Long Distance

Parties.

[Aria's POV]

It was Saturday and Mason and I had plans for dinner. I woke up and headed to my bathroom to shower and brush my teeth. I then blow dried my hair, and did my makeup.

_______________

After a while of doing nothing with my life, I decide to catch up on the Bachelor.

I set up the TV and disappear into the kitchen in search of snacks. I huff at the sight of my empty pantry and grab my car keys and leave the house, driving to a nearby gas station. I pick up a bag of Fritos and a pack of M&Ms before going to the beverages to pick up an iced tea.

My eyes scanned the variety as a group of guys stumbles in laughing profusely and one of them tripping. One of them, whose back was to me, looked oddly familiar. He was tall and his shoulders were broad. It wasn't until he turned around and met eyes with me that I seemed to lose awareness and let go of everything I had in my arms, letting the items fall to the ground with a small noise. 

His friends are too drunk to notice me, unlike Ethan who was already making his way to me. I was frozen in place due to embarrassment, and I didn't move away when Ethan approached me. 

"Can we talk?" Is all he says, and his calm tone takes me by surprise. I don't know what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn't that. Something inside of me causes me to nod my head, and he hints to the secluded area of the gas station near the bathrooms. 

I follow him, but once we get there, I begin to remember what big of an asshole this boy was the day I met him. 

"What do you want Ethan?" My tone now impatient. 

"Look Aria, ever since that day in Biology, you've been avoiding me."

"That's because you're disgusting, and I have a boyfriend," I say coldly. 

"Look, I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have disrespected you that way, but I've been thinking about you," he says as he gets closer, and I laugh at his confession. Was he serious? This guy just met me!

"I have a boyfriend Ethan, and I'm not interested." I take a step back just like the first time we met. Ethan was a player, which meant that he probably said this to every girl, not that I cared. Guys like him only want one thing, and it made me sick. 

"Look if this is all," I begin to turn back towards the door before his fingers lace around my wrist and yank me back towards him. In one swift motion his lips crash onto mine. I immediately push him off with all my strength before my hand connects with the side of his face, making a loud slap sound. I knew Ethan couldn't be trusted. 

I forget about all I came here to buy as I rushed out of the gas station and into my car. I speed home, not even trying to stick to the speed limit, and I sigh in relief once I arrive. 

Mason would be picking me up in two hours but I couldn't wait that long to tell him, so I decided to send him a text telling him to come now. It appears he had noticed my tone because ten minutes later, here he was, in my room, with a worried look on his face. 

I finally decided to just start with the day I met Ethan. I tell Mason about the inappropriate gesture and me having to avoid him. After calming his rage, I eventually get to the part from earlier today.

"So earlier today, I went to the gas station to buy some snacks," I started, Mason's face locked into a cold, hard expression.

"I was picking out a drink when a group of guys walked in, Ethan being one of them," I paused to check on Mason who just signaled to proceed. "When I noticed Ethan,  he walked up to me and asked if we could talk, and he seemed calm, so I agreed." 

"Aaand?" Mason asked his fists clenched and nostrils flared.

"He apologized for what he said that day in biology and he also said he had been thinking about me which I knew was complete crap because he's the school's biggest player. So I was about to walk away when he pulled me back and kissed me." 

Mason's eyes are wide and I have no idea what to expect. 

"I pushed him off as soon as it happened," I inform him. He remains silent, and it drives me crazy. 

"Why didn't you tell me about the first time he talked to you?" He finally turns to me. 

"I knew you'd get like this. I thought it was over after the classroom stunt," I tried to calm him down. I knew he wasn't mad at me but more so pissed at Ethan. 

After a few minutes, he turned to look at me, his face softening. He sat on the bed and wrapped his arms around me. A couple of minutes passed again, when he spoke up.

"If you want me to do something about him, I will, Ar. Just say the word," he assures me.

I nod my head at his words, but I decide it's best to not get Mason involved.

"I think I'll be fine." I assure him. "But promise me you won't take matters into your own hands."

"But-" 

"Promise."

He looks at me and sighs before promising. 

Once he makes sure I'm alright, he leaves to get ready for our dinner plans which I had forgotten about due to everything that had happened in the last hour. I changed into something nicer and fixed up my makeup and hair. 

Mason arrived at my house about an hour later, and I hopped into the car, greeting him with a kiss. We were both still a little shaken up about the whole Ethan situation and hopefully, this dinner could get our minds off of things.

______________

We pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and gave the car to the valet worker. We were seated quickly due to our reservation, and were given menus. The waiter brought us our beverages, and took our entree order.

"I talked to Matt earlier, and they were all heading to that party at Johnson's," Mason began the topic.

"We can drop by after we eat," I suggested. Parties weren't really my scene, but I decided to agree since I knew he really wanted to go. 

Our entrees arrive and we both talk about straight nonsense while we eat. I was slowly beginning to accept the idea of Mason leaving to New York. It was going to be hard living without him here, but it was only for the year. 

Once the bill arrived, I quickly grabbed my wallet out of my purse while Mason simultaneously pulled his wallet out.

"I'm paying for my food, Mason," I said, my eyes narrowing at him. 

"I'm your boyfriend, Ar," he argues. The waiter watches amusedly as we both bicker over who would be paying. Mason manages to somehow snatch the check booklet out of my hand and insert his card. 

"I hate you," I joke.

"I love you too." 

_____________

As we drove to Johnson's house, I feel my stomach churn. Parties were really not my type of socializing. I had bad previous experiences at parties. The punch bowl on my dress, the embarrassing drunk stories, you name it. Fortunately, that was all freshman year and had hopefully died down by now. 

I calmed down as we pulled into Johnson's driveway. It was filled with different colored cars and resembled a game of Tetris.

We entered the crowded house and were instantly greeted by the stench of liquor, weed, and sweat.

"You made it!" Matt announced as he stumbled towards us with a plastic cup in hand.

"Yeah, we thought we'd stop by for a bit," Mason responded, wrapping his arm around me securely. 

"Well come on, I'll get you guys some drinks." Matt guides us to the kitchen and pours us some soda into the basic red solo cups. I stopped drinking sophomore year just like Mason had. 

Matt placed the cups in our hands and pushed us towards the dance floor. 

This was going to be more than an appearance.