Absolution

8- Old friends

Mason POV

i pulled ivy to the side, running my hands through my hair harshly.

"is she okay?" ivy asked with concern. i didn't know the answer.

"somethings happened. i don't know what but we just need to get her out of here" i spoke quickly.

"mase, what do you mean something happened?" she sounded annoyed now, like i wasn't letting her in on some secret

"fuck, ivy. i don't know. she came downstairs crying, she's got a fucking massive bruise on her face. she's a mess." i tried to calm myself down, but it was hard.

"do you think someone hurt her?" she asked quietly.

"seems like it. but we won't know now, we just need to get her home" i knew i had to ask callie what happened, but not tonight. she was in no state.

"well where does she live?" ivy sounded panicked now.

fuck. i didn't even know where she lived

"it's okay. we can take her to my house" she said quickly, turning back towards landon and callie.

ivy read my expression, and came up with a quick solution. she was good like that, always ready to help someone, no matter who they are, or how well she knew them.

i saw brady walk over, which pissed me off

"what happened?" he asked sheepishly. i'd never heard him like this

"we don't know" ivy said sympathetically

"did someone do something to her?" he asked, sounding more angry as he whipped his head towards callie, analysing her

"brady just go, you're probably the last person she wants to see right now" i snapped at him. it was harsh, but true.

he just gave a slight nod, before turning and walking away.

we all hopped into landons car, callie in the front and me and ivy in the back.

i was trying to go over all the possibilities of what could've happened. did she get into a fight? did someone attack her?

"stop the car"

landon pulled over quickly, letting callie puke her guts out. how much did she have to drink?

i looked over at ivy, who was wearing the same concerned expression as the rest of us.

then i looked towards the front seat again. callie was passed out, which was probably for the best

"she's out" i announced, looking over to ivy

i'm glad she was here. callie needed a friend. and ivy was a good person

i remember in fifth grade, some boys were bullying this small shy kid. ivy was the only one brave enough to stand up for him.

this short girl who could hardly speak english. she started shouting at them all, even punched one of them, which actually worked.

that boy was me.

we were close until high school, and then i kind of ghosted her. different friend groups, and i just didn't have the time. stupid excuse, but i never had the courage to speak to her again.

"turn right here" she instructed, as landon pulled down a culdesac.

we pulled up outside her house, and i carried callie to ivys room, placing her on the bed.

i felt bad leaving her here. i know that she's safe, and she'd probably rather be with ivy then any of us, but i still felt bad

"i'll look after her" ivy said, as if reading my mind

i nodded, looking back at callie one more time

"can you text me tomorrow, let me know how she's doing" i asked coyly.

"of course" she smiled.

see? even though she had every right to be bitchy to me after i ghosted her, she was never like that. she was just so kind and forgiving.

"do you. um" why was i stuttering. "do you still have my number"

she gave me a knowing look. of course she did. i deleted hers, but she wouldn't of deleted mine. i knew that

"okay then. see you later" i let myself out, i knew her house well as i spent most my time here 8th grade. this house felt like a second home, and i didnt realise how much i missed it until i saw her bedroom.

of course the decor was different, she'd grown up a lot, painted over the baby pink walls and changed all her furniture. but it was still a sense of familiarity that made me feel warm.

"isn't she your ex?" landon spoke as i stepped back into the car, trying to make some sort of light of the fucked up situation

"no" i said seriously. "we were just friends."

me and landon decided to go back to brady's house. i checked my phone. 3:47am

i was definitely going to speak to callie as soon as i could. something happened, i know it. and i need to find out what.