Run

Chapter Seventeen

RUN

By Elissa Evenson

Chapter Seventeen: STACY

At first when Stella told Mason's mom- Jane- the truth, I panicked. But she handled it better than I expected. Maybe it was because of my burn. A moment or two after Stella told her the truth, she decided to help us.

"Mason, why don't you bring Stella to the guest bedroom? She can stay there." Jane ordered. I felt a little bummed because I wanted to be able to sleep in Mason's room. He was so cute when he was sleeping. Last night I had woken up in the middle of the night to find Mason's arm around me. His mouth was slightly open, his hair was tousled, and he was snoring softly. He was so cute.

"Ok." He said. He walked over to me where I was laying on the floor with my legs out. He helped me to my feet so he could pick me up easier. He held me bridal style, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. I rest my head against his muscular chest, and I heard his heart beat a little faster. Like mine.

He set me down on the bed in there and kissed my cheek. I wish he would kiss me more, but his mom was in just the other room.

You know what? I don't care.

I put my hand behind his neck and pulled him close again. I kissed him on the lips. At first he didn't kiss me back, but then he gave up and kissed me. I heard footsteps in the hallway approaching the guest room. I quickly stopped kissing him.

I felt my cheeks flame up as Jane walked in the room. Mason was still a little bent over me. She must've felt my awkwardness.

"So Mason, do you have a new girlfriend you should be telling me about?" She waggled her eyebrows at him. He chuckled.

"You already met Stacy though, so I don't know if there's anything else to say." He smiled at her.

"Oh I see how it is." She seemed to understand that I wanted to be left alone with him. "I'll leave you two alone." She winked at us and started closing the door. Thank god. "Just no 'purpling.' I can still hear you." And with that she left and shut the door. Mason and I both chuckled while I felt my cheeks flame.

"Your mom seems nice." I said awkwardly. Way to go Stacy. He laughed at my awkwardness.

"Yeah, she is. That's actually the first time I've talked to her in a while. I miss talking with her." He gave me a sad smile. I felt bad for him, but I knew saying sorry wasn't going to make him feel better, so I just hugged him.

"Lay down next to me." I invited and I scooted over and patted the now empty spot. He did and wrapped his arms around me. He gently kissed the top of my head. I rest my head on his chest and snuggled in close to him. I fell asleep to the sound of his beating heart.

***

I woke up to find that Mason was gone. My heart sank a little, but just then I heard footsteps. Mason came in fully dressed. When he sees me up he smiles.

"Hey, you're up. My mom said I had to go to school today. She's taking a day off work so she can care for you." He walked over to me and gave me a hug. "I'll miss you." He said as he kissed my head. I think he loves kissing my head. I kind of liked it too. It was really cute.

"Awww." I said. I didn't mind that his mom was staying home, but I was going to miss Mason. "I'll miss you." I said in a childish voice. He laughed.

"You sound like a five-year-old." He said and I gave him a pouty face. "A cute one." He added and I smiled. I gave him a hug and said good bye. As soon as he left, I felt a little empty. Maybe this was going to be a longer day than I thought.