*Mason's POV*

I walk to school alone... again. I know I should give Lily space after what I did but I just don't want to lose her. As I head into the school's campus, I hear a familiar giggle behind me.

"Mason!" Sarah calls out and tackles me into a hug. The one person I didn't want to meet is standing in front of me. Talk about coincidence.

She then rambles on about the latest bags she bought but my mind drifts off elsewhere. As my finger taps against my pocket, I notice Lily walking onto the school campus. Butterflies erupt in my stomach but Sarah's galling disrupts my upcoming thoughts.

"I know you've always wanted to date me. Honestly, we look like a perfect couple" she says to which I sarcastically laugh at.

"Yes," I reply without a thought. She stops and squeals happily as she calls her friends over.

"Mason agreed to us being a perfect couple! I knew we would date but I'm glad he accepted me sooner than I had anticipated," she explains loudly, which grabs bystanders' attention.

My mouth hangs open and I just stand in shock. What did she just say? She clings her arm around mine, evading my personal boundaries.

"We're officially a couple now. How do you feel about us, Mason?" she asks, looking up at me. Since when were we dating and what does she mean by 'us'?

I look around for Lily but she's nowhere to be seen. Now they're two problems at hand: fixing this misunderstanding and finding Lily. This is gonna take a while.

*Lily's POV*

I speed walk to the class where my first period will be held: my heart beat accelerating. Mason likes her? He could have least told me since we're still friends right? Right? I sit down on my chair with a thud, resting my head on my arms. I guess we aren't so close as we were that we can tell each other our secrets. I guess we are slowly drifting apart.

I compose myself for class so I can pay attention to my boring ass geography teacher. Why are his classes so boring? I just hope I can go through this with no pain and be done with my day.

*Mason's POV*

So... I realised I'm not able to resolve a situation as long as Sarah is added to the mix. Since I was saved by the bell, I scurried off to class: not wanting to deal with her. They're all just a pain in the ass.

I settle in class right on time and notice Lily, jotting notes in her notebook. I stare at her in curiosity, my head making a whole fantasy about us two. Just then, my teacher bangs his hand against a table, causing all of us to flinch. Being forced to pay attention throughout the boring class, I silently sulk to myself. If only there is a way out of this tiresome lesson.

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As class ends, I quickly pack my things before running up to her.

"Um... hey," I say and I am completely ignored. I try to get her attention but realize she's ghosting me. I stop walking, my heart feeling like it was stabbed in half. I turn the opposite direction to where my next class is held, not caring if I'm going to miss it. I head to the library which I later find to be locked. Why can't it just be open till the end of the day? I decide to pick the lock and enter the library.

I shut the door behind me and head to the young adult section. I take a book from the shelf and sit at the farthest corner of the library where no one will notice my presence. I read the description at the back before proceeding to read the book.

The story's about a character who has had a rough childhood. After reading tons of stories, he's curious to see the outside world with his own eyes and devises a plan. A plan to leave the house he stayed in. After all, it isn't his home.

He packs the little things he has and at midnight, leaves. As he walks, he doesn't look back at the building which made him feel like an outsider: never wanting to return there- ever.

I flip through the page of the book, fully absorbed into the story. As I do so, I notice a figure loom over me and without looking up, I do the only thing that comes to mind. I drop the book down on the table in front of me and put my hands up, surrendering my pitiful fate to the person.

"It's me. Lily," I hear the voice say. I look up to see my one and only best friend standing in front of me.

"And if it isn't my knight in shining armor. Have you come to save me from my disastrous misery?"

Lily scoffs before shaking her head, "I'm here because I didn't see you in class. Apparently, you're hiding away reading a book in a little corner and yes. I have come to save you from your misery."

I laugh. For the past week, she's been avoiding me and telling me off. But now, she's speaking to me so casually. Seeing her in a good mood and her cheeky smile just made my day.

"Either way, I'm not leaving," I say, my voice firm.

"Why not?"

"I'm in a phase. Separating myself from any sentient being and blending into the shadows is my current priority. I know it might hurt a little but can you leave me to embrace the darkness and slowly fall into the dark abyss of no return?" I admit, wiping an imaginary tear off my delicate face.

"So... you just want to be alone," Lily drawled; her face deadpanned.

"Exactly!" I answer with a grin.

"...Anyway, shouldn't I be the one saying that?" she questions, placing her hand on the table.

"My apologies but you're wrong there," I explain. "I started putting all your burdens on myself a long time ago-"

Something smacks my head and cuts me off. I rub my head from the impact; shock written all over my face.

"What was that for?"

"Your pitiful monologue," she answers, a smile forming on her face. I have to admit- she looked really beautiful when she smiled. But that does not change the fact that my head still hurts.

"Nonetheless, we really need to head back to class," Lily suggests.

I close my book shut and clear my throat - thinking of an alternative diversion.

"Okay... but would you like to read this-"

"Don't change the topic Mason. I know you're stalling," she interrupts and I gasp in horror.

I fiddle with my fingers, avoiding her gaze as I try to come up with an excuse.

"Fine. I was caught red handed but... about what happened the other day, can we just... talk?" I ask, almost in a whisper.

I'm of course, returned with silence which just shatters my broken heart into smaller pieces.

When I'm about to emotionally jump into a black hole, she opens her mouth to say something then shuts it; leaving me in the dark.

Lily then leaves and for a second, I see something. I see a barrier form between us. It's only the height of a brick but it's still there and I hope that it won't build up so high that I can no longer reach out to her or even see her again. I definitely fucked up; again.

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Lily's Playlist

• Windy Day by Helios Relaxing Space

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