Inked

13

"So if she isn't cheating on me and she's not going to those stupid classes, then what has she been doing?" Mia asked skeptically.

"It's not up to me to tell you. Sorry, Mia." I replied. "On the other hand, she did want you to meet her in the park tomorrow."

Her questioning expression was replaced with one of confusion. She then began laughing softly.

"Why does she want me to meet up with her? We literally live in the same apartment, not to mention share a room!"

I decided it would be best not to answer, since she would probably continue to interrogate me until I told her what Callie was planning. Instead I simply put two fingers and dragged them across my lips in a zipping fashion before throwing an imaginary key over my shoulder. Mia rolled her eyes at me and walked away.

I walked exhaustedly back to my room to get at least a little bit of sleep before having to help Callie prepare for the big event tomorrow. It has certainly been one interesting night.

I'm glad that Callie and Mia at least somewhat made up, but meanwhile Mason is continuing to confuse me. He has a boyfriend and he has said it himself that it would be better to not talk about our tattoos. But he also flirts with me and now has even kissed me.

Does he really like me or is he just playing with my feelings? I wish I knew because one way or another that boy will be the death of me.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next morning after I had finished helping Callie with the preparations for the proposal I received a call from Mason inviting me over for dinner.

With him and Keith.

I got out of my car and sighed nervously. It was time to finally meet the boyfriend who I already disliked without knowing him.

'No, Rowan. You need to be nice and give him the benefit of the doubt. He could be a really cool guy for all you know! After all, he has to have some sort of redeeming quality for Mason to see something in him, right?'  I thought to myself as I walked into the apartment building. I found their apartment quite easily and quickly composed myself before knocking on the door.

A few seconds later I was greeted with a tall, unfamiliar guy with unnaturally red, wavy hair.

"Oh, hi! You must be Rowan, right? Come on in!" He greeted me surprisingly enthusiastically. I stood there frozen for a second, taken aback by how kind and welcoming he was.

'Damn it, now I'm an asshole for hating him.' I bitterly thought as I entered his apartment. It was quite a bit bigger than my shared dwelling, not to mention a hell of a lot cleaner. Everything in the living room was tucked away neatly and vacuumed where as if it were ours there would be reminisces of year old doritos still visible in our filthy carpet. 

"Everything's so clean, oh my god!" I exclaimed, gesturing to their pristine living space. Keith just chuckled and continued walking into the kitchen where Mason was in front of the stovetop cooking with a light blue apron on.

"Oh, hey Ro! I didn't hear you come in, sorry." Mason said turning away from the stove to speak. "Also, I forgot to pick up the sauce for the spaghetti so I'm going to have to run to the store really quick."

"No!" Keith replied, almost too quickly. "Um, I'll go. You're already in the middle of cooking, it would just be easier for me to go."

Mason gave him a brief look of confusion before returning to his happy expression.

"Nah, it's fine. I'll just go and you two and stay and chat." He said while smiling and removing his apron. "Have fun guys!" He kissed Keith and walked out the door.

I walked over by Keith, who was currently looking slightly pissed off, and sat down at the dining table.

"So, Mason has told me a lot about you." I attempted to start a conversation. Instead of replying, he walked over in front of where I was sitting and pulled me up from the chair roughly by my arm.

"Um, ow. What are yo-" Before I could finish my sentence he pushed me onto the floor, knocking over a chair in the process.

"You might be Mason's real soul mate, but I love him. Okay? And I'm not going to lose him over someone like you!" Keith spat loudly before kicking me and walking back into the kitchen.

Shocked, I stood back up carefully and sat down at the table again. Not even a second later the door opened to reveal Mason.

"Oops! I forgot my keys." He said walking past me without a glance. As he walked back towards the door he smiled at me quickly before his expression was replaced with a worried one. "Hey, are you okay, Ro?" He asked softly.

I snapped back to reality and nodded my head rapidly.

"Yeah, sorry. I'm fine." I replied, trying to fake a smile. He looked at me skeptically, but didn't say anything more.

"Actually, I forgot that I need to do something tonight and should probably go now, sorry." I got up from the chair, wincing slightly from the pain.

"Oh, okay. Well, you seem a little sore. Keith!" He yelled towards the kitchen.

"Yeah?"

"Could you walk Rowan out please? I need to watch the spaghetti." I looked at him slightly frightened.

"No, no. It's fine, really! I can make it on my own, thanks." I replied hurriedly. Keith walked out of the kitchen and began to gently assist me towards the door.

"Nope! Let me help you. You do seem to be in a bit of pain, what happened?" He smiled sickeningly at me.

When we made it to the hall, he closed the apartment door behind him and began helping me towards the buildings stairs.

"Thank you for you help, but I can take it from here. I was going to take the elevator anyway." I said smiling at him as best I could.

"No, no. You're taking the stairs." He whispered in a hostile tone.

And with that he pushed me forward down the stair case.