Hidden Within

24 | all along

The following school week passes slowly. Each day is as uninteresting as the last. Delaney makes my life hell, per usual. Interacting with my parents after what the summer consisted of is unbearable. Devon hasn't spoken to me in days and hardly acknowledges my presence during gym. However, I can't blame her. If she had treated me the way I did her, I wouldn't want anything to do with me either.

Considering I am dreading lunch period, I attempt to lessen the time I'll have to spend with Delaney by entering the girls' bathroom. I'm studying my reflection in the mirror above the sink when the bathroom door suddenly bursts open, startling me.

I recognize the light brown hair and flawless warm skin immediately. As my gaze locks with a pair of hazel eyes, I place the girl in my memory. I couldn't forget her even if I wanted to; she is the kind of girl who demands attention from the second she walks into a room, her beauty too captivating to ignore.

"Oh, hey!" Mason exclaims. "Hadley! I haven't seen you in forever."

"Yeah," I murmur. "It's been a while."

"It's like you disappeared after the party," Mason says. "Speaking of, I had a lot of fun with you, girl! I was looking forward to spending more time with you."

My smile feels forced and somewhat falters. "I guess I've been busy," I respond lamely.

Mason nods. She leans against the sink next to her and studies me, crossing her arms over her chest. My heart hammers, nerves flaring due to being so closely examined. I have a sinking feeling that I'm not going to like whatever Mason is about to say.

"I don't usually do this sort of thing," Mason admits, "and I know it's not really my place to say anything, but . . ." she trails off, carefully choosing her words. "I don't know if you knew this or not, but Devon is sort of . . . I mean, she was really into you, Hadley. I probably shouldn't be saying this, but she really misses hanging out with you. I don't know how close you guys were, but your friendship meant a lot to her."

Mason shoots me a pointed look. I easily catch the hidden meaning behind her words. My cheeks flame as I realize what she's trying to tell me. If she is suggesting that Devon could be romantically interested in me, then she has to assume I somehow reciprocate those feelings. Which means that she knows . . . about me.

"I—" I stammer over my words. "I don't—"

"I'm not going to say anything to anyone," Hadley," Mason assures me. "Your secret is safe with me. Devon, Kai, Clover, me . . . we're a safe space, Hadley. Don't ever be afraid to be yourself around us. And don't let anyone make you feel inferior because of something you can't control. I'm only mentioning this because you made Devon really happy. Whatever you two did . . . it meant something to her. I think it meant something to you, too. Maybe think about what you want . . . think about what makes you happy. Just know the four of us are always around if you need us. We all miss you."

Mason's words warm my heart. I trust her. I can't picture Mason spreading my business, nor do I see her wanting to go out of her way to hurt me. From the moment I met Mason, I could tell she was genuine.

"I miss you guys too," I say honestly. "I don't know. I assumed Devon wouldn't want to talk to me after . . . everything. I don't know what to say to her."

"Trust me," Mason snorts, "she wants you to reach out. The only reason she hasn't is because she doesn't want to push you. She really likes you, Hadley. I've probably already said too much, but Devon has liked you for a long time . . . the rest of us felt like we knew you before we even met because of how often Devon has talked about you."

I blush harder. "Devon talks about me?"

Mason offers me a faint smile. "All the time. You've really got her hooked."

"I'm glad you talked to me," I tell Mason. I return her smile, fidgeting with my fingertips. "I needed to hear that."

"Of course. And I meant every word, Hadley. Just think about it, okay?"

Mason and I talk for a few minutes longer before I finally exit the bathroom. I walk down the hallway wearing a grin. I need to make things right with Devon. After all, she's what I've been wanting all along.

___

a/n: my girlfriend left me to go to work and i literally cried for like an hour over it. so now she's bringing me home cfa bc i am a baby.