ConSeQuences Chapter 8, a twilight fanfic

Chapter 8: You Make Me Smile

Bella

I was standing in the body-length mirror in my bedroom, biting my lip while giving myself a last once over before Tanya and Garrett rang the doorbell.

I wore some distressed black jean shorts with a baby doll tank top with a high ponytail with a hint of makeup.

This was the fourth outfit I'd tried on today and the only reason I didn't change again was I knew that Tanya would have a mega fit if I wasn't dressed.

This was totally outside of my character.

I was not that girl.

Whatever I pulled out of the closet, that's what I wore…period.

I didn't know what the hell was wrong with me today.

I couldn't put my finger on it.

We were just going to the Taste of Chicago to eat and listen to music.

A small group of us.

No big deal, right?

None whatsoever.

So why the hell did I have five outfits thrown across your bed then?

Get your ish together girl.

I let out an impatient huff. "You see him five days a week, Bee."

I shook my head at myself, just as the doorbell rang.

I grabbed my purse off the bed and strolled down the stairs.

As I approached the door, I saw Tanya grinning from ear to ear, through the glass doors.

"Hey Bee, you look cute." She pulled me in for a quick hug after I opened the door.

"You too." I pointed down. Love the Chucks."

"Hey, Bee." Garrett hugged me as Tanya walked past.

"Hey, G."

"I'm going to grab a bottle of water, then I'll be ready," Tanya said as she walked towards the kitchen.

"Okay." I nodded.

Garrett smiled. "So, how have you been?"

"I've been good." I've had my moments, but I was better. "Busy with the kiddos, but good."

"Yeah, I hear you, work has kept me busy too." He nodded. "Before you know it, we'll be headed back to school."

"The summer has kinda shot past hasn't it?"

"Yes, it has. A little too fast for me. That last semester was rough." He chuckled. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to go back to school yet."

"It was rough, but we were the smartasses that decided to take fifteen hours instead of the usual twelve."

"That's true." Garrett nodded.

"I'm more than ready to go back," I mumbled.

His shoulders sagged. "I'm so sorry, Bee, Tanya told me what happened at the restaurant yesterday. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good."

I could honestly say I wasn't as bothered as I thought I would've been.

He narrowed his eyes. "I wish I'd been there to beat the shit outta him."

I waved him off. "He's not worth it."

"He's a bigger dumbass than I thought he was. It's bad enough he cheated, now the asshole is following you."

"I wouldn't necessarily say he's following me since I know he eats at Manny's too. But he didn't have to approach us. He could've grabbed his food and left."

Garrett snorted. "That's too much like right."

"What's too much like right," Tanya asked walking towards us, with cookies and a water bottle.

I pursed my lips and gave her a knowing look.

"Ah, you must be talking about the king of jackasses." Tanya sighed.

Shortly after we left the restaurant, Grayson called to check on me since we drove in separate cars. After I assured him, I was okay, he changed the conversation.

By the time I had made it home, my side was hurting from laughing so hard at Grayson telling me about more of him and his friends' crazy camping adventures.

We talked for a little while longer before I hung up with him to take a hot shower.

I was still a little hungry since I threw half of my sandwich in the garbage, which I later regretted.

But I wanted to get as far away from Edward as possible.

There was some Beggars pizza in the frig so I heated that and settled down in front of the TV to watch a movie.

About thirty minutes into Easy A, one of my favs, Tanya called.

I told Tanya everything and of course, she was livid but not surprised.

As far as she is concerned, he's always been selfish and has never thought of anyone but himself.

I didn't realize it until after the fact, but I didn't cry when I told Tanya what happened nor did I cry myself to sleep. I snuggled up to my pillow and had a dreamless night.

I didn't feel it was necessary to keep rehashing what happened at the restaurant. I was moving on and it appeared that Edward may have grown some sort of conscience in the last twenty-four hours since he didn't call half as much today as he usually did.

"Not anymore." I opened the door and looked at them. "Let's go."

Tanya gave a satisfied smirk and Garrett chuckled, as they walked out the door.

The ride was quick to the Metra station, but it took several minutes for Garrett to find a parking space. I wasn't surprised by the rows of cars parked, even on a Saturday, with the many summer events Chicago had.

After we parked and got out of the car, I immediately saw Grayson with his friends waiting for us on the train platform, talking and laughing.

They were just as tall and good-looking as Grayson, from what I could see.

I've never understood that…

Did all the good-looking guys run in packs or something?

They were both tall and muscular, one with a tawny beige complexion and the other fair.

Tanya put her arm around my shoulders. "Wow!"

"I know right." I chuckled.

Garrett walked up behind us. "Come on ladies the next train will be here in about five minutes or so."

Knowing we'd have to wait for another twenty minutes if we missed the train, we quickly made our way towards the platform.

Just as we reached the top of the stairs, Grayson removed his sunglasses. "Bella." He walked away from his friends toward me with his arms open.

"Hey, Gray." I smiled and returned his hug.

His friends watched us standing behind him, as Tanya and Garrett stood on the side of me.

Grayson pulled back, looking down at me. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." I was still smiling when I looked up at him.

Someone cleared their throat.

Grayson let me go, standing on the other side of me. "Oh, um, sorry about that." He lightly chuckled. "Hey Tanya and…Garrett I assume…" he trailed off.

He'd already met Tanya from her coming to the campus to have lunch with us a few times.

"Hey, Grayson." Tanya smiled. "It's good to see you again and you're correct, this is my Garrett." Lightly touching Garrett's shoulder.

Garrett stepped up extending his hand. "Nice to meet you."

Grayson met Garrett's hand smiling. "Same here." Grayson stepped to the side. "These are my friends, Graham." He jerked his chin towards the one with blonde hair and hazel-green-looking eyes.

Graham smiled at me. "Nice to finally meet you. He hasn't stopped talking about you."

Grayson elbowed Graham.

He's been talking about me to his friends.

"Oh, I wasn't supposed to say that?" Graham grinned mischievously.

Grayson rolled his eyes. "Anyway, this is Leo."

Leo extended his hand to me. "Bella, it's a pleasure. Forgive Graham, he's an idiot. But I'm sure you'll come to that conclusion yourself by the end of the day." He gave a lopsided smile.

Leo was tall, dark, and handsome, with deep brown eyes and wavey brown hair.

Honestly, the three of them could have easily been models.

And I think some of the other females agreed by the way they were eye fucking them as they walked by.

We all laughed, including Graham who simply shrugged his shoulders.

Tanya waved at Leo and Graham while Garrett fist-bumped with them right before the train pulled up.

"You ready," Grayson asked.

"Yep." He gestured for me to walk through the opened train door.

We all piled in looking for open seats.

Everyone else had found seats already so Grayson and I walked to the back grabbing the last two.

"Bee, I'm glad you still came. I was kinda nervous that you wouldn't show because of what happened… well you know." He shrugged one shoulder.

"I wasn't going to allow that to mess up our plans. I'm fine."

Grayson looked at me apprehensively. "I know fine doesn't always mean good."

I bumped his shoulder with mine, smiling. "Seriously, I'm good."

"Okay." He exhaled. "You don't know how many times I had to talk myself out of driving to your house last night, to make sure you were okay, with my own eyes."

"Gray, you're so sweet."

"Thank you, but I'm not being sweet, I'm being a friend." He looked intently. "You deserve better than that, better than him."

I held his gaze.

Our eyes were locked like magnets.

I saw nothing but sincerity in his eyes.

"You're right," I said just above a whisper.

"I know I am."

We stared at each other wordlessly until the couple sitting in front of us broke us out of our haze standing up, as the train stopped.

Grayson cleared his throat. "Enough about that." I nodded in agreement. "We're going to have fun today. Do you have a taste for anything specific?"

"I heard someone at work talking about a new seafood place called Grill City and I've always wanted to try Dia De Los Tamales."

"Wait a minute." He chuckled. "Are you telling me you haven't had Dia De Los Tamales before?"

"Nope." I popped the p.

"Bee, you don't know what you've been missing. Once you eat theirs, you'll never want anyone else's." He rubbed his stomach. "The 'Not you Moma's Nachos, with the Garbanzo beans is my favorite."

I laughed at his enthusiasm for talking about food.

"You're laughing at me now, but you'll see what I'm talking about when you taste it. That's the first thing we're going to eat but you probably won't want anything else after that."

"You sound really sure of yourself, Walsh." I teased.

"When have I ever steered you wrong, Swan?" He crossed his arms.

I rolled my eyes.

"Exactly!" His smile was smug.

"Grant Park is the next stop." The electronic voice announced.

Grayson stood up extending his hand to me.

I slid my hand in his, stood up, and walked towards the door, where the rest of our small group met us.

Tanya's eyes darted to Grayson and I's held hands; her lips twitched as she tried to hide her smile.

But I decided to ignore her.

It's not like two friends of the opposite sex can't touch each other.

Once the doors opened, he released my hand, putting his hand on the small of my back as I walked off the train.

The walk was slow to Grant Park since there were people everywhere, but I couldn't help feeling the buzz in the air.

The energy was high with laughter and people walking by with food in their hands.

The stage was lit with multi-colored spotlights, as the deeply seductive rhythms of Latin music vibrated in the atmosphere.

Some couples salsa-ed, while some held up cell phones recording the show.

Trucks and tables were everywhere with a plethora of food.

We all stood there, eyes wide as saucers, taking in our surroundings.

Garrett spoke first, breaking the silence. "It's so much I want to try I don't know where to start."

"Yeah, me too." Tanya agreed. "Do you know where you want to start, Bee?"

"Well, according to Grayson, I should start with Dia De Los Tamales first." I playfully rolled my eyes. "Supposedly they're so good, I won't want anything else."

"It's true," Grayson said matter-of-factly.

"Grayson and I disagree on a lot and I mean a lot when it comes to food but he's right on this one," Leo spoke up.

"You've piqued my interest. I've heard of it but haven't eaten there before either. Maybe we should save that one for last then."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"I vote Big Wang's Chinese first." Graham pointed to the truck.

"That's cool with me, I haven't had that in while." Grayson looked down at me. "You good with that?"

"They're one of my favorites."

"Maybe we should all buy some stuff and share so everybody can have a little of everything," Leo suggested.

"Okay, I'll buy some crab ragoons and dumplings." Garrett volunteered.

We walked towards the truck and everyone put their orders in. There were some tables nearby we decided to sit at while we waited.

"Does anyone know who's performing next? Graham asked.

Leo held his phone up. "Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals are up now and then Uncle Kracker is up next.

"Bee, what was that song of his you used to play all the time… on repeat?" Tanya laughed.

I kicked her under the table.

"Ouch." She leaned down rubbing her leg, still laughing. "Garrett, do you remember the name?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Waiting on an Angel." I half pouted.

"Yeah, that's it." Garrett shook his head. "That song was kinda sad."

"It's not sad, it makes you think." I countered.

"Yeah, about death." Tanya snorted.

"Whatever." I threw a plastic fork at her, laughing.

"You can say what you want Tanya, that man got some skills on the strings," Leo said.

"I like that song too," Grayson said.

"Really?"

I was surprised, most of the people I knew weren't really into him, no matter how accomplished he was.

"Really." Grayson smiled.

"Number 369." The guy from Big Wang's truck yelled out.

Garrett looked down at his receipt. "That's me."

Shortly after everyone went and got the food they ordered, one by one. We sat the spread of Wang's chicken, fried rice, broccoli steak, crab ragoons, and dumplings out with plates, chopsticks, and forks for those of us who couldn't use chopsticks, namely me.

We enjoyed the different songs the group played while we ate, laughing and talking.

Graham rubbed circles on his stomach. "That was a nice snack. Now, what's next." He looked around.

"Snack… what's next?" I looked at him in disbelief.

"Bella, if I fart good, I'm hungry again." Graham grinned wide.

The whole table laughed.

"We can't take you nowhere man." Grayson shook his head.

"Graham you must be the crazy one in the group," Tanya said.

"He's the fool of the group." Leo laughed.

Graham flipped Leo off. "I'm the honest one in the group."

"So, you're saying we're dishonest?" Grayson asked.

"No, I just say what you're too polite to say," Graham responded.

"Ah, that might be true," Leo said.

"So, anyway, what do you all want to eat next?" Graham said.

"I think Tanya and I will walk around for a little bit before we eat again," Garrett said.

"Hey, let's hit Dog Haus for a downtown dog." Graham tapped Leo's arm.

"Alright, cool." They both stood up grabbing empty containers from the table.

"Where and what time do you all want to meet up again?" Grayson asked.

Garrett looked down at his watch. "Let's say in about an hour or so, we can meet back at this table or somewhere near just in case someone else is sitting here."

Everyone nodded, removing the rest of the empty containers, water bottles, and plates from the table.

"Sounds good," Grayson said.

Everyone went their separate ways leaving Grayson and me at the table.

"Do you want to get closer to the stage?" I asked.

Ben Harper was still up with his group.

"Sure."

We walked in a comfortable silence maneuvering every so often through the crowd.

"Are you enjoying yourself so far?" He asked once we were able to walk side by side again.

"Yes, I am." I chuckled. "Graham and Leo are crazy, like someone else I know."

"I think I'm the sanest one out of the three of us." He laughed lightly.

"The jury is still out on that one, Walsh."

"Whatever you say, Swan." He rolled his eyes.

"How long have the three of you been friends?"

He looked up as if he had to think about it. "Since the sixth grade. I met Leo first. You remember how teachers used to set two desks in rows in the classroom?" I shook my head. "Leo's seat was assigned next to mine. We introduced ourselves and we've been friends ever since."

"So, when did you meet Graham?"

"He was kicked out of his sixth-grade classroom into ours." He snorted. "There were one too many class clowns in Ms. Calvin's classroom, so Graham got booted out."

I bite my lip hiding my smile. "Are you serious?"

"Completely."

"Wow!"

"He's been a fool since I've known him."

"I think he's funny."

"Bee, I can tell you how much trouble he's gotten all of us in throughout the years but they're both my best friends. We'd do anything for each other."

Being around the three of them for a short amount of time, I could already tell they balanced each other out. Graham is the nut, say, or do anything, while Grayson could be competitive and cocky especially when sports were involved, but sweet and Leo was the laid back one, yet observant.

"I can see the closeness." I nodded.

Just as we found a not-so-crowded spot on the grass to stand, the crowd started screaming and whistling when Uncle Kracker crooned out,

You're better than the best

I'm lucky just to linger in your light

Cooler than the flip side of my pillow, that's right

Completely unaware

Nothing can compare to where you send me

Lets me know that it's okay

And the moments when my good times start to fade

"I love this song!" I squealed.

"Would you like to dance?" He chuckled, holding his hand out.

I answered by slipping my hand in his.

We began to sway to the music in sync.

You make me smile like the sun

Fall out of bed, sing like a bird

Dizzy in my head, spin like a record

Crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool

Forget how to breathe

Shine like gold, buzz like a bee

Just the thought of you can drive me wild

Oh, you make me smile

"You got some moves, Swan."

"You too, Walsh." I smiled.

I see the best of me inside your eyes

You make me smile

When I looked up at him, he was looking down at me smiling.

His smile was so bright and carefree, that it made me smile wider.

I couldn't remember the last time I felt like this.

Free and easy.

Not concerned about lies and half-truths.

Or nasty looks and whispers from other females.

Just having simple fun.

Shine like gold, buzz like a bee

Just the thought of you can drive me wild

Oh, you make me smile

Grayson dipped me, singing the last line with Uncle Kracker, smiling.

Oh, you make me smile

The crowd went ballistic as Grayson held me in that dip while the both of us laughed.

He pulled me up into a hug. "That was fun."

"It was," I said, catching my breath.

"Do you want to stay here, or would you like to go check out some of the cooking demos?" He thumbed behind him.

"Let's go see the cooking demos."

"Okay, cool." We started walking through the crowd.

"I'm going to get some water. Would you like a bottle?" Grayson asked.

"Yes, please."

Walking slowly through the crowd, sipping on water, we ended up watching a banana pudding cheesecake demo and surprisingly it tasted good.

"Mmmm, this is good." He hummed.

I nodded as I finished the piece in my mouth. "I may find a recipe and make this before I go back to school."

"You know how to cook, Swan?" He looked surprised.

I lightly bumped his arm with my elbow. "Of course. What made you think I couldn't?"

He took my now empty plate with his and threw them in the garbage. "Well, to be honest, it's not too many females our age that cook."

I pursed my lips. "That's true. But I've been interested in cooking since I was about seven years old. I used to love to help my mother cook dinner and still do."

"Is that so? What's your favorite thing to cook?"

I tapped my chin thinking about it. "One of my favorite dinners to make is seafood mac and cheese with prime ribs."

His face lit up. "Oh, you know how to cook, cook."

"What did you think I meant, hot dogs and fries?"

He snorted. "Yep."

"Ha, ha, Gray." I deadpanned. "I'm cooking dinner tomorrow. Why don't you come over so you can taste my fine cuisine?"

"Fine cuisine." His eyebrows rose along with his smile. "As tempting as that sounds, I already have plans, but I'll definitely take a raincheck."

"Definitely." I smirked. "But your punishment for being a doubter will be washing the dishes."

"Wash dishes?" He jerked back. "I'll be a guest and you're trying to make me wash dishes?"

"That will be your punishment for doubting my skills."

"I have to taste it first… and like it." He teased.

"Do I look worried?" I smiled coyly. "Trust me, you'll be washing the dishes."

"Yeah, yeah, we'll see." He looked down at his watch. "It's almost time to meet the group over at the spot."

Shortly after we met up with the group again, trying samples of different foods before we finally ended our smorgasbord of eating at Dia De Los Tamales.

Everyone ordered a variety of tamales from slow-roasted Cuban pork, and Chicago Italian beef to coconut curry chicken. Sides of Cuban black beans, fiesta rice, and five pork garbanzo beans.

Grayson ordered me the nachos.

When he sat that huge plate in front of me, I thought he'd lost his mind. "Grayson Walsh, who do you think is going to eat all of that?"

"I'll finish what you can't." Graham raised his hand with a stuffed mouth from the other end of the table.

"You're just a bottomless pit." Garrett laughed.

"I'm a growing boy." Graham grinned.

"Dude you're twenty-three years old." Leo threw a napkin at him. "You're done growing."

We sat around for at least another hour laughing and talking as Gary Clark Jr sang in the background.

The train ride back home wasn't as crowded as it was coming, so we all sat together talking about the highlights of our day.

When the train stopped at our stop, Grayson got off with us, while Leo and Graham said their goodbyes from their seats.

Garrett and Tanya walked ahead to the car.

"Gray, what are you doing? You're three stops down."

"I wanted to walk you to the car if that's okay." He bit his lip.

"Yeah, it's okay."

From the first day, we met months ago, he's been attentive to me, even after he found out I was dating Edward.

You know how guys smile and grin in your face when they think they have a chance but when they find out they don't, things change? Yeah, well, Grayson has remained the same the whole time.

He waits for me every morning so we can walk over to the other building together to clock in and he does the same at the end of our workday.

He waits for me so we can walk over to the other building together to clock in and out of work.

We have lunch together every day unless one of us has a meeting or has to leave the campus.

He even walks me to my car after work, especially if I'm not parked close to him.

Wait a minute.

Has Edward ever been this attentive to me?

If I have to ask the question, you already knew the answer.

But I decided to let that go.

It's not like I can go back and change anything.

"Thank you, Gray." I smiled up at him.

"My pleasure." He smiled back. "Bee, I had a really good time today."

"Me too, thanks for inviting us."

By the time we'd reached the car, Tanya and Garrett were listening to music with the windows rolled down.

"What do you think about us doing it again?" He cleared his throat.

"I'd like that."

"Cool." Though he tried to hide it, the corners of his mouth twitched upwards. "So, maybe the Friday or Saturday after the camping trip weekend…" He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck.

"That sounds good." I chuckled.

I'm sure we looked crazy standing there with goofy grins on our faces.

He stepped forward with his arms extended and I walked into them. "Thanks again, for coming Bee, I had a blast."

I pulled back enough to look him in his eyes while holding on to his waist. "No, thank you, I haven't had fun like that in a long time."

His eyebrows furrowed, then released. "Really?"

"Really." I looked him in his eyes, so he could see the truth in mine.

A relaxed smile crossed his face. "I'm looking forward to making sure you have fun for the rest of the summer then."

"I bet you will." I teased.

"You know I'm a man of my word, right?"

I nodded.

It was true. He kept his word. Whatever he said he was going to do, he did it.

The complete opposite of what I was used to.

He gently stepped back from our hug. "I could easily stand here and talk to you all night but they're waiting…" He jerked his chin towards the car. "…but can I call you tomorrow when I get back from grandparent's house… if you're not busy?"

"Yes, I'll be at home all day."

He reached for my right hand and gently squeezed it. "Until tomorrow then."

"Tomorrow." I smiled.

I turned and walked away, opening the car door to a waiting Garrett and Tanya.

I watched as Grayson walked towards the stairs and out of sight.

Tanya turned around from the front passenger seat, with a wide grin. "It looks like somebody had fun today."

"I did." I gave a knowing grin.

"Good for you, Bee." Garrett looked at me through the rearview mirror, smiling.

"Are you all hanging out any time soon?" Tanya asked still turning around to face me.

"He said he's looking forward to making sure I have fun for the rest of the summer."

"Did he now?" Tanya smiled biting her lip.

I nodded.

"I like him."

"Is that so?"

"Yep." She popped her lips. "He seems like good people. Come on Bee, you know I have a sense for these things."

I rolled my eyes and laughed.

In truth, she does. I don't know what it is, but she's always been able to read people since we were kids.

"You're laughing but you know it's the truth." She turned to Garrett. "Right babe?"

He quickly glanced at her. "Right baby. Every time."

I shook my head lightly laughing.

She nodded in satisfaction looking out of her side window.

I knew Tanya wanted to say more and probably would later but just not tonight.

Garrett turned on some music, loud enough to be background noise as we rode in silence.

I laid my head back on the seat, reminiscing on the day…

…and I smiled.

Today was a good day.

Thank you to my pre-readers, my co-writer, and BohemianRituals!

Thank you to my lovely readers who have been so patiently waiting for an update. Not only do I have more responsibility at work, but I am also in class. However, I am glad I was able to get this chapter out sooner than the last one.

I apologize for not being able to respond to the last reviews but please know that I appreciate you! Also, I noticed I have some new readers. Welcome!

There was less drama in this chapter, but you got a chance to meet some new characters and experience some Grayson and Bella time, without Edward interrupting.

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