Protecting Zoey

Chapter 7: False Alarms

Mason arrived at the Pike's home just after 6:20 to see Olivia waiting beside the front gate. She smiled brightly at him as he approached the gate raising her arm and waiving at him.

"Fancy meeting you here Mr. Arden," Olivia called as he walked closer trying her best to sound as flirty as possible, Mason smiled at her as he stopped beside her.

"So formal Olivia?" Mason chuckled at her maintaining his normal soft smile. "I figured we got close enough to drop some of the formalities yesterday?"

"Oh? Well in that case." Olivia took the opportunity to jump up and hug Mason tightly.

Mason blushed at first but eventually put his arms around her as well. He held her up for a few moments with her feet dangling a few inches from the ground.

"Good, if you didn't reciprocate, I was going to have to kiss you or something more severe." She said playfully as she began to loosen her grip signaling him to put her down. She looked back up at him with a mischievous grin.

"Second time meeting may be a bit soon for that," Mason said with a light chuckle before he continued. "I can't imagine what you would do that's more severe than that though."

She forced out a flirty giggle as she began to turn red. It was obvious she didn't think her little teasing far enough through as the front door opened and Zoey exited the house with a somber look on her face and saving Olivia from her current embarrassment.

"Morning Zoey," The two of them said in unison as Zoey approached causing a small smile to creep across her.

"Good to see you haven't scared Mason off yet," Zoey replied with a snicker as she looked at the two of them. "We should probably head out, or we're going to be late."

"I guess the wicked witch forced you to cover up the masterpiece?" Olivia questioned with a frustrated tone already knowing the answer as she caught pace with Zoey and Mason and began trailing a little behind them.

"She was more upset than I've seen her in a long time," Zoey said as she continued to trudge up the road beside Mason. "She really wants it changed back, if it wasn't for Harrison, she would have made me change it yesterday."

"Is it just me or has he been standing up for himself and you a lot more lately?" Olivia asked with some confusion as they made their way out of the neighborhood, and they began walking side by side with Zoey between the two of them.

"Yeah, it's been weird," Zoey said as the bus stop came into view. "I'm not entirely sure why he started doing that recently. He's usually trying to avoid her being angry with him."

The three of them sat down at the bus stop, it didn't take very long for the bus to arrive, and they all boarded. The ride was fairly quiet after that with Mason looking out the window while Olivia and Zoey were both absorbed in their phones. Sometimes they would laugh at the same time which lead Mason to believe they were either looking at the same things or messaging each other.

It was only three stops before they arrived at the school, and everyone began to exit. Olivia, put her phone away as she stood up turning toward Zoey and Mason.

"Well, I'll see you two later!" She said cheerfully as she made her way off the bus with Zoey and Mason following close behind.

"Aren't you going to walk with us Liv?" Zoey asked with her brow furrowing as they made their way to the school ground.

"And risk getting detention again? No thank you." Olivia said as she made her way down a side path and Zoey let out a deep sigh.

"What was that all about?" Mason asked as they continued down the main walkway.