A Suite and Magical Life

Chapter 27: Life is a bittersweet journey

January 21, 2012

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Zack Martin paced around the room impatiently, waiting for Alex Russo to turn up. Their first months of college had been unbelievably busy, and they hadn't had much time to hang out. Zack and Cody had come up with the idea of inviting all his friends to the Tipton Hotel's lavishly decorated restaurant for lunch after which they would all take a tour around Boston. All of his friends had turned up: Bailey, Maddie, London, Woody, Addison, Maxine, Justin Russo, Harper and Zeke. The only person yet to arrive was Alex, and they were awaiting her arrival with eager anticipation. Esteban, the hotel manager, carefully watched them with worry.

Finally, Zack caught sight of Alex Russo. He rose, smiling warmly, and walked towards her, about to greet her before he caught sight of her holding hands with Mason Greyback. Zack stopped dead in his tracks. She hadn't told him that she would be bringing Mason along with her. And why were they holding hands? he thought. A thought crossed his mind just then, one he had regularly dismissed: were Alex and Mason back together? Zack desperately hoped he was wrong.

In the few seconds these thoughts had been churning in his mind, Alex and Mason had walked over and were standing right in front of him. Zack's two sides were conflicted: one side of him wanted to treat Mason with cold disdain as an uninvited gatecrasher while the other wanted to welcome him warmly. Zack, being the poster boy for chaotic good, ultimately extended his hand in greeting to Mason, smiling warmly, even though his heart was heavy with sadness and regret.

"Good to see you again, Mason." Zack greeted him, half-truthfully, after Mason extended his left hand (his right hand was holding Alex's left hand) and shook Zack's hand rather halfheartedly.

Mason smiled back at Zack, his eyes distant. "Good to see you again, Zack." he responded.

Zack caught sight of the ring Bailey's grandmother had given him, telling him to gift it to his true love. He had gifted that ring to Maya, who had returned it to Zack after they had broken up before she had gone to Africa on her Peace Corps Mission, and who had told him to gift the ring to Alex Russo. Zack had gifted the ring to Alex on her 18th birthday, and she had been wearing the ring ever since. Now, however, seeing the ring on Alex's hand which clung tightly to Mason's, made Zack inexplicably frustrated. He wanted to snatch the ring back, but he restrained himself.

"Zack?" Alex spoke uncertainly, breaking Zack's train of thought. "What are you thinking about?"

Zack smiled softly. "Just including Mason in my well laid plans for today." he said. Mason grinned and said, "Thanks for including me. I know my arrival was unexpected." Zack gave him a warm, welcoming smile and said, "You're a friend, Mason. You're always welcome." Alex sighed in relief.

Zack walked back to the table where everyone was sitting, with Alex and Mason following him nervously in his wake. Everyone was shocked to see Alex and Mason holding hands like a couple while Zack stood in front of them, looking pained and disappointed. They fell silent at this sight.

Zack spoke quietly, "Everyone, this is Mason, Alex's...." he looked quizzically at Alex and asked "boyfriend?" Alex nodded slightly at him, confirming Zack's worst fear. Addison, Bailey, London, Maddie and Maxine all exchanged looks of horror. They could not believe that Alex had gotten back together with Mason, and they all sympathized with Zack. The air at the table turned tense.

"So, anyway." Zack continued, trying to break the tension. "He'll also be hanging out with us today. I hope you guys don't mind." Zack said. All those at the table smiled at Mason, and reassured Zack that they had no problem with Mason joining all of them on this outing.

Alex, Zack and Mason sat down at the table. The rest of the group introduced themselves to Mason, who they knew from Zack's stories. Mason seemed to gel well with them, despite the fact that their attitude towards him remained lukewarm. Their reactions varied: Bailey treated him with mild cordiality, Maddie acted with icy politeness, London with snobbish contempt, Addison behaved with energetic inquisition and Maxine displayed a sharp and barely masked disdain. All the boys, while acting cordially towards Mason, ensured that they didn't come off as friendly.