To The Sun And Beyond

21. MASON

WALKING HOME FROM SCHOOL
Was usually my favorite time of day, just me and Fin, no annoying classmates, no stress about saving the world, and no Vivian.

But today was different. There was no Fin. Today, Fin had decided to stay after school to work on a health project with Kayla. So, I was alone.

I sighed, and kicked a rock in front of me. It flew through the air and hit a mailbox.

I could still hear the sounds of students as they chatted excitedly, but, then again, I wasn't very far from the school.

I heard distant panting, and the pat, pat of footsteps behind me.

I whirled around, only to lock eyes with Mason.

"Hey, Celeste," He yelled, slowing, and walking beside me, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Hey," I replied. "Do you live around here?"

"I actually do. About a half a mile that way." He replied, pointing to his right.

"Oh really? Do you walk home often?" I asked.

Mason shook his head. "No, my sister normally picks me up. Well, she's not really my sister, just my- nevermind."

I glanced quickly at him, but he was looking off somewhere else, somewhere I wish I was. It didn't seem like he was coming back anytime soon, so I just kept walking.

After about a minute, he turned his head toward me.

"Are you worried? About Kanani?" He asked.

I hesitated. "Yeah, a little," I knew that was an understatement. "You?"

Mason hesitated. "Actually, I'm very scared. I honestly don't know if we can handle this. And I can't get this thing to work." He gestured to his necklace, the black gem glinting in the light.

"You know you need everyone else for that," I replied. "Hey! How did you get your necklace, anyway?" I asked, suddenly curious. It seems like everyone had their own story.

Mason slowed, and went back to his distant place, where I once again longed to be. "It is the only thing I have from my biological parents," He began. "When I was born, I was sent straight to an orphan home. Since then, I've been jumping around to different foster homes. Sometimes i thought I had found the right family, but they've never wanted me. I never knew my parents, or why they gave this to me. I don't really belong anywhere. Not with any family, not with the supernova... not even with Genevive." He shrugged.

"Mason," I began, taking his hand. "You are the most amazing person I've ever met. You broke me out of a shell I didn't know I had. You made me feel like I was worth something. You are so good enough, Mason. Please remember that." We had stopped walking at that point, so I wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head on his chest. He returned, wrapping his arms around my neck.

"Thank you, Sunspot," he whispered, resting his cheek on the top my head. "You're pretty amazing, too."

When I pulled away, Mason' s eyes locked on mine, staring, longingly. As he slowly leaned in closer, my heart began to leap, causing my stomach to flutter. I realized his hands had migrated from my neck to the sides of my face, making the nervousness build up in my chest, like waves crashing down on me.

Mason paused suddenly, closing his eyes and shaking his head. His hands dropped from my face, and he backed away a good two feet. "Sorry about that, it wasn't very polite." He apologized, staring at the ground.

My breathing was beginning to slow, however, my heart kept the same constant pace. I kept staring at him, speachless.

I stood taller, tugging at my shirt, trying to avoid eye contact.

"Celeste?" Mason asked gently.

I looked up absentmindedly, but immediately fixed my posture. "Yes?"

"I'm sorry. I-" Mason began.

"I forgive you, Mason. It's fine. But we're going to have to talk about it, sometime when the world's not in danger and I don't have an angry Vivian waiting for me at home. So, are you coming or not?" I asked.

Mason smiled, and nodded.

"So... you're so-called 'sister', is she part of your foster family?" I asked.

"Yes. But I like to call her my sister. She's the one who takes me home everyday." Mason replied.

Once we started walking again, he took my hand, and I began to feel a lot better about walking home without Fin.