Lost souls | Mason Mount

nineteen

"Zella, you look stressed," her grandfather looked at her with concern. She was running around the house, feeling nervous about her date with Mason today. She didn't know what to do with herself.

"Yes, grandpa, I'm stressed," she breathed out as she grabbed a jacket to see if it matched her outfit, and it definitely didn't.

"Ughhh," she whined as she threw the jacket away.

"Ok, calm down," her grandmother walked over to her and placed her hands on her shoulders to get her attention.

"I'm really nervous," Hazel admitted.

"That's good; it would be weird if you weren't," her grandmother giggled.

"I can't even play golf; I'm going to embarrass myself," Hazel sighed.

"I'm sure he's going to help you; just be yourself and enjoy the date," she said, caressing Hazel's cheek.

As she was about to say something, Mason knocked on the door. Hazel quickly ran and opened. He was standing there in a casual outfit, like she was, and he was holding a bouquet of flowers.

"For you," he smiled as he handed them over.

"Thank you, Mase, they're beautiful," she said as she looked down at the white roses. "I'll put them in a vase; I'll be right back!"

Meanwhile, Hazel did that, her grandparents walked up to the door to see Mason, the boy they had seen from far away at the cemetery and had heard so much about was finally seen.

Hazel could hear the laughter and talking, and knew she had to be quick before her grandparents would totally embarrass her.

"Ok, time to go," she ran over and carefully dragged her grandparents away. "I love you both," she quickly hugged them.

"Have fun, you two!" Her grandmother said excitedly as she watched Hazel and Mason leave.

"She looks happy," she smiled.

"Who?"

"Your granddaughter, you idiot," she said, rolling her eyes at her husband.

———

The car ride was mainly quiet, but it was a good and comfortable quiet. They had fun conversations here and there until they finally arrived. Hazel was feeling nervous as soon as she stepped out of the car; she really didn't want to embarrass herself in front of him.

"This way," Mason guided her; he had been here a couple of times before with his brother and his sister's husband; he loved this place a lot, and he was happy to bring Hazel with him.

As they walked to the venue, Hazel instantly noticed how empty it was, she scanned the whole place, looking confused.

"Why is no one else here?" She asked

"I booked the whole place," he said with a casual smile.

She gasped, and her first thought was how expensive it was. "Don't worry about it," he smiled at her, "it's mainly so no one disturbs us," he said, referring to fans or people who just take pictures all the time.

"Should we get started?" he asked.

"Sure," she smiled as she followed him. He handed her a club, and Hazel just looked at it, thinking how in the world she was supposed to use it. Mason noticed the fear in her eyes and let out a chuckle. "I'll show you, don't worry."

"Thanks," she smiled shyly, kind of embarrassed too, but he didn't tease her about it.

Hazel watched as Mason explained everything for her; he showed her how to stand and explained what she should think about before hitting the ball. He made it sound so simple, and he definitely made it look simple as soon as he swung at the tiny golf ball.

"That was...wow," she said, impressed.

"Your turn, come on," he signaled for her to start. She instantly became nervous again, knowing that he was going to watch every move she made.

Hazel wasn't very aggressive or strong, she was very shaky; she could barely get strength in each shot she took. They were all pretty unsuccessful. "I give up; this is never going to work," she sighed, feeling disappointed at how she wasn't able to do it right.

"No, you're doing great, just more strength and maybe hold the club a bit better, then it's perfect," Mason said, hoping it would give her more confidence, but she still looked unsure if she wanted to keep "embarrassing" herself or just quit.

"Want me to help you?" He asked. She looked at him and nodded, feeling nervous and shy at the same time. He walked over to her, took her hands carefully, and helped her grip the club the correct way.

She felt shyer by the minute as he was touching her hands, and with how clear she could hear his voice which found so calming, she couldn't help but look at him now that he was standing so close to her.

"May I?" He softly asked. She nodded, letting him help her with her stance too. She felt his hand on her waist, and she appreciated how he helped her in a respectful way. He was so gentle.

"Now just shoot it carefully; focus on the hole in front of you," he told her as he slowly stepped away to give her space.

Hazel took a deep breath and, focused on the hole like he had told her to do, she prayed to God to not miss, and it seemed like the prayers were heard because the golf ball did go into the hole.

Hazel put her arms up in the air, shouting a loud "yes," and quickly turned towards Mason, who was also on his feet celebrating. Without thinking, she jumped into his arms as he spun around in excitement.

"Just like that!" He said as he put her down, they both exchanged high fives, and they continued playing for a couple of more hours.

———

The two had spent a few hours playing golf and had also taken a seat to eat something. They had talked about a lot of things, and neither of them felt nervous anymore. Hazel felt calm and found herself smiling the whole time.

Mason had talked about his time in the US during preseason, where they also met snoop dogg at a club, and everything else that he had seen from that preseason.

"What about you? Do you remember your first concert?" Mason asked curious.

"My first concert was actually Beyoncé's," Hazel said proudly.

"Wow, that's crazy!" Mason looked at her, shocked.

"I know I still can't believe it," she chuckled. "I was 15 and she was on her formation tour, and my sister had bought me VIP tickets for my birthday; we were at the very front of the stage, and I was just crying the whole time," she told him the story, causing them both to laugh.

"My sister had also emailed them every day to meet her backstage, and I had no idea, so after the show, they took us backstage, and I remember just crying even more when I hugged her; Jay-Z was there too; it was so overwhelming," she smiled as she told him more.

"Yeah, I understand fully," he said. "It's so weird when you've looked up to someone for so long and then they're just suddenly standing there in front of you; it's a crazy feeling," he said, speaking from experience.

"Totally," Hazel agreed. "You must've felt that often, haven't you? I can't even imagine how many football idols you've probably met," she giggled.

"Yeah, they're many, actually," he laughed as he thought about it, "you never get used to it though, I get starstruck every time."

"I think the coolest part is that young kids are looking up to you too right now, thinking how much they want to be like you when they grow up. I'm sure you're a role model yourself for so many," she said to him, causing him to smile widely. He appreciated her kind words because he really hadn't thought too deeply about it before.

———

After a long day spent at the golf club, time was getting late, and the two had to head back. Hazel was working the next day, and Mason had to go to training early.

When he got out of the car, he went straight to the passenger door, wanting to open Hazel's door for her because he's a gentleman. She carefully got out of the car, "Thank you."

As Mason shut the door, the two were standing in front of each other, the nervousness came back, for both. Hazel hated this part of the date; she always found it awkward not knowing what to do and what not to do, such as if they should just hug, or kiss on the first date? Was it too soon? Or was it the perfect time considering they had been friends for longer than a month now?

"I hope you had fun today," he looked at her.

"I did; thank you so much," she smiled at him.

"It's nothing really," he said, rubbing his neck as he became a bit shy.

"No, really, thank you, not just for today but for everything you've done for me; I don't know how to repay you," she truthfully said.

"You don't have to repay me for anything...I'm just glad to be spending time with you," he said, smiling at her, causing her to smile back.

"I like spending time with you too."

"I guess I'll see you whenever." He hesitantly said, not really knowing what else to say. Hazel could feel the awkwardness that was slowly building; she had to say something quick to ease it down.

"I'll text you later, maybe a second date?" She asked, and deep down she was shocked at how easily she had just asked him that; she almost felt sick about it because she didn't know what to expect from his answer.

"I'd love a second date," he smiled widely, happy that she was willing to go out with him again. She felt at ease now that he answered. "Good, you leave that for me to take care of," she said, determined.

"Drive home safe," she quickly placed a kiss on his cheek before looking at him again, a kiss on the lips was a bit too soon for her.

"I will," he whispered, a smile plastered on his face the whole time. She smiled before slowly making her way inside the house. Waving at him once more before closing the door.