I could hear Ethan and Grayson arguing through the door as I approached. I waited to see if they would settle down before I knocked. "No, Ethan! I can't take it any more. I need to be out of LA, I don't want to see the places we went and be reminded!" Ethan began to reply, but Gray cut him off again. "Ethan, I am going home whether you come with me or not!" I could hear him approaching the door to get away, so I quickly knocked before it seemed like I was just spying on them. I mean, I was. They just didn't need to know that. All sound from their apartment ceased and then the door opened.
Grayson was not looking good. His eyes were rimmed red from tears, tiredness, or both. The stubble on his chin showed his disregard for hygiene. Usually he was diligent about shaving, but I didn't blame him for not caring. He seemed to take the break up really rough. I had underestimated how much he cared about Rachel. Nonetheless, I still felt it was right to tell him when I did. It would have been even worse later.
"Hey, Gray." I said. I didn't know if he was mad at me and he was obviously upset, so pleasantries would help. Besides, I was sure he didn't want to be asked how he was. I already knew. His face softened a little.
"Hey, Viola." He replied. That was good enough for now. I didn't want to push him. Instead of more words I just leaned in for a hug. After a moment, he wrapped his arms around me as well and leaned his head against my shoulder. So he doesn't hate me. I guess it was the right thing, then. I gave him a smile when we let go and we both walked back inside. I kissed Ethan when I walked up to him and hugged him too. Grayson went to his room so I had a minute to talk to Ethan alone.
"I heard the end of your argument. If you need to go to Jersey again, I can watch your apartment." I offered. It was probably better that Ethan went too. Grayson needed him right now. He thought for a moment.
"You know what? I have a better idea." I furrowed my brows. "Come with us. You can meet our parents. Cameron will still be at school, but you can see where we grew up." It would actually be the perfect time. I had a long weekend coming up for thanksgiving break. Besides, I would love to see where Ethan was from. I was nervous about the parents part, though. All my other boyfriends parents weren't so scary because I had known them and their families their whole lives. This time, I would be flying to meet them. But I could do it for Ethan. And I wanted to be there for Grayson too.
"Okay." I said. Ethan laughed.
"That's it? No questions, no hesitation?" He asked. I smiled.
"Nope." And then I kissed him and he scooped me up to carry me to the couch where we watched The Office for a while.
A few days later, Ethan picked me up in the morning to take me to the airport. I was excited to get out of Los Angeles for a few days. Growing up in a small Alaskan town, I was excited to be around nature and soak in the peace and quiet. I got tired of hearing cars and people outside my window all the time. Grayson was sitting up front already, so I sat in back and made weird faces at Grayson in the mirror the whole time. I even managed to get him to laugh a couple times.
The flights went pretty quickly. Usually I got really cold on planes, but I was in between Ethan and Grayson so I used it to my advantage. I draped the blanket over me and then over their shoulders so the heat they gave off would stay under the blanket. They laughed, but I was proud of my ingenuity. We all watched the movie that they showed on the screen in front of us, which was some romantic comedy. It was horrible, but we laughed anyway. Several hours and many tiny packets of snacks later, we landed in New Jersey.
Before I could even say anything, Ethan told me not to be nervous. "They'll love you, don't worry. They know how great you are with fans and Gray and I have told them all about you. Just be yourself." I smiled at him. Talking about me meeting their parents seemed to remind Grayson that he didn't have a girlfriend so I pretended to drop my stuff the whole way to the car so Grayson could laugh at the weird looks people gave me. Ethan shook his head. Hey, at least it worked.
Ethan and Grayson's parents were waiting for us by the front doors of the airport. They looked super nice, I don't know what I was so afraid of. Maybe I thought since Ethan and Grayson were so attractive, their parents would be just as intimidating. We walked over to them. I hoped my hair didn't look crazy or anything.
"You must be Violet." Their dad said. "I'm Sean, this is Lisa." Ethan laughed.
"Her name is Viola, not Violet, Dad." He said. Sean made an apologetic face.
"Ah, right. I was just seeing if you were paying attention." Classic dad joke.
"Nice to meet you." I said, shaking their hands. Lisa pulled me in for a hug instead.
"We've heard a lot about you from Ethan." Lisa said. I smiled.
"All good things I hope?" I asked.
"Oh, not quite. Grayson said you're quite the drinker." Sean said. Grayson laughed. I blushed and tried to think of something to say. Sean laughed after trying to hold a straight face. "Butterbeer, that is." He said. Thank God. Thanks a whole lot, Grayson.
"Oh yeah. I can put those back. Not quite as quickly as Grayson, though. He pretty much went into a coma after we got home." I laughed, and everyone joined in.
"Alright, let's get home. You must all be tired from flying." Lisa said. We all talked casually in the car. Their parents asked about Alaska and my life in school until Ethan just put on the radio. I thanked him silently. All four of them sang along, so I joined in too. They all sing in the car together? I was beginning to love this family already.
Their house was really nice and cozy. They had a big back yard and even a pool. I could imagine how nice their living room looked around Christmas with the tree, decorations, and fireplace blazing. Maybe someday I could see it for myself. Since it was November, the living room was strewn with blankets and fall decorations, though. I felt so happy to be in an actual home in a small town. In the evening, after a delicious homemade dinner, we all played some board games (I chose Clue because it's obviously the best) and then put on Napoleon Dynamite.
After, Ethan and Grayson wanted to show me their favorite spot to watch the sunset. We all bundled up and took their four wheelers out into the woods until we reached a clearing up on a hill with a view of the forest below and sunset in front of us. I cuddled close to Ethan and held Grayson's hand. We watched in silence as the sun drifted below the horizon and the stars revealed themselves above us. I pointed out the few constellations I knew. We all sat there until it got too cold to stay any longer. I loved these boys so much. Ethan made me the happiest girl in the world and Grayson was one of my best friends. I wanted to spend every day adventuring with them.
Ethan showed me their spare room when we got home and kissed me before he headed off to his and Grayson's room. I curled up in the blankets, freezing from outside, but content. I could see why they loved this place. It was beautiful. I fell asleep quickly after that, looking forward to seeing more of their hometown when I woke up.