Chasing Daylight

Chapter Eight

You're beautiful

Every little piece, love; don't you know?

-Taylor Swift

Mason

She was stunning. The most beautiful girl I had ever met. The first time I saw her walk into the apartment and she zipped up that little jacket, I lost every word in my vocabulary. When Max dragged her back out in that big sweatshirt and she tucked herself under that blanket, I felt like I was melting. I didn't know how it was possible that he hadn't told me how beautiful she was. It took all my courage to talk to her, and once she started talking, I never wanted her to stop. Her voice was so sweet.

I loved the sound of her laugh when she watched that stupid show with her friend. I hated the way her smile left as soon as Max spoke. When Max yelled at her, I was scared she was going to start crying, I don't think I could ever watch her cry. When she told me about being a part of that camp, I was so amazed. She was even more amazing than I ever imagined. Not only was she sweet and beautiful, but she was also selfless and kind.

That's why I found myself sitting in Max's apartment on Monday hoping she would show up. I couldn't help the smile on my face when she walked in with her little friend, Sophie.

"Hey Maria," Max said giving her a wave.

"Hi," she smiled bringing Sophie into the kitchen. "It's Bachelor Monday. We're making margaritas tonight." She seemed to be in a better mood tonight and I was so relieved.

"Getting wasted again on a school night?" Max asked.

"You can't be sober when watching the bachelor," Sophie said sitting down on the barstool next to me. Maria was moving around the kitchen pulling out alcohol and her blender. "Hi, Mason."

"Hey Sophie," I replied my eyes never leaving Maria, whose lip was between her teeth as she concentrated on pouring the tequila into the blender.

"Do you guys want to watch with us?" Maria asked dropping ice into the blender.

"Yes," I said at the same time Max said no.

"Max you made me watch football," Maria replied before turning on the blender. From what I could tell she was good at turning it on at just the right time.

"Margaritas," Maria grinned triumphantly as she poured the mix into separate little glasses. They had pretty little flowers on them, and I took one gratefully. The apartment felt a lot more like home now that she had her touches everywhere. 

"So good," Sophie grinned. "Come on the show starts in five minutes."

"I promise you won't be confused," Maria smiled patting my shoulder and I felt like I might explode. Her touch was electric

"I can't believe I'm doing this for you," Max whispered as we made our way to the living room. Maria and Sophie were already giggling about something.

"Shut up," I said rolling my eyes. I could tell Maria would be scared off if she knew how much I liked her. I could tell she was really closed off. Half the time I asked her questions she took too long to respond clearly thinking about her answer. I watched her curl under her pink blanket and take a sip of her margarita as she turned on the tv. We were on opposites sides of the couch, but I didn't mind because I had the perfect view of her smile.

"Is it possible to already hate Peter?" Sophie laughed as the show came on.

"That's why you have to drink," Maria giggled shaking her glass. Her eyes sparkled when she giggled.

For the next two hours, the girls made comments about how dumb the dates were and how annoying the girls were. When the girls on the show cried, Sophie and Maria would burst into laughter. I couldn't figure out why they loved the show so much, but I didn't care because I had never seen Maria so happy. It made my heart leap a little. When the show was over, Sophie left for her uber.

"Don't forget to text me," Maria called down the hallway before making her way back to the kitchen.

"Do you need any help?" I asked.

"No, I'm good," Maria smiled going to the sink.

"I'm going to bed," Max said rolling his eyes. I gave him a wave before sitting down at the counter.

"You don't have to stay," she smiled. "I was just going to let everything soak until tomorrow."

"Are you going to bed because I can leave, I just thought I would give you some company," I replied.

"I haven't been sleeping well," she answered leaning against the counter. "I'll probably just stay up and do some work."

"Max said you intern at some publishing company," I said.

"Yeah, it's virtual and I get paid pretty well, so hopefully they'll give me a full-time job when I graduate," she replied.

"That's really awesome," I said seriously and she smiled. "Why haven't you been sleeping? Is it still Max?"

"No," she laughed. "He's actually been pretty quiet. I just don't sleep well."

I knew she wasn't going to elaborate. I wasn't going to push her either. "You should try and get some sleep," I said standing up.

"I'll try," she smiled giving me a wave as I walked out of the apartment. My heart was definitely still sitting on that barstool grinning up at her. 

Oooo what do we think about a Mason POV? Thank you for reading! Have a great day!!