It has been a few weeks since the end of Senior Year. I had been accepted at a local sixth form while Mason had luckily been accepted into a Sports College- I say luckily with great relief knowing his delinquent past but if you look at him as a person now you wouldn't really see him as the type to go around causing havoc and getting with every girl he lays eyes on.
It was a sunny, clear day outside I really should be going out and enjoying this but Hannah is in the United States again with her family and Mason is well...i don't know. I sighed and grabbed the book I was reading and a sun hat and made my way to the front garden where the deck chair was. Taking a seat I continued reading my book enjoying the slight breeze of the English summer. While I was lost in the whirl wind romance of Conrad and Alanna my thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a vroom vroom of a white van and a door shutting close. Looking up from my book I see a slightly chubby man that looked like he was in his forties step out of the van with a cigarette in his mouth and a heavy looking boxes balancing in his arms. He saw I was looking at him and gave me a jolly smile, which I returned with a confused one.
I continued to watch the old man as he continued to unload the boxes from the van and drop it in front their new house which formerly belonging to Mr and Mrs DeBunk an old, retired couple that moved to a sunny part of France. Being the stalker person I am I continued to watch my new neighbour for another five minutes. His face had become a dark shade of pink and he was starting to heave. Shaking his head he kicked the van door and yelled at someone inside.
"Oi Ben! Get yer lazy arse out that van and help yer old man out!" he gave it another kick (probably for luck)
The rusty door finally opened and out stepped thick black boots covered in golden chains and buckles. When the tall figure finally stepped out of the van door there stood a tall pale figure. He had dark hair styled up into a quiff and a few tattoos climbing up his left arm, however his right arm was clean from the dark ink. He was wearing a ripped, sleeveless, denim jacket and had red Beats headphones around his neck.
"Alright you old wrinkled rag!" he shouted back at the jolly old man.
How he spoke to his old man left me astonished. All I know is if I spoke to my dad like that- if he was still alive. He'd put me into a Dog Adoption Home and never come back for me!
"YA cheeky bastard! Help yer old man and just bring these last few boxes into the house!" replied the man to the younger man and playfully hit him with a cloth that was hanging on his shoulder.
The old man trailed off into the house leaving me staring at the youngest man. He must've sensed my stalker stare and looked me into the eye.
"Do you mind?!" he said sharply.
"Uhm..oh I'm sorry. I-I was just.." I stuttered, lost for words.
"Are all the people around here as nosey as you?" he asked, leaving me rather offended.
"Excuse me but that's no way to speak to a woman!" I snapped.
The rude man just shrugged his shoulders and carried the cardboard boxes effortlessly back to his house. Before shutting the door to his house he looked back at me and shook his head. I held my arms up as if to say 'what's your problem?!' and stormed back into the house.
***************
"Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Spongebob Square Pants!" I shouted around the house, dancing and singing to whatever song or tune I could think of.
"We're soaring OOHH flyyiiinn'!"
My High School Musical ballad was interrupted by the sound of my doorbell ringing. Panting out of breath I wiped off a bit of sweat from my forehead and answered the door finding it was Mason.
"MASON!" I squealed and jumped into his arm.
"Hey babe." his reply came a bit muffled as I squeezed onto him tighter.
He dumped me down on the sofa and I sat upright and stared at me smiling giddily.
He looked at me totally weirded out. "So how has my girl friend been the past few days?" I blushed at the mention of 'girlfriend'.
"Good. How has my...boyfriend been?"
"Better now I'm with you. I've just been forced to spend a week in my step dads holiday villa in Cancun, Mexico with my mother and step dad." he rolled his eyes. As mentioned before Mason's step dad was some millionaire I think he owns his own luxury car business but I'm not entirely sure because you doesn't like bringing up his step dad much.
"Oh c'mon you're just bragging now! I'd love to be in sunny Mexico!" I said hitting him lightly on the chest.
"That's why I went and got you this." he reached into his pocket and pulled out a large silver bracelet and on top of that silver bracelet lay a mosaic-type, coral green parrot with its wings stretched out.
I gasped as he placed it around my wrist. My fingers gently gliding over the intricate detail as if it were the most valued metal itself.
"Wow..." was the only word I could breath out as I continued to examine the bracelets beauty.
I felt Mason shift beside me. I knew he wasn't experienced when it came to being affectionate and showing a sweeter side to him but if only he knew how this bracelet makes my heart flutter.
"Look if you don't like it-" he was about to grab the bracelet but I moved it away from him and stared him in the eyes.
"No, it's absolutely beautiful!" I went to hug him and muffled a thank you into his shoulder. I felt his hand pat me lightly on the back.
We heard the front door open signalling my mother had returned home.
"Faith honey! Are you here?"
"Yes mum! In the living room!" I replied.
I heard her wedge boots clicking against the wooden floors, coming closer towards us.
"Oh, hey Mason." smiled my mother as she saw us sitting on the sofa.
"Hey Ms Williams." Mason greeted back.
Placing her work bag into the coffee table she sighed and sat on the other sofa and stretched her arms. After watching my mums transition from work to home she finally looked at us.
"Sorry about that. Anyway Faith we have been invited to join our new neighbours to dinner around six in the evening. Please be ready by then."
I looked at my mother as if she just started speaking gibberish.
"Neighbours? As in the chubby old man and his obnoxious son?" I said before realising I had just insulted them.
My mother tutted, "Faith don't be so rude! Jerry invited us we cannot turn it down and I find his son Ben lovely."
"Psht I have yet to meet his lovely side." I muttered.
My mother rolled her eyes at my rudeness, "I'm too tired to argue with you Faith. Be ready to make our way there by six. I'm sure you can bring Mason too." she finished. I looked at Mason my eyes wide and nodding. He smiled, "I'll be delighted to join you both." and wrapped his arm around me. His phone started vibrating. Taking it out of his pocket he checked the caller I.D and rolled his eyes.
"Can I just answer this somewhere else please?" He said to my mother. My mother nodded and smiled for him to go. Mason walked out and down the hall I could hear him answer the caller with an annoyed, "Hello..."
It was just me and my mother alone in the living room now.
"How was work?" I asked her.
"Tiring as usual." my mother was maths teacher at a secondary school, she does extra tutoring to earn a bit more income. I nodded.
"Since it's the summer holidays are we doing anything? You know before I go into sixth form and held down by A-Level work?"
"I haven't actually thought about organising a holiday. It slipped my mind sorry. I'll try and sort one out if I can...anyway I'm going to take a quick nap before we head over to Jerry's." she walked out of the room and took her bag with her.
Seconds later Mason returned. "I'm so sorry I have to go."
I looked up from my phone, "Why?"
"Mother and step father want to discuss something with me. I'll see you later?" I nodded an ok and he gave me a quick kiss on the lips before exiting the house.
**************************
I stared at the clock in my room it was five o'clock and I was debating whether to stay in bed and fake catching a cold or getting up and getting ready. I then remembered it was summer and I couldn't really catch a cold because I've locked myself up in the house. I sighed and got up and took another shower. I blew dry my hair and tried on a flowy white summer dress that cascaded down just below my knee that Hannah and I bought while in Hollister. I combed my brown hair out of the way removing any tangles and pushed a plain white headband over my head to keep hairs out of my face. I preferred the more elegant look than a tight, wannabe sexy look. I always felt naked wearing tight dresses. I looked in the mirror. I looked too plain I sighed. Gazing around the room I landed my eyes onto my jewellery stand in the shape of an elephant. I slid a few golden bangles up my arm and by the time I had finished putting my brown sandals I stared at the clock and it was already 5:50.
Taking a seat on the sofa I took out the phone and texted Mason.
"Hey Mason! I'm all ready. U nearly at my house?"
I caught a glimpse of my mum as she walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. I followed her and saw she was wearing skinny jeans with a green and blue barret floral top. She was wearing leather brown wedges I had never saw it before so it was probably new.
"Someone's looking nice." I smirked grabbing a glass from the cabinet and filling it with a glass of water and taking a sip. My mum playfully slapped me on the shoulder, "Oh hush you. It's five minutes to six we're leaving in a bit. Where's Mason?"
I raised my eyebrows and put down the cup and checked my phone. I had received a text from Mason and frowned.
"Sorry hun seems like I can't make it tonight. Have to go to dinner with one of step dads clients. there's no getting out of this one sorry :( xxx"
I have to admit I felt a little annoyed that he ditched me without any earlier message but I shrugged it off.
"He's not coming mum we might as well go now." I said grabbing the keys and unlocking the door. My mum hurried after me down the hall. Her heels making an annoying sound clicking on the floor.
"Are you ok Faith?" she asked grabbing her handbag from a nearby rack.
"Yeah why wouldn't I be?" She stayed quiet and nodded.
I soon realised that I wasn't completely ok. I can't figure out what it is. If it's about Mason not being able to come I'm not entirely sure...
After only fifty three steps we finally arrived at Jerry and Ben's house. I looked over at my mum who just smiled at me. We heard a clattering of pans followed by a few cusses, I gave my mum a weird stare until the door suddenly opened and there was Jerry buttoning his last button on his shirt.
"Hello Ladies sorry about the wait my son Ben back there dropped a few pans." said Jerry giving us a smile. We stood outside the door in silence until my mum coughed, "Oh yes sorry! Uh- come into our bachelor pad!" Smiled Jerry moving out of the way to let us in. I walked past him and gave little smile.
"You're looking lovely today Marian." he said looking my mum up and down making her blush. I gave her an odd look, my mum never blushed.
I took a seat on the couch by my mum and opposite my mum sat Jerry they got lost in their own conversation about work apparently he's owns his own garage 'Mr Motors' which his son Ben works in. I had saw a new sign being painted on a vacant garage it must've been his. I was actually quite happy I hadn't run into Ben but I knew I'd see him once this evening. Getting my phone out I checked through it to see if Mason had texted back. Nothing. I frowned, I wonder what he's up to? I don't want to sound like one of those clingy girl friends but I had a bad feeling...
"Faith honey, Jerry just asked you a question." said my mother interrupting my thoughts.
"Uhm sorry I was distracted for a moment. Please could you repeat that?"
"Haha it's ok I was just wondering what you were planning to be when you were older?" He chuckled. I seemed to lighten up towards Jerry he doesn't seem to take things too seriously.
"Uhm well I wanted to be a doctor or if that doesn't work out I want to work with children..." I replied.
"Oh my daughter is amazing with children." said my mother.
"Is she now?" Asked Jerry facing his body towards my mum and leaning forward slightly.
"Oh yes, she and her partner which is now her boyfriend got A* for looking after real children."
"Real children?" Jerry asked astonished.
"Well it came as a shock to us too but I guess it was for the most trusted students. The kids were from care. It lasted two months and they had to live in a local hotel rented by the school." explained my mother.
Jerry nodded, "Was it hard looking after the kid?"
I thought back remembering LJ. I wonder how she is now? Are her Kelly and her brother Mason still together or apart?
"Well it was hard to say goodbye because I grew kind off attached to the child." I replied truthfully. In fact once we returned LJ and Mason to the care home I cried a little. The following weeks and months were me and Mason trying to help Kelly sort out her legal custody documents I haven't heard from them since actually.
The door from the kitchen opened and in walked Ben wearing a v-neck black loose long sleeve shirt covering his tattoos with grey denim trousers and these leather white Ralph Lauren shoes with the black polo player sewn in. His black hair was tousled up in a quiff and if I hadn't already met him I would say he looked half attractive and a nice guy to talk to however I did meet him earlier and even though he may be attractive his attitude isn't.
"Oh well look who it is." smiled Ben at me. I knew he was trying to sound friendly in front of his father and my mother but I wasn't stupid. I could sense annoyance in his voice. Or am I just paranoid or overthinking?
"Hey son meet the Williams' they live down the road. This is Ms Marian Williams' and her daughter Faith." said Jerry introducing us.
"By the way Faith how old are you?" Asked Jerry.
"I'm sixteen turning seventeen this coming December."
"Magnificent my boy is seventeen!"
I smiled stiffly, "Uhh I've got a boyfriend."
The room became silent at my answer then after a few seconds the two men started laughing. Their bellows echoed through the house making me go a dark tint of red.
"I don't think my dad was implying that. I've got a girlfriend too actually. Cindy the receptionists of my dads garage."
"I thought you two broke up?" Asked Jerry.
His son turned towards him, "Oh you know we're always on and off..."
Jerry gave his son a knowing look making me discreetly roll my eyes however I couldn't help but envy their parent relationship because they're almost like best friends.
"Anyway let me escort you lovely ladies to the dining room where we may start dining." said Jerry putting on an overly exaggerated London Butler accent getting a giggle from my mum. A giggle.
Jerry and his son Ben sat on one side of the table whilst my mother and I sat on the other, my mother opposite Jerry and me unfortunately opposite Ben.
Again my mother and Jerry started talking about whatever while I stayed quiet and chewed my food. I felt a small tap on my foot hitting me underneath the table I looked up to see Ben just staring down at his plate eating. Shrugging it off I continued to eat again however after a few seconds I felt the light tapping on my feet. I hated being played around with so annoyed I dropped my fork and spoon on the plate making a louder clang than it was supposed to. I smiled sheepishly as Jerry and my mother had stopped their conversation and looked at me, my mother giving me the "What the hell?" Look. I mumbled a sorry and they continued on with whatever they were talking about.
I glared at Ben who was innocently eating his food. He looked up, eyes meeting mine. A playful smirk forming on his lips.
What? Ok as I remember earlier he was obnoxious and fast-assuming with a horrible attitude and now he's acting all innocent and nice as if nothing happened?
As the long dinner droned on I suddenly felt a vibration from my phone. Discretely looking at who the text was from I saw it was from Mason. I smiled at his simple: "Hey x" text. I finally had a reason to leave this lunch!
"Uhm Jerry may I please be excused?" I asked and Jerry just nodded while I probably too happily skipped to the bathroom with Ben eyeing me suspiciously.
Once in the bathroom I locked the door behind me and went to call Mason. I planned on jokingly having a go at him for leaving me here, then drone on about how boring the dinner was and how I'd rather be with him...
The first attempt of calling had been ringing then been sent to voicemail. Same with the second. However with the third call it had just gone straight to voicemail like he had intentionally turned it off or dismissed it.
I frowned at the screen. Then it suddenly beeped.
We need to talk. -Mason
I frowned even more at the screen. I was no expert in relationships but I didn't exactly have to be a genius to know something was up when someone goes "We need to talk."
