It's Always Been You

Chapter 3

The Fire Pit-18:00

Usually the Fire Pit isn't this crowded but it's the end of the school term so there are alot of people from all over the place. I'm still sitting in the car with Delian, trying to decide if I REALLY want to do this tonight when my passenger door gets pulled open.
"AVA!!!!!!" says Flora.
Flora is a super spiritual person and I just love her vibe... It's also not difficult to see that she's already wasted so instead of making it difficult for her to get me out of the car, I take her hand and follow her to the drink table.
"What can I get for you my angel?" Flora says.
"Well.... Can you make a cocktail?" I say, laughing and knowing very well that out of all people, Flora knows how to make anything alcohol related.
"I'll take a mojito please" I say laughing at the way she dances to her own rhythm.
She hands me a drink and we head to the chairs next to the fire. This is absolutely a wonderful place.... There's a path that you can take that leads you through the woods, to the edge of the hill where you can just enjoy the beautiful ocean view. We call it... Lover's View.

My thoughts are interrupted as Flora whistles at me, trying to get my attention. I look at her and it feels like my whole world is caving in when I see him. It's really him. He came. It's Mason.
My heart rate is high and it feels like I just ran a marathon. He walks into a crowd of people to greet them...and then... Turns to greet us....
"Hi, I'm Mason" he says not recognizing me.
It kind of hurts but I guess it's been a while.
"Flora.. Nice to meet you." she says with a flirty voice.
He looks at me waiting to introduce myself when I hear someone else call me.
Oh no... Chase... He walks over and looks at Mason.
"Hey man, I'm Chase." he says.
He then grabs me around my waist to show that I'm off limits. Classic Chase....
"Mason" he says shaking Chase's hand.
He looks at me again waiting.....
"I'm, Ava.....nice to meet you."
He stops for a brief moment and it's like all the memories come flooding back to him.
"Ava?........ Ava Miller?" he then stares deep into my eyes....
"Uhh... Yes.... You're Mason right?... Mason Brown?....." I say, trying to play dumb.
"Yeah... We were best friends throughout primary school..... I'm sure we even dated at some point." he says laughing a bit.
"Oh yeah... How can I forget.... Those were crazy times man... I miss them... And you won't believe what I found." I say, ignoring the side eye from Chase.
"I found the box you gave me with all the letters in it.... Every single one." I say laughing too.
"I never thought I'd see you again... I didn't recognize you.. You look so different.... So beautiful.." he says looking at me.
"Alrighty, that's enough talking for one day... Let's go dance!" Flora says as she grabs me and leads me to the dance floor.
Chase stays where he is and Mason follows me through the crowd. We start dancing and he gets way too close. What about Chase? I can't just leave him. I'm not like that. I exit the crowd of dancing people and go look for Chase. It's starting to get cold as the ocean breeze blows over me. I try Lover's View, then hear some noises. Now I'm no wildlife expert but I'm sure that was some kind of animal. I take off my shoes to reduce the noise... And slowly walk towards the bush....
"What the actual fuck?!?!?" I scream as I try to wrap my head around the fact that this is actually happening.
"Chase???? No this can't be...." I say with tears in my voice.
"AVA... I can explain." Chase says trying to grab my arm.
"NO.... leave me the FUCK alone." I say trying to see who the half naked girl behind the bush is.
"KATIE??????... YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME." I say as I throw one shoe in Chase's face and the other in Katie's. I then run along the path back to Flora when I bump into someone. My eyes are full of tears so I can't really see anything. That's when I hear his voice...
" Ava... Are you okay?.... What happened?"he says.
" Please.... Just take me away from here.... Anywhere but here. " I say trying to hold back the tears. I can't believe I fell for it. Twice. How could I be so stupid?.... It's crazy really.... What love can do to one's mind.... You'll give up so much... To keep that person happy..
Mason takes me to his car and I send Delian a text telling him that I'm with going somewhere with Mason.
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Delian

Heyy I'm with Delian
had to get out of
there<3

Are you okay?

Yeah I'm fine, talk l8tr<3
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It's getting late and we're still on the road. It's silent but I kinda like it. I'm not in the mood to talk now but I have to say something.... I mean... I've been waiting for this moment for so long. The rumbling of my stomach interrupts the silence and Mason smiles...
"Okay well... Know I know where to go." he says laughing. I wonder how much he can remember about me. What my favorite color is... What my favorite song is...
5 minutes later we stop at.... Donna's Diner?!?!
We used to come here when we were kids.... We made so many great memories here.
Mason gets out of the car and opens the door for me. We make our way into the diner and he grabs us a table in the corner. It has a retro theme... I absolutely love it here.

We order the burger specials and it's quiet for a few minutes.... Mason stands up and walks to the jukebox.
"I never forgot your favorite song if that's what you're wondering." he says with a smile. No way he remembers my song. He throws some change into the jukebox and there it is.... Everybody wants to rule the world by Tears for Fears. This guy.... Is definitely a keeper. He always was... Why did he have to leave me? I suppose it wasn't his fault... Mason grabs my hand... Pulls me in...and we dance the whole night away. If this is what real love feels like... Then I'll do anything I can to get Mason back.