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Gray shuffled his feet anxiously on the grass, his face turned down though his eyes searched above him. Why me? What does she want to talk about? Why have me meet her at the tourney field? He thought.
Ellie stood in front of him, her eyes shimmering in the sunlight. Grayson had always found her cute, but knew he was probably just an annoyance to her. Honestly, he thought, I'm probably an annoyance to every one. A burden.
"Hello," Ellie and Gray said at the same time.
"Sorry! You go first!" Gray could feel his cheeks burning, and was sure they were bright red.
Ellie giggled. "You don't have to be sorry. I think it's cute that you spoke at the exact same time as me."
"Oh. Sorry. I didn't know."
"Again with the apology?" Ellie flashed her famous smile.
"Sorry." Now Gray's ears were burning as well. "What did you need to tell me? We should probably finish this conversation so you can go talk with people who aren't burdens."
"Burden? Gray you're not a burden! I don't ever want to hear you call yourself that again!"
Gray nibbled his lip, a habit he exhibited whenever he was nervous. "But I am--"
"GRAY!"
"Sorry." His hand found the back of his neck as he looked back at the ground, wishing nothing more than to be able to disappear.
"I did want to talk to you about something though."
Gray gave a noncommittal grunt. His eyes widened as he felt two firm hands gently press onto his cheeks, angling his face toward Ellie's. His heart was ready to burst from his chest. What is she doing?
"Gray? Can I ask my question?"
"As long as you aren't bothered by me being here."
Ellie shook her head. "Gray, when are you going to learn? You're amazing!"
"I don't need lies; I know how it really is."
With a resigned sigh, Ellie shook her head. "I'm asking my question now. Would you like to go on a walk along the beach with me tomorrow? Like on a date?"
Gray stumbled back a step. "Got it. This is a prank. Where's the hidden camera?"
A confused look passed over her face. "A prank? I'd never pull a prank on you."
"Sorry. Vest pranked me earlier today. Was it a dare?"
Ellie now looked offended. "A dare? Really? You think I would accept a dare to hurt one of my friends?"
"No. Obviously not! But--" Gray paused, unsure how to phrase the next part. "I'm not a friend; I'm an annoying, bothersome, cockroach."
A light slap landed on Gray's arm. "Grayson Dwarf! Don't you dare even think that! I am your friend, and, even more importantly, you're my friend! One of my best friends!"
"Sorry. I didn't realize--" a look from Ellie made him trail off.
They stood in an awkward silence for a few seconds. Grayson felt tempted to bolt. He'd run to the mine, follow his lights, and hide out near Fitz. It's really hard to annoy a bat. But he couldn't leave with out knowing....
"So it's a pity date? I'm your 'friend,"" Gray placed finger quotes around the word, "and so you know I'm too much of a problem for anyone to actually go with me so you're doing your 'good deed' and taking me out on a pity date? I understand. You don't have to do this."
A musical laugh swirled around Gray. It was a beautiful sound, one that felt like sunshine. It heated his core, spreading warmth through his entire body. Gray cast a puzzled look at Ellie.
She smiled again. "It's not a pity date. I like you! Like 'like you' like you. I want to take a walk with you."
"Sorry. Why?"
"Gray, you are one of the sweetest guys ever. Any girl would be lucky to go on a date with you. And I get too! I won't take no for an answer." She stretched up and planted a small kiss on his cheek. "See you tomorrow!" She darted off, giggling once more.
"High-ho."
In a daze, Gray walked back to the dorms. What just happened? He kept replaying Ellie's parting kiss. It had felt genuine. If it was a dare she had played it off really well. A hidden camera prank wouldn't have worked; there was no where to put it. And Grayson was pretty sure that you didn't kiss a pity date.
He was so distracted, Gray ran straight into Eros. The demigod was actually shorter than him, but had such a powerful presence Gray felt dwarfed.
"Woah dude. Are you okay?"
"Sorry!" Gray shrunk down, unable to believe that he'd run into somebody.
"Yo, Gray, what's up?" Eros placed his hands on Gray's shoulders.
"I got a date?"
"Is that a question? Are you asking me out? That's great! You're finally coming out of your shell. So where should we go?"
"What?"
"I said yes. That was cute way of asking." Eros winked.
"No I'm sorry. I wasn't asking you out. Ellie asked me out."
"Wait really?" Once Gray nodded, Eros let out a high pitched squeal. "Ohmigosh! Tell me everything!"
In disbelief, Gray allowed himself to be dragged into Eros and Will's room. Eros plopped Gray on his bed, then vaulted up next to him.
"Okay spill. And don't leave out any details!"
Gray recounted the story, feeling incredibly embarrassed. "And now I don't know what to do." He finished.
"Are you kidding? You and Ellie would make the cutest couple! You have to go on this date! She totally sought you out!"
"I can't go out on a date! I'm such a burden. I can't put that stress on Ellie! She's too nice."
"Dude you are totally crushing on her. You aren't a burden --"
Gray interrupted. "Yeah I know, I'm actually an annoying, bothersome, cockroach."
Eros put his palm onto his forehead. "Ay-yi-yi. Dude obviously you need this. And I need this! The cuteness factor would be through the roof!"
"What?" Gray started to stand up. "Sorry for dumping this on you. You shouldn't have to deal with my problems."
Eros grabbed his arm, rendering Gray unable to leave. "You aren't a problem. You're a nice guy, with an amazing girl who wants to go on a date with you. Do you know what some guys would do for that opportunity?"
"Uh no. Sorry."
"Exactly. You're too nice to even imagine such things. Now sit down. We need to make a plan to ensure this date is amazing!"