All Because Of Him

seventy five.

Last night with Natalie and Jessica was everything I needed. 

At first I felt like things could have been awkward between Natalie and I considering where we left off, but that couldn't have been further from reality. I was still feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything that happened at the party, and after talking it over- more like crying it over- with the both of them, I started to feel so much better.

Natalie told us how things went at her moms house, and Jessica and I filled her in on what's been going on here. I felt bad excluding them from everything that's been going on between Mason and I this summer. But oddly enough, it didn't feel like the time to.

I didn't want to ruin the first night we've all shared together in weeks.

I know when I decide to tell them, they won't be too happy about it. But I forced that thought into the back of my mind and just let myself enjoy my time with them.

And then there was Mason.

He was constantly checking up on us throughout the night, it got so annoying Jessica had to throw a pillow at him just to get him to leave. A part of me felt bad, I knew he was just doing it to check up on me, but still I managed to laugh while it all went down.

He texted me to look outside the door later that night and while Jessica and Natalie were in their own conversation I quickly walked over to her bedroom door and opened it, revealing a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream and a spoon placed right on top of it with a yellow sticky note hanging off the side.

Goodnight x

That one little word was enough to send my heart pitter pattering in my chest. I wanted to sneak out of the room, and tip toe over to his, thank him for everything he's done tonight. Ordering us pizza, letting us use his card to buy any movie we wanted, repeatedly checking up on me, his actions meant the world to me.

Still, it didn't excuse everything that's happened between us.

But it was enough to subside some of my anger.

It's so strange to me how Mason can be so affectionate when he wants to be without even realizing it. I can't escape the thought of how helpful he's been tonight to try and lift my spirits, and I try like hell not to compare it with how Aiden reacted, but it's impossible not to.

I went to bed not knowing what tomorrow holds for Mason and I, like I always do. But this time I told myself that things would be different. I can't let everything he's done slide because of how he's been toward me these last few hours.

Things will be different this time.

It has to be.

❀

The next morning I wake up to the sound of soft snores coming from both sides of me. I really shouldn't have decided to sleep in the middle of the two of them last night, my body feels so hot and sweaty and I barely have enough room to breathe.

I sit up, trying to be as quiet as possible as I crawl to the end of the bed and slowly step off of it. I use the extra hair tie Jess gave me last night to tie my hair into a loose messy bun as I make my way over to the bathroom, using this time to get ready before they both wake up.

Since I don't have a toothbrush here I unfortunately am left with no other option than to use my finger, and I fight the urge to gag while doing so. I know it isn't the same, but it's the best I can do at the moment.

Once I'm done I look at my reflection in the mirror, and images of last night come flooding back into my mind as I trace my fingers along the side of my neck where Isaac forcibly kissed me. I remember the pain of being pushed against the wall, and I grab onto the end of the Tshirt Jessica gave me to wear, and lift it upwards revealing the black and blue bruise already there on the skin.