Holding On

Chapter Sixteen

          I formed my hands into fists, and hit his chest repeatedly. He chuckled. "G-get away from me Mason," I stuttered nervously. Mason wrapped his arms around my waist, and pulled me closer to him. Someone cleared their throat, it sounded like it came from the doorway. Mason turned, and when he saw my brother, he pushed me away from him. I squealed, and fell on my bed with an "oof." Sam walked in, and he glared at Mason. "Don't touch my sister, Mason." Wow, my brother was protecting me. Um, since when?? Mason raised his arms in surrender, "I was only having fun, man. I ain't into your sister." My brother said, "good. That's all I wanted to hear." Sam placed a plate with 10 chocolate-chip cookies in it before leaving.

          I sat on my bed, and pulled out my MacBook from my drawer. Mason made himself at home, he was laying down on my bed. I lied down beside him, and put my laptop in front of me. Mason turned, and raised his head to see what I was doing. I opened the screen, and typed in my password. "Want to watch a movie," I asked him. His reply was a simple, "sure." Mason turned so he was lying down on his stomach like me. I clicked on the Netflix app. "Put Pixels." I didn't look at him, and just opened up the movie. Before it can play, I paused it.

          I moved the MacBook so it was between us, and I placed the tray in front of it. Mason was gone, I looked around, and he was switching off the light and shutting the door. I plopped down on my tummy. The bed dipped, and seconds later, Mason was beside me. We both picked up a glass, and began sipping on the drink.

          He pressed the play button. After like 15 minutes, I finished my drink. He finished a while ago. He was looking at me with the 'what the hell? Why did it take you this long to finish that,' look. I chuckled, and placed the cup back in the tray. My phone vibrated, and I was going to check who it was. But Mason took it, and turned it off. "No phones in the cinema," that was literally what he said. I burst out laughing. He smiled, a genuine smile, and put my phone in his pocket. Mason doesn't seem that bad outside of school. He picked up a cookie, and shoved it in my mouth while I was laughing. My cheeks puffed making me look like a squirrel with a mouth full of nuts when I closed my mouth. This time it was his turn to laugh. Munching on the cookie as best I could to break it down, and let me tell you, it took a while.

          Mason paused the movie, and started poking a pineapple with his fork. I shut my laptop screen. After eating as much as we could from the things my mom had set out for us, we just stayed there. Both of us zoned out. But then I felt a tap on my shoulder, I looked over, and it was Mason. "Hey, umm I just wanted to apo..." Before he could finish his sentence my bedroom door slammed open. We both turned and saw Sam in the door way. Mason's face quickly turned into the snarky one I had met on the day he beat me. Sam smirked, and crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against my door frame. I got up, and started pushing Sam out of my room. I almost succeeded, but a hand gripped my arm, and pulled me back roughly. "Don't treat your brother with such disrespect," Mason scolded me. Sam's smirk grew into a grin. "Your parents are waiting for you downstairs, Mason." Mason gave me a look of sympathy and guilt, but it was soon gone when he turned around to face Sam. "Alright, thanks for saving me from this hell hole," Mason left after saying that. But Sam stayed there.

          "So, how did you like Mason's company??" His question irritated me, why does he care?? He probably had this all planned out from the beginning. I grabbed the tray, and went to push past Sam. He grabbed a cookie, "oh. Why, thank you. I didn't even ask for one." I rolled my eyes, and walked downstairs to the kitchen. Placing the tray on the counters, I patted my pockets to check for my phone. It's with Mason! He didn't give it back. I ran quickly to the front door. His parents were saying their goodbyes. "Mason!!" He snapped his head up to look at me. He excused himself for a bit, and walked over to me.

          Mason grabbed my wrist, and pulled me into the kitchen so we can have some privacy. His face turned into one of concern, "what's wrong??" My respond was stupid, "you were going to leave with my phone." He chuckled softly, and handed it to me. "Sorry, I forgot," he ruffled my hair making me giggle. Mason pinched my cheek, "well, I gotta go. See ya around," he smirked, then added, "princess." Ehh, I don't like that word, it sends shivers down my spine. Screw you, Mason.

          I walked back out the kitchen, and he was going out. He waved bye, and so did I. As soon as he was out of view, I turned my phone on. While my phone was taking it's lovely time to open, I was thinking about my time with Mason. It wasn't so bad. I really had fun, but when Sam was around, Mason would change into a completely different person. It seemed like my brother was controlling Mason, but why?? I brushed it off, and checked my text messages. O to the m to the efing g.  It was from Jasmine.

Jasmine: Hello, hello we meet again on this wonderful world called texting. Oh, thank the lord who invented SIM cards, and data, and Internet.

          I'm guessing this was the message I received when my phone buzzed earlier. Like Jasmine said, thank the lord who made Mason take away my phone. Then I scrolled down there were two other messages from Jasmine.

Jasmine: ugh!! Why on earth are you ignoring me?! Do you like want me to send people after your beloved boyfriend, Joey.

Jasmine: um, you know your friend. The one with short brown hair, and um freckles all over his face. Oh, Joey. That's his name. Have you checked up on him, I think he is in a coma. Haha.

           Oh no!! Joey!! I quickly fumbled around with my phone until I was on Joey's number. After sprinting to my room, I pressed the call button. "Please pick up. Please pick up. Please pick up," I said that as I was walking back and forth.

          After a couple of rings a husky voice said, "hello??" Oh thank god he is okay. Shit, I think I woke him up from his sleep. "Um, hey Joey. It's me, Rose. You probably didn't check the caller ID." I chuckled a little as I said that. "Oh! Hey Rose!! How are you?? Wait, why are you calling so late??" I tugged on the collar of my crop top, "well, you see, I got another text from Jasmine. She said you were in a coma, and I got scared and worried. And are you okay?? I hope she didn't hurt you. Have you felt anyone staring at you??" I kept on rambling, he was laughing on the other side which made me stop. "Rose calm down. I'm perfectly fine. Don't worry about it, go to bed, alright??" I nodded, then I noticed he couldn't see me, "alright, I'm glad you're okay. Sorry for waking you." I felt relieved, "night Rose, I love you??" When he said it, it came out more of a question. I smiled to myself, and said, "night, I love you too Joey," before ending the call.

          If he wasn't okay I don't know what I would have done. Joey was so innocent, why would anyone want to harm him?? My phone buzzed, the text was from Joey. I automatically smiled, it was a reflex now.

Joey: I know you're stressing yourself. So stop, and just sleep. Lovez yous. Xoxo

          He knew me so well. After putting my phone in the charge, I slipped off the flats. I got under my covers, and shut my eyes. Who knows maybe tomorrow will be a good day, or it will be a bad day. But I know Joey will be there to make it all better. Joey and myself were just meant to be. I felt myself starting to drift away into darkness. But I just welcomed the darkness, and went to sleep.