Settling The Score

Part 11

It was really quiet outside. Too quiet. And of course, Mason was nowhere to be seen. I was tempted to look for him behind some bushes to see if he was hiding or something, but he probably just called someone to pick him up

Fricking yerk, leaving without so much as a goodbye.

I don't know why that bothered me, but sure enough, I found myself getting into my Beetle and heading to his party. The one thing I was dead set on avoiding tonight.

I squeezed my Beetle in between the rest of the parked cars, noticing the party still raging inside, even as midnight slowly approached.

Drunk girls hurling their guts out and couples making out against walls, scorched my brain as I flew towards the front door, trying very hard not to gag.

Bracing myself, I shoved past the sweaty bodies that were grinding against each other. As I began my descent inside, the smell of alcohol burned my nose, the music pounding against my eardrums.

When I finally emerged from the mob of grinding, thrashing teenagers, I took a composing breath, looking around for any hint of a friendly face.

"Hey, boo," a voice came from behind me. Beth stood there with a drunk-looking Jenna beside her. Relief washed over me at the sight of them.

Jenna jerked her chin up when she saw me and gave me a tight hug before asking, "Where have you been? You just about missed the whole party!"

I cocked an eyebrow at her slurred words and smirked at Beth. "I've been a bit preoccupied with a few things, but it seems you have too, Beth," I chuckled, gesturing to Jenna.

Beth sighed exaggeratedly. "Tell me about it, girl. I've been watching this maniac all night. If she's not downing beers, then she's grinding against guys. Guys, who can't keep their damn hands to themselves."

I shook my head as Jenna giggled. I suppose this party would be like a hunting ground for the guys at our school. Their prey, a scrumptious prize to be won.

The thought made me sick.

"Have you seen Lucy?" I asked Beth while scanning the room for any hint of her. 

"Yeah, she was here a minute ago. Somethin' was definitely up with her, though."

I blew a strand of hair from my face. "I am the worst friend in the world," I mumbled, rubbing my temples. 

"Why don't you take Jenna to go get some water and I'll catch up with you guys later, okay?" I said, just as I glimpsed Lucy disappearing upstairs.

"I think that's a great idea," Beth sighed, dragging Jenna with her to the kitchen. "Good luck!" she yelled over her shoulder.

When I got to Lucy's room, I found her hovering over her charging phone.

Discreetly, I went to go sit next to her. "Hey," I said, "Waiting for a text?"

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with tears, a sight that broke my heart. I pulled her into a warm hug.

"Leslie, I-" her voice broke and I tightened the hug. "I know, Luce, I know."

How could I not? When I saw the pain behind Carlos' eyes before I left, I knew something bad had happened between them.

We sat there for a long time before her sobbing finally eased a bit. She looked at me with solemn eyes.

"He told me, Les. He told me everything. One minute I was talking to him about how Jake wanted to get back together, and the next thing I know, he's telling me he's in love with me! I mean, what am I supposed to say to that? We've been friends for forever! To put that all on the line..."

Her lip wobbled, but she continued, "And I told him that, you know? That I didn't think it was worth the risk. And then he just told me to enjoy my boy-toys and ran off! Can you believe him?" she rambled, her distraught now turning into anger. 

"So, I've been texting him, the whole fricking night I've been texting, and texting and he just won't answer! I can't take it!" she shrieked.

If she could see herself right now, I wonder if she'd realize that maybe Carlos' affections were not so one-sided.

Over the past two years, she's had a lot of relationships with a lot of different guys. And yet, I've never seen her this angry at any of them. Sure, she cried and stuffed her face with junk food, but to see her show some emotion other than a slight discontent, was something I hadn't seen before.

"Give him time, Luce," I said nudged.

"And don't do anything rash, either," I warned her as I took the bottle of tequila, that she always hid under her bed from her, keeping her from taking another sip.

She gave me a pleading look, but I held firm. "Drunk Lucy makes for bad decision Lucy, " I tsked with a small smile on my lips.

She shrugged, "Fine."  

"I'll go get you some water," I chuckled, leaving her behind as I roamed towards the bathroom.

As I neared Mason's room, I halted for a second. 

I wonder if he was in there...

Slowly, I crept closer, peeking inside.

I jumped back immediately when I saw him sitting on his bed and a girl walking towards him. And not just any girl, but Ashley fricking Westbrooke!

I stood there frozen in place, trying to even out my breathing, or more accurately, trying to keep myself from barging in there and ripping out those false eyelashes she so shamelessly batted at him.

Slowly, I forced my feet towards the bathroom.

Breath, Leslie breath.

It shouldn't be bothering me. I knew the guy had a different girl in his bed every other night. And had them tying him up with their panties, for goodness sake! My gut clenched at the thought.

A door slamming hurled me from my thoughts and when I peeked my head out, I spotted Ashley storming down the stairs.

Weird...

Back in the bathroom, I stood staring absentmindedly at my reflection. After an eternity of being lost in my own thoughts, I whirled around when I noticed a figure standing in the doorway behind me.

I stared at Mason dumbfounded before abruptly realizing who precisely I was sharing the small space with.

I cleared my throat. "Uhm, it's occupied?" I managed.

His green eyes were riving. I saw a million thoughts flash through them all at once, before the lopsided grin formed on his face. "Couldn't stay away, could you, Carter?" he smirked.

Carter, not Carebear...

I pushed the disappointment aside. Something was wrong. He seemed... different. 

"I'm here for Lucy," I said as held me in place with his gaze. His smile grew and I was wholly unable to look away from his swirling eyes for even a moment. He took a step closer. I took one back.

"Are you, now?" he purred, the words rolling off of his tongue like a sweet melody. 

Slowly, tauntingly, he came to stand in front of me. The hurricane in his eyes still pinning me on the spot.

"How did you get here, after... after leaving my place?" I stuttered, swallowing audibly as he took another step towards me, my back now pushed against the sink.

"Called a friend to pick me up," his velvety voice crooned, the minty scent of his breath caressing me. My heart skipped a beat at the feel of it against my skin.

He was so close now that our heavy breaths mingled. And still, he was inching closer and closer...