Nothing's Fine

• 60: Kayla •

I didn't have Emery do my makeup today. After thinking long and hard about what Mason said yesterday, I realized that he was right. I didn't need to dress up and change myself for him. While I did like wearing some of the things Emery suggested, I didn't have to do it because in reality, he'd seen me in old pyjamas, and he'd seen me in a fancy dress. He liked me equally in both, which had to count for something.

Besides, with an in-school suspension today – which was essentially an all day detention, so why would I need to dress up?

Linda and John were not happy when I told them last night about the in-school suspension, but after hearing what happened, they were actually proud that I had stood up for myself. They probably knew Tiffany had been bothering me all this time, but because I never told them directly they didn't say anything.

I pulled on a pair of dark blue jeans, a cute tank top and my leather jacket, before yanking on my combat boots. I brushed my hair into a high ponytail, and then quickly headed downstairs. I made my way to the kitchen and rushed to eat a bowl of cereal before leaving the house.

***

When I got to the office, they took me to this room I never knew existed, but learned that it was specifically for in-school suspensions. There were a few desks set up and Kayla was sitting at one of them, but Holly and Tiffany were not. There wasn't a teacher in the room yet, and I was unsure what to do with myself.

"Just sit anywhere; that's what they told me," Kayla said. I nodded and walked to the desk closest to the door. Kayla turned to me fully as I set my stuff down. "Before Holly gets here, I wanted to say something..."

It made me nervous, but all I said was, "Okay."

"So, I don't know if Mason told you, but he and I were good friends in elementary school. I had the biggest crush on him and had it in my mind that we'd fall in love and everything would be amazing. We eventually started dating – I mean we kissed a couple times and hung out often. It wasn't really official, but it was good." I could see the bittersweet memories dancing in her eyes, and it made me sad for her, but uncomfortable at the same time. It surprisingly hurt to imagine Mason with someone else.

Her green eyes turned darker, and I knew the story would take a turn for the worse.

"Then things got really messed up. His sister, Sophia, died and he didn't know how to handle it," Kayla continued. "It was so unexpected. Things were really bad for him, and no matter what, I just wasn't the right person to help him through it. I could see he suffered – I saw it in his eyes, on his skin..." She swallowed hard and blinked as if she was trying to force the memory out of her mind. "And while I wanted to be there for him, he wouldn't let me and I didn't know how to. I was still a kid after all. Anyways, we decided to end whatever we were... and I mean I still care for him now, and it made me so angry to see Tiffany going after him when she knew some of the history we had. However, when I saw you with Mason it hurt in a different kind of way... he really likes you – maybe he even loves you. But it doesn't make me upset anymore, because I can tell he's finally happy. You're the one who's able to help him through everything because you've been through similar things. And I'm honestly glad he found you. Which is why again, I want to say that I'm so sorry for my actions and on behalf of Holly and Tiffany."

I stared at Kayla for a moment, unsure how to respond to that. I pieced together that they had a little bit of history, but that was way more than I anticipated.

"Um, thank you for telling me that... and for apologizing," I finally said. I was grateful that she told me and for the understanding that came with it. Part of me also felt sad that she couldn't help Mason at the time. That he was so isolated throughout that experience.I also felt lucky that I was someone Mason felt he could have in his life to be there for him because he was so amazing.

One statement, however, stuck out to me, "maybe he even loves you".

I never really thought of love. I tried not to. Most of the people I loved ended up leaving or dying and it hurt to think about it.

But when it comes to Mason... maybe I wondered if maybe I should think about it.

___________

Author's Note: Happy July!! Wow! So much to unpack in this chapter!!! We finally get the Kayla-Mason lore! What do you think? And Charlie considering opening her heart more? Shocked! Do you think she will?

Drop your comments below! I would love to read them!

As usual, a new chapter is coming to you next week! Have a great week until then! xoxo