Long Distance

Peas.

[Mason]

I woke up to the sound of my obnoxious alarm clock and I groaned wishing I could stay in bed the whole day. After shutting it off, I got out of bed and immediately got into the shower.

I had a lot to do today given that I'd be flying to California for Christmas break tomorrow.

I was excited to see Aria, but a part of me was scared because of whatever the hell happened at that party. I remember drinking a lot and couldn't remember anything else, but I had a feeling something must have happened between Santana and I, and I felt guilty.  The ugly truth was that things had changed. Aria was different, I was different, and seeing her might not feel like I want it to.

I shake my head as if to clear my thoughts and head downstairs to find my dad sitting at the kitchen table. It still felt weird living up here with him and I missed having my mom around.

"Hey, Mase." My dad greets.

"Hey, dad."

"Ready for Cali?"

"Yup." I reply. Only I didn't sound so sure. I made my way out the door before another word was exchanged between the two of us. There were some things I had to take care of before leaving and at the top of that list was Derek.

______________

"What's up man?" Derek answers the door bringing me into a handshake and inviting me into his apartment.

"Not much," I shrug. "Just running some last minute errands. You have my stuff?"

"Yeah wait here," he nods as he steps out of the living area and into his room. I wait, impatiently tapping my foot on the ground. He finally comes back with a small briefcase in hand and he opens it, revealing the packages of marijuana.

"You just wanted an eighth right?" He retrieves the small plastic bag containing the weed. I nod in response taking out my wallet.

"Don't worry about it," Derek signals to my wallet. "Consider it another favor," he smirks handing me the bag.

"Thanks." I take the weed and place it into my jacket pocket before leaving his place. I start my car, heading to the spot of my next errand, Santana's house.

[Aria]

Mason was coming tomorrow and I didn't know how to feel. Considering we hadn't talked in weeks, seeing him was going to be awkward and uncomfortable. Hopefully these next two weeks will help us get back on track.

I had to buy some last minute Christmas gifts so I gave Madison a call wanting her to come with me. Things between Kris and I were still a bit shaky after I forgave her but luckily, Madison has been there for me through everything going on lately.

I checked my notes seeing whose gifts I still had to buy before leaving my house and heading towards Maddy's.

"Hey girl," she smiled getting into the passenger seat.

"Hey." I answer blankly trying my best to shield my stress and worrying.

"What's wrong?" She instantly notices my mood. "Is it Mason?"

I nod with a sigh. I couldn't help but feel like something shifted between us. For all I knew he could have cheated on me up there in New York and I would never know. I hated thinking this way, but that's how it felt now. The worst thing that could happen to me was losing Mason, and I wasn't going to let that happen.

"Well what's wrong?" I take a deep breath trying to calm my emotions that were starting to falter.

"I don't think he wants to be with me anymore," my voice wavers.

"What do you mean?" She begins to look worried and I start to explain about these past few weeks.

[Mason]

"Oh, Mason!" Santana exclaims as she opens the door.

"We need to talk." I deadpan and she steps aside to let me in.

I sit on her couch and she sits down next to me, her leg touching mine.

"So, what's up?" She asks and I scoot over to put some space between us.

"What happened the night of the party?"

She smirks at me and stands as she walks to her kitchen.

"Hello? I asked you a question," I said as I followed her into the kitchen.

"You really don't remember?" She pulled out a water bottle from her fridge.

"No," I answer growing frustrated. "So whatever happened you need to tell me."

"Once you started drinking, we got into a game of spin the bottle," she began to explain. "You spinned and it landed on me but you refused to kiss me."

I heavily sighed in relief.

"But," she speaks up again and before she could continue I cut her off.

"But what?" My patience was wearing thin and I fought the urge to snap at her. "Santana, did we-"

"Sleep together?" She cuts me off and I nod. My heart was racing right now and I was praying the next word to leave her mouth was no.

"No," she burst out in laughter catching me completely by surprise. I furrowed my eyebrows wondering why she found this so funny but eventually, I began to laugh myself.

"Mason do you really think I'd sleep with you knowing the love of your life is back in California?"

I shake my head sinking into the couch. I smiled, not only at how integrous she was, but also at how she described Aria.

"Thank you," I hug her. "But how come you were acting like something did happen?"

"I just felt like messing with you," she grins patting me on the back. "Now go! Your girl is waiting to see you tomorrow."

________________

[Ethan]

"You are the dumbest person I have ever met!" Rachel yells at me while I sit on my couch with my head in my hands. She was right, I was stupid. This was the fourth time she yells at me since yesterday. I didn't blame her though.

"I know okay!" I fire back knowing that not admitting my feelings for Aria was the dumbest mistake I had ever made.

"When are you going to just suck it up and tell her you love her?"

"I don't love her!" I yelled back standing from my spot on the couch.

"Yes you do! You know you do! So stop lying to yourself and accept it!" Rachel shouts leaving the room.

I punch the closest thing next to me which happens to be the wall. I breath heavily, cursing under my breath at the fist sized hole that was now on the wall. I held my fist, wincing at the pain that began to pierce through it.

I stomp into the kitchen getting a bag of frozen peas to ice it off. Rachel was right, as much as I hated to admit it. I knew I loved Aria, I just didn't want to accept it because I knew nothing would ever happen between the two of us.

She would never want to be with a guy like me. I was no good for her, no matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise.

[Aria]

"So, what are you going to do when Mason gets here tomorrow?" Mads asks as we sit down on my couch and look for a movie.

"I don't know," I start. "Things have been weird between us, and I just hope it's not awkward."

"How about you invite everyone over? That way when he comes he'll be surrounded by all his friends and you don't have to worry about being totally alone."

"That's actually a great idea."

"Awesome! I'll let Matt know."

We decide to just go to bed once we fail to find a decent movie. I bury myself under my covers saying goodnight to Madison. Tomorrow was unpredictable. I just hoped seeing Mason would snap me out of these insecurities I had about us. I turned off my bedside lamp and closed my eyes, soon falling sound asleep.