*Mason’s POV*
We park our bikes at the bike hub, and walk into the school’s courtyard, looking at the big fountain in the center.
“Actually, I’m thinking of staying in the library before class. I don’t want to be bombarded with questions due to that rumor.”
I nod at her words and smile. She still isn’t one to like socializing.
“See you,” Lily says as she waves and leaves.
I reciprocate the words, shoving my hands in my pockets. Ugh… why the fuck did I say that crap, ‘wanna go out with me?’. She probably thought I wasn’t asking her out since she doesn’t see me as a friend but… just why? And due to these thoughts, my day is already ruined. Great! But actually, why can’t I just think of something pleasant to fix my day? Something like… oh yeah! Will there ever be a day Lily intentionally socializes? If that day comes, I’ll have to host a huge party to congratulate her. But what theme will the party be-
“I can’t believe you ditched me for your girlfriend.”
I practically jump, turning around to see Austin, his gaze on Lily.
“I guess you got back with her. Good job Casanova!”
I roll my eyes, crossing my arms. “Anyway, thanks.”
“…For what?”
“For treating my wounds in my sleep. I didn’t ask for it but thank you” I say, smiling cheekily afterwards. “mom.”
“Casanova,” Austin calls out as he lets out a breath. “how many times have I told you not to call me that?”
I dramatically gape at him, covering my mouth with my hand. “Parasite, I would never call you mom. Maybe you misheard?”
An irritated expression forms on his face, and tucks his hair behind his ear. “...Did she notice though.”
“...Hmm?”
“Did she notice your swollen cheek?”
I place my hand on my chin, pondering the thought.
“...I think so,” I reply softly. Lily did look at me concernedly when she saw me in her house. But if she did notice, why didn’t she bring it up?
I’m brought back from my train of thoughts when Austin taps me on the shoulder. “Hey, isn’t that pretty boy?”
Eventually, my eyes land on Liam who’s standing beside the fountain, his gaze on his phone.
“...Do you wanna talk with him?” I question as I cross my arms.
“And why will I associate myself with pretty boy? I barely know him.”
I once again roll my eyes, grabbing his hand and dragging him to where Liam is. Before we get there, Liam looks up at us, putting his phone in his pocket afterwards.
“Hello Liam!” I exclaim, only to be replied by the wind. Does he… hate me? Am I annoying? Or is it because I fought with Brain?
“...Pretty boy,” Austin calls out to Liam, his hand clutching the hand of his brown satchel. “do you wanna say hi to Scarlett?”
After a second or two, Liam replies with a thumbs up and before I know it, Austin opens his satchel to reveal Scarlett, Liam petting its head afterwards. So… what kind of situation is this and how do they do all this with a monotonous expression?
Austin starts talking about Scarlett’s likes and dislikes, Liam listening closely, nodding once in a while. I run my fingers through my hair, looking elsewhere. I guess I’ll just stand here then.
As I look around, my eyes stop when it lands on Brain and he unexpectedly looks at me. Gulping a breath, I wait to see his reaction but all he does is look away and go to wherever he’s headed to. I guess he’s mad for what I did… I do deserve it though.
Frowning, I rub the back of my neck, turning around to see Liam and Austin staring at me. Giving them a confused look, I stuff my hands in my pockets, watching as Austin closes his satchel.
“You can just apologize to lady-killer,” Austin states out of nowhere, his tone serious.
Liam quickly nods his head at Austin’s statement as he tries to look at me eagerly, my gaze going to where Brian was standing earlier. I let out a hesitant ‘sure’, bringing out my hand from my pocket. Brian seemed hostile… unlike his usual self, which means something definitely happened to him. But… what could have happened to him? Suddenly the bell rings but I don’t tear my eyes away from the spot, my thoughts still on Brian’s reaction.
“Casanova, aren’t you coming?” Austin calls out loudly.
I take one last look at where he stood before following Liam and Austin back to class, a weird feeling overcoming me. Once I’m in class, I sit down, my gaze moving to the window. Is Brian… okay? I mean… he didn’t seem okay, but did I hurt him that badly?
Mr William Brown walks into the class, signaling the start of the lesson. This time, I try to pay attention but can’t shake off the feeling that I may have hurt Brian more than I thought I did. How should I apologize? We aren’t friends so will he even let me explain myself? Now that I think, Lily didn’t, but I really don’t know if Brian will.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
I jot down the notes on the board into my English notebook, trying to leave those thoughts for later but end up peeking at Brian’s empty seat. My gaze lingers on it before moving back to my notebook, continuing to jot my notes down afterwards. I just hope Brian is okay.
*Lily’s POV*
Hours pass by and soon, it’s lunch and I pack my bag, my gaze moving to Mason. I can’t help but smile as I swing my bag onto my shoulder and arrange my chair in place. He kept his word.
“Lily!” I flinch, turning to see Mason who’s next to me, his hand on my table. When did he get here? Composing myself, his grey eyes stare at me, captivating me that I struggle to look away, clearing my throat.
“Do you want to go to the library?” I manage to ask and he immediately nods repeatedly, a bright smile growing on his face. Why… does he look like a really cute puppy? Why am I even thinking of this?
In a daze, Mason and I walk to the library, sitting at our usual spot. He later brings out a book from his back reading it afterwards. I randomly pick a book from the bookshelf, opening the book in a way I can secretly peer at him, my heart racing as I notice the serious expression he has on his face. Is the book that interesting, and why does it look so familiar?
“...Do you want to read it too?”
Sadden at his good gaze perception, I slowly put the book down on the table, Mason’s gaze following my hand. Why did I have to get caught so quickly? But… I do wonder what he’s reading.
In a quick and quiet movement, I move my chair so that I’m sitting next to him, curiosity getting the best of me. With a smile, he holds the book in between us so we can both read it.
As the boy journeys through villages and towns, he is outcasted wherever he goes, and soon, the poor boy is used to it, his face forever stoned. This leads him to join a group of mercenaries who take up commissions for a living. Though he heard that they tended to dislike people like him, he did not care because after all, he is used to that kind of treatment.
While working with the mercenaries, he is surprised that they treat with warmth and kindness, something that he’s never experienced before and after a while, the boy starts to smile like never before, growing closer to be the people he once thought would hate him, having beautiful and fun memories to the ones he first showed his cold self to, a side of him that was now long gone. The boy has now found a place to call home.
Mason closes the book once he’s confirmed that I’ve read ‘till the end, his finger tracing over the last line. “I guess the book’s name ‘Home’ makes sense now. Was the book interesting?”
He looks at me eagerly, awaiting my reply. Well… the book was good and I do remember reading this book before. And for a novelette, it certainly has some interesting aspects.
“It’s well written and it does have an intriguing story,” I say, bringing out my phone and putting it on my ‘to buy list’. It certainly is a book worth reading a second time.
Looking at Mason, I watch as his fingers rub a band aid on his face which was probably put there by Austin, my eyes then moving to the swollen part of his cheek that I remember clearly was not on his face yesterday. Did he secretly fight with Brian again, or could it have been his… ugh… I shouldn’t jump to conclusions but knowing someone hurt him fucking makes my blood boil.
My hand reaches out to his swollen cheek, lightly pressing my fingers against it. He winces and I withdraw my hand, his gaze meeting mine.
“Why did you-”
“Who did it to you?” I ask quietly, crossing my arms. Did someone seriously hate Mason so much that they hurt him?
He stares at me, his eyes widening before he looks away, his cheeks reddening. “It’s…” he says quietly before stopping, his gaze on the table. “I can’t… tell you. Sorry…”
Mason’s voice was barely a whisper, his gaze moving to the floor as he passes his finger through his hair. I… guess this isn’t the right time.
“It’s fine,” I announce. If he’s uncomfortable with telling me, he doesn’t have to since at least he doesn’t lie to me.
A slight smile forms on his face and he lets out a sigh, his eyes meeting mine. “Thanks and um… actually, I have a question.”
He moves his seat closer, a mischievous smile forming on his face. “You know, I still wonder what you’re gonna wear on Saturday and it’s got me thinking… should we make another bet so I can win again?”
I roll my eyes and nudge him playfully on his shoulders, his quiet giggles filling the air. “Be serious. What do you wanna ask?”
“...So you realised, huh.” His smile fades, a serious expression now present on his face. I wait for his reply as he crosses his legs, seeming to be lost in thought. “It’s… about Brian. I’m thinking of apologizing but… what if he doesn’t let me explain myself?”
My eyebrows furrow as I contemplate about it, a thought suddenly coming to me. Wait… does he think Brian will do that because I did so? That was definitely terrible of me though, but I can’t give him advice when it comes to Brian. That guy’s a jerk.
Mason lets out a sigh, ruffling his hair with his finger. “I can be honest and stuff but I don't want to hurt Brian than I already did. He… doesn’t deserve it.”
I look up at him, my heart warming. As always, Mason’s… too kind for his own good.
So I sit up, turning my entire body so I face him. “...Just speak from your heart then, and no matter how he reacts to you, I’ll… be here for you, okay? And I’ll be cheering for you from the sidelines.”
Breaking a smile, he nods before stretching on his chair. “I guess I’ll be counting on my personal cheerleader.”
Rolling my eyes, I pack my bag for class and he does so too. Soon, we’re heading out of the library, the school bell ringing.
“I’ll guess we’ll be parting ways then,” Mason suddenly says as he comes to a stop once we’re outside the library. “I might miss him if I go after school.”
“…But you promised you’ll attend them,” I point out, crossing arms.
“Well… may I have an exemption this time? Please?”
He gives me puppy dog eyes and I sigh at his actions. Does he know he doesn’t have to try to look cute?
“Fine,” I say after a while with a smile, my eyes meeting his determined gaze. “And Mason… you can do it.”
Mason beams with sparkle in his eyes. “Thanks, Miss Cheerleader.”
Afterwards, he walks away, waving energetically at me. Waving back, he walks out of sight, a smile forming on my face as I walk back to class.
Actually, this is the first time Mason’s is going to apologize wholeheartedly for hurting someone. Well… second, but he’s got a knack for causing pranks and sometimes not feeling sorry for it.
As I get into class and sit at my desk, a gleeful expression is planted on my face, my gaze moving to the window. I’m… cheering for you Mason. Despite you being a goofball, I know you can do it because… maybe you’ll use that charm of yours. Either way, I’ll happily be your cheerleader any day.
“…Good luck, Mason.”
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Lily's Playlist
• Windy Day by Helios Relaxing Space
• Melancholy by Helios Relaxing Space
• Dandelions by Ruth B
• The Other Side by Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron
• At My Worst by Pink Sweat$ feat. Kehlani
• N/A
Mason's Playlist
• The Other Side by Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron
• At My Worst by Pink Sweat$ feat. Kehlani
• N/A