Always Connected

Chapter 11 - Pizzas not intended for eating

Dan and I stroll through Harvard yard kicking stones around, and whistling some incoherent melody. The whole area is filled with overly excited freshmans and tons of student advisors. I've waited for this moment in a while, but now I'm here and don't know what to do. It's because of her. Get your shit together Mason.

I sigh defeatedly and comb my hands through my thick unruly hair. Everything would be so much simpler if I just told her the truth instead of being the coward I am. But why haven't her dad told her, he's just as much as a coward as I am. And Cassandra too. I thought she would blow it back then when she found out the truth, but I guess she knows how to shut up when needed. It brings me back to the day I accidentally knocked over my mom's vase while playing Wii, and Cassandra told my parents right away, even though she promised she wouldn't. She was a tattletale, but she did love McKenna and I like we were her own kids. I wonder if she's found a husband yet. I hope so, she deserves it.

I'm so lost right now and I just want to be at home. At home watching Netflix with Kaylee-Grace like we always do. Maybe I should call her later on. I know it would make her less uneasy.

Dan slaps his arm around my shoulder as we stop walking. "What's gotten you so distracted? You look like a lost puppy or somethin'."

I brush his arm away and he rolls his eyes at me excessively. "I just... got a lot on my mind," I explain not giving anything away.

"Well shake it off man, and enjoy this week. After orientation week your minds going to be loaded with homework and exams..." Dan stops moving and looks at me with frantic eyes. "Wait talking about homework and shit, I've got to go. My parents signed me up for something called community conversations, and I'm so late. Fuck I totally forgot about it. Shit shit shit,"

"Just run. I'll see you later,"

He gives me a fast nod with the head and speeds away frantically with a bright smile playing on his lips. He's always so bright and happy which was the first thing I noticed about him when we first met. He even made a little joke the second I stepped into the room. My mom liked him while my dad on the other hand thought he was weird and childish. Dan is childish but not in a bad way, his personality is just fun and bubbly which my dad isn't used to. A lot of my friends back in Michigan are the more well mannered and quiet type since we all went to the same expensive private school. I hated it. But at least it helped me get into an Ivy League college. I did have friends that's just like Dan, my parents just didn't know of them.

I decide to head back to the dorms to get my wallet and stuff before driving around town to get some food. As I cross the familiar road from earlier on my mind plays back McKenna's scarred face and the sound of the car wheels brake. I could have injured her or worst case scenario killed her. But Dan thankfully yelled out for me to stop the car at just the right moment, so that I only hit her lightly. She was so mad at me which was understandable after everything I've done. I have to make amends with her so we all can move on. I don't know if she's still stuck in the past but I am.

I snatch my wallet off of my desk and head to the parking lot were Dan parked my jeep. I don't know where I'm heading, I'll just drive around town until I see something I like. I spot a dominos 10 minutes after driving around and decide to order a pepperoni pizza for me and Dan. The young female cashier gives me a flirtatious smile which I ignore. As I'm walking back to my car I spot someone I never would have imagined meeting again.

"Hey, Hudson," I yell making him look around all confused until he spots me. He gives me a small smile that doesn't reach the eyes as I'm walking closer to him.

"Hi Mason, long time no see," he mutters looking down at his shoes.

Hudson is my cousin on my father's side. We never see each other, because half a decade ago my dad's sister or Hudson's mom Denise ran away from home, and abandoned him and his dad. No one knew why she left, other than her husband John. I think the pressure from everyone made John crazy which led to him taking his own life. Hudson was an orphan, just until his grandma took him under his wings. She called everyone on my dad's side of the family the traitor's family. I've met Hudson a few times since then, but it was only accidental. I wonder what he's doing here in Cambridge.