Missed

Chapter 2: Mason

I stopped.  I'm trying to fight Mary as she tries to pull me inside. Somehow my mind is full and empty at the same time, I can't think straight. My heart. I can hear my heart beat, is this possible? I feel like I'm going to be sick. It's like I'm meeting Mason for the first time even though we've shared a couple of classes and had those random eye contacts in the school hallway. 

"Fal, let's go inside." Kay says as she gently pushes me inside the restaurant. 

"Hey babe!" Mary calls on Josh. Josh, he's one of the popular boys in high school. He's in the football team, you know how it goes. I actually can not understand how I am "kind of" in the same circle as them. "Doesn't she look good?" Mary asked Josh. "Oh yeah, I almost didn't recognize you there for a second." "Uhm, thanks. I guess?"

"Well, let's come on in. The guys are here." Josh said as he pull Mary away. I can't help but feel so nervous for some reason. Kay is gently pushing me, no,  guiding me into the restaurant to our table. "You're okay, Fal." she said as she smile. She knows I get stressed out around big crowds and I'm so thankful she's here to assure me that I'll be fine.  I'm really going to miss her.

I didn't even realize we're already at our table.  I looked around the room as I sat and realized that there's so many people here from our school that I didn't even share classes with. And, then there he is. It's Mason. Is he going towards me? He definitely is...what's happening? why is he sitting next to me?

"Hey." Mason said he sat down beside me. He ran his fingers through his long hair. His elbows on the table now, his hand clasped together and his chin over is knuckles. I can't help but notice his arms, the veins in his arms. He probably works out or lift weights.  "I hope it's okay with you if I sit here."  I gulped and cleared my throat. "Yeah." Yeah?  I could've done better than that. How did I find myself seated next to Mason, away from Mary and Kay? I will never know. 

They served us our dinner, a lot of appetizers, prime ribs. You can tell everyone is having a good time, socializing, talking about their respective college plans and here I am halfway through my dinner and I haven't uttered a word to Mason. I can ask him where he is going for college, yes, that's a good ice breaker..

"So, how are you guys doing?" It's Kay. "Good, thank you." Mason answered. "Yeah" I agreed. Seriously, yeah, again? "You guys shared some classes before, right?" "Yeah" I answered. "and I heard you're going to MSU too Mason, is that right?" Kay asked. "You got that right. Hospitality Business" Mason answered. What?! What am I hearing. This can't possibly be true. 

"Oh how great, it's the same as Fallie!"  Kay shrieked. "Well, I'm gonna have to leave you two, I have to catchup with someone real quick." and just like that she left me in this surreal position. What should I say...

"It's pretty cool that we're going to the same college.  I was actually curious what you were gonna do." He said to me. "Pretty cool. But to be honest I don't know why I chose that. It just sounds appealing I guess." "I get that." he answered. "It'll be nice if we have the same classes too." "Yeah, that'll be nice" I feel like my voice is shaking as I said that. "Very." Mason said and I could swear I saw him smirk. 

I can't believe I survived  this night. I mean, I still don't know how I ended up on the opposite end of the table away from Mary & Kay. People are now saying goodbye to each, hugging Kay as she is going to be away to Texas and this was her going away party after all. 

"I survived, barely." I grunt to Mary & Kay. "What do you mean! I saw you and Mason were talking." Mary teases. "Yes, just talking." I said. "I don't believe that for a second." Kay chimed in. "Oh look, it's Mason." Kay said and looks at Mason's direction. He's outside by the entrance, clearly waiting for something or someone. 

We walked out the restaurant and got closer to Mason. "Do you need a ride?" Kay asked him. "No, thank you. But I was wondering if I can get your number Fallon." "Yeah, sure" he handed me his phone and called the number I saved after I handed his phone back. I'm screaming inside. 

A car stopped by us, it's a girl. "Hey babe, did I make you wait long?" Mason looked shocked, maybe even annoyed. "I'll see you around." he said before hopping into the car. "Yeah." I said under my breath. Babe? 

"Well, that went well. Should we go?" I just want to get home, get comfy and forget this night. "Did  you know he had a girlfriend?" Kay asked Mary. "I've no idea. I'm sorry Fallie. Josh did not mention anything about him seeing anyone." 

"What? why are you sorry? I'm fine" Mary & Kay gave me looks like they don't believe me. "I'm going to be fine. I barely spent time with the guy and we were just talking." "We know you have a crush on him."  "Yep." Mary agreed with Kay. 

"Since when?" I'm shocked. Only a little though since I know I can't hide anything from them. "Since forever." they said in unison. 

"Who knows, they might be break up." Mary said. "That's not very nice Mary. Fallie can meet cuter guys than Mason. He's not that... okay, so he is hot. There can be other guys hotter than him." I love these two friend of mine to death but sometimes I think they don't know me. 

"Yeah because Mason will break up with his girlfriend to be with me and even hotter guys will go for me." I joked but Mary & Kay are giving me serious looks. "What?" I asked. "Don't sell yourself short, Fallie. You are beautiful, smart, and fun." Kay said with a very serious tone and look. "I was kidding. But really, thank you." 

"Anyway, we should all head home too. It's late." Kay said. "Let's. Josh and I are going down state tomorrow for a getaway before our freshman orientation...ooops. Fallie, I'm sorry. I totally forgot to tell you." Mary looked so worried. "It's fine. It's not like we have the same orientation anyway. Besides, I need to be more independent. I've depended so much on both of you." I really mean it. I need to get used to not having Mary & Kay with me. 

"It's way past my bedtime. Let's get going." I said. Kay is leaving tomorrow to go to the UP to visit her grandparents before flying to Texas, so we said our goodbyes and promised to keep in touch before heading home.

I made it  home. On my bed, all cozy and ready to forget my awkward, weird moment with Mason. Okay, so I have... had a crush on him. Having a girlfriend does not mean I shouldn't be friends with him. It'll be nice to know someone in college. Especially during the freshman orientation. Maybe I will text him, it doesn't have to mean anything. I don't want it to mean anything. 

I started typing a text on my phone. "I'm assuming you'll have the same freshman orientation as me, being that we're on the same..." A text came in. It reads "So, freshman orientation is next week. I can pick you up if want to go together?" 

"Yeah." I texted him back.  "Cool. I'll see you soon then." he replied. 

Wait. Did I just agree for him to pick me up? What am I thinking?! It's a 4 hour drive to the university. Oh boy, it's 4 hours each way!