Please Understand

Chapter 42: Rewrite

Epilogue

"Mason, Mason," she hissed, shaking me slightly. "Wake up."

"Five more minutes," I pleaded, snuggling closer to her.

She put her cold hand on my chest to push me away, but I held her tighter. "I already gave you five more minutes, so get up," she insisted, trying to sound stern, but there was a smile hidden in her voice.

I finally opened my eyes and scrunched my face in disappointment. "Why do I have to go?" I whimpered.

Amelia's smile was my favorite thing to see in the morning, even when she was trying to kick me out of her room. "Because Dad would probably murder you if he found out you sneaked in here every night," she whispered. "Plus we've barely gotten back to a normal family arrangement, so I don't want my boyfriend to ruin that."

"My job is to ruin everything, you should know that by now," I argued as I let my heavy eyelids close.

She violently shook me, and I groaned. "I'm serious. Get out."

I finally kept my eyes opened, watching as she combed her fingers through her tangled hair. This twin bed was way too small for the two of us, but I didn't mind being close to her. "Fine, but you're coming over later, right?" I asked with a hopeful smile.

She rolled her eyes, and brought her ice cold hand to my chest, covering my heart. "Well duh. Dad and I are coming over, and we will get to spend the whole day together, unless he catches you in here. In that case, we will be having a funeral," she teased, but I knew the threat was real.

"'Merry Christmas! I killed your son,'" I mocked with a smirk.

"Not funny! Go! I would like to spend Christmas with my boyfriend, not reenacting Weekend at Bernie's," she played along despite her frustration.

I groaned once again, forced myself out of the warmth of her bed, and threw my clothes on while she pulled the comforter around herself. "You're crazy," I laughed as I shook my head. "I love you, Amelia." I put my hands on the bed, and leaned towards her.

"I love you, stupid," she replied, giving me a small kiss. "I'll see you soon."

"I'll miss you," I pouted.

She pushed me away and rolled her eyes. "Shut up. You'll see me in a few hours, so stop stalling," she ordered, but she couldn't stop smiling at me.

Finally, I waved goodbye, and carefully climbed down the ladder. It was barely six in the morning, so it was still dark outside with snow covering the ground between our two houses. I dragged the ladder through the snow, hoping Danny wouldn't notice all of the footprints. I climbed back into my room, and then knocked the ladder down, so he at least wouldn't notice, hopefully.

Amelia came home this week for Christmas vacation, and I've been glued to her side. She already graduated high school, and was preparing to start her classes in January, but I still and a few more weeks with her. Long distance for this last month was hard, and I knew it was going to be harder in the months to come, but she was so worth it. She was worth every late night call, every restless night trying to squeeze into her tiny bed, every worry that Danny might catch us, and every little jealous fight. She was worth the trauma of her disappearance, and I would do it all over again if that meant I would find my way back to her.

***

"Mason, honey, why don't you wear that sweater I bought you? You know, the blue one. I think it'll match Amelia's eyes for the pictures," Mom rambled as she rushed around the kitchen.

I looked down at my plain t-shirt, and rolled my eyes. She really had to be in control of everything. "Okay, fine," I grumbled. "Hey, when is Dad going to get here?"