Poison of love

Jessica

"You need to go to the hospital," I command him firmly.
Seeing Mason in that state tears at my soul.
His hands and legs are trembling, his body looks fragile and defenseless. Five against one. None of us realized what was happening, and now the awareness of my negligence crushes me.
It's my fault. I shouldn't have left him alone. But who knows for what senseless reason that fight broke out and the consequences it would bring.
We reach Will's car, supporting Mason on each side. His weight is heavy on us, and his weakness is evident. When I open the door, he lets himself go onto the back seats, exhausted. I get in with him, placing his head on my legs. I gently stroke the back of his neck, my fingers buried in his hair, as if trying to calm him.
Will starts the engine, and we set off. The journey to the hospital feels endless. When we arrive, with Will's help, we get Mason out of the car. He tries to resist, mumbling incoherent words: "It's not necessary... I'm already better..." But his legs give way under the weight of his body, and it's only thanks to Will's quick thinking that he avoids falling flat.
"Yeah, sure!" I reply sarcastically, my voice betraying my anger and concern. "You can't even stand up."
While Mason is being treated, I remain in the waiting room. My hands, resting on my thighs, are still shaking. The guilt tightens around my chest.
Suddenly, I see him. He approaches, his steps slow but determined. I jump up and, without thinking, run to him. I hug him with all the strength I have left, feeling his body stiffen from the pain of his injuries.
"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" I whisper with my cheek resting against his chest, as my hands cross behind his back.
"Don't worry," he replies with a tired smile, "There's nothing that can shake me... especially not your hugs. In fact, I like feeling the warmth of your body." He returns the hug, holding me tighter.
I pull back slightly and look him in the eyes. Mine are now red, filled with tears I can no longer hold back. That's how I give in, bursting into a slow, deep cry.
"I was scared," I sob. "I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have left you alone. I was stupid and..." The words come out jumbled, lacking a clear thread, until Mason grabs me by the arms, forcing me to look him in the eyes.
"Stop. Don't say foolish things," he says firmly, his voice a determined whisper.
"It's not your fault. This story is only about me and him. But I'm still here, and no one can get rid of me easily," he adds with a bitter smile, wiping my tears with his fingers.
"I couldn't protect you," I stammer, lowering my gaze.
"You don't have to protect me," he replies softly, lifting my chin with a finger. "I'm the one who needs to protect you."
Those words hit me, leaving me confused.
Protect me? From what? Or from whom?
I remember asking him that question before, and I know that if I repeat it, he won't give me an answer. But I can't help but ask him again.
"What do you need to protect me from?" He looks away from me to glance elsewhere.
"Mason?!" I press him to speak. But then Will appears, returning from the vending machine with a bottle of water and two bags of snacks.
"Do you want some?" he raises his arm with the bag of snacks to offer us some. We both give him an irritated look.
"This is not the time, Will!" I snap loudly. From my response, his expression becomes more serious and frightened at the same time.
"Okay, I got it. I'll get out of your way. I'll wait for you in the parking lot." He takes a snack and pops it in his mouth as he turns to leave.
I bring my gaze back to Mason. With a challenging look.
"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" he complains, annoyed.
"You need to tell me what's wrong," I grumble, arms crossed.

He grabs my wrist and drags me out of the hospital. As he holds me tightly, I can't help but complain, longing for answers that seem to elude me.
When we reach the car, I find Will waiting for us, leaning against the door and smoking a cigarette. He exhales the smoke and tosses the butt to the ground with a careless gesture.
"Can we go?" Will asks, visibly frustrated.
"We're not moving until he tells me what's going on," I retort, forcing him to confront the situation.
Mason rubs his forehead, exasperated, and his gaze turns to Will, who returns the expression. I shift my attention between the two, trying to understand their emotions. Will also seems to know something, and that irritates me deeply.
"So, which one of you is going to talk?" I ask, letting my frustration show in my narrowed eyes.
After a long silence, Mason starts to speak as Will gets in the car.
"Jess, I'm exhausted. Can we discuss this tomorrow when we're all calmer?" he pleads.
"No, I want to know now."
"You are really stubborn!" he exclaims, his voice harsh. I remain silent, crossing my arms and waiting for him to continue.
"Taylor talked about you in a way I didn't like, and I lost my temper. Okay?" he confesses brusquely.
I'm perplexed. So, it's my fault? I'm finally beginning to understand the situation. But what could he have possibly said about me? We've never talked; just as I don't know him, he doesn't know me. I grimace in disapproval.
"That's not a good reason to throw punches. You were reckless," I scold him, the anger growing inside me. Mason rolls his eyes as if to express his frustration.
"Promise me it won't happen again."
"I can't promise you that," he replies firmly. Offended, I brush past him, grazing his left shoulder as I head toward the back seat of the car. I sit down and lean my head against the window, trying to calm my thoughts. Mason hesitates before getting in, and after a few minutes, Will starts the engine, while Mason finally decides and slams the door shut.
During the drive to the college, silence weighs heavily between us.
I keep staring at the city through the window while Mason steals glances at me through the rearview mirror.
I don't return his gaze, too angry to do so.
When we arrive, before getting out, I thank Will for driving me back, completely ignoring Mason. As I walk away, almost at the entrance, Mason grabs my wrist, stopping me, and we find ourselves face to face. Our eyes meet, like two magnets ready to explode.
Mason lets go, and for a moment, silence falls between us.
"You didn't even say goodbye," he laments softly. I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words.
"Are you really angry?" I take a few seconds to collect my thoughts.
"Forget it," I respond in a hoarse tone. I turn to leave, but he steps in front of me, blocking my path.
"You're overreacting, Jess."
"I was scared for you. Do you understand? I don't need to be defended; he doesn't even know me," I reply, trying to express my point of view.
"That's exactly why I reacted..." I don't let him finish.
"But you know me! You don't have to listen to what he or anyone else says," I retort, furious.
"Jess..." he tries to regain the floor, but I interrupt him again.
"No! Now go, Will is waiting for you," I conclude finally.
I turn away, bitter, and walk off, leaving him there without even saying goodbye.
Why won't he listen to me? Why does he have to resolve everything with violence? I don't want to be involved in this dispute between them over superficial comments about me.
Entering the room, I find Leyla on the bed, asleep.
It's been a tough evening for her as well, and amidst my worries for Mason, I forgot that she had been feeling unwell. The scene of Mason injured comes back to my mind, and a lump forms in my throat, making it hard to swallow. Fear takes hold of me again, and to push it away, I undress, step into the shower, and let the hot water run over my skin, trying to regain some calm.