to me. It’s best not to appear too eager. It won’t kill this boy to knock on the door, nor will it harm his view of you. Times have changed yes, but some things never will. Trust me.”

Ary nodded, hoping she was right. They listened while he gave a double beep and her grandma squeezed her arm a little tighter. “He’ll come.”

A full minute passed before the doorbell rang and her grandma released her and went to answer it.

Ary stood a little behind and when the door opened she tried to catch his eye over her grandma’s shoulder but it became apparent it wasn’t needed.

“Hello Mrs…?”

“Gilson, like my granddaughter.”

“Mrs. Gilson, it’s wonderful to meet you, I’m Grayson Teller.” He extended his hand and she took it briefly.

She stepped away from the door and Ary gave her another kiss on the cheek. “I’ll call you later Nanna.”

“Mhmm.”

Ary escaped outside and shut the door, suppressing a giggle as Grayson put an arm through hers and escorted her down the walkway. When they reached his car he opened the door for her and she got in, but not before glancing at the window where her grandma was peeking out. She caught a satisfied smile just before the curtain fell back into place and had to laugh.

“I’m sorry about that,” she said as they pulled away from the curb, “my grandma’s old fashioned, she literally wouldn’t let me leave until you came to the door.”

Grayson glanced at her with a half-smile, “Yeah, I figured that out after a minute.”

“You were great,” Ary told him, “perfect.”

He cast her another look, “Will that be an every time thing? If so you should probably tell me about her so I can impress her with my abundant charm.”

She laughed. “Well, yeah, she’ll probably expect it for a while anyway. It’s only recently that even Andie can get away with just pulling out front sometimes.”

He raised a brow and she laughed again.

“I know, right. As far as schmoozing, you’re better off just being real. As long as you’re not swearing, she hates that. But she’s not going to think highly of you if you put on a show, she’s a very down to earth, say it like it is kind of woman.”

He nodded, “Got it.”

“So this party, who’s gonna be there?” she asked.

“Oh, just the usual crew. Winters, Harmon, Adrien, Brooke, Kara, Lisa, Dori and probably a dozen others.”

Ary nodded, trying to appear nonchalant. Despite her earlier admonition that she didn’t care what these people thought, she was suddenly nervous. It was different when they were at school, in a class of seven hundred kids it was easy to ignore or hide from these people, especially when you had your own friends. Even the other night had been easy because she was with those friends and there was a vast diversity in the partygoers. But this was a lot more intimate.

Grayson put a hand on hers and she looked up.

“You’re with me, if anyone gives you shit I’ll deal with them.”

She nodded.

“You’re my girl now Aryanne, you have nothing to worry about.”

His girl. Wow. She nodded again with more confidence.

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