Before You

Chapter 43

"Evy!" Boston screams as she jumps off of her bed.

"Hey!" I squeal as I throw my arms around her neck for a hug.

Mason and Zane approach us, wrapping their arms around us both for a group hug.

"Now this is how it should be." Mason says smiling.

This is perfect. I don't get or expect this sort of reaction from my mother, but I know it will always come from my friends. They are my family. A few seconds later, we break the embrace and take a seat on Boston's bed. I've missed this place. It seems like it's been years since I've been here. So much of my time has been spent in this room laughing with the group. At least most of them. I think back to Gage and Liz who are no longer around.

"Man, I've missed you guys." I say to them.

"We've missed you too." Boston replies. "How's Atlanta?"

"It's good. I've been busy with work and classes, but it's good." I respond.

"I guess it's been pretty dramatic too. I can't believe what happened with Gage." Boston says with wide eyes.

I glance down at the bed and back to her. "Yeah, that was crazy. I wasn't expecting that at all."

"I can't lie, I wish I would have been front and center to see Mason punch him in the face!" Boston says laughing.

I can't help but join in laughing. "I was shocked. I've never seen Mason hit anyone."

I look over at Mason. He's staring back at me with a grin on his face. I believe he's proud of the moment he had with Gage. I don't think he would take back the punch to his face. Zane, however, looks mildly upset.

"What's wrong?" I ask Zane.

"Gage has his issues, but should we be talking about him like this?" Zane asks.

"Dude, Gage is on drugs. It was his choice to get started on that stuff and stay on it. It was what he said that got him punched in the face. I would do it again in a heartbeat." Mason says sternly.

My assumption was right. He doesn't regret it. I admit, I'm pleased too. Even with our past, I don't wish anything bad on him. I hope he gets the help he needs and can move forward with his life. However, he definitely had a punch in the face coming to him. It was just a matter of time.

"I'm just sorry I didn't get to do it first." I speak, and everyone breaks into laughter.

Hours fly by and when I check the time on my watch, it's almost midnight. It doesn't even feel like I've been here that long. Ms. Sidney made us dinner and we've been hanging out in Boston's room all night. I send my mother a quick text and tell her that I'm staying over at Boston's house tonight. She's not going to be too pleased, but she was the one that left first, after all. I text Jett and tell him that I made it to Atlanta and I'll call him in the morning. I glance around the room. Zane has fallen asleep on the floor next to the closet door.

"I think he could sleep anywhere." I tell Boston and Mason.

"No doubt." Mason replies.

"I'm so glad you're home, Evy." Boston says. "I wish it was longer than a week."

"I know." I respond. "Maybe you can plan another trip to Atlanta soon. We can go back to Barneys. That was fun."

"Yes it was!" Boston says laughing. "By the way, do you still talk to that guy that showed up there?"

"You mean, Jett?" I ask. "Yeah, we still talk. We, um, we've actually been spending some time together."

"Really?" Boston asks and looks over to Mason.

"Yeah." I reply. "He's in one of my classes and we've been partnered up on some projects. He's shown me around the city. He's a really good guy."

"How serious is it?" Mason asks me.

"Well... we're not getting married or anything. I mean, we've been hanging out and getting to know each other." I say.

"So you're not in love with him?" Boston asks.

"No. I mean, we haven't said anything like that. I don't know what's going on, really. Things with him and I are so different than they were with Gage." I say quickly.

"Well, that is a good thing. Gage is such a loser." Boston says plainly.

I nod my head in agreement. I feel so tired. The drive to Savannah definitely wore me out. If I don't go to bed soon, I'll sleep for half of the day tomorrow, I'm sure. Then again, there's no way my mother would allow that to happen in her house.

"Boston, do you have some clothes I can borrow for tonight? I left all of mine back at my mothers house." I say, yawning.

"Sure." Boston says and walks over to her dresser. "Here you go." She says, tossing me a pair of boxer shorts and a white t-shirt.

"I'll be back. I'm going to the bathroom." I tell them.

After I change my clothes, I glance into the bathroom mirror. Boston can't be serious. The green plaid pair of boxer shorts just hits the top of my thighs. The white t-shirt she gave me is very fitted, hugging every curve I have. If I were anywhere else, I wouldn't wear this, but it's just Boston and Mason. I walk back into Boston's bedroom and lock eyes with her.

"Boston, really?" I ask, pointing to the clothes I'm wearing.

"Oh." Boston says laughing. "I'm sorry. That's all I have left. I need to do some laundry."

I shake my head and walk back over to the bed. These are Boston's clothes. She loves to wear stuff like this and show off her body. I would have been better off asking for a garbage bag to put over me. I sit down on the bed and look over at Mason. He's staring at me with a blank expression on his face.

"Are you okay?" I ask him.

"Um, yeah." He responds and rubs the back of his neck. "You look great Evy."

I start laughing. "You don't have to say that. I know I look like I'm wearing something that could fit on a five year old."

Mason's face doesn't change. "No, I'm serious. You look amazing in everything you put on."

He's so sweet. This is one of the reason's why Mason is my best friend. I can always count on him to make me feel better. Even in moments that I feel completely stupid, like this one, he makes it better.

"Thanks Mase." I say with a smile. "Well, I'm going to bed guys. I'll never get up tomorrow if I don't get some sleep."

"Okay." Boston says getting off the bed and walking over to Mason.

I lay down on her bed, pulling the covers over me. "You're not coming to bed?"

"Yeah, I am in a minute. I'm going to talk to Mason first. Go ahead and go to sleep. I'll see you in the morning." She says.

"Okay." I reply.

Boston turns her bedroom light off and sits down on the floor next to Mason. A street light from outside seeps in through her window and I can see the outlines of their bodies across the room from me. My eyes feel so heavy. I want to stay awake, but I can't. I try to clear my mind and fade away into my dreams. However, even with my eyes closed, I feel like all eyes are on me.