Gray Daze

By D Fox

“I’m sometimes worried about you.” “Why?” “Because we are the same.“ Kyle is the school hockey team’s star. All the girls’ eyes are fixed on him. His eyes are straying somewhere else. Jeremy’s the weird new kid on the backseat, always dressed in black, throwing edgy remarks at anyone who tries to approach him. But there’s something so special about the guy, that Kyle can’t stop looking at him. And Jeremy’s new classmate- Eva- is in the biggest trouble she wasn’t prepared for when she meets Jeremy’s brother Nathan at a party. Nathan loves fast cars, tattoos and kick-boxing and basically everything that’s bad for Eva. And that changes her whole life in ways she never thought possible. The story of unlikely friendships, falling in love with the wrong people, and knowing you are not like the others

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto
• Release date: Aug 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005394608

Book preview

Prologue

Jeremy

Ilean my head back and look out the window. It's almost dawn, the time when blue turns pink at the edges. The new color creeps up until it has completely chewed up the dark and then spits the sun out.It happens so fast, a blink and you've missed it.

That's probably why I'm still wide awake-I can never sleep when I travel. Or, it could be because of the four cups of coffee I downed earlier and the headache I've been trying to ignore for the past few hours. I swear the stupid drive from the airport is absolutely endless. Don't get me wrong - I'm not excited to get anywhere, I just need a shower and a smoke. The latter definitely won't make the taste in my mouth less sour, besides I won't get one anytime soon, cause I was stupid enough to throw the pack away once we landed and I regret it by the minute.

I know.

Olivia doesn't check my stuff anymore at least, but still. I can't predict when she might get paranoid again and start searching and lecturing until my head goes numb. It's like a limb you've fallen asleep on, wasted in the weirdest position and woke up hours later.

There wasn't anything she could do in that sense in the last few weeks, though- my mother insisted on coming to Canada earlier with my father last month to prepare everything before we arrive. It was clear to all of us she was doing this just because she was afraid Dad would start cheating on her the moment they were more than two miles apart.

We'll be there in no time, my father's new assistant says, looking up at us in the rearview mirror.

Canmore's really not that far from Calgary, anyway. He can't stop there so he goes on.

It's a very beautiful place, September's when it gets a bit chilly, but you'll get used to it quickly.

I shouldn't roll my eyes. I'm cold- the way you're cold when you haven't slept the whole night and your eyes are so itchy you actually feel them turning red. How is this guy so cheerful when he most likely had to get up at 3am just to do someone a favor is beyond me.

Even if that someone is the owner of that new big ass company here.

It was very nice of you to pick us up, Sir. My brother says in his "Oh, I'm such a nice guy you-are going-to-love-me voice and smiles.I hope we didn't trouble you very much."

"Really?!" I mutter turning to Nathan and he just winks in response.

Oh, not at all, it's my pleasure. The man says, I can put on some music if you want?

Yeah, sure, why not?

Hell no.

Well, it's a Yes for you Nate, thank you- you slept through the entire flight from England.

Wait, okay- fine. I pretend to actually be angry, that was entirely different from the times he used to nod off at the dinner table or mid-conversation and way different from the habit he'd developed of dozing off on the couch in the home library at 4 am, glass in his hand, its content mostly spilled on the carpet.

The reggaeton, or whatever they're playing on the local radio station pulls me back to reality. I resist the urge to put my headphones on and completely ignore them. My battery's dead.

Lucky me, aren’t I?

***

We arrive in what feels like decades later.

The guy's quite cool- for an old man, I mean, Nathan says, pulling out a cigarette from his pack after we've exchanged goodbyes with our driver, topped with some extra niceties and fake smiles.

Derek?

Yeah, whatever his name is. he shrugs and lights it.

He said it a few times. Anyway, yeah- it'll suck when Dad slips in jerk- mode again and starts firing people at random.

He pays all those people's salaries. Nathan says, exhaling, He can do whatever he wants.

All right there, King Jr.

Neither of our parents made it to the front door to meet us. It's quite cold for September, as Derek said, so I can understand. We are welcomed by - I presume - the new maid, as my mother didn't take any of the employees we had back in England with her. But again, they weren't holding their breaths to come here, trust me.

Thank you, Alice, Nathan says when the woman offers to carry his bags.

I glance at her apologetically, but she just smiles and nods. My brother never bothered to remember any of the household's employees' names before, regardless of how long they'd worked in the family estate. He just called them by random names he just came up with. I'm sure he sometimes did all that on purpose, just to prove something and obviously, that hasn't changed.

Thank you. I'll bring mine; we don't have many things anyway. I say, Everything else must've arrived already.

Oh, there you are! My mother exclaims, coming down the stairs when she sees us in the hallway.

I've been waiting for hours.

You bet she has.

It's not even seven yet and her platinum blond hair has already been done. That must've been excruciatingly inconvenient, having to go through all that trouble so early in the morning. She gives us both a kiss on the cheeks like we're in a French movie and we're old friends, meeting for afternoon tea. Or is it coffee? Wine maybe, since it's France?

The scent of her preferred CHANEL fragrance is so specific it hits me the moment she leans towards me and I almost forget about the headache; no wonder she's never noticed I smoke. Her receptors must've lost their sensitivity years ago.

How was the flight? she asks, excited.

Long, I start.

It was okay. A bit tiring, though. Nathan interrupts me while looking around the spacious mansion's hallway, keeping his hands low on his waist. My brother makes a face at the Matisse painting, hanging on the wall opposite to him and says.I'm hungry by the way.

I've already accepted the fact he'll forever have Olivia's undivided attention. He's always had it, but now she's committed to give it to him at two hundred percent.

Of course, yes. my mother says affectionately,  There's breakfast prepared in the dining room- Marta made pancakes, it's your favorite. Your father will join us in a minute.

That's the actual King, by the way. You'll know why I call him that once you meet him.

But there's something else I've been meaning to tell you- that now's probably the first time my mom, me, or whoever else has known Nathan for the past 3 years hears him saying he's hungry, or that he wants to have anything to do with any of us at all. He most likely finally sounds normal to Mother again, because she's all smiles and sunshine-and they don't look forced, on the contrary-she seems to be genuinely happy.

It almost feels like the last six months never happened and we can all wipe our brains clean, spotless like this new house, and start everything all over again.

Back to School

Kyle

Yo, where's my best Left Winger! Jared calls me in the school hallway and approaches. The whole place is buzzing with laughter, students, and teachers. It's the first day, so everyone's still feeling summery. Yet, posters and notes are already covering the walls. Our latest trophy is in the case on the wall opposite me. Among the pool of heads and the tide of students moving around, we're easily noticed. We stand out because we're The Wolves. I mean, that's what I'm expected to think.

Might be 'cause we're towering over everyone else and we're double the size of most guys our age, I don't know.

There's not a single person who doesn't know Jared around here, and I don't mean just at school. The best Captain the hockey team has had in years, it's obvious we won the tournament last year thanks to him. I can't believe this is his last year in high school. He's going to university next where he can finally play professionally, after all hockey's his whole life. Almost like it would be mine, were I a better player.

What's up, man? I greet him, and we do the team's handshake. I know it probably looks stupid to outsiders, but the guys do it, so I kinda go with the flow.

How's the injury? he asks and points at my leg.

Better, thanks. Still a bit swollen here and there, but nothing too bad.

I told you to take it easy on the training camp, McDavid, but you don't listen. he shakes his head and says, Anyway, you know what's best for you. Just get ready cause we have practice this afternoon and I'm gonna kick your ass.

Yeah, we'll see about that.

A girl appears from somewhere and drapes herself on his neck. Maddison? I'm not exactly sure if that's her name, but I guess he's dating her now. I don't know, he's constantly surrounded, anyway; girls are only part of the whole crowd.

Right, cool. I gotta go to class. He says, trying to pull away from the kiss the girl’s trying to give him.Laters, bro.

I’ll see you around, then.

I head for my class as well, trying not to limp as I do. It definitely hurts more than I admit, but it’s not like I can just stop training.

I spent the whole summer practicing with the team, so it's basically like school never stopped. I get to class late, but one of the good things about winning prizes for the school is teachers are okay with some absences here and there. Grades, even. Not that grades matter that much right now. The Wolves are the most important thing and the whole school knows we are going to win this year too- that is, if you ask my father and my classmates. I open the door, fumbling with my textbooks when everyone starts talking.

There he is!

You scored most of the goals, man!

Kyle, you were awesome

When's the next one?

My sister asked if you have a girlfriend now?

Will you be the captain soon?

All of this at once. I have no clue if I’m expected to answer, just smile back at everyone and nod. I look helplessly around like someone can answer some of all that for me and my eyes land on an unfamiliar face. We probably have a new classmate.

He is like a dark shadow, leaning back with his chair tipped onto the rear legs. He's staring blindly at something outside, oblivious to all of this. The first thing that comes to my mind is that some invisible glass wall is separating him from us. It was like all of the clatter and fuss couldn't reach him. My second thought is I hope he doesn't tip back, even though there's an actual wall behind him. It’s as if he read my mind, or saw me looking at him, that he turns. And the grayest eyes I have ever seen are now pointed at me. I never even knew there are eyes of such colors.

I can tell there's something else about them, but I'm too far to see what exactly that is from here.

I nod in his direction, and he just shakes his head in return and resumes staring out.

Uh. Okay.

Enough, everyone. my teacher’s voice brings me back to reality and I realize I’ve stopped in the middle of the room, staring at the new guy.

Kyle, don't just stand there, Miss Chase says, you take enough space anyway.

All my classmates burst out laughing and I search for an empty seat.

Hurry up and sit down. You've wasted enough of my class already. she says, And Max- please stop doing whatever you're doing with that pen. Now open your books on page 12.

Everyone obeys and I never thought I'd say it, but Miss Chase is an absolute savior. I know this silence won't last long, but at least I won't have to answer my classmates questions for now.                                                                      

***

I finish classes and spend the entire afternoon training. I need to get new knee pads, but first I'll have to pick my sister up from her dance practice. She wants to be a ballerina; too bad she can't use me as her prince for at-home practice anymore.

Kyle! she beams at me when she sees me waiting for her in front of the studio, We did pirouettes today.

Oh, really? And how was it? I ask and ,of course, I know what this is since she doesn't stop talking about the performance they'll have in December where she'll be...wait, I got it – she is going to be The Crystal Fairy from Sleeping Beauty.

I still need to rehearse, but I'll make it in the end.

You will. I want to ruffle her hair, but I know she'll be mad at me for ruining her bun. Stela's nine and started dancing when she was only four. It was more of my Dad's decision. What he said was something along the lines ballet is for girls and hockey - for boys. In her case, following Dad's order worked out pretty well and she's happy.

Can we go for ice cream? Stela asks when she gets in the car, trying to put her seat belt on.

Wait, let me help you with that. There. No, not today. I have to help Dad in the garage and then I'm going out with the guys.

Mom says you shouldn't practice so much

Yeah, but Dad doesn't. I clench the steering wheel and step on the gas unconsciously.

I think they were having a fight the other night.

All families fight Stela, that's normal. I say, trying to slow down." Besides, it's as Mom says- if we don't talk we can't fix our problems. Right?

Right she nods, frowning. After a second she adds, They won't separate, will they?

I feel like this is a conversation everyone has at least once in their lives if they have a little sister who's smarter for their age. I still try to sound surprised when I ask

What? Why did you say that?

My friend's parents are getting divorced and I'm scared Mom and Dad will too. I glance at her and she now looks even smaller than she normally is. Sad.

"Oh, Stels, they won't. They love each other and...I don't know, stop thinking about stuff like that. And I promise everything will be fine. I always keep my promises, remember?

I remember.

Good. Cool.I relax against the seat and say So, are we going for that ice cream?

Can we? Are you sure Dad won't be mad?

I'm sure. I can work on the car later tonight. Besides, I can't refuse you anything. But just one scoop, okay?

Yaaay! Deal- just one. But I want the blue one.

The blue one? Well, that sounds gross.

Stela chuckles at my words and I turn the old truck, driving to Jasper's.

Lemon-Yellow Leaves

Eva

It's only the first day and I'm skipping already.

But my mom's just started a job for the first time since ...well, I'm not exactly sure since when, and I haven't had the house entirely to myself in ages, so it's totally worth it.

It should be okay, we never do anything on the first day, anyway.It's been unusually sunny today and I'm sitting outside on оur small porch in my improvised patio chair, reading Tess of the D'Ubervilles. I signed up for ELA and Creative Writing this year at school, and I'll have to finish the book before we get to it. I'm occasionally glancing at the kids playing on the street. There isn't much traffic in the afternoon, so they don't care. One of them is literally lying on the asphalt and the other pulling him by the leg. A less than three-year-old girl stood there looking at them in confusion.

Although it's always seemed to me that really small kids often look like they're confused by the world and don't know what they're doing exactly. They just observe people doing random, unexplainable things to anyone.

It's how I often feel too.

It's the late afternoon, golden leaves are covering the pavement, and since my house is very close to the woods, I catch the faint scent of pine cones coming from the trees nearby. The neighborhood's dog is playing with something she found, although to me it looks more like she's  watching over the kids. I don't remember where this big dog with its scruffy red coat came from- I'm pretty sure Rudy used to be someone's pet, but they just threw her away. Mrs. Jenkins, the old lady who lives next door feeds her and the dog's been too calm to hurt anyone. I guess she decided to just keep it, but most of the time Rudy just wanders around the whole area as she's not kept on a leash. I look around and realize that's the most melancholic scenery possible.

The sun's heavy in the sky and it's like time has stopped. I'm trying to catch the wind, so I inhale as deeply as possible. My stolen moment before my mother gets back from work and I'll have to listen to whatever she wants to criticize me about this time. She always has something to say. It can't be grades, because I'm a good student. So it's usually about things like