Dark Horse

Ballons and Football

Things went back to normal eventually.
Mason waited for me by my locker after every class and walked me out of school. We talked about books and 80s movies and how annoying the principal was. I went to Mrs. Tremblay and struggled through that ever-awkward hour session.
I don't know, something was missing.
Maybe I was going downhill again. Back way into the night when I slit my wrists and felt in control for once in my life.

Maybe it was Mason. Mason used to fill me up with helium filled up air. Way too much could be way dangerous. Unlike some relationships, I don't think I popped. I guess he just didn't fill me up anymore. Like someone was using a healthier way to fill me up and I was still somewhat deflated.

"I was thinking maybe you wanted to go with me to the football game on Friday?" Mason said as he walked me to my car.
"No, I'm sorry. I can't," I lied. "I have a lot of studying to do."
The worst part is, I don't know why I lied.

"Are you going somewhere with Mason this Friday?" My dad asks, not even looking up from the newspaper.
"No, I don't think so."
"Why not? You always hang out with Mason on Fridays."
"I don't know," I said, turning away from my dad. "He's busy, I'm busy."
"Did something happen between the two of you?"
"Dad, I'm fine. Okay? Mason and I are just...um, working stuff out, I guess."
"Okay," my dad says. "Just be careful. I don't want a fifteen year-old pregnant daughter."
"Dad!"
"Sorry, sorry. Just reading the paper..."

"I heard you and Mason weren't hanging out this Friday," Mom says, magically appearing in my doorway.
"Yeah. So? Why is this such a big deal?"
"Well, you're father was thinking of taking you to the football game on Friday. We think maybe a little daddy daughter time will be good."
"Okay, sure," I say.
Mason's probably not going to be there. I mean, who would he have to go with? So far, I haven't seen Mason with any of his friends. Maybe he just hasn't introduced me. Just shows how little we know about each other.
"Great, I'll tell your dad," my mom says. I jump, forgetting she was there.
"Okay, um, bye."
I really need to get my act together.

"The quarterback's popular, isn't he?" My dad says that Friday when the football game starts.
"Yeah, how did you know that?"
"Well he always is."
"I guess."
"What's his name?"
"Brock Lowner."
"Do all the girls like him?"
"Yes."
"What makes him popular?"
"I don't know, Dad. Why are you asking me all these questions?"
"I just want to spend time with my little girl before she goes off to college."
"Dad, I'm only a freshman," I remind him for the millionth time.
"I know, but time flies. You'll understand one day."
"Okay, Dad. Whatever you say."

We watched the game for a bit in silence. It was nice just hanging out with my dad like that. He was one of those people where you could just be sitting next to him and that was enough.
"Oh, look! There's Mason," I hear my dad say halfway through the game.
I immediately duck my head.
"Where? Where?"
"Over by the bathroom. See? Let's go say hi."
"No, Dad," I say, pulling his sleeve. "I told him I couldn't come with him to this game because I had a lot of studying?"
"Well why would you tell him that?"
"Dad, because I didn't want t-"
"Oh."
"What is it, Dad?"
"Um, sweetie..."
"What? What is it?"
I followed my dad's gaze to over by the bathroom doors. Over by where Mason was.
Who was kissing Courtney.