Survival

Chapter Eight

Weeks pass by and I kept my word. I told Noah what happened to our family, he was sad but happy they were in a better place. We've been back at school and Amazon hardly been home between going to work and out with friends. Masons took a leave of absence from my case and protective custody. Jason's stepped up and has become like my personal bodyguard. Tonight was my first volleyball game since the accident. Mia picked Noah and I up on her way to the gym. Mia's family agreed to look after Noah for me while we played.

We bags out warm ups when Samantha, Lily, Kayla and Jessa walk in with their significant others. They all gave me a huge thumbs up. I haven't seen them since that day. I was surprised to see them, they didn't know about this. How'd they find out?

As if the universe answered my question, in walked Mason and Nicole. They were laughing together. Furrowing my eyebrows, trying to hide my hurt. I looked at Mia and then at Samantha. She mouthed 'I'm sorry.' I look back at Mia who was just as pissed as me. "Only a friend my ass. I'll beat his ass Mads. I swear to god." Sophia and Emma join us, just as pissed. "He's seriously gonna pull this shit?" I sigh as our coach calls us in. "Alright girls, first game of the season! Play your hearts out." We nod running back to the court.

Mia serves the ball letting it sail over the net but the other team quickly swatted it back. As the ball got closer I bump it to Emma who sets it for Sophia, who spikes it over the net, earning us a point. The crowd erupted in Cheers. My eyes met Masons who looked proud. But I don't miss Nicoles smug smile who's hand is in his. Bitch.

The end of the game came a lot quicker than expected. We won! Seth and the other guys we went to school with joined us on the court, like they always do. I was lifted and spun around. I laugh and slap Greysons back convincing him to put me down. Over the past few weeks Greyson and I have become best friends again. We were this close before we started dating and we both agree we're way better as friends, as it should be.

Samantha yanks me into a huge hug. "Oh my god. You did so damn good Mads. I'm proud of you!" I smile and hug her back. "Thank you Sam! I didn't think y'all were going to come." She waved me off with an 'of course we were gonna come.'

My eyes wander around the group giving them a small smile. Resting on Mason who wasn't listening to a. Word Nicole was saying, just frowning at Greyson. Jesus, he didn't want me, but he's going to be jealous. They said goodbye as they begin to leave. "Madeline? Can I speak to you?" Rolling my eyes as Nicole speaks my mind. "Uh Mason? Why?" He shoots her a look and shrugs her arms off of him. "Nicole go to the car. Now." She hugged at his stern voice and walked away. "What Mason?" Looking down at his feet before readjusting his ballcap. "Mads... we need to speak. Tonight. Will you be home?" I look away from his intense gaze. I really don't want to speak to him. Although hearing him call me Mads made my heart soar. It shouldn't! He didn't want you, he felt like he had to. "Mason, I honestly don't want to be in your presence." He nodded understandingly. He brushed the hair resting on my cheek behind my ear. I absentmindedly leaned my cheek into his hand. Getting lost in his grey eyes as they slowly searched mine.

Finally snapping back and realizing what was happening. I cleared my throat and backed away slightly. Looking around catching a few on lookers and Mia smiling big giving me a thumbs up. I put my attention back on him. He looked hopeful. "Fine, yes, I'll head home in a few. Will your girlfriend be there?" He ran his younger over his lips before a small smile broke out.

"She's not my girl Mads, but you're adorable when jealous." Shooting him a quick glare and crossing my arms. His smile faltered, muttering a quick sorry. He pulls me into a hug. "Mads, you did great out there. Really. I'm proud of you. I'll meet you at home." He pulls away from me giving me one final look before walking away. I shouldn't feel these butterflies in my stomach when he looks at me. We weren't even together yet and we ended on bad terms.

Mia grabs me and pulls me into a hug. "Hunny, are you okay? I saw that hug and intense looks." Her sweet voice talking to me carefully brought tears to my eyes. "Mia, I just don't understand, he keeps playing with me. Why is he doing this to me?" She holds me closer, running her hand up and down my back. "Shh Mads, he doesn't mean to. He doesn't realize what he's doing." I sniffle and compose myself.

I catch the uneasy feeling and look around locking eyes with a man dressed in black by the door. I frown as his eyes look into me. I quickly search the gym trying to find one of the officers. Jason must've saw my panic and was advancing to easy me, searching the gym for any threats. "What's wrong Miss Woods?" Jason spoke quickly and Mia looked confused. "There was a man over by the door. He was watching me. I-I'm scared." He nods before speaking into his walkie-talkie. 'Man spotted by gym door. Escorting miss woods to safety. Mike, tanner search the commons.' Mia grabbed Noah as I was being pulled away by Jason. We made a plan that if this happens Noah will go with Mia and officer tanner and I will go with Jason. They don't know Noah's alive and we want to try and keep it that way.

Jason pushed me into the backseat of an unmarked car before jumping in and taking off. Jason kept looking in the mirror at me as we sped down the busy streets. Stopping at the intersection when the light turned red. Jason turned slightly. "Are you okay Miss Woods?" I give him a soft smile trying to slow my racing heart. I give him a small nod trying to reassure him, but I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling.

Watching as the light turned green we slowly moved into the middle of the intersection before glass shattered around me. The air was knocked out of me. 'Miss woods, wreck, intersection of 18th and Delaware. Send units.' I heard Jason shout before blood rushed to my head as I hung upside down. I tried unlatching my belt but I couldn't. I watched as blood dripped to the roof as I dangled upside down. I listened to the sound of Jason taking his last breath as he hung through the windshield. Closing my eyes as my head throbs. Knowing that my life will be over soon. I relax into the quietness and let it take me.