Two healing souls- Book 2

CHAPTER Two

　　Ryland

　　Gracie and I arrived at the NYU campus. We had just walked from our hotel to here, even though it took close to an hour. It was a lovely day, and it gave us a chance to take in this buzzing city. Plus, Gracie has had me awake since six a.m. because she was too excited to get back to sleep. We had time to kill, so we went for breakfast and coffee then walked here. The girl hasn’t stopped talking at all. Yes, her excitement was cute, but at six a.m., it was rather annoying, especially since she was jumping up and down on the bed to wake me up. But of course, I couldn’t stay annoyed at her for long.

　　“Ahh, look at this place,” she gushed yet again and we were only outside; I was sure she had already fallen in love.

　　“Let’s go and find our tour group,” I suggested, offering her my hand. Gracie grinned widely, taking it as we went to get information on our group. I would have preferred to have this done without a group, but she was adamant she wanted to have the full on experience, and I gave in to her, as always. It only took a few minutes for us to work out where we were to go.

　　“Hello, I am Daisy, and I will be your guide today,”

　　She was chirpy. Daisy proceeded to tell us what we would be doing today.

　　“I have name tags for you all,” Daisy said.

　　Oh God, please tell me she is not serious. Daisy answered my question when she went through our names and handed us badges with our names on it.

　　“Ryland” she asked.

　　“That is me,” I said, trying not to roll my eyes. She looked at me, and I saw a smirk on her lips. She handed everyone else’s to them, but she insisted on putting mine on for me.

　　“There you go,” she smiled, tapping my chest.

　　I was expecting her to step away after that, but she didn’t. She rested her hand on my chest. What the hell was she doing She wasn’t acting professionally.

　　“Can you please take a step back from me” I kept my voice calm as I said. She winked at me but did as I asked. I turned to face Gracie, but her attention was somewhere else: she was glaring after Daisy.

　　“Can we change guides I don’t appreciate you flirting with my boyfriend,” Gracie announced.

　　I was taken back when Gracie said that. I was not expecting such a reaction at all.

　　“Nope!” Daisy said, popping the p and smirking, “Let’s get on with the tour,” she continued.

　　“b***h,” Gracie mumbled under her breath.

　　Instinctively, I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her close to me, “Ignore her, kitten,” I said, kissing the top of her head.

　　Gracie nodded, and Daisy got started with the tour of the campus. I kept Gracie close to me, making sure Daisy knew I was taken and not interested. I could tell Gracie was getting pissed off, and I couldn’t blame her because I would be the same if the roles were reversed. In fact, I would be raging if it were some guy trying to flirt with my girl.

　　“Gracie, we can break away from the group if you want,” I whispered.

　　I didn’t know if we were allowed to, but at that point I didn’t really care. I never wanted Gracie upset, we were supposed to be enjoying this.

　　“Yes, let’s do that,” she said, “The next time she turns her back, we can sneak off,” she added, giggling.

　　I gave my girls a nod, and we continued with the group. Daisy started talking about the building with her back to everyone. Gracie grabbed my hand, and we ran off, hiding behind a large tree until she was out of sight, both laughing as we did so.

　　“You are a bad influence on me, Ryland,” Gracie laughed.

　　I gave her my best smirk, pressing her back to the tree and stepping into her. The moment my body touched hers, she moaned loudly.

　　“I thought you liked it when we get naughty,” I said.

　　“Mmm, I do,” she responded, smirking.

　　I pressed my lips onto her, kissing her roughly. Gracie immediately wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing me back in the same manner. I grasped her hips tightly, holding her in place. This was an excellent way to pass the time until we were in the clear. Gracie’s fingers found their way into my hair, tugging at it as we kissed.

　　“Mmm, we should stop. This is not the place or time for this,” she mumbled into my lips.

　　“I know,” I groaned, hesitantly pulling away.

　　“Come on. We should be safe now,” she smiled.

　　We sneaked-a-peek around the tree, and sure enough our group was gone.

　　“Let’s go, and see this place,” I announced, offering her my hand.

　　Gracie grinned widely, taking my hand, and we started our own tour. I could tell with the more we saw, the more Gracie fell in love with the place. I hope she gets in. Yes, Gracie is intelligent, hard worker, but I know sometimes you need more than that. She deserves it, more than some.

　　I wouldn’t bring that up to her, though. I think she knew it full well that she may not get what she wanted. But we can make the most of being here today.

　　***

　　Gracie and I had toured the campus for a couple of hours, and I must admit, I have sort of fell in love with the place too.

　　“Ryland, what is on your mind You have become quiet,” she stated.

　　“I am thinking about this place,” I smiled.

　　“In which way” she pressed on, curiously.

　　“That I could see myself here, with you and Lola,” I smiled.

　　“Really” she said excitedly.

　　“Yes, but I don’t know if I could get into a place like this,” I noted.

　　I watched a stern look appear on Gracie’s face, one of which I have become very familiar with recently.

　　“Ryland Connors, don’t you dare think that!” Gracie stated firmly, “You have as much chance as anyone else,” she added.

　　I opened my mouth to disagree, but I changed my mind when she raised her brow at me. I shouldn’t say anything. Gracie grabbed my tee, pulling me close to kiss me softly.

　　“You are good enough to do anything you want, Ryland,” She flashed me her breathtaking smile, the very one that makes me believe whatever it is she just said.

　　“Thanks, my love,” I smiled back, kissing her forehead.

　　I didn’t know if that was the truth, but I appreciate her faith in me. It is nice to have someone believe in me for once. Yes, my mom always had, but no one else did. My teachers from my old schools always liked to tell me I wouldn’t get anywhere in life, and it would be no one’s fault but mine.

　　“This place is incredible, isn’t it” Gracie smiled, taking one last look around.

　　“It really is,” I smiled too, glancing around.

　　Maybe I could come here and be like everyone else for a change. I am sure there are many people here who haven’t had it easy and are flourishing. Why can’t I be one of those people

　　“We have some time to decide, but applications will need to start getting put in soon,” she informed me.

　　I knew I needed to decide, and I will when I get back home, but we had more important things to do this weekend.

　　“Yes. Now let’s go get lunch,” I suggested.

　　I slipped my arm around her, and we headed off-campus, deciding to walk back, just as we were about to walk out.

　　“Ryland! Gracie!”

　　I knew who it was without looking. It was Daisy, and she sounded annoyed. Great! She was the last person we needed right now. I saw Gracie roll her eyes before turning to her.

　　“Can we help you” Gracie said through gritted teeth.

　　I could tell that Gracie was trying to keep herself calm.

　　“You two had no right disappearing like that,” Daisy barked.

　　“And you had no right hitting on my boyfriend,” Gracie said firmly, folding her arms over her chest.

　　The girls stood, staring at each other for a moment. I wasn’t sure what to do or say. Should I get in between them Pull Gracie away I simply didn’t know.

　　Daisy pulled her eyes away first, but then they fell directly on me, and a smirk started to creep onto her lips. I didn’t think I liked where this was going.

　　“If you get bored and want someone a little older and more experienced, come find me, if you decide to come here,” Daisy purred.

　　Is she serious right now Who does that Hit on someone when their girlfriend is standing there.

　　“Trust me, I am plenty enough for him,” Gracie snapped.

　　Daisy shrugged and winked at me before heading off—Gracie glaring after her.

　　“How dare she I am going to have to get used to that when we come here, aren’t I College girls constantly hitting on you” she sighed.

　　I could see the worry in her eyes when she voiced her thoughts. I honestly didn’t know, maybe that would happen, but it really didn’t matter because I am not interested in anyone but Gracie.

　　“Gracie, sweetheart, I don’t know how things will be, but the one thing I do know is none of that matters. I am not interested in anyone else, only you,”

　　I brought her close, pressing my lips to hers. I felt her entire body relax when I did that. I think she should know by now that she is the only one for me. Gracie is it for me! I don’t doubt that for a second. No one is going to come along and ruin this for us. I won’t let them.

　　“I know, Ryland. I trust you. It is other girls that I don’t trust,” she said honestly.

　　I understood why she felt that way. She still struggles believing she is good enough and pretty enough, but at least she knows she can trust me.

　　“You don’t need to worry about any of that,” I said firmly.

　　I stole another kiss before we got on our way. Gracie was talking about all the attention I would get, but she will get the same attention from the guys, if not more. That is something I will struggle to handle, just like she will when it comes to other girls and me.

　　“Anyway, let’s not think about all of that. I don’t want it messing with the good day we have had,” Gracie announced.

　　I nodded in agreement with her. I was not going to let worries that are still months down the line get to us today. Today has been a good day for us, minus Daisy, and that is the main thing.

　　“Lunch, back to the hotel, have s*x, and then we can work it out from there,” Gracie giggled.

　　“Sounds like a perfect plan,” I said, smirking.

　　I like how she just gets straight to it and tells me what she wants, rather than be all shy about it all. It shows me that her confidence, when she is around me at least, has gotten better, which is all I ever wanted. I want her to be confident and happy when she is with me.

　　“I thought you would like that, naughty boy,” she snickered, kissing my cheek.

　　“What can I say I can’t resist you, sweetness,” I winked.

　　Gracie rolled her eyes at me, playfully pushing me, and we were soon getting on our way. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, laughing. And since she can’t reach my shoulder when we are standing, she rested her head on my arm. As if a reaction to her simple action, I kissed the top of her head. Gracie beamed up at me when I did that.

　　“Have I told you lately that I love you” I asked.

　　“Hmm, once or twice today,” she smiled, “I love you too,” she added.

　　I hope we don’t ever get tired of saying that to each other. Yes, we may say it way too much, but who cares We mean it each and every time we say it, and I don’t want that to ever change.