Gray watched that video on Youtube every night for a while. Sometimes she smiled and laughed, but most of the time she cried herself to sleep. It was hard, harder then she could ever imagined but with each day it got a tiny bit easier. Gray still had her sad times, mostly when she was alone in her room. She never let anyone see it though, they would just push her to go to him again. Clean break, that was it was and all it would be.

"Hello?" Her phone rang, causing her to wake up.

"Is Gray Cameron there?" Gray sat up in bed.

"Speaking."

"Hi Gray, I'm Lucas Kennedy from Cooperson Tutors. Do you have time to talk?" Gray did a silent dance in her bed. She applied for a job there three days ago, praying they would contact her.

"Of course."

"Terrific. I was looking over your resume and I'm very impressed. I'd like to have a meeting with you in person. Are you free today," he asked her.

"I am, what time works for you?" They worked out their plans to meet at noon and hung up. Gray raced downstairs to tell her mom the good news.

"Guess what," she screamed to her mom.

"Liam called?" Gloria asked honestly. Gray gave her a sour face. Things were good, but too soon to talk about him. Way too soon.

"I got an interview," Gray cheered, ignoring her moms comment.

"Oh honey that is great to hear!"

"Right! Four weeks of searching and I am finally getting somewhere!" Life was picking up.

----

Gray left the Cooperson offices feeling amazing. After talking for an hour with Lucas, he offered her a part time job as a drop in tutor covering English and Science, her best subjects. Full time would of been nice, but she would take what she could get. Gray got in her car, whipping out her phone to share the good news. She quickly texted Mila, hoping they could go out tonight.

Me: Busy tonight? Can we meet for drinks? I have good news!
Mila: No, yes and YES!
Me: 9pm, at Applebee's.

Gray smiled feeling excited. For a split second, she wanted to text Liam and tell her. It came over her like a wave, she didn't even realize that her fingers were already typing him a message. Gray immediately deleted it. God she missed him, so much. He would of been more happier then her about the good news. He always worried she wouldn't find a job with their history together. Gray sat in the parking lot and thought about it. She finally slid her phone back into her purse and started the car. It was the choice she knew she had to do.
They met up at nine ready to eat wings and drink enough beer for a cab ride home.

"Alright, hit me," Mila asked, wanting to know what all the fuss is about.

"I got a job," Mila cheered throwing her hands in the air. Mila's face fell a bit.

"Oh, well that is good to hear," she said, trying to smile. Gray put her hands down and looked at her. Why wasn't she happy? Mila knew how much she wanted a job.

"What's up Mila," Gray asked feeling irritated.

"Nothing, I just thought it was about something else. Tell me about it," she asked, hoping Gray would let it go.

"You thought this was about Liam didn't you?" Mila looked down, she knew she was busted. She had been really good lately about not bringing him up with Gray.

"I did, I'm sorry girl. I just thought good news meant him."

"Mila, you have to let him go. Please, I'm begging you. I've been trying really hard to go on with my life," Gray pleaded with her.

"Let's be real Gray, have you let him go? Honest?" Gray rolled her eyes. Mila and her mom both had to let it go and stop bugging her.

"No. Hell no. I think about him all the time. I almost texted him today to tell him the news, but I know better Mila. It has to be over. Done. Finished. I have a job now, and need a life. By the way, I'm a new tutor, thanks for asking," she barked at her.

"Fine, I'll stop doing it ok? I just hate seeing you being so stubborn when I know you want him. Last question, and you be honest with me. How many times did you watch that video on Pioneer." Gray looked down, she was busted.

"47," she whispered quietly. Mila didn't respond, instead she flagged down the waitress.

"I'm going to need two long islands."

"You are drinking $47 in liquor, bottoms up Gray Goose."

----

They were thirty dollars in to their little game and Gray was already feeling the effects of the alcohol. Her body relaxed and her laughs were able to come out more.

"He cried?! He really cried," Gray giggled. Mila was telling her how Curtis proposed, and with three drinks in it was hilarious.

"Yes! Don't laugh, it was sweet," Mila told her, throwing her straw at Gray.

"I can't see him crying. He is so big, and rough."

"That's what she said," Mila giggled. Gray spit out her drink, making the liquid fly all over the table. Mila's mouth turned into an 'O' totally surprised that it just happen. Both of them erupted in a fit of giggles when the waitress walked over.

"Ladies, it's time to cut you off," she gave them a smile. The girls paid their bill and left.

"I'm out, going to walk home," Gray told her. It was about a mile to her house, but the fresh air felt amazing for February.

"Are you insane, it's cold!" Gray waved her off.

"Please, it's 40 degrees out. I'm fine, be home in 15 minutes." Gray gave her a hug, trying to get her to bug off.

"You text me when you get home. Remember, dress fittings next week," Mila yelled out. Gray waved her one more time, blowing her a drunken kiss and started off on her walk home. After a block in, she realized it was a big freaking mistake. Gray was shaky on her feet from all the alcohol and heels were a bad idea in the middle of February. She was an idiot. Gray dug out her phone, needing to call someone just to keep her moving. She closed one eye, trying to get a clear view of the screen without seeing it blurry. She casually scrolled through her contacts list looking for bait. Niall. Yes! Niall was the man. She quickly dialed him.

"Gray," he said sounding like he just woke up.

"Niall!" She screamed, excited he actually answered.

"What's wrong? What happened," he asked. She could hear him getting out of bed.

"Nothing! I'm just walking home and needed someone to talk to," she giggled out. Gray took a stop, hanging onto a tree and tried to gather herself. Her whole body was swaying, it felt like she was on a boat.

"Gray! It's winter! What the hell are you doing walking?" He clearly sounded upset to her. Gray couldn't figure out why, at least she wasn't driving.

"I drank with Mila. I got a job Niall! My life is normal," she yelled into the phone, twirling around in circles on the sidewalk.

"Gray, you need to go home," He ordered.

"Niall you sound very grumpy."

"No love, I'm just worried about you. You call me drunk, after none of us have heard from you in six weeks and you are walking home, in the dark. You are scaring the living daylights out of me," he explained. Gray got to the corner and sat on the curb. It could of been the liquor, but she was really upset that she had treated him so bad.

"I'm sorry Niall," she whispered with small tears falling out of her eyes. She heard muffled talking and other noises over the phone.

"Hold on Gray." She followed orders, sitting on the curb and picking the nail polish off her fingers. Gray wondered if she could get another drink around here.

"Love?" The voice made Gray stop. She went stiff hearing his voice. Liam.

"Liam," she whispered. Alarms went off in head. She should of never had called Niall, of course he would be with the guys. Stupid, drunk Gray.

"Where are you," he demanded to know.

"Sitting on the curb.." She heard him sigh, knowing he was grabbing the bridge of nose due to stress.

"Gray, you need to get up and go home. Now." Gray followed orders. She stood up and continued to walk down the street taking careful steps.

"Are you still there," he asked her.

"Yes," Gray whispered out.

"How much liquor did you have?"

"Thirty six dollars worth. We were celebrating." Gray crossed another street, only eight to go.

"I heard. Congratulations on the new job love," he told her.

"Who told you?" Gray started to worry, was her mom talking to him without her knowing.

"Niall. You just told him love." Gray started giggling, completely forgetting about that. She continued to laugh and had to stop at another tree for support.

"I miss your laugh," he quietly told her.

"I miss you." It fell out, it's so easy when you are drunk. The truth doesn't seem scary, and it was so easy to let it all out.

"I know love. I know." Gray pushed off the tree and kept walking. They both stayed silent on the line. Gray was trying to think of anything to say, but nothing seemed to work.

"Are you close Gray," he asked, breaking the distance.

"Two houses away." Her voice stayed quiet. It felt like he wanted nothing to do with her right now and it was breaking her apart. Liam was the one who wanted her to stay, he didn't want her to leave. Now Liam was acting like he wanted nothing to do with her.

"Get inside, don't wake them all up." Gray did as she was told, quietly opening the door and taking off her boots. She tip toed throughout the house and up the stairs into her room. The fun liquor filled night was over. She sobered up fast with his no nonsense attitude.

"I'm home and alive," she told her fast. Gray needed him off the phone.

"Thank God. I'll tell the boys so we can all go back to bed. I suggest you do the same." Gray didn't say anything else. She kept the phone to her ear and took of her clothes. Screw pajamas at this point. Gray climbed into bed, pulling up her covers hoping it would make his cold attitude better.

"Okay, I'm in bed. Call off the guards. Hanging up now," she told him, trying to keep the sobs inside. Liam didn't deserve to hear her crying right now.

"Sleep well Gray. Goodbye." Gray hung up the phone without saying anything else. How could he be so cold to her? She knew drunken walking was probably a stupid idea, but it wasn't like she was with another man. That was not the Liam Payne she knew. That was Liam Payne, the asshole.

----

Liam hung up the phone, finally feeling like he could breathe. He turned around, facing the rest of the guys for the first time since he stole the phone away from Niall.

"Christ Liam," Harry said to him. They all looked at him with wide eyes trying to figure out what just happened.

"What," he snapped back. It was five in the morning and it was far too early to hear their speech.

"You just tried her like complete shit. What were you thinking," Louis yelled.

"She was drunk, walking down at dark street in the middle of winter. What was I supposed to do?"

"Treat her like you love her for starters. And don't even pretend like it's not true either Liam. We know you are still madly in love with her," Louis snapped back. He had no time to hear Liam's pitiful excuses.

"I am not stupid Louis, I know my own feelings. I can't lead her on through this. We ended it. What part don't you get?"

"We get it all Liam. We understand. You didn't have to be a complete dick to her though. Treat her with some respect." Louis said nothing more. He and the rest of the guys left, heading back to their beds and leaving Liam alone in the living room. Liam didn't want to be an asshole, that wasn't his style but what else was he supposed to do. Telling her he missed her too, more then anything else and thought about her every possible moment wasn't an option. It would open a can of worms for them all. It was better just to leave everything alone, and still try to figure out a way to move on.

----

Gray thought about that night every day. She couldn't wrap her brain around it. Sure, they fought about petty things when they were together, but he never acted like he didn't want her to exist. She decided not to tell anything that night. Mainly because she felt like a complete loser. Thankfully she had work today, work would give her a rest. Her job was going well. It wasn't her dream job by any means but it worked for the time being.

"Hey Lucas," she cheerfully announced walking to the main room. He waved to her.

"I have an English client for you other there," he said, pointing to a small red headed girl who had her back to them.

"Love English," she smiled. She walked over the table and sat down. The little girl turned her hand and looked shocked.

"You are her," she barely said loud enough.

"I am who?"

"You are Gray. Liam's Gray for One Direction." Gray fought herself on rolling her eyes. She had been at Cooperson for a week now and this was the first time she was recognized.

"That is me, but I am not Liam's," Gray kindly told her. The expression on the little girl's face didn't change, she looked star stuck.

"What's your name," Gray asked.

"Leah."

"Well Leah, let's get to work and if we have time I'll share some of my secrets with you." Leah's eyes went bright again, she quickly pulled out her books making Gray laugh. They worked diligently on framing sentences and using adjectives correctly. They only had ten minutes left of their session when Leah started asking questions.

"Where did you meet him?" Gray sighed, she made a promise she had to keep.

"At their concert. He brought me and my sisters backstage."

"Oh my god! That is so cool," Leah gushed.

"It was a lot of fun," Gray laughed. Leah moved in closer and whispered to Gray.

"Did you love him?" Gray's eyes welt up. She wished she could punch herself. She had to find a way to stop crying about him so much.

"Very much," she whispered back.

"I think you should be with him again. Those fans who were mean are stupid. You two love each other," Leah told her. Gray smiled, everyone she talked to lately seemed to be Team Gram.

"I wish it was that simple."

"It is. I have Twitter, I see it. Your name has been trending for weeks." Gray looked at her. She couldn't believe so many twelve year old had Twitter, it was insane.

"I'm sure it is," Gray smiled. She was ready for this conversation to be over.

"You look, I know. I have to go, my mom is coming. Thank you for your help," Leah said, giving Gray a hug. Leah ran off without giving a chance for Gray to respond. She sighed, still sitting at the table and pulled out her cell phone. She rarely went on Twitter anymore, she didn't see the point. She logged it and saw if for herself. The top three trending hashtags were "TeamGram" "WeMissGray" and "TwitterlovesGray". It made her smile right away. Gray never thought their fans would speak up for her so much. She should of known though, they controlled social media. For and against her. Gray pulled up Liam's account. He had tweets upon tweets from fans begging him to get back together with Gray, it was ridiculous. No wonder he was so short with her. The poor guy just couldn't get a break.

----

Gray met up with Mila that weekend to get their dresses fitted. God it had been a long week. Between work, her train wreck of a call with Liam, and stalking his Twitter, she was burnt out. Gray walked into the shop smiling. It was time to hide it all and be there for Mila.

"Aah you here," Mila gushed. Gray was actually somewhat enjoying the whole wedding process. She spent most of the time daydreaming about her own wedding, but see Mila so happy was nice. It was a different side of her she liked.

"I am! Ready to see this beast!" Mila picked out her own wedding dress alone. She couldn't wait for Gray to get off work, and she wanted to keep it a secret from almost everyone. Gray sat down in the chair in front of the dressing room while Mila put it on.

"Drink the wine," Mila yelled out. Gray looked to see two chilled glasses of wine sitting there. It wouldn't be Mila without wine. Little did she know, Mila had her own ideas. She had some big things to tell Gray, and a little liquor could definitely help.

"Alright you ready," Mila yelled out again. Gray was very excited to see. She tried to guess what her dress would look like, but Mila was so unique it could be anything. The curtain opened, revealing Mila. Gray gasped, tears forming in her eyes. Mila looked beautiful. She picked out the most perfect dress. It was a beautiful lace gown, tight fitting up flared out near the end of her thighs. The shoulders were embellished in silver jewels making it sparkle off the ceiling lights. The best part of the dress was the front and back. The fabric came together making a keyhole right in the center of Mila's chest. It was just enough sexy for her wedding. The back was covered in a light, see through lace showing off Mila's very tiny moon tattoo on her shoulder.

"Oh my god Mila." Gray literally felt speechless. The whole entire thing screamed Mila, it was made for her. Mila wiped her own tears and bent down to hug Gray in the chair.

"You sure it works?" Gray shook her head like crazy.

"It's made for you. Literally perfect," Gray whispered out again. Mila was a vision, she looked like a gold angel.

"Curtis is going to cry his eyes out," Gray laughed. Mila situated the dress and sat down in the chair next to her. Gray could feel the mood change, she knew Mila was going to tell her something she didn't want to hear.

"Gray, I need to telling you something," Mila started. Gray held her breath, waiting to hear it all at once.

"The guys will be coming to the wedding." Gray didn't move. It didn't surprise her, but at the same thing she always hoped they would of stayed in England.

"Curtis made some deal with Harry and Zayn for them to sing while I walk down the aisle. I'm not supposed to know but the dummy never hides his phone. All of them are coming, I think it's mostly because of you. Are you going to be okay with this? I can work out something else if you can't." Gray wanted to scream yes, ship their English asses back home, but she knew she couldn't do that. It was Mila's day, not hers. She had to suck it up and deal with it. And, have a flask on her during the whole thing.

"No, of course not. Bring them over, I can't wait to see them," Gray said, forcing herself to smile. Mila was in her own little happy world to even realize Gray was lying through her teeth.

"Oh Gray, you are too sweet! I already talked with Louis, we will be keeping you two apart, don't worry." Mila crushed her body into Gray's. Gray wasn't stupid. Having her and Liam in the same city was a bad idea. She silently vowed to herself to make it Mila's best day, even if she wanted to cry thoughout the whole thing.

Notes

Title Creds: "Distance" by Christina Perri


Another short one to leave you with this weekend. Stay with me though, I promise. I'm writing the wedding festivities now, it's going to be a good time! Should be up tomorrow or Tuesday!! :D