Untitled Document

Epilogue - Anita

Okay, so maybe I did have a crush on Mason.

Fine.

I definitely did, and still do, have a crush on Mason Lewis.

She likes me too, only differently than I like her, but that's okay. I've never been happier.

The market is packed today and I have to hold my arms above my head as I squeeze through the crowd. I've been elbowed in the ribs multiple times in the process but it's totally worth it.

"'Xcuse me," I mutter to no one in particular as I fight out of the sea of people. It's times like this I miss the small town near camp, it's much less violent. Still, there's something about the city that gives me a sense of home, even if the people are rude and it smells polluted.

When I've finally escaped the prison of a market my arms drop to my sides, my shoulders sagging with relief. My phone chimes in my pocket with a message from Mason. I don't even have to open it to know that she's asking where I am, with one glance at the time it dawns on me just how long I was at the market for. I was supposed to meet Mason at hers an hour ago.

"Shit!" I take off running down the street, stepping in a puddle in my haste. The murky rain water splatters the edge of my skirt and sits upon the leather of my boots, slowly falling off as I run.

Thankfully Mason's house isn't too far from the market, still I don't think I've ever run faster in my life - which is saying something considering I just kicked ass at a capture the flag game.

The door is unlocked so I let myself in. This isn't unusual. I have a key to Mason's house anyway, it's fine.

"Mason?" I call up the stairwell, unsure of where exactly she wanted to meet me.

No response.

I try again, slowly climbing the stairs to her bedroom.

"Hello?"

Still nothing.

Upstairs, Mason's door is wide open, golden midday light pouring over the floors. As I make my way down the hall to her room the clicking of computer keys gets louder. I peek my head through the door frame and into her room. At her desk, Mason sits in an awkward position typing furiously on her keyboard, bulky headphones over her ears, head bobbing along to the tune. Her hair has been let down out of its usual tight half-up knot. We've only been back two weeks and yet her hair has already begun to grow out. When she tilts her head slightly to the side I see that-

"Mason!" I shout, running up behind her and scooping her up at the waist from the stool she was perched on.

Mason startles, not having noticed that I was there and quickly relaxing when she realizes it's only me. She slides her headphones down her neck, "hi." She says with a slowly spreading smile, leaning forwards slightly to press her nose to mine - a sense of touch we both agreed was okay, a type of alternative kiss.

"I can't believe you." I hold a strand of her hair between my fingers, shaking my head in disbelief - not the displeased kind, the kind where I'm too surprised to speak.

"Well what can I say?" I got curious after all your nagging."

"I knew blue hair would suit you."

She didn't dye her whole head, only the underneath layers so that most of it is concealed by her natural blonde halo. The blue is dark, like her eyes, and it reminds me of the lake at camp near the island. The deepest part of the lake where you feel alone in the world, and it looks beautiful on Mason.

"It's not permanent of course, I need it washed out in time for competition, but I have a couple weeks at least."

"I can't believe you actually did it."

Mason winks, "well I have to throw you a couple curveballs don't I?"

I roll my eyes. "Is this why you wanted me to come over?"

"Well, yes and no."

"Oh?"

"Mhm, I actually wanted to-" She stops suddenly, eyes falling to my free hand. "Are those for me?"

"Oh! Yes!" I lift the flowers wrapped in newspaper, rose, like we found the secret garden. I know Mason makes the connection too, her eyes softening from excitement.

"Aw." She takes them from me and places them in an empty vase on her desk, claiming to treat them properly later. I don't doubt she will. Mason treats her plant care-taking very seriously, as proved by her room covered in florals and lush green plants.

She takes my hand into hers to fidget with my rings. "So, I found something interesting."

"And what's that?"

"It's- uh- it's called a queer platonic relationship, a QPR. There are lots of people out there like us that have them. They're basically like a regular relationship just without the kissing and gross stuff. People who don't even like each other have them too, relationships with their friends. We can make our own rules and follow our own expectations - no pressure from anyone else and what they expect of us." Mason's voice gets quieter as she speaks, starting excited and slowly growing less confident in herself. "What- um- what do you think?"

I remove my hand from Mason to clear fallen hair from her eyes. "I think... I think it's perfect. I mean, as long as a label was what you wanted. If not we can just continue on as we were."

Mason shakes her head slowly. "No. I want one. I like this."

"This it is then!"

"This it is." Mason echoes back to me, a wide smile. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"What? Yes! Of course I am!" Her question takes me by surprise. I know she's nervous because I feel differently than she does. But I am happy. I am okay with this, I will always be okay with this.

Mason nods and wraps her arms around my waist and holds me tightly, I hold her back and we stay like that until a car pulls into the driveway and Mason lets go. She's not ready to explain to her family yet and that's okay.

"Care for a drive?" I ask, holding my hand out to her.

"Took you long enough to ask." She takes it only briefly before letting go again and leaving the room for me to follow her. Mason swings the keys around her finger as we leave the house, rushing into the car before me.

"What are you doing?" I nudge her shoulder from the passenger seat as she scrolls through her phone, and then, without warning she reverses out of the driveway, a song cuing on the car's speakers. 'i wanna be your girlfriend' blares as we drive down the street, I throw my head back and laugh as Mason looks at me smugly. "Shut up," I wheeze.

"You love me."

"Yes," I say when I've finally caught my breath. "I do."

This time, we let the song play.

Authors note: This is the last canon upload of Untitled Document! Thank you for reading, it means a lot and I hope you enjoyed the story!

Take care,

Lyn:)