frenemies

mason & michael - two

 Before taking a deep breath, Mason placed his hands on his knees, huffing and puffing while letting his laughter out. When he finally caught his breath, he leaned up and grinned at Michael who was laying on top of the grass, smiling back at him. “Ah Mason, you know you’re no match for me.” Michael said in a boastful manner. “You got a headstart, that wasn’t fair.” “We’ll see if I’m no match for you once we hit the field.” Mason challenged. “Oh, aight.” Michael sat up. “It’s on!”

“One on one?” Mason asked. “One on one doesn’t make a game or even an inning.” “Ain’t ya’ friends out here playing basketball?” Michael asked curiously. “I guess so. We could have a full game, break it up into two teams, then it’s on.” Mason answered. “Alright, shall we?” Michael offered while making his nephew go in front of him. “Yupp.” He replied. Michael then slapped the back of Mason’s neck, laughing hysterically.

Mason frowned, rubbing the back of his neck which had subsequently turned red. He glared at Michael who tried so hard to keep his own laughter in. “I’d slap you back ya’ know, but I don’t disrespect the elderly.” Mason told him apathetically. “I’m only thirty-one!” Michael retorted back. “And of course you can’t disrespect the elderly in a baseball game when they eventually win!” He then added. Mason rolled his eyes then walked up to basketball court where his friends from school were playing basketball.

“Yo!” “Hey Mason!” “Mason’s here!” his friends called out to him. He then ran over them and did handshakes and fist bumps like they always would. “Aye Uncle Mike in the building!” Mason’s friend Demetrios cooed. Michael simply smiled softly and waved. “You guys up for a game of ball?” Another friend of Mason asked as he threw the basketball quickly over to Mason. Mason caught it with one hand and dribbled it. “Not exactly, how about the other b-ball?” He suggested while passing the ball back over to Octavian.

“Sure!” “We got some extra bats laying around here.” Chase explained. “Two teams, okay? Four on each, Mason and I are team captains.” Michael instructed. Mason’s companion’s all nodded and ran out the baseball field. Just when Michael was on the verge of picking up a bat for himself, he casted an eye on Skylar who glared at him and had his arms crossed against his chest.

“Heya Sky … what’s up?” Michael asked anxiously. Skylar suddenly perked up. “Oh! I just came to check on you guys, since you didn’t say a thing before leaving the house.” He replied as he fake smiled sweetly. “Where’s Mason?” Skylar then asked before Michael could open his mouth. “Oh, he’s over on the field, we’re getting ready to play a baseball game.” Michael responded while looking at him carefully. As silence filled their conversation, Michael added “Would you like to watch or even play with us?” “No thank you.” He simply replied and turned on his heel, walking back in the direction of the Rosewood household.

“Is everything okay?” Michael asked. “Sure is!” He yelled sarcastically, in which caused Michael to become puzzled. Skylar was a pessimist at times, but ever since now, he’s been acting in way that Michael himself know that he’d never do. Looking back at him, Michael sighed dragging his bat in the field dirt.

☢. ☢

As breathless as he could be, Mason opened the front door, threw himself down in the couch and still managed to smile over at his mom who was cooking dinner. “Hey mom!” He called out from the living room. “Hi honey, come in the kitchen for a sec?” She asked. Mason got up, and limped over to the kitchen stool without trying to get his mother to notice. His mother turned around and flashed a wide grin at him. She removed her pale, golden blonde hair out of her face.

Callicia Rosewood was somewhat like her husband. Tall, quite serious, but definitely not a pessimist. She held Mason’s 1 year old brother Augustus, on the side of her waist while supporting his back with one hand. “I heard you got your driver’s license!” She cooed excitedly while putting Gus in his high chair. “Yeah, I did.” Mason said. “So, how was it with Dad?” Callicia asked. “He’s just … something, Uncle Mike understands me better.” Mason said before getting up and walking out of his kitchen.

“Hmph.” “What do you think your father’s like?” She asked Gus’ who was playing with his small turtle toy. Gus’ looked up without saying anything. “Mhm, I was thinking the same thing.” She said pursing her plump lips together.

☢.☢

“I just feel as if I’m being replaced. Mason was always happy, but I think I screwed up the whole new Dad thing, and he’s moved on to Michael. I can’t blame him though, Michael was the most lovable and prefered brother when I was growing up. Just because of him, I turned out like this.” Skylar vented out to his own wife. He wasn’t okay with this Mason and Michael situation. It made him feel like the worst father ever. Callicia looked at him carefully. “Sky…” She began as she slipped his large hand into her palm.

“You must seem jealous. It’s never late to make a change. It’s time to stop being grumpy. Step it up and show Mason the real dad you are. Mason and Michael have a really great connection that cannot be broken, there’s no fighting out of it and there’s nothing you can do but accept it. At least Mason has his own older companion that he could always look up to or be there whenever you’re not.” Callicia stated with a large amount of integrity. Skylar didn’t just reply but sighed as well.

“Cal, I’ve been thinking about this for a long time now. He’s my son, not Michael’s. Michael is obviously claiming my son as one of his own, considering that he doesn’t have one. It’s just not unfair that he’s only been the one that mother liked, the one that Mason liked, and the one that has a better bond even with you!” Skylar’s voiced boomed.

“Skylar! You’ve taken this too far. You need to calm your--” Callicia began but was only cut off to hear a slammed door. Callicia then opened the door and ran after him. Stunned, Mason crept out from under their bed. Tears filled his eyes when he looked up at a younger version of both of him and his father. “Can’t believed he’d say that ….” Mason whispered while holding up the glass picture frame, which eventually fell from his fingertips and shattered.

----

hope you guys enjoy! 

special guest cast featured in the chapter;

dianna agron as callicia rosewood

theo james as skylar roosewood