The Rainbow at the end of my storm

•7•

It's been a whole week since I'd seen Mason. I was kind of relieved after the second day. I wasn't sure what happened between us in my dorm, and I didn't want to know either. He was still a dick and he was still bad news. At least that's what Johnny said.

The door opening took me away from my thoughts.

"We are going to a bonfire" Bree said as she entered the room from her shopping trip. She'd asked me to tag along but I'd stayed here to complete an assignment for my psychology class.

"When?" I shut my laptop and faced her as she pulled out heaps of new clothes.

"Tonight, get ready. We have an hour" she said, excitedly, before picking up her toiletries and heading for the shower.

What did one wear to a bonfire? I asked myself as I stared at my wardrobe of unfashionably clothes. Now it was getting colder I needed more things.

I pushed hanger after hanger to the left side, until I found a snug black jumper. It was slightly oversized, but cute. Now for the rest of the outfit.

By the time Bree returned from her shower, I was dressed - black ripped, skinny jeans, leather jacket, and a red scarf. I looked stylish for once.

Whistling and giggling she said, "Wow, who knew autumn clothes could look so hot"

That same anxious feeling came over me, making me rethink my whole outfit. People would notice me, look at me. Boys would look at me. Jesus, I sounded like a nun for gods sake!

"I won't be long, I already know what I'm wearing"

I nodded, applying a small layer of red lipgloss. It wasn't too bright, subtle and simple. My mouth parted as I applied a coat of mascara. With my hair in an effortless ponytail, I felt less revealing. Ironically, there was nothing on show, yet I felt more exposed than ever.

"Can I ask you something?" Bree said, as she chucked a green cable knit jumper over her head.

"Sure" I sat down.

"What happened back at home?" She'd turned around to ask, eyeing me through the tiny wooden mirror she did her makeup in. "Sorry, it's just, Mason said-"

"What did he say?!" I rose from the bed before I even realised I was standing. Why was he speaking to Bree about me?

She placed her mascara wand down and turned to face me. "He just said you fainted on him the other day, he scared you but he didn't do anything. You mentioned a boys name, Kieran or something? Why didn't you tell me you fainted?"

I had so many questions going through my head, I didn't know where to start. But the main one, the one that bugged me the most, was how did they even know each other? They didn't speak once at the party - or at least I didn't think they did. I'd never seen them interact.

"How do you even know him?"

Slightly frustrated that I'd ignored everything she asked, she slumped her shoulders and returned to her routine before answering. "He's in my brothers frat house, I don't really speak to him. He's a bit of a player, a bad boy as some may say-" she said the latter in a mock tone, laughing a little. "But he asked me how you were and I was a little taken back at first, until he explained"

As soon as she finished a flash back hit me. When we were leaving the party Jason spoke to him and I remember him briefly saying he already knew Bree. Or at least Jason said he did. I felt stupid. That still didn't give him rights to talk about me. I didn't tell Bree because otherwise she might ask why he was in here with me in the first place, and after the other day, I didn't want the repercussions.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, it's just-" I sighed, realising how silly I sounded. "I didn't want to hear your reaction if you knew he'd been in here with me-"

"He was in here with you?! You didn't faint during class?!" She spun around, eyes wide, excitement laced through her features. Oh no, what had I done.

I hung my head, smacking it straight into my palms.

"Oh no, I don't think so. You're telling me. Now!" She skipped over to the bed, shaking me until I looked up at her. She'd finished her makeup so there was nothing left to do now, just talk. Great.

"He followed me from the cafeteria, I told him to leave me alone and he wouldn't. I panicked, I fainted at the door and he made sure I was okay" I shrugged it off like it was nothing. I began to stand when she stood with me, asking more questions.

"But why did you freak out? He's a dick but he wouldn't hurt you-"

"You don't know that" snapping wasn't the answer, especially when that wasn't the concern. Strangely enough, I was more concerned with how he made me feel inside.

"Look, I don't know what happened back home, but I'm here. I'll always be there for you" she hugged me, pulling all the negative feelings away. This was what I needed when it happened, now I have it, I'm not risking losing it. That means not telling the truth.

"Thank you, but we should go. Come on"

She stood still, a strange expression on her face. "What's up?"

"Mason might have offered to drive us"

The blood drained from head to toe, spilling across the floor in a mess, making me lose my footing. "What"

"I'm so sorry!" She rushed over to me. "I think he likes you" she smirked this time, like that was going to make it better. Had she not listened to me at all?

Deciding there was nothing I could do but sulk, and I definitely didn't want to do that, I let it go. "Whatever, let's just go"

Her infectious smile was too much. She was loving this, why was she so set on me and him having sex?