Chasing Daylight

Chapter Eighteen

I said, "Oh my, what a marvelous tune"
It was the best night, never would forget how we moved
The whole place was dressed to the nines
And we were dancing, dancing
Like we're made of starlight

-Taylor Swift

Mason

Friday night Max was once again grumbling about how long it took for women to get ready as the sound of Taylor Swift filtered through the hall. Max was in some douchey costume that he wore every year and I had gone with a pair of suspenders and a fireman's hat. The music turned off as Max yelled for her to hurry up and she appeared. She was in a pair of hot pink leggings and a gold lowcut leotard. She had her hair in a high ponytail and she looked hot. I had to really concentrate on keeping my emotions in check as I looked at her. I couldn't give away just how attractive I thought she was. I didn't want to scare her away.

"I like it," I said and she blushed. That reaction showed she wasn't ready to hear my real feelings quite yet.

"Let's go," Max said shaking his head in disgust.

"Listen, Maria," Max said once we were on our way. "I think you should pretend to be Mason's girlfriend. The guys can be real douchebags if they think you're single. They'll probably say some crude stuff, but they'll get over it a lot faster if they know you're taken."

"Mason," she asked softly, "Is that true?"

"Yeah, but if you don't want to that's fine," I answered.

"Okay," she said. "I think it's probably a good idea."

I parked the car on a side street and we got out. We could feel the bass vibrating the sidewalk as we made our way towards the house. I could see the apprehension on Kate's face as we got closer and heard the loud music and shouts of drunken college students.

"If you want to go home, just tell me," I said coming to stand next to her. Max was already halfway inside the house as it came into view.

--

Maria

I felt nervous as we walked up to the house. It was loud and there were big groups of people on the lawn. I didn't know the people and it definitely wasn't like a Kesem party. Mason wrapped his arm around my shoulder and led me in. He was in a t-shirt and jeans and a pair of suspenders. I had never seen him in short sleeves before. He had black ink spiraling up his arms. Flowers, words, hearts, and random images traced up his arms mesmerizing me. I hadn't realized how toned his arms were until this moment. Did he go to the gym just as often as I did?

"Do you want something to drink?" He asked over the music.

"Vodka sprite," I replied and he nodded leading me over to a makeshift bar. He watched the bartender carefully like he was scared they were going to slip something into my drink. It made me feel better knowing he cared so much about my safety. He handed me the cup and I took a sip. At least I knew I would be safe if I stuck by Mason and it didn't seem like he planned on going anywhere tonight.

"Want me to carry it for you?" He asked touching the plastic cup in my hand. "We're going outside."