21
Monday, December the first. Today is an important day for many reasons.
First: I had a stupid calculus test (which I actually sort of understood). Second: I finally got my car back (the new tires and paint job look spectacular). And third: it marks a month until I leave this town and my friends forever.
There are also many reasons why today is an awful day.
First: because of Dave punching me in the stomach last Friday, my stomach has a giant, ugly bruise on it (which is only sore when I walk, move, or breathe). Second: Aiden isn’t in school to give me the keys to my recently fixed car. And third: it marks a month until I leave this town and my friends forever.
Since Aiden’s not in school, I don’t tell everyone about my idea of how to spend the money—I don’t even tell them that Aiden gave me the money. Of course I will, but I want to do it with everyone here, and the group doesn’t feel complete with Aiden missing.
No one else knows where he is, either, but the guys just assume he’s pissed about Ryan calling the cops on Friday. I don’t think that’s the case though. I talked to him on Friday, and he seemed okay with it. It was Aiden who said that the guys would calm down with some time, and they did. They’re (thankfully) no longer fixated on revenge, but they do shoot glares whenever Kaitlyn and friends walk past us.
By the end of the day, I’m still thinking about Aiden and why he isn’t here. I sent him a few texts throughout the day, but he hasn’t replied. Come to think of it, I haven’t talked to him since Friday night.
I’m searching my locker, in case Aiden slipped the keys to my car in here. Finding nothing, I sigh, slam my locker shut, and turn, only to jump when I find Mason standing right where my locker door used to be.
“What the hell, Mason?!” I hold my hand to my frantically beating heart.
He chuckles and offers me an unapologetic smile. “Sorry, but you looked so preoccupied with finding your keys I couldn’t resist.”
I shoot him a glare but can’t keep the straight face. “Did Aiden text you where my keys are?”
“Nope. Haven’t heard from him.”
“Urg! I just want to get out of this hellhole!”
Mason offers me a million dollar smile. “That’s why your best friend is here to drive you home.”
I look around, then back at him with a straight face. “I don’t see Noah anywhere.”
Mason scowls. “I meant me.”
“I know—that was for scaring me.” I laugh. “Thanks for the offer.”
Mason’s eyes soften as he looks at me. “Anytime, k-bear.”
We walk side-by-side in comfortable silence through the halls, but I can tell that Mason wants to tell me something by the way he keeps shooting me glances when he thinks I won’t notice.
Having enough of his “stealthy” glances, I sigh and stop walking. “What is it, Mason?”
He looks away from me and fidgets, which is so unlike him. Mason’s always confident and a bit egotistical, so it’s weird to see him uncomfortable like this.
“Mason?”
“How are you?” he blurts, taking me off guard.
“Good?”
He shakes his head, clearly not satisfied with my answer. “No, I mean, like, how are you?”
“I’m good?” I imitate his emphasis.
He huffs in frustration. “Look, I know I promised to forget it so that we could be friends again, but I just wanted to apologize again for leaving you alone at the Tracks, which caused you to get jumped. I need you to know that.”
“I know, Mason. We’re over this. I forgave you, remember?”
“No, I know,” he adds quickly, his brown eyes still filled with guilt. “But I want to make sure we are good.”