Chasing Daylight

Chapter Forty-Two

But one thing's for sure

Maybe I got mine, but you'll all get yours

-Taylor Swift

Mason

"How was the meeting?" I asked as soon as Maria walked through the door. I had been waiting on the couch for what felt like hours. Max had left me for his bedroom hours ago. "I feel like you were gone a long time."

"We got dinner together afterward," Maria replied coming to sit next to me. She tucked her legs underneath her and moved to rest against my shoulder. I wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"I'm sure your uncle was glad to get some time alone with you," I replied kissing the top of her head taking note that she hadn't mentioned the meeting. I knew she would talk about it when she was ready, so it was best not to push her. "Where did you go?"

"We just went to the café down the street. He really liked it when he came for Christmas break," Maria replied running her hand over her forehead her eyes squeezed shut.

"You alright babe?" I asked scratching her back.

"Yeah, I just kind of want to pretend that nothing is wrong for right now," she replied looking up at me. "Maybe we could go to your place tonight- watch a movie and have some alone time?"

"If that's what you want, then we can definitely do that," I grinned hoping that she wasn't trying to move on too fast.

"It is, I can't really move on from everything if I don't start acting normal. I need to go to my classes tomorrow and maybe go to the gym. I just need to start getting back into the swing of things," she said a determined look on her face.

"Okay," I nodded. "I think it's a good idea to at least go to classes tomorrow, but don't push yourself too hard. If you go to classes tomorrow and then decide that it's too much to go the next day or you just want to focus on your internship one day, that's okay. This is going to take time."

"I've been through worse," Maria shrugged. "My uncle is handling the messy stuff. All I have to do is tell my story and keep a clean image. I'll be okay. Don't worry too much."

"I only worry because I love you," I said kissing the top of her head. "Why don't you go pack a bag, so we can go back to my place."

--

Maria

My alarm woke me up the next morning and Mason let out a groan his arms wrapping me a little tighter. Last night had been just what I needed to feel somewhat normal again. Mason had always done a good job of letting me take things at my own pace while making sure not to coddle me. While we hadn't done anything more than watch a movie and go to bed, it was just nice to spend some time alone without worry about Sophie or Max popping in.

"Don't go," Mason groaned tucking his head against my neck.

"You're going to make me late to class," I chuckled squeezing his arm. "I have to get ready."

"If you need anything today please call me," Mason said slowly letting go. "It's okay if you need to call."

"I'll be fine babe," I laughed kissing his cheek.

"Well if you aren't, you can call," he said.

"Thanks, I love you," I said.

"Love you too."

After getting dressed and grabbing an apple from the kitchen I made my way towards campus. As much as everyone was worried about me, I knew that getting back to classes and a routine would only help me in the long run. I was going to go to my classes, spend an hour or two at the gym, and then go home and do some internship work. I couldn't let everything going on distract me from my own goals and the new life I had made for myself.

As I walked through campus, I couldn't help but notice that the sun was shining brightly and I could almost feel the ice and snow thawing around me. It had been a long and hard winter and I knew it was far from over, but it was one of those few good days when you know that spring and nice weather were just around the corner.

On my way to the gym, I got a phone call from my Uncle that caused me to sit down on an empty bench.

"Hey Uncle Mark, um what's up?" I asked picking at my lip nervously.

"Well, I wanted to let you know that I had a pretty productive conversation with Trent's mother last night. I told her all the stuff you told me about both Kailey and you. You know she's always loved the both of you and she trusts you both and me to tell the truth, so she wants to make sure this is taken care of correctly."

"What does that mean?" I asked closing my eyes. I could feel the guilt churning in my stomach at everything I was putting everything through.

"She wants him to plead guilty and I got a call from the lawyer today that, that's what Trent is doing. We're supposed to go to the hearing tomorrow."

I let out a breath of relief I didn't know I had been holding. Trent was at least going to pay a small price for what he had done to me and my family. At least I knew I could be safe from him for a brief period of time and that was enough.

"Thank you, Uncle Mark, seriously," I said squeezing my eyes shut. "I needed you here and you really helped me."

"Honey, I will always be here for you. I'm the adult in your life and I will handle all those awful adult things for as long as I possibly can," he said gently. "I know you went to your classes today, so you should go home and get some rest because I'm sure tomorrow will be pretty draining."

"Okay, I love you and I'll see you tomorrow. Maybe we can get dinner with everyone," I said.

"I think that sounds like a great idea," he replied and I could hear the grin in his voice. "Love you too honey."