Mary Ellen

He drove me home, and I'm still not sure I can trust Grayson.

"Are you busy Saturday? I have practice in the morning, but maybe we can go do something. Just us and nobody else, I swear,"

"I'm not sure." I said.

I want to be friends, but not if it means he's just setting me up for humiliation.

"I can't blame you for not trusting me, and I understand if you don't want to come. How about this, I'll show you how much I trust you with information that could ruin my scholarship? This is a huge deal, so you'll know you can trust me after I tell you."

"Okay."

"Jason Seback takes steroids, and if he's ever busted, we could all pay the price. The whole team will be stripped of anything we've achieved, and we may lose our scholarships. We got state this year, so the entire school will go crazy."

I couldn't believe he just trusted me with that!

"Okay."

"Okay you'll go, or okay you won't tell?" He asked.

"Both." I still can't look at him or fully trust him.

"I'll see you at 1 on Saturday." He got out and opened my door again for me. I've never really been in close contact with any boys, so taking his hand feels strange. He always gives me cold chills, and I know it's fear.

"Wait, isn't football season over?" I asked.

"Yeah, right now it's just this allstar thing we do."

"Okay."

He walked me to my door. "I'll see you tomorrow, will you hold a spot for me at lunch?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Bye, Mary Ellen." He kissed the back of my hand, and jogged away.

He kept his word the next day, and sat his tray across from me and just smiled at me.

"You came." I said.

"Of course, I told you I would."

"Aren't you worried about your reputation?" I still don't think he's being sincere. Maybe, but I can't figure it out.

"Why would I care?"

"Well, what about that girl you're always with?"

"I broke up with her the day after you sang. She's too snobby for my taste anymore. I mean shouldn't people be somewhat mature by graduation?"

"I suppose so." I responded.

"Plus, I didn't want to hold her back from her future life with six kids, and a husband who screws his secretary."

I laughed.

"I made you laugh!" He smiled, and stared at me.

"I guess you did."

"Daddy's money only takes you so far, other than cheer, I'm not sure she has any ambitions." He said.

"She will find her place in this world, she just hasn't found herself yet." I replied, and he smiled at me.

"You have a lot of faith."

"If I didn't have that, I'd have nothing." I said, and his eyes softened.

I had voice lessons on Friday, then sat with my father until the nurse sent by Medicaid arrived on Saturday.

"How is he today?" She asked.

"He had a rough night last night, he must have a stomach bug or something. I changed out the feeding bag already." I informed her, then excused myself to get ready.

I looked in my closet and all I have is jeans, shorts and one dress. I chose a pair of shorts and a flannel shirt.

I put my hair in a ponytail as usual and slid on my glasses. I only wear my contacts for special occasions. They're expensive since they're disposable, and I have to make them last.

The doorbell rang as soon as I got to the bottom of the stairs.

"Mary Ellen, are you expecting someone?" My mother yelled from her bedroom. Her hangover keeps her from actually getting up out of bed.

"Yeah, I'll be back later, mom."

I decided to grab my gym bag, because I'm not sure what I'll need. He hasn't told me his plans.

I opened the door, and Grayson was on the other side with a smile.

"Hi." He stared at me like he always does.

"Hi." I shut the door behind myself, and we walked to the car. I actually like how he opens doors for me.

I slid in, and did my own seat belt as he got in the driver's side.

"Your parents didn't want to meet me?" He turned on the engine, and it roared to life.

"They're not available." I said.

He backed out of my driveway.

"Where are we going?"

"Have you ever gone to the cliffs?" He asked.

I shook my head.

"You are today." He stepped on the gas, and I just watched out the window as the town faded away. One thing about not living in some big city, is that you can always find somewhere quiet to go.

"Do you have to be home by a certain time?" He asked.

"No."

We parked the car just off a dirt path and once again, he didn't allow me to open my own door. I took his hand, and he led me down a dirt path until I didn't just hear water, but I saw it.

"It's beautiful here." I said as I looked around.

"My dad once told me about it, so I come here a lot when I need to be alone. It's a special place to me." He said.

We sat together on a big rock by the cliff. "I've jumped from here before." He said.

"No way." I doubted him.

"Yeah, I was pissed at my dad, and just decided to do it, but don't worry there's a safer way down." He pointed at a path, and we decided to walk down it.

We got to the bottom, and he's right, the water is deep.

"Over there is a spot where you can walk underneath the waterfall." He pointed.

I smiled. "Really?"

"Yeah, but we have to cross that log." He said.

"Let's go!" I took off my shoes, and he laughed.

"What are you doing?"

"You'll see, hold these." I handed him my shoes, and walked toward the log.

"It's all in your mind, Grayson, watch."

I stepped on and balanced myself before walking to the middle and turning around. "Don't try this," I smirked at him.

I did the Arabesque and his eyes widened. I balanced on one leg while the other is behind me straight and my arms reached toward him.

"Ready?" I asked, and he kinda shook his head no, but I don't care.

"I'm going to do a Grande Jeté, meaning I'm going to jump to my other foot. Are you ready?"

"I'm not sure.."

I cut him off and didn't listen, I just did it, then landed on my other foot perfectly and held my Arabesque."

"Jesus, Christ!" He said, and his jaw dropped.

"What's the worst that can happen? It's just water."

I used my pointer finger, and did the come here motion. He looked like he swallowed an apple.

"You can leave my shoes if you want."

He sat down my shoes, and slowly made his way to me, while holding his arms out for balance.

I put my leg down and held my hand out. He was a bit shaky, but took it, then grabbed on to me. "Remember, it's all in your mind." I reminded him.