Inked

14

The stair case had a small square landing about ten stairs down that I came to an abrupt stop at as I hit into a wall. I looked back up the stairs at Keith only to find that he was no longer there. After my many injuries of the day, there was definitely no way I was making off these stairs without help.

I reached my hand into my pocket, praying that my phone wasn't smashed during the fall. I sighed in relief when I pulled out my unharmed phone, then quickly dialed Callie's number.

Ring

Ring

Ring

"Hi! It's Callie! I'm probably sleeping s do don't call again, bye!"

Voicemail.

"Shit! The proposal! No wonder she didn't answer! I need to get there so I can help."

I attempted to jump to my feet, completely forgetting the fact that I had just been pushed down some stairs only seconds ago. I recoiled in immense pain and slumped against the railing. 'Okay. So, there's definitely no way that I'm getting off of these stairs without help and everyone I know is busy. Great.'

Just as I thought that I heard hurried footsteps going through the hallway above the landing. Because of my current position, I couldn't see who it was, but I decided to take the risk and pray it wasn't Keith.

"Hey! Could you help me, please? I kind of was push- fell! I fell down the stairs!" I called up the stairs. The footsteps grew nearer.

"Rowan?" A familiar voice responded in a confused tone. He was finally within view, a worried and panicked expression written across his face.

"Mason! Oh thank god, I thought you were-never mind. Could you help me? I need to get to the park to help with the proposal."

"What proposal? How did you fall down the stairs? Are you hurt? What the fuck!?" Mason whispered yelled in my direction.

I sighed. "Callie's proposing to Mia, I can't explain that right now, yes, quite a bit, and yeah, same."

"Aw, they made up?" Mason cooed smiling at me. I stared at him, annoyed.

"Now is not the time! I've got at least three broken bones, I might be late to the biggest night of my best friend's entire life, and I still need to have dinner. I recommend you help me up and fangirl over Callie and Mia's love life at a later time."

Without another word, Mason helped me up and we slowly made our way out the building.

We were near the building's door when we were stopped by none other than my absolute favorite human being. Keith.

"Mason! There you are! Where are you and Ron going? Dinner's almost ready." He said flashing an innocent smile at the two of us. Without giving Mason the opportunity to answer I butted in.

"One, my name is Rowan. Two, you're a prick. And three, we are on our way to our friends proposal which is more important that your fucking dinner." I replied in a mock calm tone, grabbing Mason's wrist and pulling him out the door before gently forcing him to get in his car without paying anymore attention to Keith.

When we were both in the car and on our way to the park, Mason looked over to me with a look of pure shock.

"Where the hell did that come from? I didn't know someone who wears flower crowns everyday of their life could be assertive."

"Your boyfriend pushed me down the stairs." I blurted without thinking. 'Shit. Now Mason's going to think that I'm putting the blame on Keith so they'll break up.' I thought grimly. To my surprise, he let out a miniature sigh and leaned back into the seat of the car.

"I wish I could say he's not like that, but I'd be lying. I'm sorry, Ro."

"He hasn't ever hurt you, right?" I questioned, filling with concern about the chestnut haired boy beside me. Minutes of silence passed by without a response. "Oh my god."

Mason turned towards me with an unreadable emotion apparent in his bright blue eyes. "Rowan, no. Don't you dare say anything. You weren't there! You don't know the whole story." I remained quiet and focused all of my attention on the road. Though I was quite aware of the droplet of water that spilled from Mason's eye when he quietly spoke those last words.