the ugly duckling

grant burton. have you ever heard the tale of the ugly duckling? “It doesn't matter if you're born in a duck yard, so long as you are hatched from a swan's egg!”

[grumblygardensarchive]

✉ Text Messages ✉

∞ - For an altered state of mind text. (Drunk, drugged.) # - For an angry text. ♦ - For a rushed text. x - For a secret text. ♥ - For a regular text. * - For an early morning text. XD - For a “I wish you just saw that” text.

[grantburt]

text ✖ vanessa

Vanessa: don't you think?

Vanessa: all that independence and responsibility?

Grant: it could. But I'm already out of my shell.

[grantburt]

text ✖ vanessa

Vanessa: not weird..just new!

Vanessa: i think college will be good for you, grant

Vanessa: maybe bring you out of your shell a little more?

Grant: oh?

[grantburt]

guys i legit cannto stop shaking help

[grantburt]

text ✖ vanessa

Vanessa: ahh, i see

Vanessa: i know it's a big step, grant. and it really is but it's part of growing up.

Vanessa: you'll be fine, sweetie. i know you will.

Grant: oh, I know

Grant: it's just weird.

Grant [unsent]: but not as weird as not seeing you

[grantburt]

text ✖ vanessa

Vanessa: hey,why are you so down about this? :(

Vanessa: i know you'll miss people but there's got to be more to make you this unhappy

Vanessa: you say that now ;)

Grant: because it's weird

Grant: I feel like just last week I was learning to walk or taking my first swim

[grantburt]

text ✖ vanessa

Vanessa: come on, it'll be great

Vanessa: you'll probably totally forget about all of us once you're there haha

Grant: maybe

Grant: no I won't.

[grantburt]

text ✖ vanessa

Vanessa: wow! that's so cool, grant. i'm glad you're liking them

Vanessa: i mean, you are excited for college, right?

Grant: I guess.

Grant: at the same time, ill miss people.

Grabt [unsent]: I'll miss YOU

[grantburt]

text ✖ vanessa

Vanessa: it's totally cool! found any you're interested in?

Vanessa: it's okay, its no big deal

Vanessa [unsent]: i ended up spending Saturday alone in my house..

Grant: yeah, maybe Dartmouth or Roger Williams.

Grant: okay

Grant [unsent]: I spent the day with my dog. Not as fun as spending it with you...

[grantburt]

text ✖ vanessa

Vanessa: a little less busy than usual haha

Vanessa: mom's been less harsh this week so

Vanessa: where have you been? i haven't seen you in like, weeks.

Vanessa [unsent] and you never got back to me about the fair..

Grant: well that's good.

Grant: sorry about that. i was visiting colleges.

Grant: and i'm sorry for not getting back to you about that fair.

Grant [unsent]: i really wanted to go with you.

[grantburt]

hahahahaha yes amy

[grantburt]

text ✖ vanessa

Vanessa: hey sweetie (:

Vanessa: how've you been?

Grant: heyo

Grant: i'm good, you?

[grantburt]

text ✖ vanessa

Grant: hey.

[grantburt]

psa that for the past three weeks grant has been looking at colleges and on bed rest because he fell down the stairs jk that's cori

[miss-v-west-deactivated20131111]

Cuddle Buddy || Vanessa & Grant

[miss-v-west-deactivated20131111]

As soon as Grant stuttered, Vanessa knew she had him. Moving their hands slowly up his chest, she could feel his heart racing slightly. Standing up, Vanessa stretched and the hem of her silky top raising to reveal the soft, tan skin of her hips. “You know,” she commented, turning back to face him. Vanessa wanted to push it this time, really make him feel something. Grant was always the type to be so respectful and sweet; he was never one to make the first move or start an argument. So here she was, giving him that opportunity. “You never answered my question” she said leaning forward, her hand on Grant’s jaw. “Do you, or do you not?” Vanessa whispered against his lips.

[grantburt]

His heart racing, Grant watched her stand up slowly and stretch. And though he tried not to, his eyes traveled down to her hips, looking at the tan skin just below her shirt. He snapped his eyes back to her face quickly, though, as she leaned down to his face. His stomach was flip-flopping, something he had always thought happened to girls, not boys. But.... Here was his chance. To tell her how he felt. She was inches from him, and though this was probably just a game to her... He couldn't help it. He took the back of her head in his hands, pulling her lips to his.

[miss-v-west-deactivated20131111]

Cuddle Buddy || Vanessa & Grant

[miss-v-west-deactivated20131111]

"Sleeping, huh?" Vanessa repeated, his teasing tone replicated in her own voice. "Maybe you should do something to help put all that saved energy to good use" the brunette suggested, leaning closer to whisper to Grant now. His hands were much larger than the girl’s own and captured hers in his own. "Soft hands," Vanessa mumbled as she slipped her fingers in between the gaps in his own. This was becoming a little bit of a game for her and she liked where it was going. "Tell me, Grant" Vee mumbled, her hot breath landing on Grant’s ear. "Do you..ever think of us as more than just friends?"

[grantburt]

"Mhm." He said, nodding slightly with a yawn. "Oh?" Grant asked, startled as she leaned closer. This was... Odd. Not that he minded it, of course, but Vanessa flirting with him to this extent unnerved him. That had become a habit- anytime someone flirted with him, he became unsettled. "Uh, thanks." He said as she clasped his hand, a warm blush creeping up his neck to his cheeks. "I, uh, I..." Grant stammered, taking a deep breath. "I- I don't know. D- do you?"

[miss-v-west-deactivated20131111]

Cuddle Buddy || Vanessa & Grant

[miss-v-west-deactivated20131111]

Feeling Grant’s soft kiss against her, Vanessa’s intrigue grew from a spark to a flame. Her mind cast back to her conversation with Chloe and how she’d mentioned that Grant was just a really good friend. Her curiosity was something that often got the better and right now, it was creeping up on her. “This week’s been good. Super busy as always, a lot of running about. I barely get time to sit down” the girl laughed. Now was the time to experiment and test her theory slightly further. Moving closer to Grant, her hand moving over to the boy’s chest, resting her hand just above his heart and her eyes connecting directly with his. “How was your week? I’m /dying/ to know.”

[grantburt]

Grant blinked at her, then quickly got his bearings and raised an eyebrow. "Dying to know? Maybe you should visit the graveyard then, Nes." He teased, smiling. "My week was pretty busy. Don't remember most of it, actually- I think I've spent my last free days sleeping." He shrugged. He had no idea if she was toying with him by putting her hand on his chest, but he liked the feel of it. Her hands were cold, though, and he could feel the chill through his shirt. "Your hands are freezing, Nes. Here." He said, taking her hands gently in his and holding them to warm them. "Busy week, you said? Getting ready for back to school, going out shopping?" He asked, deflecting.