𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 // 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 ✅

07

Friday 25th December
08:36am

Christmas started early in the rice/mount household at just past eight in the morning, as Mason's niece, Summer chanted excitable laughs whilst jumping on Mason and Declan to wake them. Jade squinted as Declan threw the curtains wide open, revealing the thin layer of white snow outside the glass window. She was encouraged to leave the bed by an excited little girl, who was wearing the same pyjamas as her uncle Mason, while she wrapped her arms around Jade's legs, grabbing her hand, edging her downstairs to be with the rest of the two families. They were both welcomed with warm smiles, stretching from ear to ear, as metaphoric Christmas magic sprinkled across Declan's living room.

The sound of ripping paper echoed fluently throughout the home, Christmas scented candles burned and crackled softly as rounds of drinks, food and desert were shared amongst the big family. Jade stands up and helps her mum, Teresa clean up used plates whilst the boys spend time with the rest of the family, pulling open Christmas crackers joyfully. 'Any news on lover boy?' Teresa whispers, smiling with a wink. 'I wouldn't call him that anymore.' Replied Jade, biting her bottom lip to stop it from trembling. Her mother standing with a confused look written upon her face. 'Yeah, I questioned him about what was going on between us and he completely went off on me, no idea what I've done wrong but he said the car meant nothing and that we aren't serious.' Said the girl with a frown. 'What? That's so unlike Mason, Jay honestly he is such a sweet boy, what do you think could be the problem?' Replied her mother. 'I have no idea, but I'm going to find out.' Replied Jade, patting her hands dry with the dish towel.

The mother and daughter returned to the rest of the group and sat down on the sofa, sinking deep into the soft material which snuggled them instantly. Mason brought both of the ladies drinks and perched himself on the arm of the sofa nearest to Jade, he began to rub her shoulder softly, as if nothing ever happened. The girl discreetly took his hand off of her shoulder, trying not to cause a scene, before Mason walks out of the room. Declan's eyes wander towards Jade as he knew there was a problem. 'We'll just be upstairs for a second guys.' He announces, nodding his head towards the door for Jade to follow.

'What the fuck has gone on? I'm assuming it's something to do with you and Mase.' Replied the brother slightly agitated. 'Why are you acting like this is all on me Dec? You honestly have no idea.' Replied Jade. 'Well I sort of do. He was round my place at two in the morning CRYING about you, so what went on?' The boy groans. 'He told me we aren't anything serious and brought up a bunch of shit from the past which I thought we got over but clearly not.' She sighed... 'can I just see him.'

Declan leads his sister upstairs where he knew Mason would be. There he was perched upon the window ledge overlooking the soft- white layer of snow outside, contemplating his thoughts. The boys face slightly lit up when he saw Jade, she stepped into the room; startled by the door slamming behind her as her brother allows them to talk things through.

'Why would you say that to me, Mason?, Questioned the girl, 'I thought we meant something.' 'We do, I lost my temper and I'm sorry about it, I've had a tough time with the qualifiers at the minute and I just-' 'Okay.' Jade replies bluntly, as she feels his so called apology was becoming more like an unscripted excuse. 'Well Declan knows about us now, i told him and my mum about us, so if you're making me tell them we're done then I will.' Said the girl, rubbing her face for comfort. 'You won't have to' Mason replied with a soft smile and poking her playfully edging her towards the exit of the room.

They both make their way down the stairs when they hear a knock at the door. 'I'll get it!' Mason shouts from the hallway whilst reaching for the door handle. He opens the door to another girl stood with gifts barricading her from what could potentially be Jade's actions. 'Uh, I'll help you with those' Mason says to the girl awkwardly, moving gift boxes away from her. As the boy moves the boxes, it reveals someone familiar. She moves towards Mason's cheek as she steps closer towards him pecking him whilst pulling him in closer by his neck, whilst Jade is watching from behind.

'Oh hi Mason's friend.' Says Sophie sarcastically. 'Ah, i think we're more than friends girly.' Says Jade, moving closer to the door, gaining more of a smirk. 'Oh really, that's not what you told me the other night is it Mase?' Sophie replies, staring at Mason, as he listens silently to the girls compete over him. 'Yeah well Mount has a reputation for being a liar, I'll let you say your goodbyes Sophie because our families are here.' Jade smiles with arrogance, as she walks off towards the living room, picking up Summer on the way playing and laughing with her.

'Why did you come here?' Said Mason in a concerned voice. 'Why can't I? I'm giving you your gifts like we do every year.' The girl replied. 'Well, Sophie if you haven't taken the hint we aren't twelve anymore and I don't do this whole gift exchange with you, the same as I don't speak to people who lie about me to damage my relationships with others. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to spend some time with my family.' He says, slamming the door in her face before she could squeeze another word in.

The night unwound and the house fell silent, apart from the odd snore off of tired- half drunken people at Christmas time.