Always Connected

Chapter 6 - What secret?

The world around me seems to stop, as I realize that the rude, annoying, irritating, provoking, disturbing, and sarcastic boy in front of me is Mason.

Over this single week, I've met Mason two times, without even knowing it was him all along. How could I be so stupid? He looks like... himself. But how much could a person change over 8 years? The main difference is his hair and that he's gone through puberty. His hair used to be a very light shade of blond, but now it's a much deeper shade.

Masons hazel eyes are vulnerable as he stares at me. And his hands are shaking immensely. He opens his mouth, but it takes him a few seconds before he finally begins talking.

"I'm... I'm so sorry McKenna," he stutters.

"No your not," I reply contradicting his words.

"Yes, I am. I just hope you understand why my family and I left so abruptly."

Is he joking?

"What are you talking about, how could I be understanding if nobody, not even you would tell me why you had to leave. Everybody dodged the question when I asked them. Cassandra dodged it and she was supposed to be my godmother. Even my dad acted like you and your family didn't mean anything to him. So tell me, Mason, why did you leave, cause it's been almost 8 years now and I haven't gotten any answer yet," I'm completely out of breath as I finish the harsh statement.

He just stands there and keeps on looking at me, without saying anything.

"Tell me!" I add, with a forceful voice. I don't care what people around us may think, all I care about right now is the truth, and the truth only.

He sucks in a deep breath and clears his throat. Anticipation grows in me, and the same with anxiousness. I can see his lips twitching, and I'm getting myself prepared for the truth.

"I'm sorry but I can't tell you,"

The little bubble of anticipation in me pops as he lets out those words.

"Mason for God's sake, just tell me. Tell me why Cassandra is silent, whenever I mention you and your parents. Tell me why my dad always looks at your old house with sorrow in his eyes. Tell me why you never came to my mom's funeral. And tell me why you forgot me," I cry with tears streaming down my face. Even though I'm crying, I still have a strong and forceful voice. My words are harsh, and indescribably mean, but he deserves every hurtful thing I say to him.

"McKenna If I could I would tell you. But I'm not the one you should hear it from."

"Then who am I supposed to hear it from?" I sob calmly.

"Your dad," he murmurs, with his head looking down at the concrete.

"Fine," I disclose and turn around to walk away. I'm done with Mason, I've moved on. I sure hope that he's just visiting someone here in Cambridge, cause I don't think I could bear attending the same college as him.

"McKenna, just because I didn't want to tell you why I had to leave, doesn't mean we can't talk."

"Stop following me, and get on with your life," I mutter frustrated. "I can't just get on with my life, now that I've found you,"

"Found me!" I yell. "You're twisting the damn words and making it sound like it was me who left you. When in reality it was you who left when my life was falling apart." My voice cracks, at the end of the sentence, from yelling so much. "And the most heartless part of it all was that you didn't even have the decency, to show up to my mom's funeral."

The look on his face falters and lets me know that I've just hurt him in more than one way.

"There's a lot of things I regret in life. And that's one of the things I regret the most. Do you know how guilty I still feel to this day for not attending her funeral? Lilith was like an aunt to me. I know this is a dumb excuse, but I was 10 years old and 2000 miles away, then how was I supposed to attend something I couldn't even get to."