Shark Strike Survivor

Chapter 13

By 1:55 p.m., I am at the coffee shop, and I have had so much coffee already that I think I am sweating coffee by now. I have had two full pots of coffee by myself by the time I left the house earlier. I am still exhausted, but so freaking jittery, so I think I will order something without caffeine while here with Mason. Upon entering the building, I find Mason already sitting at a table with a drink and a plate with several food items sitting in front of him as he faces the door. Making my way over to him after ordering myself a chocolate milkshake, and receiving my drink.

"Hi Mason, thanks for meeting me," I say as I sit down across from him with a tired smile.

"Hi Larken, not a problem," he replies with a warm smile that falters slightly when he takes in my tired expression. "Did you not sleep well last night?"

Shaking my head; "Nope, I had nightmares last night, and I have been awake since four-thirty this morning."

"Why aren't you having coffee then?" he asks curiously with a small, cute pout.

"I have had way too much coffee already, so it is best not to have any more," I honestly admit before taking a drink of my milkshake.

Mason frowns as he gently asks; "Have you spoken with your therapist lately?"

"Yeah, I have, and I have another appointment with her next week," I admit with a small yawn.

"That is good, and I hope she can help you, so you can sleep through the night without those nightmares," he kindly replies.

"Thanks, me too," I mumble with my small pout back into place. "So, um, I might as well get into the topic at hand. I think right now, we should remain friends, but one day, perhaps we can become romantically involved. If that happens, I have a few rules for us to follow for some time in that new romantic relationship."

Mason seems disappointed with my answer; "I can understand where you are coming from. I will admit that I am upset with your answer, but I will respect your wish, and I will agree to your rules if we get to that point. If we become romantically involved, that is."

"Thank you," I sigh out, some of my anxiety dissipating. "I hate to do this to you, but we need to develop a friendship first in my opinion before we can even try to date."

Mason nods after digesting my words even further; "That sounds reasonable. Do you have a time frame you want to see if we want to become romantically involved, or let things progress naturally?"

"Ideally, I would like to give it a time frame, but I do not want to force this, so lets see if anything happens naturally," I sigh, chewing on my lower lip.

"I agree with your decision, naturally is better," he sighs. "I want to give it a time frame though."

Nodding after several seconds, I answer; "Okay. How about if nothing romantically happens naturally within nine months, we remain friends?"

"That works for me," Mason agrees with a growing smile, and a small nod.

We spent the next hour talking about our topics, and had a fun time, and it was so damn relaxing. This was the best time I have had with Mason, and I hope things between us progress like this, and that one day we can become romantically involved, but if we cannot, and just stay friends, then so be it.

"May I give you a ride home?" Mason sweetly offers, his voice tentative when we decide to head home.

"Sure, that sounds great, thanks Mason," I agree with a grateful smile because I really do not feel like riding the bus home, and then walking home.

"You are welcome, Larken," he grins while we exit the coffee shop together toward his vehicle.

Settling into the passenger seat of his vehicle, he drives us toward my home, and we chat the entire way there. I will admit that I am absolutely relieved at how well this conversation went with Mason. I had been fearing that Mason would become extremely upset over my decision, but he surprised me by remaining calm over this entire situation. Now, we wait and see how we play out over the next nine months.

Upon arriving home, I thank Mason for the ride, and promise to contact him tomorrow to talk over text. Once I am at the door of the house, I turn toward Mason, and wave at him, and he waves back before backing out of the driveway, and heads wherever he is going now. Entering the house, I let out another yawn as I find dad sitting at the kitchen table with Lyric and Alyssa, and the three of them each have a mug of coffee in front of them. They instantly stop speaking when they make eye contact with me, and dad clears his throat as he requests that I join them at the table which I do begrudgingly.

Sitting next to dad with an irritated sigh as dad continues speaking; "Larken, you know that we love you, right?"

"Yes dad, I know, but I have a feeling I am not going to like this conversation," I mumble as I watch Lyric's facial expression.

Dad gives me a small amused smile as he says; "You probably won't. Um, the three of us have been talking about your relationship with Mason, and Lyric feels you need to date him, while the rest of us think you should do what you want."

"Well, I appreciate the rest of you for agreeing with me that I am capable of making decisions for myself, and any type of relationship I have," I reply, glaring at my oldest brother who does not seem fazed by my irritation. "Whom I have a romantic relationship with, or do not, is none of your fucking business, Lyric. If you cannot respect my decision about Mason, then fuck off, and I will go no contact with you. Oh, by the way, I will be moving out, into my own place, and Lyric, you will not be allowed there until you can understand that you cannot, and will not make any decisions for me."

Standing, I leave the table for my bedroom, where I lock the door behind me, so I do not have to deal with my brother any more.