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[indent][color=a9a9a9]Why... why was he wasting his time? 

The time spent here was going to be [i]three[/i] days. Nothing more, nothing less. Why was he acting out of character for people who would try to forget his face the second they leave the island? [b]This[/b] wasn't him. Ten years ago, he was young, dumb, and dealt with demons that none of these self-adsorbed women could ever fathom. If they wanted to forever remember him as that asshole, that's on them. They have a choice on how they were going to enjoy this reunion and if this is how they wanted things, sulking over the past, [i]that's on them[/i]. 

Not him. 

But this cowardice and pathetic plea for forgiveness? This poor attempt to pretend he cared, when he left his highschool days behind, the moment his parents were brutally murdered? Who the fuck was he trying to be? Not someone his old man would be proud about. Grayson could already imagine his father throwing him across the room, while his sister watched and his mother did nothing, telling him that 'no son of mine would be such a goddamn pussy'.

All for what? So [i]they[/i] can get over their petty bullshit for someone they didn't even know?  Someone they supposedly could careless about? Someone they barely even knew back then?

Honestly...

[i]Fuck them. [/i]

He couldn't even appreciate the fact that Amanda was now standing next to him and what she was wearing. He couldn't take in the scent of her perfume or feel the threatening, silent menace protruding from her very presence. For as long as it has been and as much as he was known to be so incredibly infatuated by this immaculate creature, he found himself staring at his booze, gritting his teeth. That obsession that was such a problem years ago seemed non-existent while he internalized his feelings of being the most hated person at this reunion. There was no doubt in his mind that she, out of all people, would not tolerate these kind unpleasantries. Especially at [i]her[/i] event. 

Lifting his finger up in the air, to motion to Amanda that he would handle this in the most forward way possible, he glanced up from his glass and admitted with no remorse, [color=bc4f29]"No, not at all."[/color] 

[color=bc4f29]"You are right though."[/color] He affirmed both Amanda's and Willow's words, all in one statement. His brown eyes gradually going from one face to the other. One clearly meant what she said, the other he could feel her spite a mile away. His gaze lingered on Amanda, whose attention and eyes were on him. [color=bc4f29]"We are [i]grown[/i] adults. At least some of us."[/color] He purposely referenced what Willow expressed, before darting his focus right back to the women he tried to extend an olive branch to.  

Tapping the bar with his hand, he gestured to Rudy, [color=bc4f29]"I'll have what she's having."[/color] he nodded his head toward Tessa, before continuing, [color=bc4f29]"To be frank, I don’t give a damn if any of you give me ‘sunshine’. I have that already, with my [b]daughter[/b]."[/color] His life didn't revolve around them and this mini vacation that Amanda worked hard to put together so her class could get away from the stresses of their daily lives — why would he act like it did?  

If they wanted sincerity, he was going to give it to them. 

Right now. 

Originally, he thought a peace treaty could help, but it's been so long that no matter what he said or did, it would never feel sincere because to him, they were nothing. Where were they during the trial? The longest year of his life that may be the only year he chose to forget. They didn't support him when Jason and Elizabeth died, they didn't cheer him on when he battled the urge to quit his job on numerous occasions, and they sure as hell weren't there when he had to tell Millie her parents were dead. 

They were [i]nothing[/i]. 

[color=bc4f29]"Allison, you might've been one of the [i]few[/i] I could act semi-normal with, up until you reminded me of something that hit a little close to home,"[/color] The bartender with swift ease and absolute silence, ignoring the tension, placed the glasses in front of the detective and poured his order. [color=bc4f29]"And Tara, I'm glad you've gained a calmer spirit. I hope you've also learned to not pick your friend up after every fall."[/color] [i]First shot[/i]. Grayson rolled his eyes, relieved he came to terms with this now rather than the end of the reunion. He would've spent all his time chasing women that didn't want to be chased. For what? 

All eyes were on him because for some reason they weren't over him, like highschool was only yesterday and they were sixteen going on seventeen. [color=bc4f29]"I fucked up."[/color] Shrugging, his dark stare decided to rest on Willow's soft face for the remainder of his spiel. [color=bc4f29]"The end. You're doing yourself a disservice by allowing this image you have of me affect your day."[/color] And her once-upon-a-time friendship with Alex.

After exasperatedly sighing, he smiled with no malicious intent. His smile was one of happiness growing and realizing he didn't need to bother with individuals that didn't escape their childhood. Women that lacked the guile and complexity of those that deserved his time, attention, and energy. [i]Another shot[/i]. Down it went. Grayson decided this conversation was over: [color=bc4f29]"I didn’t travel all this way to pretend to have a good time."[/color]

With harsh weather in his eyes and a strong resolution, Grayson grabbed the last shot and lifted it up, as if he was going to give a cheer but instead, he simply decreed, [color=bc4f29]"I’m going to."[/color] Once he shot it down his throat, he slammed it on the counter and dismissed himself, grabbing his whiskey with him, [color=bc4f29]"Enjoy the rest of your evening, ladies.”[/color]
 
Before he walked away, he offered his arm for Amanda to grab, ready to have his first real conversation with his highschool crush, [color=bc4f29]"Care to join me?"[/color] 

To his surprise, the blonde's face lit up with a warm smile. [color=9D3DD0]“"Oh, absolutely,"[/color] she responded without hesitation, taking the arm that was so graciously offered to her. 

No more words left to say, he shook his head in disappointment, baffled at the obvious truth that he felt sorry for his classmates. With whiskey at one side, and Amanda on the other, he strode off, deciding to take the hostess closer to the deep blue waters, where they both could stare out at the scenic view and get to know one another. 

Something he wouldn't have had the courage to do, a decade ago. [/color][/indent]