The Fake Nerd

Chapter 24

Mason Pov (Kendra on top)

I bite back my tongue willing to keep my anger at bay. "Who did that to you" I say my tone dangerously low. Fear strikes through her eyes, but she covers it quickly. "It's nothing" She says her voice coming out monotone. I nod the fear in her eyes coming into my brain. "I will find out" I say to her stomping off into the silence. I walk to the backyard of my house and stand in the grass. The pool is lite a light blue contrasting with the dark. The green grass is in droves with chairs in a circle around a fire pit. I breathe in the crisp air cursing myself slightly for not getting a jacket as my muscles tense from the cold. "You know you could freeze to death" I hear a girl voice say and i know it's Kendra. I feel her come up beside me before handing me a black hoodie. I take it from her gratefully and zip it up fending off the cold air. "What are you doing Mason" She asks and i feel her gaze turn on me. "What" I question confusion in my words. "You like Ava" She says simply i tense immediately refusing to look at her. "What" I question again straining to keep my voice placid. "You wouldn't have cared as much about her bruise if you didn't like her" She says simply. I stay silent twitching slightly under her burning gaze. "You should be with her right now" She says quietly. "I know your scared, but you can protect her" She adds on as i mull it over. "Not from everything it's safer if she is out of my life" I say the words burning my throat. "That's not true" She says simply and i turn toward her.  She gives me a tiny glare "Go to her" She says and walks off. I watch her walk back inside the house and turn to the pool letting the quiet sounds soothe me. I close my eyes letting an eerie sense of calm take over. "Hey" A quiet girl's voice says from behind. Not one moment of silence. I turn and smile. Ava stands there her arms crossed over each other mirroring my stance. Her eyes are less puffy and she looks better than when she first came here.  A sliver of moonlight catches the bruise on her cheek and i look away. Her footsteps softly pad to were i am standing as i draw in a breath. "Kendra said you were out here" She says her voice soft against the chilling wind. i nod bouncing on my toes slightly. "Yeah she was just out here" I say feeling the need to add to the conversation. "Thank you" She says her voice getting slightly stronger. "For what" I ask softly. "Helping me" She says and i turn to look at her. She smiles at me and then looks at her shoes making me smirk slightly. "Wanna go inside it's kinda of cold out here" I say watching her sly nod as she turns toward the house. I walk behind her slowly admiring her. The houses warmth strikes against my cold body. "Hey, Ava" Ben yells running down the stairs in his blue jeans and red shirt. She looks at him her stance rigid awaiting the news. "Riker is gonna be okay" He says smiling at her. I watch as her worried look becomes one of joy and relief. Her expression changes suddenly to sadness. Worry runs through me. "Thank you" She says her voice becoming softer again. "Ummm... can you gather everyone please i need to talk to them" She says as Ben eyes her suspiciously, but nods. I follow behind her and we enter the living room. She takes a seat at the end off the couch her stance rigid and worried yet there was a sadness to it. Everyone files in taking there seats on the couch as she clears her throat. "Thank you for taking in Riker and for helping him" She starts her voice almost monotone like she detached herself from the whole conversation. "I'm gonna leave and" She says before Kendra cuts her off. "No you're not leaving" She says a glare on her face. "Ava keeps her expression blank as she continues. "James will never stop looking for me" I shift in my seat "He will never stop and i need to keep as many people safe as i can including you guys" She says her eyes roving over us and lingering on me for a second longer before her eyes meet her shoes. "why" Kendra says annoyance coming out of her voice. Ava shifts and looks as if she is deciding something before speaking again.