The Loudest Silence

Isabella

I pulled the jacket closet to my body and rubbed my hands together as an attempt for heat as I made my way towards the library. 

It was a chilly morning, which was typical for Maryland, except it didn't help that the only jacket I owned was an extremely thin fabric. 

Mason and I had decided yesterday to meet up for the project when he unexpectedly showed up at breakfast. As soon as he left the table, Isla would not stop asking questions abut him, how we met, and everything about his life.

It wasn't long before she began to mash our names together as her attempt of setting us up. 

I successfully avoided her this morning and intended on completing as much of the project as I could before Rick or Roman showed up on campus searching for me.

Warmth immediately enveloped me upon stepping into the dimly lit library. Groups of students were littered all across the room and the aroma of coffee was fresh in the air. Making my way towards an empty table in the back, I sat down and pulled out a pen and my notebook. Luckily the desk had a computer right behind it, so I quickly placed my bag there and pulled out the assignment to look over before Mason arrived.

A couple minutes passed before a shadow loomed over my head. Alarmed, I turned around and let out an inaudible sigh of relief when I saw that it was just Mason and not Roman or any of Rick's other goons. 

"Morning." He grinned as he held up two steaming cups of coffee in his hand. Placing the two cups down, he plopped down into his seat before sliding one of the cups over to me.

Taken aback by his kind gesture, I simply stared at him. His hair was as usual, messy but his eyes were warm and welcoming as he continued to smile at me. Usually I wouldn't fret over a small gesture like this, but after not being exposed to any kindness or generosity all my life, any small instance, whether it be with Isla, Fletcher or even Mason shocked me but ultimately warmed my heart.

"Thank you." I meekly said, taking the warm cup of coffee into my hands and taking a few sips. Setting the cup down, I looked towards Mason who was watching me closely with an unknown look in his eyes. At this moment he didn't look like the usual sociable smiling mason, but instead he looked extremely serious and a bit intimidating. 

He quickly snapped out of his thoughts when he saw me staring and pulled the assignment paper closer to read it. He furrowed his eyebrows as he read the words before tossing the paper to the side.

"I don't like school." He simply said, causing a small giggle to bubble out of my chest. Setting my coffee cup down on the table, I picked the sheet of paper up and scanned through the assignment. We were supposed to research two pieces of literature that were similar, but from different time frames. 

Letting out a deep sigh, I turned to move into the seat in front of the computer to begin research. I watched from the corner of my eye as Mason pulled up a chair beside me, moving our bags and papers along with him.

"I'll go get some history books." He informed after a couple minutes of watching me sign into the computer. I watched as he disappeared into the long line of bookshelves before turning to face the computer to let out a loud breath.

Something about Mason was unnerving and intimidating.

I couldn't help but feel that despite his friendly exterior, he had some dark secrets of his own that he concealed from the outside world.