Lost and Found

Chapter 11 | When The Sun Comes Out

A soft morning breeze dances across Julia's face through the open car window. Too bad she has school. The weather is perfect for a hike. There are still a lot of places to explore.

She fiddles with the escaped lock of her hair. This morning, her mother braided Julia's curls to the back and into a bun. Her jeans jacket is way too warm for this weather, but wearing layers is a habit she learned from the unreliable Dutch weather.

Cecil drives into the parking lot, where Mason is waiting. He leans against one of the four trees standing in front of the building. As soon as she steps out of the car, he walks towards her. Cecil pushes her out of the way and stands in front of him with a big smile. "Hi, Mason."

Mason frowns at her. "Do I know you?"

Her smile falls off her face, but Cecil quickly recovers. "I'm in the same class as Ash."

"Good for you. Go bother Ash then."

Julia shakes her head. "Mason! Don't be mean." Okay, her cousin isn't the nicest either, but this is rude. "What do you want?" Julia says as she takes off her jacket.

Cecil's mouth drops open, and her eyes go wide. "You can't talk to him like that."

"Don't talk to her like that," Mason says while he crosses his arms. "Seriously, who are you?"

Cecil presses her lips together before doing an 'oh my friends are calling' routine.

Mason's frown drops now they're alone as Julia's frown emerges on her face. "You can't talk to people like that. It's rude."

He shakes his shoulders. "It's not like she's the nicest. Damn groupies."

Well, he isn't lying, but still. Julia puts her arms around herself. What is she supposed to do with nice Mason after what happened yesterday? Or at the lake, or—gosh, how many times? Nice Mason, not so nice Mason. Which petal will she pull last? She's way too tired to figure this all out.

She rolls her shoulders, and Mason looks her over. "Here, give me your backpack." He gestures to her bag. "What class do you have?"

Without contemplating if it's a good idea or not, she hands him over her bag. Julia rubs her sore shoulders. Thank goodness, some rest for her shoulders. Heavy books should be a crime.

"English lit," she says as he watches two students stare and gossip. Without saying more, he turns around and walks towards her school. She drags her eyes from the gossiping students and quickly follows him and her backpack.

"How are you doing?" He watches her from the corner of his eyes.

Fine, is her standard answer. People rarely want to know how she's really doing. This time, she contemplates telling the truth. He already knows the truth about her illness. What is there to lose? Except for Mason leaving her like the rest. He doesn't seem the type to abandon people though–he keeps coming back to her.

"Tired, I guess." She decides on the truth. Tired would be her standard answer if it can't be 'fine' anymore.

"Hmm."

"Hmm?"

He stops and leans against the wall. Julia's eyes wander over the sculpted features of his face. Why does he have to be so handsome? Oh yeah, right, because he's either a sociopath from a crime TV show or the guy from a romance movie. Except, romance movies aren't real, and bumping into him in the forest means nothing in real life. Besides a possible death due to a psycho killer. Or a helping hand to find her way back. Stick to reality, Julia.

"I was wondering if you would like to go to Hill-Forest after school, but another day may be better."

Two boys want to walk in the middle of nowhere with her. Suspicious. Will he want to bury her body in the forest for no one to find? Of course not. Mason took that part and Ash is not Mason. She laughs at herself. So much for sticking to reality.