Angel With Broken Wings

73 - The Last Moment Home

[POV CHANGE | KAT RIDE]

I let out a deep sigh as I sit in the clearing, the sound of Mash's exercising reverberating around the space as he lifts his weights without breaking a sweat. I slowly begin to smile fondly as I watch the scene before me, recalling the time spent before being at Easton where the same situation would occur, and I lean back against the tree comfortably as the sounds of clanking echo through the woods.

I felt considerably relaxed, getting a break from the chaos of the past two weeks and I close my eyes briefly to let the sounds of nature and exercise clear my head. I open them slowly when I hear Mash stop, my right eye connecting with Mash's yellow ones as he stands over me holding out a cream puff.

I ignore the feeling of guilt bubbling in my chest as I accept the treat, the boy sitting down beside me as he says his usual line after exercising, "Nothing like a cream puff after pumping iron." I gift him a weak smile at the comment, the boy pausing mid chew as he peers at me with a hint of concern and curiosity. "Is something...wrong?"

His question trails as the words leave his lips, hesitation clear in his voice as I shift in my spot, holding the cream puff gently as if trying not to break it. My answer is short, straight to the point with my intentions as I look at the treat in my hands rather than the boy by my side, "I'm sorry."

He swallows thickly, a cough leaving his throat with the action before he mutters another inquiry, "For what...?" I ignore the stare I felt clearly on my skin, my body shifting once more as I nervously let out my response, trying to shove down the feeling of guilt from within, "For not being sure. I feel like I'm leading you...leading everyone on because I don't know what to do or who to choose."

I look over at him at that moment, taking note of his widened eyes and the tears stinging at my eyes, my voice continuing to be let out as I speak and voice my thoughts, "You kissed me, Mash, and I'm still confused even though I didn't push you away and accepted the kiss. But now I just feel so guilty, because we kissed and I still don't know what my feelings are."

He listens intently to my concerns, my eyes squeezing shut as the tears slip down my cheeks and I keep them closed as I wait for the boy to speak. "Kat...please open your eyes." His request was spoken in a kind tone, and I allowed them to open slowly, hands soon landing on my cheeks and wiping the tears away. "You don't have to apologize."

He was sincere with his words, and I open my mouth to refute his statement but he continues before I could argue, "I knew what I was doing, you're not leading me, or anyone else, on. You told us that you don't know how a relationship like this is supposed to work, or how this feeling is supposed to feel, it's not your fault we fell for you. It's no one's fault."

I feel myself relax under his touch, my argument going null as I close my mouth and chew on my bottom lip. The birds were chirping cheerfully, their sounds melodic and happy despite the emotional conversation being held below them, and I let out a shiver at Mash's next few words, "You...have no idea how much we all truly like you."

I keep my gaze on him as our eyes remain connected, and I notice the small sparkle in his eyes as his gaze softens to something unexplainable. He leans back slowly, letting his hands drop and land on the ground beside him as he continues to watch me. "I...want to be more confident..." My words are muttered as I cross my legs, my hands moving onto my lap before the lift the creampuff held within them to my lips, the treat making me reveal in its sweetness at the bite I give it.