nerd.

vingt-trois

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Arielle Evans 

"W..Why does he treat you guys like that?" I ask, my voice shaking with every word.

"Who knows, he's an alcoholic bastard." Mason waves the thought away. I don't understand what he means, but I nod dismissively anyway. "I'm sorry you had to see that, by the way."

I shake my head in protest. "No, it's okay."

"This was supposed to be our night," Mason says, clearly agitated. "The night where our families just click. Where everything falls into place. And Seth just had to come in and ruin it just like he ruins everything else." I don't know how to reply, so I just nod in response, running circles on his back with the palm of my hand. "And when he touched you...God help me, I was ready to kill him." Mason hisses. 

"It's okay." I say in a small voice, leaning into his chest.

"I'm sorry for ruining our night." Mason apologizes, looking straight into my eyes.

"It's okay." I repeat for what seems like the millionth time. He smiles genuinely at me and takes my hand in his, squeezing my fingertips gently. I let out a giggle for the first time in that hour and feel the color return to my face. We sit in silence for a while, merely enjoying the quiet and the evening breeze.

"I'm cold." Mason says suddenly. I smile and nod, rubbing my hands together for warmth. "Let's go inside, yeah?"

When we go inside, Mrs. Richards apologizes profusely for the behavior of Seth, and I assure her that it is fine. Mason rubs soothing circles on my back, calming me as we sit down. He takes my hand, tracing the lines in it and sitting down next to me. Stomps emerge from upstairs, and I suck in a breath when I realize that Seth is coming downstairs.

"We should go. I can drop you off." Mason says quietly.

I shake my head rapidly. "No, I want to be here with you."

"Ari, going home is what's safest for you." Mason insists. I shake my head again, squeezing his hand. He sighs and finally gives in, nodding at me. I look down at my lap, raking my hand over the skirt of my dress as Seth reaches the bottom step, now wearing a white shirt and jeans.

"You're still here?" he barks gruffly at me, causing me to jump slightly.

"Y..Yes." I manage.

"Well, if you're here, we might as well talk, right?" Seth laughs evilly.

"I...Okay." I sputter. The corners of Seth's plump lips curve up into a smirk, and I shiver in fright. He takes the seat next to me, and I gulp audibly, making him chuckle.

"So, Arielle, why are you dating Mason?" Seth asks, twirling a piece of my hair around his index finger.

"I...I love him." I stutter, fighting the urge to slap him across the face.

"Get your filthy hands off of her." Mason spits, slapping Seth's hand away.

"I don't believe I was talking to you, son." Seth barks gruffly. He takes the lock of hair once more, and I tug it away from him quickly, tucking it behind my ear. "Ooh, feisty." Seth smirks.

"M..Maybe I should leave." I manage, starting to slide out of my seat.

"Oh, no, dear, have a seat." Seth says. "You haven't even given me a chance to introduce myself.

"No introductions are necessary." Mason interrupts. "Come on, Ari, let's go." He pulls me up from the seat, but Seth grabs my other hand, pulling me back down to his level.

"Seth, please don't touch her. She's innocent." Mrs. Richards protests. Seth glares at her and she whimpers frightfully, silencing herself. "Mason, Arielle, go." Mrs. Richards hisses. Mason pulls me toward him, but Seth keeps his grip strong, yanking on my healing wrist much harder than anyone ever had before, Chelsea included. I hiss in pain, tears welling at the corners of my eyes. I should've left when I had the chance.

*

"Please, eat something." Seth motions towards the food on the table that none of us have bothered to touch, grinning evilly at us.

"No, thank you, I've lost my appetite." I say truthfully, looking down at my lap. Mason squeezes my knee encouragingly, and I shake my head once more. "May I please leave now?"

"Just stay for a little while longer, Arielle, let's chat some more." Seth says. My mouth goes dry, but I nod, terrified.

"When did you and Mason start dating?" he asks.

"Actually, today marks our two-week anniversary." I tell him quietly, chewing on the inside of my cheek.

"Congratulations." Seth smirks.

"Shut the fuck up, man. It's not like you actually give a shit about our relationship." Mason spits.

"Oh, but I do, for your girlfriend is very pretty and I am very proud that she is dating my son." Seth smiles.

"You can't really call me your son, because you're certainly an asswipe of a father." Mason retorts.

"Mason." Mrs. Richards hisses.

"I really should get going now." I stand up from my seat and dash behind Mason before Seth can lay a finger on me.

"Have a good night, Arielle." Seth finally gives in.

"Come on, Ari. Let's go from the back." Mason says, grabbing his jacket.

"Oh, I didn't realize Mason was dropping you home." Seth looks genuinely amused.

"Well, her mother left before you came, and I'm not exactly going to let my girlfriend walk home in the cold." Mason retorts.

"I could drop you home." Seth suggests, winking at me.

"No." Mason responds immediately. "I'm dropping her home. Now let's go, Arielle."

"I don't think it's best for your girlyfriend to be in the car if you are driving when you're angry." Seth interrupts.

"I think I would know what's best for my girlfriend, and not you, Seth. Now, let's go." Mason grabs my hand and leads me out the door before Seth can say another word. He slams the door as he gets into the car and shoves the keys into the ignition, making the engine roar with life.

"I'm so, so sorry, Arielle." Mason repeats.

"Don't worry about it, Mason." I say, my voice wobbling. "It's okay."

a/n-

is this a bad plot twist or

pm me what u think :) 

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ilyasm x