This Is My Life

22

"I know who you are." He boldly stated the moment I opened the door. 

I was shocked. Had he followed me all the way here? I was debating whether or not to close the door in his face. Continue denying, or give in and let him know it was me. I wanted more than anything to let him in. To talk and laugh with him like we used to. 

"Melissa..." It was even more hard to deny it when he was standing right in front of me, and he clearly knew. His large brown eyes were burning into mine so sadly. 

For a few moments I just stood, in shock, staring blankly back at Mason. 

"Hello Mason." I managed to get out.

He pulled me into a tight hug, which surprised me, but I didn't mind. I really missed having him around. When he pulled away, he looked at me like he wanted to ask me a million questions but didn't know where to start.

"Would you like to come in?" I asked after a moment of awkward silence.

He followed me back into the room and sat on the soft bed next to me. Then he turned to face me like he wanted to ask me a question. Instead he pressed his lips against mine, again shocking me. I instantly pulled away really confused. It wasn't that I hadn't always wanted him to do that, but not right this moment. 

"What are you doing?" I asked, sitting a little further back. 

"Sorry." Is all he said shyly. 

"Did you follow me here just to do that?"

"No I wanted to know if it was really you, and it is! I've missed you. But what are you doing here?" 

I didn't know how to answer that. Mason used to be my best friend, and one of my only best friends. I didn't want to lie to him, and I had really missed him too. When he left is when I began to cut myself, but I didn't want to think of that right now. 

"I left.." I answered simply.

"You just left home? Things got that bad?" 

"I don't want to talk about it." I stated, in an emotionless tone.

I was startled when Mason jumped up and hugged me once again. 

"That's okay, you don't have to." 

Right at that moment the door swung open and Darla walked in talking about some of cafes she had found down the road. I pulled away from Mason quickly before Darla looked up at us.

"Oh dear, I didn't know we had company. Who is this handsome young man?" She smiled at him sweetly. 

I introduced Mason and Darla to each other, informing each of them how I knew the other. Mason stuck around for a few hours, and we all talked about what we had been up to. Everything was going well until the News came on. On the TV screen a picture of my face popped up. I was hoping that Mason wouldn't notice the TV, but as soon as they said my name, he whipped around to look at the screen. 

"Whoa, things must've gotten bad." Mason chuckled. "You're on the run?!"

"Shh, the whole world doesn't need to know." I replied. 

"I didn't think it was that serious-"

Before he could finish I interjected, "It's not, it's kind of a long story."

"I've got time." Was his reply, so I started from the beginning and told him everything that I told Darla. 

Although, Mason already knew more than Darlene did. He was there when it all started. He was there when I had the accident with the little boy. Mason was the only person that didn't blame me and I was very grateful for that. After he left town though, it hurt too much to even think about him. I missed having him there to talk to, to help me, to be there for me. But he was here now.