Forever Yours

Chapter 24: Mason

     After muting any calls and texts from Izzy, I headed back to my room to change into some shorts. I really just needed some time away from her, so I could think clearly. I knew that if I was around her any longer, I would have forgiven her just to feel her in my arms again. However, I couldn't do that to myself. Izzy was beyond great, but if she was going to make it a habit of lying to me, then that would be a relationship that I just couldn't handle. You can't have a healthy relationship with someone who's wearing a mask.

     I know that she didn't lie to me hoping to make me mad. I was well aware that she did it for the opposite reason to be exact. She didn't want me to get mad. She wanted me to have a fun night out with my friends. But a lie was still a lie. A white lie is still a lie. A half truth is still a lie. A hidden truth is still a lie. A lie by omission is still a lie. A lie is always going to be a lie no matter in what form or fashion it comes in. And Elizabel Manning lied to me.

     I turned up the volume on my phone. The music drowned out my thoughts, as my feet hit the pavement. I passed some students on the walkway, before I turned and decided to just hit the grass instead. It was getting pretty dark outside, but the streetlights along the sidewalk provided a good enough light for me not to run into a ditch.

     By the time I finished my run, I felt completely drained and exhausted, which was what I had been going for. I headed back to my room, focusing on nothing more than catching my breath. As I glanced around, I was pleased to see the things other people might not notice, but to me, it was reassurance that our security system was still intact. I hadn't even thought to check in with the guys on how things went while I was gone. Every since the break in, some might say that I was making things a little overwhelming for my guys, but I had to insure the safety of the academy at whatever cost. Their lives were on my hands, and I wasn't about to let them down.

     After eating a quick snack, I showered before grabbing my phone and heading to bed. I sat there, debating on whether or not I should text Izzy. I wanted to talk to her, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to say. After a good five minutes of staring at my phone, I deleted all the messages and voicemails she had left me, without reading or listening to them, and I sent her a quick text.

My Baby❤️: We'll talk tomorrow.

     I sat my phone on the nightstand and rolled over, hoping to fall asleep. Within minutes, I was drifting off to sleep.

     Smoke. All I could see was smoke. "Hello!" I screamed out, trying to get someone's, anyone's attention. Weight was crushing down on me, and I knew I wasn't going to last long. I tried calling out for someone, but once again, there was no response. I had went back into the house for Greasy, and by now I was just praying that he had gotten out safe.

     As I lay there, I tried to focus on something other than the nearly unbearable pain that I was feeling. My mom, I thought with a painful smile. If I didn't pull through this, I knew she'd bring me back to life only to kill me again. Every since my dad died in a house fire when I was twelve, she had been my rock through it all. I knew I had to live through this for her. She couldn't handle losing someone else in a fire.

     Miranda, I thought with a grimace as the weight seemed to press down on me even more. My baby sister who had me wrapped around her finger since the day she was born. Between Dad and I, she was spoiled rotten and got nearly everything she could ever want, which was why I had to get out of here. As her big brother, I felt it was my duty to protect her from any and everything. Even if that was the common feeling of pain. I couldn't bear for her to suffer. I wanted to do everything in my power to keep her from ever feeling what she felt when Dad died. If I could take all her pain away, I would, but sadly I can't. However, I can keep from adding to it.

     With a grunt, I tried moving. I felt so weak. It was as if my body was completely made of jelly. Nothing would move where I wanted it to. For once in my life, my body was completely useless to me, and there wasn't a single thing I could do to help it. Struggling for one last call of plea, I yelled out for help. I tried turning my head at the sound of movement to my right, but I couldn't. "Captain?" I heard someone call out just as the darkness overtook me.

     With a jerk, I opened my eyes to the comfort of my room, gasping for breath. It had been a while since that particular nightmare had made a reappearance in my sleep. After checking the time, I decided that it was late enough in the morning to go ahead and get up, instead of trying to go back to sleep. I changed my clothes and did what I always did when I couldn't sleep. I went to workout. I need knew Izzy would be down there in a couple of hours, so I needed the time alone to think.

     I wasn't anywhere close to the anger I had felt earlier. I just missed Izzy plain and simple. I didn't believe that she would lie to me again. Izzy is a lot of things, but she's most certainly not a liar. Now that I had calmed down, I just needed to talk to her. By the time she walked into the gym, I was more than anxious for her arrival. However, once I saw her, I couldn't help but pull her into my arms. "Mason," she cried, wrapping her hands up in my shirt.

     "Shhhh, baby. Please don't cry." I pulled her right against my chest and kissed the top of her head.

     "I'm so sorry, Mason," she cried. "I didn't lie to you because I wanted to hide something from you. I just wanted you to have a nice night out with your guys, but naturally, I fucked that up."

     She thought she fucked it up? If only she knew that I would have rather been with her in the first place. "You didn't fuck it up, babe. I had a great time with the guys, but you and I both know that you wouldn't be you unless you got into some type of trouble. To be honest with you, I was actually expecting it. I just got pissed that you lied to me about being with Riley and Lucas. I can stand Chase and Tyler, kinda. But seriously, don't lie to me about who you're with. I want to be able to trust you, but I can't if you keep lying to me."

     "I know, and I'm sorry. I really am." She had this cute, little sad look on her face, and I couldn't stop myself from leaning down and kissing her.  She just looked so adorable.

     Immediately, she fastened her arms around my neck and pulled her self against me. Groaning, I pulled away. This was not the time, and it definitely wasn't the place for this. No matter how much I wanted it. "Not here, baby," I whispered before kissing her forehead and pulling completely away.

     I yearned for her touch, but I knew that if I tried something that I would not only be risking my job but also all the respect I've gained over the years. Most people wouldn't think twice about looking down on a man who dates his student. If I had been asked a month ago, I would have looked down on it too. However, everything is completely different when you're experiencing it first-hand. Most of the time, you judge someone without knowing their complete side of the story. You just automatically stereotype them without walking in their shoes first. But when it's you experiencing the situation, you have a completely different outlook.

     After we went for our morning run, Izzy headed to class and I headed to the cafeteria to have breakfast with Eden. "What the hell happened last night?" She asked before my ass even hit the seat on front of her.

     I narrowed my eyes. "Are you talking about, Izzy?" She nodded. "How did you hear about that?"

     She waved her hand as if dismissing the thought. "Teachers are as bad as ladies in a beauty salon. Now tell me."

     I rolled my eyes at her over excited facial expression at her need for gossip. "She was just out spying on her friend's date and got caught. It really wasn't that big of a deal."

     "Oh." Her face dropped. "That was slightly lame."

     I picked up my biscuit. "Sorry to disappoint."

     I glanced at my watch. Less than two hours until Izzy's fate at this school is determined.

______________________________________________________________It's shitty, short, and late. Not to mention its not even edited. I'm sorry guys. Xoxo <3