The Fake Nerd

Chapter 19

Ava pov

I watch mason's eyes flicker like he is hosting a battle inside of them. I sip at my coffee feeling the warm liquid seep down my throat sending bolts of energy to my brain. "Would you like to come by the house again" Mason ask snapping my out of my coffee thoughts. "Yeah that would be cool" I say. My first impression to them didn't go so well. "Cool, ummm..... wanna stop by today" He asks drawing out the question. "Sorry, but i have plans today" I say not the whole truth, but not a lie. Mason is different from what i expected from a bad boy. A look of sadness crosses his face before he masks it with a small smile. "You wanna help me understand something" I ask putting a piercing gaze on him. "Sure" He says a small smile lifting it's way while his eyes dance with confusion. "you hear James is watching and you still come and stop by my house and invite me over again" I say as he nods along like i'm telling a witness account. "Why aren't you scared of what James will do" i ask making by back turn into a plank of wood. He shrugs and purses his lips as he seems to mull it over. Well now i feel stupid for asking the question. "I know James is dangerous if that's what your meaning" He says finally. I nod my head and sip at my coffee again. That's not what i meant. He nods to himself looking down at his coffee.  "I should go let you get back to your day" He says almost like the words bother him. "Thanks" I say awkwardly. He stands his burly figure a mountain above me. I walk him to the door. He smiles and continues out into his car. I close the door letting out a sigh of relief. Mason stirs things in me that can't be explained. I clear my head and walk to my closet throwing on a black workout shirt with no sleeves with words "No pain no gain" Written across it in bulging white letters. I throw on black spandex with a blue streak running up the sides of my legs. I lace up my black Nike shoes and text Riker. A smart street fighter knows to go to a gym and perfect your skills even if you use them all the time. I crack my knuckles as my phone buzzes. It's Riker telling me he is outside. I throw on a black hoodie and walk to the front door. My footsteps stop when my eyes land on a note that had been slipped under my door. I walk slowly towards it like it will attack me. I pick it up my hand wavering slightly as i open it. "Ava Love, you have gotten stronger, but i don't like your new abundance of male friends. I may have to thin the herd so only i am left. That scar really suits you i remember how you got it well. Love James" The letters black ink seering my brain. I crumble the note in my hand and stuff it in the jacket pocket. I rush toward Riker's car feeling sick to my stomach. James is gonna hurt them. I know it he will hurt them. I sit in the car as Riker starts it up. "Ava" He says cautiously. "James left another note" I say my words monotone as i feel myself slipping into madness. "What did it say" He asks. I slide the crumpled paper from my pocket and hand it to him. He takes it rotating his eyes from the road to the paper. He lets out a inhuman growl as he hits his palm on the steering wheel. I stay quiet my mind lost to the world. James is gonna kill everybody i ever love. What was i thinking? I question myself and replay all my decisions. I touch my stomach as a flooded memory surfaces. James's angry eyes the glinting knife in the light. The seering erupting pain. I feel my heart start to crumble my whole body becoming dust. "You can't let him win" Riker says zoning me back into reality. I turn to look at him my eyes glazed. "You're stronger than him"He says not taking his eyes of the road. I nod and feel a sudden determination to suck it all up. Stop breaking and suck it up. I feel the power surge through me making my bones feel thicker. Riker stops outside of the gym and  get out. "Text me when your done and if i don't respond i'm dead" He says and i nod rolling my eyes at him walking inside. I know who's face is going on the punching bag today.