Song: Novels - Rusty Clanton
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My eyes were as wide as the full moon. Mason, my childhood friend was standing in front of me. A smile broke on my face as I lept forward and hugged him. His arms circled around me like they always did in high school. In moments of sheer joy.

"Oh my God, what are you doing here" I asked, still shocked to see him here.

"I'll answer that question but we need to get Ally first" he replied as we broke away from the hug.

I looked at him confused as he smiled back at me with the same goofy grin.

"Your not going to invite me in?" He asked pointing to the door behind me.

"Oh ofcourse come on in!!" I said coming out of my trance.

I stepped forward and led the way inside. My insides filling up with happiness as I slowly realized that Mason was here.

I have missed him.

"How's your mom now?" He asked as we walked towards the hall.

"A lot better. She is recovering quickly."

"That's a relief" he commented and I nodded.

Before we could reach the door, there was shuffling of footsteps and Ally came   in the view.

"Eva who's at the-" her words got caught in her throat as her eyes landed on Mason.

"What? Mason!?" She said, her face covering with the same surprise as mine.

"You're here? That's even better" said Mason excitedly, stepping forward to hug her.

"Its so good to see you. How long has it been?" Inquired Ally.

"Three years now. I have missed you two so much" replied Mason hugging us both again.

I giggled into his embrace feeling like the high school Eva. Its been so long since I have felt like her.

"Is Drake here too?" Questioned Mason breaking away.

Ally's smile faltered, as the room shifted from cosy to tense. I placed a hand on Mason's shoulder.

"We all have a lot of catching up to do."

.....................................

We were sitting in the living room. Cups of tea in our hands as we filled in each other on our lives.

It felt strange, realizing I had missed five years of their lives. So much could have happened, so much has happened. We used to be so up to date on each others lives, knowing even the tiniest of information. But now we only recalled the important stuff, missing out on small details. Details like I bought a new clock or I found a new dessert shop.

I stared at their faces, the struggles of life evident with the beauty. Somewhere along these five years, the three of us had grown up.

"I'm sorry to hear that" said Mason after hearing Ally narrate what happened with her and Drake.

Ally wiped a tear from her face, a lone tear that dared to escape. Mason shifted towards her and enveloped her in a hug.

"Hey, its okay. Problems arise in couples all the time-"

"What if this is the end?" Cut in Ally bitterly.

"Its not" replied Mason sternly. "You both are just taking a well needed break. Time away from each other to think things through. He'll come back to his senses really soon. And if he doesn't well his loss. I always thought you could do better than him"

Ally smiled at Mason's words and so did I. She seemed to have calmed down. I reached out and held her hand, giving a small squeeze of assurance.

"Its your turn now. Are you here to visit or...." said Ally, wiping away her tears and sitting up straight.

Mason looked at both of us. His face covered with the same goofy smile he had on before.

"What is it?" I said leening forward, my curiosity killing me.

"Oh Mason, spit it out!!" Remarked Ally moving forward too.

"I'm getting married" he finally revealed, his smile getting bigger than I thought was possible.

Me and Ally gasped. Loudly. Mason was getting married. Our Mason who used to hide himself in forts of books was getting married. The same Mason who didn't know what love was.

"What!?"

"How the hell!?"

"Who is she?"

"Is she sane?"

"How come you never told us"

"Don't kid, I swear if this is a joke I will-"

"CALM DOWN" bellowed Mason.

He grabbed his cup of tea and leaned back on the couch. "I'll explain everything"

....................................

Mason was getting married to a girl named Katie Gale. He met her at a grocery store parking lot in Australia, her shopping bag had a tear in it which ended with all of the contents dropping on the ground. Mason helped her pick everything up and then asked her out for a coffee. He said something inside him told him to do that. When he saw her smile, there was a sudden urge to be close to her. She agreed to the coffee and a month later they were dating. 

It had only been a year since they were together but they felt it was the right time to take an important step in their relationship. They were getting married in a month and they chose to do it in Mason's home town. Katie didn't have a big family and was also an immigrant in Australia like Mason. They wanted to celebrate their marriage with their family and friends. 

It was a complete fairy tale, their first encounter, their dates, their ability to mold around each other so effortlessly. It felt like a dream, something everyone wishes for. I had stared at Mason's face while he narrated his story and only found happiness. 

Mason and Katie were completely in love, anyone could tell that. 

I was happy for Mason and so was Ally. He deserved this, a love so pure that made him feel whole. He had lost himself after what happened with Nina. Had vowed to never date again. I was glad he gave love another chance. I was thankful Katie was kind to him, made him happy and wanted to share her life with him for the rest her life. 

I couldn't wait to meet her and tell her all the embarrassing stories of Mason I has stored  in my memory for this occasion. We planned on a meet up soon.

Mason had grown up in more than one way, the way he talked and comforted Ally, the way he advised and complimented me. It felt like an upgraded version of high school Mason.

........................................

I grabbed Blake's hand and turned him around.

"I still don't understand why your saying no to a place to stay and on top of that ignoring me for it" I hissed at Blake.

We were in the printing room. Well, more specifically I was in there when Blake came and upon seeing me turned to leave.

He had been ignoring me for the past three days now which seemed quite stupid to me considering we sat next to each other for half of the day.

"Because you pitied me, like everyone else." He hissed right back at me, stepping inside so no one hears us.

My contorted face relaxed as realization dawned on me. I stared at Blake's face as he looked anywhere but me.

"You've never had friends in your life right? Or people who cared about you?"

Blake looked back at me, confusion written on his face as he tried to process what I was saying.

"Blake as a friend I'm looking out for you. That's what friends do. I'm not pitying you, I am helping you." I said calmly.

"Eva, I-"

"Its not even a big deal. You were going to start looking for apartments soon anyways. I just helped you find one in a secure area with a trusted owner. You will pay rent like everyone else, there is no special treatment here."

"The amount of rent is low considering the market prices" accused Blake narrowing his eyes.

"That's because Henry is a generous man who doesn't need money, he just wants his apartment to be utilized instead of going to waste." I explained.

"Why doesn't he sell it?" Said Blake sarcastically, crossing his arms over his chest.

"It was his son's. Its a precious possession and he doesn't want to give it to just anyone. I told him you could be trusted with it which is why he offered."

Blake sighed, looking around the room. His conflict evident on his face. I stepped forward and smoothed his brows.

"Listen if its the rent that's bothering you, I'll ask him to increase it when you can afford more. It will be fair then."

He stared at me and relaxed his shoulders.

"I'll- I'll think about it" he muttered and turned to leave.

...........................................

Me and Ally were sitting in the living room watching a movie while munching on chips and popcorns. It was my day off and we were too lazy to go out.

"What do you think Katie's like?" I asked Ally.

The movie wasn't interesting enough for me.

"I hope not like Nina" she replied, her eyes glued to the screen.

"I think we'll like her." I claimed, trying to focus back on the screen.

"What are you wearing for the hangout?" Asked Ally, reaching out to grab more popcorns.

Before I could reply though, the front door bell rang. Sighing I got up, thinking it must be Henry as it was six already.

"I'll get it" said Ally getting up and rushing towards the door.

I fell back on the couch silently. Recently Ally has picked up the habit of wanting to open the door in hopes to see someone. I knew she was waiting for Drake to come. I wasn't sure if he will.

I shifted my eyes back on the television, trying to remember what the plot was exactly. My eyes were starting to get heavy, I should sleep early today.

There was shuffling at the door and I lazily turned my head towards the door expecting to see Ally and Henry. But Henry wasn't there, instead Carter and Kaisey stood at the door awkwardly.

My eyes widened as I sat up. I had completely forgot Carter planned on visiting.

"We have company" said Ally sheepishly, sorry for my sudden discomfort.

My gaze shifted to my casual clothes and then to Kaisey. She was wearing lilac dress, looking beautiful as ever.

What the hell was she doing here?

"Welcome,come on in" I stuttered, standing up.

I looked at Carter and saw a ghost of a smile. He was enjoying my awkwardness.

"I hope you don't mind me coming unannounced" said Kaisey as all three of them made way inside.

I stepped aside from the couch, giving them space. I just wanted to evaporate. My mind started churning with an escape plan, how I was going to leave unnoticed.

"Not at all, its totally fine" I replied to Kaisey.

"I just wanted to see Ally" she said, sitting next to Carter.

"That's so nice of you. I was missing you alot these days. But you should have told me before coming, I would have cooked something for you. I talked to Carter an hour ago but he didn't mention you were coming." Said Ally, sitting on the other couch.

"She was very insistent." remarked Carter shortly, his eyes on Kaisey.

His tone sounded unsual, like he was being sarcastic. Kaisey stared back at him and for a moment no one said anything. There was some tension between the two that both me and Ally could sense.

"Of course, I had been really busy the past week and didn't get a chance to meet Ally." Said Kaisey finally with a smile.

"So what's up? Fill me in with all the details" interrupted Ally, probably trying to dissipate the tension.

I walked towards the door slowly, wanting to get out of here as quickly as I can.

"I'll give you all some privacy" I said, hoping no one would object to that.

The last thing I wanted was to sit in an awkward silence with Carter and Kaisey.

"Don't be silly Eva" replied Ally. "Come join us"

I stay rooted on my spot, looking at her in hopes she would get the clue. But Ally was adamant on ignoring my looks.

"Then I'll bring us all some tea and biscuits-"

"You don't have to, we're going for dinner after this-" started Kaisey.

"I'd like a cup of tea" interrupted Carter, shutting Kaisey up.

He was looking at me while Kaisey shifted her gaze to him.

What was going on?

"Its a small cup of tea, I'm sure it won't finish your appetite. Besides it will give us more time together" chirped Ally with an awkward laugh.

Kaisey nodded at her words.

"I guess your right. We can have a cup" she said a moment later.

I turned around and walked out the door finally taking a good deep breath.

.........................................

"Mason is back?" Carter repeated Ally's words, his hand holding the cup stopped in mid way.

It hasn't been long since I came back after making the tea but it felt like eternity. I just wanted them to leave. My body and my mind was too conscious of Carter. I had to repeatedly tell myself not to look at him, to remain calm and collected. But it was proving extremely hard and Kaisey's shifting gazes at me weren't helping.

He was in a suit today, meaning he came here from work. I took a moment to study his face and it looked like an artwork of exhaustion. I hope he was getting rest.

"Yes!! We met him a few days back" replied Ally.

"Is he still a nerd?" He said, taking a sip from his cup.

"Hey" I said to Carter before I could stop.

His eyes shifted to me and he regarded me for a second, surprised that I talked to him directly. We haven't said a word to each other since he came.

I turned my eyes away from him, feeling Kaisey's heated one.

"He's getting married" revealed Ally.

Carter's eyes widened a little, he placed his cup down on the table.

"Oh" he muttered and then added "Is she sure?"

"Carter" whined Ally.

I just rolled my eyes.

"Who is this Mason?" Jumped in Kaisey.

"He's mine and Eva's childhood friend. We were the coolest trio of our school" replied Ally proudly.

"I beg to differ, more like the uncoolest" objected Carter.

Ally and Carter started bickering but I stopped listening. My eyes wandered back to Carter. He looked so casual today even in a suit, he sounded so casual. Fighting with Ally over the most ridiculous thing, the rarest of times he would talk alot. It reminded me of our high school days. I hadn't seen this side of him in a long time.

Suddenly he was looking back at me, catching me doing my crime.

"Eva? A little help here?" Said Ally, bringing me back from my thoughts.

I stared at her, trying to remember what they were talking about. My eyes shifted back to Carter after composing myself. He was still looking at me, waiting for my reply.

"Being a douchebag doesn't make you cool Carter" I remarked.

He didn't say anything and for a moment I panicked. He must have found that offending, we are not at a level where I could say things like that to him.

"I know" he then said softly, his eyes stuck on mine like mine were at him.

"So when are you going back Eva" came Kaisey's voice, breaking whatevee moment was going on between me and Carter.

I question stinged me, the sharpness in it, the directness. Carter turned to look at her, his jaw suddenly tense.

"I mean, you won't be here forever. And considering your mother's speedy recovery, I think you can leave soon" she added with a smile, not looking back at Carter.

"You would want to get back on with your life" she further added, as if making her stance strong.

Carter looked away from her, his eyes closing as sighed. And everything came crashing back. Canada, the reason why we broke up, the reason why we can't be together.

My mind went in a flurry, memories and thoughts, images and emotions spinning around in a storm while I sat in the centre of it all.

I looked up at Kaisey and smiled.

"I haven't thought about that yet"

I was raging. Quietly.

.......................................

Its weird how Covid has changed everything. While writing about Mason's marriage, I was thinking how I'll do it with a pandemic. But what's weirder is how humans continue to live no matter what. I think that's beautiful.

Everyone please take care of yourself and people around you. We'll make through this together, like we always have.

Vote and Comment.

Love,
S. Maham Fatima