Lost and Found

Chapter 4 | Eeny meeny miny moe...?

The warm water from the shower hugs Julia's sore muscles, washing away the embarrassment of the day. The walk back felt like the longest walk she has ever had. There was an awkward tension the whole way. She opened her mouth a few times to break the silence, but Julia couldn't find a topic to talk about. So, she would close her mouth again, not wanting to embarrass herself anymore than she already had. A few times, she could see Mason glancing at her from the corners of her eyes and she wondered what he was thinking.

In her mind, she replays everything that happened, trying to find something she did wrong to piss him off. Julia did not tell anyone about the piggyback ride, and he can't still be angry about him crashing into her. Was Mason mad she was lost again? He was kind of annoyed with her getting lost the first time.

The whole situation is stupid. Why does she care? Julia doesn't even know him. They've met one time–well, two times now–and the chances of seeing him after this weekend are slim. Although, she would like to. Sure, he finds her weird, but he's not the first one. It's nice to make a friend again. She misses being social. All she has to do is convince Mason to accept her weirdness.

Before they reached the cabin, he glanced at her again. This time keeping his eyes on her for longer. She asked him if something was bothering him as nicely as she could. For a second, it looked like Mason was going to say something, but he shook his head, mumbling a 'No, nothing'.

He did tell her it was nice to see her again, which confused her. Did he mean it, or was he being polite? It was hard to tell.

Of course, with her stupid brain, she responded, 'okay', which he repeated. Without giving him another glance, she dashed inside the cabin. Once inside, Olivia and Matt said something to her, but Julia mumbled she was going to take a shower and rushed away.

Yes, Mason seemed friendly at the end of the walk the first time she got lost. He even looked kind of happy when he saw her again on his doorstep today. But the hints he dropped were crystal clear; he does not like her as much as she likes him.

Great, she's overthinking again.

"Ugh, stupid boys," Julia groans as she leans her head against the shower wall. She would've liked to go to the party. It has been a long time since she went to a party, and it's a fun way to celebrate summer while she still can. "Stupid boys," she mumbles again.

At least now, she doesn't have to see Mason and Jake again. Let bygones be bygones.

She bites back a wave of sorrow. Why are people repelled by her? Julia thought people left her because she got ill and could not give them the same attention as they gave her. For goodness's sake, she could not keep herself awake long enough to be social like her friends were. It wasn't like she didn't want to hang out. She literally couldn't.

What if her getting sick isn't the reason her friends and boyfriend left her? What if something is wrong with her? Olivia doesn't want to be alone with her. She can hardly bring up the effort to spend time with Julia at all. Locking herself away with Matt the moment she could.

As panic flushes through her body, she focuses on her breath. Breathing in and breathing out to stop her mind from racing through all the possible scenarios she doesn't even know are true. Instead, she turns her attention to the warm water falling on her body, her two feet on the ground, as she takes a few minutes and some deep breaths before she turns off the shower.

Taking the fluffy towel, Julia dries herself. The cold of the real world takes over the warmth of the shower. She puts on her blue summer dress and walks back to her room. Letting herself fall back on the bed, she takes her phone. What time would it be in the Netherlands? Julia checks the Dutch time before clicking her friend's name.