Chasing Daylight

Chapter Twenty-Eight

It's so excruciating to see you low
Just wanna lift you up and not let you go
This ultraviolet morning light below
Tells me this love is worth the fight

-Taylor Swift

Maria

I woke up the next morning to an empty bed and my heart instantly sunk. I was still processing last night. It had been painful, I had been close to tears, but at the same time Mason made me feel so safe and in the end, the way he touched me had instantly made me come undone. All I had felt was love for him, despite the pain, but now I was thinking I had misread the situation. I knew I wasn't good. All I could do last night was lay there and try not to cry. Mason had probably realized that he didn't love me that way. He was probably trying to figure out how to get rid of me. I quickly got out of bed throwing my clothes on, he had probably taken one look at my body and wanted to stop. I was too thin, my breasts were too small, and I had scars and freckles all over my skin. I started to pack my things when Mason walked into the room.

"Maria?" Mason asked. "What are you doing?"

"I should go," I said unable to meet his eyes.

"I made you breakfast babe," Mason said. I looked up slightly to find him holding two plates. "Thought you might want some breakfast in bed."

"I thought..." I started setting the bag down. "Do you want to break up with me?"

"Maria, why would I want to break up with you?" Mason asked instantly setting down the plates and coming to stand next to me.

"I don't know, I wasn't very good last night. I'm not very pretty, I'm sure you've been with prettier people. You weren't in bed when I woke up, so I just thought..."

"I'm such an idiot," Mason said shaking his head. "I should have known not to leave you alone after last night. I'm sorry love."

"It's fine," I shrugged.

"No, it's not because now you think I don't love you or you're not pretty. Babe, last night I felt like the luckiest guy in the world. Not to be a creep, but I spent like an hour last night just watching you sleep because I wanted to memorize every part of you. I couldn't stop looking because you are just so pretty," Mason said running his hand through this hair. "Come back to bed and eat breakfast. I don't want you to leave."

I met his eyes and found that they were filled with concern and guilt. "Okay," I nodded getting back into bed. He let out a breath of relief and then got into bed and handed me a plate full of eggs and waffles.

"Thanks," I said.

"I love you so much," he sighed squeezing my shoulder lightly. "How are you feeling?"

"I guess I'm kind of sore," I shrugged.

"I'm sorry. I know I hurt you last night and I know you were trying not to cry and I'm just so sorry..."

"Mase, it had to happen eventually. I love you and if my first time was going to be with someone, I would rather it be with someone I love and feel safe with," I said touching his thigh lightly. "Yeah it hurt, but I never felt like you were hurting me on purpose and I promise I was never scared."

"You are so smart, and beautiful, and kind, and I love you so much and I'm so lucky I get to wake up to you every morning."

"I'm pretty lucky too," I smiled resting my head on his shoulder turning back to my breakfast.

"I wish I wasn't leaving today," Mason sighed after finishing his breakfast.

"Me too babe," I sighed. "It's only a week though."

"A week is too long," Mason sighed wrapping his arms around me tightly.

"You're so whipped," I laughed snuggling into his body.

"Whatever Max," Mason laughed.

--

Mason

"So did Maria like her gift?" Max asked as we got into the car.

"Yeah, she really liked it," I nodded.

"Have you two fucked yet? I mean you're so whipped for her and you haven't even slept with her," Max said shaking his head. "I've never seen you like this with any girl."

"I don't tell her I told you because it's really none of your business, but we slept together for the first time last night," I said hesitantly. "Honestly I fucked it up too."

"What do you mean?" Max asked. "Did you hurt her?"

"No, well... she was a virgin," I said biting my lip. "I made her breakfast this morning, so I wasn't in bed when she woke up, and she freaked. She thought I was trying to figure out how to breakup with her."

"Is she okay now?" Max asked.

"I think so," I shrugged. "I just hate that not only did I hurt her, but I also made her think that I didn't love her."

"That's why I don't fuck virgins," Max said shaking his head.

"It's not quite the same as whatever you do Max," I said rolling my eyes. "I love her and I care about her feelings."

"And that's why I don't date," Max replied with a smirk.

"Give it a few more years and you'll feel the same way about some girl," I laughed rolling my eyes. "You're already soft for Maria, can't imagine what you'll be like when you find someone you love."

Max shook his head.