Eleanor & Grey

by Brittainy C. Cherry

A book alone isn’t always enough to get people to ignore you, but a book and headphones? Well, you might as well be a ghost.

It was so hard being an introvert in an extrovert world,

There was nothing worse than when an extrovert tried to understand the deep corners of an introvert’s mind.

What I wouldn’t have given to once again experience the feeling of reading those books for the very first time.

I narrowed my eyes. “Okay, well, once you discover something we have in common, I’ll hang out with you.” He narrowed his eyes, almost as if he didn’t believe me. “Pinky promise?” he asked, holding out his pinky finger.

later.” I smiled back before I could stop myself and he noticed it. “More of that, Eleanor.”

You know those first few minutes after you finished an amazing book? Those moments when you aren’t quite sure what to do with yourself?

For you, the characters are still imprinted on your soul. Their actions, their dialogue still alive and strong in your mind. Your tears haven’t even dried, and you crave another fix.

“Why did you read them all?” “So we’d have something in common. Plus, I wanted you to form a stupid, unrealistic crush on me that goes against everything you stand for.”

I smiled. He smiled back and said, “More of that, Ellie.”

“He read your favorite series?” “Yup.” “Eleanor?” “Yes?” “Marry this boy.”

He smiled back. “More of that, Grey,” I said with a grin as I used his words.

I swore his arm moved closer to mine, and mine inched closer to his throughout the movie. My heart stopped beating completely as his pinky brushed against mine.

I wanted to do that for you. I wanted to give you something else to think about, and I didn’t want you to feel alone.”

That’s what loneliness is—living in world where no one really sees you.”

“I just wanted you to know I see you, you know, the you that the rest of the world doesn’t see.”

Maybe I needed her even more than she needed me.

“We’re gonna go to a coffee shop and read our books. I figured that’s what people do—drink coffee and read.”

I didn’t know how quickly your heart could begin beating for someone who had been nothing but a stranger a few weeks before.

He walked straight up to me, wrapped his arms around me, and hugged me.

You can be anything in the world, and it would be good enough. Job title doesn’t matter as long as you have food on your table, and heat on your stove. What matters the most is being happy. So, when you do grow up, make sure you’re happy. Everything else will fall into place.’

But, when I’m with you, I’m not lonely anymore. When I’m with you, I feel like I belong. So, I owe you for that. I almost forgot what it felt like.” “You almost forgot what what felt like?” He shrugged a shoulder. “Being happy.”

loved how when he looked at me, he really stared my way, as if I were the only girl he would ever look at again. I loved how when I spoke, he listened and responded with questions to deepen the conversation. I loved how he had a small dimple in his left cheek that showed whenever he smiled.

“Here, man. Just take the panda,” the carnie said as he held the stuffed animal toward us. “Anyone who tries that hard to impress a girl deserves to give her a stuffed animal.”

“I like that,” he told me. “The ice on your face?” “No. I like it whenever you touch me.” My heart stopped beating, I stopped breathing, and Greyson kept smiling.

“When I fall in love, it’s going to be real. It’s not going to be a love for convenience, it’s going to be a forever kind of love. Otherwise, what’s the point?”

He inched a little closer to me, and I let it happen. He tucked my hair behind my ears, and I let it happen. His smile melted every part of me, and I let it happen.

“I just want it to be perfect, you know? Especially now that I know it’s your first kiss. That’s important. In the novels you’ve had me read, it always happens naturally,” he said softly. “I take notes when I’m reading on how the hero does it, on where it happens, on how comfortable or uncomfortable both the characters seem.”

“Would it be cliché of me to ask if I can kiss you?”

“Yes.” I scooted closer, so close that his lips were millimeters from mine, so close that his exhales became my inhales, so close that my mind had already decided it was going to be the best first kiss of my life. “But do it anyway.”

“I know, but even if a day comes when you can’t physically see me, I’m still here. Always.”

“Fear’s okay, as long as you don’t let it drown you.”

It just lives fully in the moment. That’s what they mean to me: living in the moment. They live each day moment by moment, not overthinking the future.”

Something should be said about the people who show up for the depressed souls. They never receive enough credit for being brave enough to stay.

I didn’t know why he’d come into my life all those weeks before. I didn’t know why he chose to stay. I didn’t deserve a friend like him. Honestly, I wasn’t sure anyone deserved Greyson East in their life, but I was so thankful he was in mine.

He was him, I was me, and we were us. This was our story.

“So?” he said, still kicking, still jumping. Then he held his hand out toward me. “Look crazy with me?” he asked with the silliest smirk ever and I swear, I just thought about kissing him in that very moment.

“But I mean, just to be clear I did it for me, too. I really wanted to dance with you, Ellie.”

“Grey?” “Yes?” “Would it be all right if I kept you forever?”

“Yeah, but it just kind of felt like we were…I don’t know, just us, you know?”

You have such a great year coming up, and I don’t want to stop you from living it to the fullest. You deserve to be happy.” “You make me happy.”

My life has been lonely for a while now. I thought lonely was the default option, though being lonely was normal. Even though I’ve always been surrounded by people, it’s as if no one really knew me. And then came you.

P.S. Saw a dragonfly last night. Reminded me of you.

You’re a good person, Eleanor Gable. And if you ever forget, just check for my emails. I’ll be there to remind you.

People didn’t have to talk about love to know it existed. Love wasn’t only real because someone said it out loud. No, love just kind of sat there quietly, in the shadows of the night, healing the cracks that lived in our hearts.

I leaped into his arms without any thought. Without hesitation. Without words.

He placed his hand on top of mine, and so many feelings raced through me. I knew in my heart he’d always be one of the most important people in the world to me.

If only he knew how much just being there meant. That was enough.

We lay down in bed facing each other and didn’t really say much, because there wasn’t much that needed to be said. He was there, I was there, and we were us.

“You’ll stay with me?” I asked. He moved in closer and wrapped his arms around me. “I’m not going anywhere.”