Different

Chapter 10 New Discoveries

Chapter 10

New Discoveries



Days roll by and I try to squeeze a few more summertime memories out before school starts. The past few days I have just been hanging out with Nate, my little sister Ann, and my little brother Braden. Ann is turning sixteen soon whereas Braden is thirteen. Nicole has already started college and lives closer to campus. My uncle travels a lot for work, but my aunt is a stay at home mom. Throughout the family bonding session Melonie, Cassie, Amber, and I have gotten closer. The morning after going to the races and diner the girls and I made a group message. It was low key and chill. We didn't need to text each other 24/7, but we kept each other amused. Don't ask how but we ended up singing full out songs through Emojis. Our conversations frequently turned back to music and our obsessions. It's these memories that bring us closer together as friends. The girls invited me back to the races and diner Friday night and I plan to attend. Seeing as it's only Tuesday and I'm not quite sure what plans I have, I just gave them a strong maybe. My goal for this hot Tuesday is to finally get all the boxes out of my room. For the last few days instead of actually unpacking I opened the box contains the majority of my clothes in the closet. Anytime I needed clothes I would shift through the box.

Around nine the house became a ghost town, me being the only resident. Everyone scattered with their errands to run. I took this time to start unpacking. I wanted to listen to music to pass the time, but my iHome was packed away and my phone didn't play loud enough alone. Informing the girls of my dilemma Cassie enlightened me that if you put your phone in a cup the sound projects. Giving it a try I walked into the kitchen and grabbed the biggest cup in cupboard. What can I say? I like my music real loud, real loud. Yes I listen to Mac Miller too. I also have this really weird mannerism where I put song quotes where they match the conversation. Anyway, I unpacked with my music on shuffle. Nicole had packed my room up since I was pretty much unresponsive when it was time to start moving. Unpacking it now all these memories came back. The random hair tie my best friend lent me in middle school, Nicole's lace tank top, a necklace of my mom's; little things that I don't see on a daily basis, but hold attachments to. I went completely OCD while unpacking organizing everything. My closet was color coordinated and other objects around the room where meticulously placed. I finally came to the last box. I had been delaying this box in particular because of the materials inside. I knew when I opened this box it would be like opening Pandora's Box. I grabbed the box opener off the desk and trudged toward the box. Before I got the chance to cut through the tape I heard the phone ringing in the kitchen. Happily accepting the distraction I push the box into the back of my closet and dart to get the phone. "Hello?" I answered using my super polite voice filled with my southern charm. "Jodi?" I heard a women's voice fill the phone. Her voice wasn't filled with youth, but she didn't sound like an old lady either. She sounds like she's in her forty's or fifty's. "No ma'am, this is her niece; Allison," I replied still using the same tone. It's not something I did consciously, just out of habit and respect I spoke in this way to strangers. "Oh, Allison! Your aunt has told me great things!" I let out a small chuckle my modest side not sure how to react. "Anyway darling, I'm your neighbor, Macey, and unfortunately I am out of town for business and my plane got delayed. I was wondering if you could ask your aunt to feed Honey, my Golden Retriever."

"Well I'm the only one home, but don't mind Miss Macey." I said sweetly.

"Oh thank you Sugar! I look forward to meeting you very soon Allison."

"Likewise, but before you go which house is yours?"

"The brick one directly to the right of yours. There's a key under the mat. Thank you again Allison, my son would not answer his phone for me," she said soundly annoyed at the end.

"No problem ma'am if there's anything else you need, you just let me know."

After we hang up I slip into my slides. I'm only wearing a black tank top and some white Nike shorts, but it's not like anyone is going to see me so I leave it. Just as Miss Macey told me, there was a key under the mat. I twist the only key on the key ring into to the door and walk in. Closing the door behind me lightly I took in the awe of the house. All the houses in this community were extravagant and this one is no different. Two stair cases, one on each side, surround the expensive looking entrance. Assuming the dog, Honey, would not be kept up there I followed the wood flooring into the kitchen. The back wall of the country styled kitchen was all glass and you could see the crystal clear blue pool in the backyard as well as Honey lying in the grass. There's another staircase off to the side of the kitchen as well. I now realize I don't know where Miss Macey keeps her dog food. I begin searching through few cabinets looking for the food. For all I know she could keep it in her four car garage, or the backyard, or upstairs. But seeing as I'm already in the kitchen I choose to start here. I hear footsteps coming down the stairs and freeze. Ducking behind the island they have in the middle of their kitchen. I hear a winy voice saying, "come on baby are you sure you have to go? We could always go back up teehehehe." I gag. Then I hear a manly voice say bluntly, "yes I'm sure." Wait. I know that voice. I should have put it together earlier. Miss Macey is my neighbor and she said her son wouldn't answer her call. I stand up from behind the island to see Mason literally pushing the blonde off of him. She's wearing a very low cut, very short, and very tight black dress while holding her platforms. Jeez doesn't this chick watch Jenna Marble's videos? Make a commitment to your shoes girls. Mason sees me and the shock on his face is obvious. The fact he practically freezes and almost let's blondie tumble down the stairs doesn't exactly hide it either. She seems to follow his gaze, after recovering from her stumble of course. "Who the hell are you?" She asks snobbishly. "His baby mama," I shrug and turn to random cabinet to act like I know where anything is in this house. Luck was on my side and I was greeted with fancy glass cups. I take a cup, acting like I own the place, and take it to the refrigerator. Inside the fridge I find a pitcher if sweet tea and pour it into my cup. The looks on their faces were priceless. "By the way, I'm going to need this month's child support," I add on for effect. "You have a child?!?" Blondie screeches. "Don't worry I'm sure he learned how to wrap it up after me," I add with a completely straight face. "She's just kidding Kennedy," Mason told her. "It's Kelsey," blondie adds. "Do I look like I'm kidding?" I reply to Mason.

"We'll you do look kinda chunky pregnant people get fat so I guess she's serious..." Blondie say what? I continue to hide my emotions,"yea, that's what happens when a human being comes out of your lady parts."

"Well, Uhm, good luck with your kid and all. Don't worry about calling me Mason. I'll see myself out." When I finally heard the front door click close I finally broke out. I laughed so hard I laid against the cabinets on his floor laughing. Mason didn't look as amused, but that only added to laughter. Finally after probably at least five straight minutes of laughing on the cold floor I'm able to stand and wipe my tears away. "I'm pretty sure I have a six pack now; that was great!" I said putting my forearms on the island while I leaned against it. Mason didn't seem too amused as he glared at me. "Come on you know you wanted her to leave you practically pushed her down the stairs!" I exclaimed. Mason crossed his arms while looking disapprovingly at me. "Come on it could have been worse! I could have told her I was here to tell you I have AIDS or something." Masons facade finally broke and a small smile erupted across his face. "But I'm still pretty proud of how that all went down," I retorted triumphantly. That was the truth. I try not to focus on the thought that this was their 'morning after'. That's just weird to me. And then I remember seeing all the parked cars or slutty looking girls that have come and gone from this house over the past week. It makes my insides turn and my heart ache a little bit. I mentally blame these side effects on the Chinese food I had last night and push away all those thoughts. As I'm thinking about not thinking about this issue Mason seems to come to a realization. "Wait why are you even in my house?" "Apparently you were a little too busy to feed your own dog." I state once again shifting through cabinets. Mason just looks confused. "Your mom called and asked me to feed your dog," I explain. "Oh. Right. That's it," his tone shows his teasing. "You caught me. I'm a kleptomaniac and enjoy searching through people's houses like this," my common sarcastic tone laced in the words. "You know how they say you stop a kleptomaniac from stealing?" "Hmm?" I him still searching for the stupid dog food. Mason grabs my busy wrist and locks them in one hand. My eyes snap to his startled. "Keep their hands busy." Our proximity makes me gulp. Memories of all the exchanges we'd had like this flash like a movie in my brain. Then the movie screen is slashed through the middle. Blondie comes through the torn screen as her words echo throughout my head.

"I bet that's the line that got you in blondies dress last night," I state trying to release my wrists from his grip. I try to ease the poison I sent with my last sentence by saying, "not a bad line, although I kind of expected a little better from you bud." He took his time releasing my wrists. It seemed like every few seconds his hands grip lessened. Finally when his hand left mine, the chilling world came back into contact with my skin. I no longer had a protection from it. Mason never replied to my last comment. "So, where do y'all keep the dog food in this fine establishment," I say trying to lighten the mood. Mason rubs the back of his neck as he walks into another room and opens a closet door. I follow behind as Mason scoops the food and walks around and through another door. Somehow we end up outside and he places the food into the bowl. The sound of the kibble against the plastic must have attracted Honey, because she came running up before all the food was even in the bowl. I pet the large dog as it gulps down its food. "She's a cutie," I saw hoping Honey is indeed a female. Mason facial expression remains neutral. My phone starts to ring. Masons eyebrows rise at my selective ringtone. I let out an exhale of a laugh and say, "I swear people only actually call me when you're here." "Well it's a gift," Mason's teasing side finally making a comeback. Throughout the small exchange the ringtone starts over, but louder this time. "SCOOBY DOOBY DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? WE GOT SOME WORK TO DO NOW" "We really like Scooby-Doo okay? Get on our level." I say looking at Mason as I answer my phone. "Hey Mel, what's the sitch?" I say into my phone.

"I'm going to pretend you did not just try to be Kim Possible. Anyway, if you're cool with driving all the way out to my mom's house the girls and I are having a girl's night because I have to house sit while my mom and sisters are out of town and you should come!"

"Yea I'm totally down!" I reply.

"Yay! Hey will you do me a favor?" She asks.

"Anything for you babe...I just winked but I realized you can't see me." I hear her laugh into the phone. I look over at Mason as he not so subtly looks away and stares at a plant.

"Will you ask Mason to come along? Y'all are neighbors right?"

"Yea we are, but I thought it was girl's night?"

"Cassie's bringing Cole, Mack already lives here, you know the whole sibling thing, and Amber's bringing Josh. So just bring Mason! Love ya!" And she hangs up.

"So Mason?" He looks up to me acting like he barely noticed I was here. If I hadn't caught him staring I would have believed him.

"Got any plans?"





An hour later I pulled into Melonie's moms drive way with Mason not too far behind. Mel's mom lived almost two hours into the country, but given me and Masons driving habits it didn't take quite so long. As we drove down the long dirt driveway Mel and Cassie came out front to wave us in. "Aye girl, how you doin'?" Mel says as I approach her. Her attempt to mimic Joey Tribbiani from Friends earned weird looks from Mason and Cassie, but a chuckle for me. As we enter the country-styled house I see Cole, Mack, John, Cameron, and Amber stretched across the couches. "We'll aren't y'all just the life of the party, real rebels we got here!" I exclaim. "Sorry we aren't up to your badass standards Al," Amber states teasingly. I drop myself onto the empty love seat. Mel sits by me on the arm of the chair. All the couples being touchy and cute. It makes me sick. We stayed like that until whatever movie they started watching ended. I spent most of that time eating and not really watching the movie. I walk into the open kitchen as everyone else discusses. "Hey Mel, does your neighbor still have that lake in his yard?" Cassie asked. "It's not a lake it's more like a pond, but yea it rained down here last night so it shouldn't be too dried out why?" Melonie replied.

"Because Al's never been duh!! It could be like her initiation into the group!" Cassie exclaimed. "Guys I don't-" "Please Mel you know they won't mind anyway!" Amber interrupted Melonie. "We could always call that kid that's always there while his parents work and ask him if it makes you feel less intrusive too!" Cassie adds. "...Fine, but I'm not talking to the creep!" Melonie says chunking the house phone toward the group on the couch. "Nose Goes!" Cassie yells and everyone puts a finger on their nose. It's then I choose to walk in. "Hey Mel I made you a corndo- oh no, no, no, whatever it is y'all played Nose Goes for I'm not doing it!" I tell them as fiercely as I can. "Sorry Al, that's the rules," Melonie sells me out. "And to think I was going to give you a corn dog," I shake my head at her. "Fine. What do I have to do?" I huff. "Just call Mel's neighbor and ask if you can swim in his pond." Amber said tossing me the phone. Oh that's easy enough. After having Melonie type in the number I hear the phone ring. "Hello?" A seemingly young male voice answers. "Hey! This is Allison, I'm a friend of Melonie's and we were just wondering if you would be so kind as to lettin' us use your pond?" I ask using my southern charmed voice. "Allison, I don't believe we've met, but of course you girls need my help getting all wet. But I'm afraid to tell you that I'm no longer on the market. This slip and slide is closed for the summer." He replies and I'm not sure if I should laugh or gag first. "How old is he" I mouth to the girls. They hold up their fingers showing he's 14. This poor child. "Oh what a shame," I laugh trying to break through my words, but I hold it in. "But we only want to go swimming in your pond today," I continue. A new voice comes over the phone that's feminine an even younger, "I'm sorry my bubba is dweeb. Y'all can go swimming no problem." After hanging up all the girls grabbed they're overnight bags and followed Melonie into her room. Leaving the boys in the living room. "Hey Mel can I borrow a swimsuit?" I ask once she closes the door. "Of course! They might be two separate pieces though." "That's fine girl!" I say. Cassie put on her white bikini top and her bottoms were black with white crosses scattered across them. Amber too had already changed into hers. Her top was light blue and white chevron with magenta accents and her bottoms were magenta with the same shade of blue accented. Melonie after digging through a few drawers threw the fabric at me. "Al, these are so more you than they would ever be me, just go ahead and keep it!" Melonie asked as I gathered the scattered bikini. "Are you sure Mel?" I ask. "Totally. What's the point in having a best friend that's the same size if you can't share clothes?!" She says as she walks into the bathroom that's connected to her room. When she comes out I see her in an American flag bikini. I take her place in the bathroom and look at the bikini Melonie gave me. The top was black with thick, almost leather looking fringe. Along the inner bust line were studs evenly placed apart. The bottoms were a little smaller than I was used to, but fit fine. They were plain teal, but scrunched on the waist. Melonie was definitely right when she said it wasn't really her. The suit was definitely edgy. As I walked out of the bathroom the girls compliments eased the majority of the self-conscience I had. When we came into the living room the boys were nowhere to be found. "Grab some slides and hopefully Mack already pulled out the four wheelers so we don't have to walk," Melonie told me. We all walked outside with our shoes on and hopped onto the four wheelers. Melonie let Cassie and Amber ride on one and me ride with her. We rode about 500 hundred yards to a hole in her barb wired fence and drove through into her neighbor's property. After a short ride we pulled up to the large pond to see the guys already In the water. Cassie and Amber sped past us, jumping off the four wheeler and into their boyfriend's arms. "Didn't they just see each other like 10 minutes ago?" I ask laughing at they're enthusiasm. Melonie slows up to the pond killing the engine. "Just imagine fifth wheeling with them everywhere!" She playfully replies. "Well now you have me!" I squeeze her and put my head on her back, because we're on the four wheeler still. "Psh I doubt you'll be with me for too long girl!" She replies as we jump off and take the last few steps toward the pond. She tilts her head toward the pond when she sees my confusion. I look over and see all the guys floating around. Mason is positioned so that Mel and I are almost directly in front of him. He doesn't laugh when the other guys do and seems inattentive. It looks like he's watching us, and I feel self-conscience again. He's probably just looking at Mack, I think. Mack's floating in between where I am standing and Mason is floating so I'm sure that's it. I jump into the water hoping to wash away my insecurities. I feel better knowing he, or anyone really, can't see every blemish because the bikini. "Well it took y'all long enough!" Mack exclaimed. "Mack, do you have a wedgey because something seems to be up your ass?" I question while smirking. "At least I don't have mine hanging out on show for everyone like you do," he replied seemingly light heartily. "So you're checking out my ass now are you? I'm sorry bud but you're just not my type," I hit him on the shoulder. He took this opportunity to push my head down, submerging me into the water fully. I came up laughing and the group continued the teasing. For a few hours we all just hung out in the large body of water. That's what I like about this group. They're all okay with just lying around and teasing. At one point Mason and I inevitably ended up teasing each other. "Jeez I swear you're only clingy around me!" He laughs. I overplay my shocked expression, "uh, me?! How am I clingy?" Then at the end decided to be more confident and said, "you know you enjoy the attention so no need to hate." "Well for one you just walk into my house and say you have a child with me, that's pretty clingy Kitten." The people listening to our exchanged looked confused but I just laughed. "And no I do not do clingy. Nope. Can't do it." He says. "Aww come on," I say opening my arms and swimming toward him. But did he seriously have to bring up the fact he sleeps around. That was weird enough without him reminding me. I push away those emotions as I do with most of my emotions. "No. Kitten. Down. Bad Kitt-", but it's too late because I'm already squeezing him as tightly as I can in a hug. I smile up to him smugly as he maneuvers his arms out of my grip. He tries to unclamp my hands from around him so I wrap my legs around his abs. Since I had hugged him from the side, our current posture reminded me of a sloth and a tree. Me being the sloth and Mason being the tree. "I'll never let you go," I say putting on my best Rose from the Titanic. Mason even resorts to submerging under water to get me to let go, but I stay strong. He comes back up realizing I still won't let go. The girls are cracking up at our exchange. Mason shrugs and begins to act as if I'm not there. I pull on his hair, he doesn't react. I poke all across his torso; nothing. He just stands and walks around the shallow area of the pond with me hanging off of him. I could heat things up a little bit, but I remember his little...adventure.. this morning and decide against it. "Mason come on what are you doing?" I ask starting to get bored. "Well I have a wet Kitten hanging off if me who is pulling at my hair and touching all over my torso," he replies. I blink. My mind running on what he possibly means. If it's some kind of sexual innuendo I'm not getting it. "I guess I just need to get used to have you on me all wet, so that's what I'm doing. Getting used to it." Oh so it is a sexual innuendo. "You really need to work in your pick up lines bud," I tap on his peck. "I seriously don't understand how you're a man whore sometimes. Are these girls on whore pills instead of vitamins or just stupid?" I say teasingly, but there is truth behind my words. "Who said I was a man whore?" Mason asked. To me, it seemed like he was trying to act nonchalant about it. "Uh Mas, I know which house is yours now; we are neighbors you know," I say letting go of him. He just nods. After a momentary silence I say, "I don't really care though," I say more to myself than him. "As long as none of your crazy lovers come ringing on my door by mistake we're good bud." I add to lighten the mood. For almost another hour the group and I continue to swim out. Then after realizing the sun is almost fully set and we all look like prunes we leave the pond. After Melonie "accidently" leaves without me I notice that Mason is the only person on his four-wheeler. "See what I mean by clingy Kitten?" He teases as I slide on behind him. "Shut up and drive," after realizing what I said I try to add more lyrics from Rihanna's 'Shut up and Drive' hit, but my words are carried off into the wind. Mason's unexpected bolt makes me cling to him. After realizing how tight I'm holding on I loosen only for Mason to switch gears and accelerate again. Once gaining comfort with his speed the adrenaline kicks in. This is my favorite part of speed. The momentary high, where all your problems fly away with the wind. I slowly wrap my legs around Mason's torso again and release my arms from him. I hold my arms out into the wind and clinch my legs tighter against Mason. The feeling was indescribable. The only adjective coming to mind is freeing. All too soon we are back at Melonie's house. The boys, including Mack, say they're goodbyes and head home. As we watch the last set of tail lights fade into the abyss Cassie screams, "GIRLS NIGHT!"



A/N Sorry if you thought it took too long to update, but this chapter is longer than I have been writing so hopefully that makes up for it! I can probably do one update like this a week or do the shorter updates two or three times I week (Hopefully) so let me know which y'all prefer. The next chapter will be girl time! Then I'm to get more than a day or two in the chapter to help move things along. Anywhale enough of what's in my mind what's in yours?! Comment and tell me(: Don't forget to check http://www.pinterest.com/differentlou for outfits and pictures. Everything I make on Polyvore I post on there so you only have to follow that pinterest if you want.

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~Lou