The Realm of Question

Chapter 16

I rolled over in bed inhaling, hoping to smell that sweet minty flavor of last night. No such luck. I felt a body next to mine, but it wasn't the one I had hoped it would be. Don't get me wrong, I loved Josh and his warm arms, but he just wasn't Mason.

I was in high spirits today. Since all the Hunters were bushed from the night before, that meant no school for them. Even Ella and Stephen took off work. That meant I would be getting driven to school by my one and only. Who knew the un-dead were perfect at everything? Oh yeah, me... I loosened Josh's arms from around me. He was so tired he wasn't even a light sleeper tonight. Ew, he drooled on my arm.

I ran to the bathroom, putting on my make-up. I then put on the shirt from the outfit Trish picked out for me last night knowing she'd be out of commission today and not wanting to have me risk going to school looking like Pippy Long Stockings. I threw on jeans and leather heeled boots like Mason had told me to. I quickly brushed my pearly whites and grabbed my school bag. I heard the low roar of a motor as Mason pulled up. I ran into my room and looked out the window.

I couldn't help but beam at the sight of him with his dark faded jeans, leather jacket and red helmet in his right hand as he leaned against his black and red motorcycle. I smiled down at him and he grinned slyly right back at me. I sprinted quietly down the stairs but the heel of my leather boot got stuck in the stairs, so I spent about a minute trying to free it. In that time I made out the huge shape of Kevin on the sofa. I looked closer and saw two other shapes cuddled together on the floor. It appeared with Ryans's leg looped up over Zack's hip that they didn't completely hate each other one-hundred percent of the time. I giggled and realized they would stir if I opened the door. Plus, chances are, with my luck I'd trip and fall right on top of Kevin. I walked quietly up the stairs and back into my bedroom. Stepping lightly across the carpeting, I hoisted myself up onto the window sill. Mason's eyes got wide and he walked forward to where the roof ended. I showed him my bag and dropped it down. He caught it easily in one hand and put it down next to him. I walked forward nervously.

"Ana?" I whipped around way too quickly, and lost my balance.

"Whoa! Whoa! WHOA!" I heard Josh scream my name as I fell from the roof and let out a scream of my own that was cut short by a pair of iron arms that formed a cradle around me. I realized the cushion in between his two arms just so happened to be my back pack. It seemed that homework did have a use after all! I saw Josh climbing out of the window, snarling like a mad man. Mason ran with me towards his bike. He got on and revved the engine.

"Get on!" he cried. I grabbed his shoulder as he passed the helmet to me. I put it on as he hit the gas, propelling us down the hill. I heard the snarling dying down behind us.

"Dumb mutt," I heard him snicker.

"What did I tell you?" I yelled over the engine.

"I don't recall, with you topless during that time period, because I'm having trouble recalling anything from those moments," he laughed.

"No, I do believe I was fully clothed then."

"Oh, then what?" He pulled around the corner.

"That his name was Josh." I then caught sight of our surroundings. "You do know that school is the other way," I inquired.