Christmas Island

Chapter 4: Is this a dream?

"I know, mom. I'm on my way home right now." Candie let out a deep sigh after she hung up the phone call. She and Mason were halfway across the red bridge that separated the city and the place where it seemed everyone's dreams came true.

"Your mom must really care about you, huh?" Mason assumed. Candie looked up from her phone to look at him. "That she is...she's overprotective at times, but I love her for that." She smiled to herself. "What about your mom?" She innocently asked. However that seemed to make Mason uncomfortable as he averted his gaze away from her.

"Oh uh, you don't have to answer that if you don't want to!" She exclaimed, feeling really stupid and inconsiderate.

"No, it's okay. She died when I was really young. Dad doesn't really talk about her." He finally said, his breath visible in the cold air after every word. Mason stopped walking after realizing Candie froze in place behind him.

"What's wrong?" He asked after turning around and walking towards her.

"I'm..I'm just really sorry...I've known you since middle school and I never knew." She paused as she looked down on the ground. "Actually, I don't think we hardly know anything about each other. Some friend I am." Mason just stares in disbelief, not believing how adorable the girl in front of him is acting right now. He takes a deep breath and can't help but smile.

"Hey, what did I say about apologizing? I'm the one that should be saying sorry. It's not your fault, Candie." He stares at the only small patch in the sky where there's light. "Uh, maybe we should get a move on."

"Oh...yeah, sure." They continue walking in silence, each of them thinking what kind of feeling is growing in their chests.

They finally reach the end of the bridge when Candie points left in their direction. "My apartment is right over there." Mason looks at the direction she's pointing at. "Oh wow, you actually live by the island?"

"Yeah..how convenient for me, right?" She forces a smile on her face.

"I guess you must go there almost everyday. Now that I think about it, your apartment is not too far from school either, haha..." Mason tries to make small talk in order to cheer her up, but it doesn't seem to be working. Suddenly a huge gust of wind picks up out of nowhere, which makes Candie shiver and hug herself. "Soo, I-I think I should go now.." She says to Mason and tries to wave goodbye before another gust of wind stops her, while also blowing her scarf away. "Ah crap-"

"I got it!" Mason shouts and runs for it before she can even react. He's finally able to grab it and returns back to where Candie is standing. "Uh, here.." Mason utters, holding it out to here, waiting for her to take it. However, she doesn't respond at all and just stands there. Sighing, Mason takes the scarf and wraps it around her neck gently. "Snap out of it, would you?"

"I'm..sorry, I'm such a screw up. I bet you didn't even have any fun today because of me and-" before she could finish her sentence, Mason reaches for her and holds her in her arms tightly without even thinking. Realizing what he was doing, Candie's eyes widen and her face instantly melts. She tries to form a sentence but barely any understandable words come out.

"Wh-w-what are you doing-"

"Candie, you're apologizing again. You're an awesome friend, too..I just never noticed. I've had an amazing day today, this is the most fun I've had in a long time, and I'm really glad I got to spend it with you so..thank you." She couldn't understand why, but those words made her heart tingle, something she's never really felt before. His body felt warm and she wishes she could stay in his arms a little longer.

"...No problem.." She mumbles. Realization kicks in, and Mason immediately pulls away, turning away from her gaze.

"Yeah well...I guess this is goodbye" He states, starting to walk away. He definitely didn't want her to see him flustered like this.

"Not goodbye...see you later!" Candie shouts from behind. He stops walking and chuckles to himself.

"You're right, I'll see you around" He says, then proceeds to put his hands in his pocket.

After watching him leave, Candie starts to walk in her own direction. Is this the last I'm really going to see him until after the break's over? After that thought, she suddenly works up enough courage to ask him what's been on her mind the moment they left the island.

"Mason?" She shouts and runs to him.

He turns around and looks at her. "Yes?"

"What are you doing during winter break?"

Mason arches his eyebrow. "Hmm, nothing much. Why, do you want to hang out with the best of the best again?" He smirks.

"Yeah right! Well, that is.... if you want to, I mean." She blushes even harder this time. Amused, Mason smiles and pats her on the head.

"I'd love to."

WOWOWOW haven't updated in literally 3 years. I've been thinking about this story lately and I hated myself for not ever finishing it. Well, better late than never. Lots of things happened during my shitty high school life HAH. I think the next chapter I'll write will be my lasttt