Inferno Part 2

~124~ Stars Shining Bright

Josie's POV

As Taylor was fighting for me, I was feeling grateful. I'm also feeling sad. Would Mason have stood up for me? I don't know. But I'm suddenly wanting him to know I didn't do it. I don't want him to keep being disappointed in me.

I couldn't hear his voice when Principal Mills called his room, but I know he was disappointed. I hate it.

Taylor stayed while Mills called Tess, and Tess admitted tearfully that she did it.

I go to my next class, and I'm feeling awful. Everything is heavy. It's always heavy. Suddenly I start to cry. I go up to Mr. Martin's desk and ask to see my brother.

He writes me a pass, giving me a look. I must look like a fool for crying right now.

When I get to his class, I start to change my mind. What's he going to do? How am I going to tell him? This is stupid.

As I'm walking away, changing my mind, I start crying even harder. I'm so tired of being lonely. I'm so tired of being tired.

Before I can talk myself back out of it, I turn back around and barge in his class. He's busy lecturing.

As soon as he sees me, I can tell he's surprised. He figured I was with Taylor getting in trouble right now.

"Are you ok?!?" He asks as soon as he sees me. I was expecting him to look furious. He doesn't. He looks concerned.

I just shake my head.

He starts moving towards me, and I back up without thinking. He freezes.

"Jocelyn?" He says softly. Carefully...Like he's talking to a scared animal.

I just shake my head. "It's heavy, Mason," I cry.

"What's heavy?" He asks, nodding his head in encouragement.

Everyone is staring at me. I look like a freak right now.

"It's heavy," I whisper, putting my head down and wiping my eyes.

"Can we talk in the hall?" He asks softly.

I just nod.

He grabs my arm carefully and leads me to the hall, shutting the door. Then he keeps walking until we get to another teacher's room. "Can you step in my class for a bit?" He asks the guy on his break.

"Sure, Mason."

"Let's go to the lounge, Jos," Mason says, grabbing my hand and walking down the hall. When we get to the lounge, he shuts the door.

"What's heavy?" He asks again, still holding my hand.

"Everything," I cry.

He just stares at me.

"Taylor said he would carry it for me. I don't want him to. I WANT YOU TO," I sob, putting my hands on my face.

Mason tightly wraps me up in a hug and strokes my hair. I know he doesn't have a clue what I'm talking about, but that doesn't stop him. He just holds me tight as I cry like a baby. He doesn't pull away first. He does what Taylor did. He lets me pull away first.

When I finally do, he is staring at me hard. His eyes are burning with unanswered questions. With concern. With love. There isn't an ounce of anger on his face.

"I didn't do it," I finally get out.

He just nods.

"I didn't do it," I say again. I don't know how to tell him how I'm feeling. Nobody has ever cared before. I don't know how to say what I'm thinking.