"𝕊𝕙𝕖'𝕤 𝕓𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕙𝕖𝕝𝕝 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕔𝕒𝕞𝕖 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕒𝕟 𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕝. 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕕𝕚𝕕𝕟'𝕥 𝕓𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕜 𝕙𝕖𝕣, 𝕕𝕒𝕣𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘. 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕕𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕠𝕨𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕕 𝕠𝕗 𝕡𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣."

⇝

Ｍａｓｏｎ

"You not eating today, Mase?" Piper asked, sliding into a seat around the lunch table, Nico following soon after.

"No, I'm just not feeling too great."

"Oh, how come? Are you sick?"

I shake my head, "Shark week."

Understanding flashes in her eyes as she nods. "Sorry, boo."

"Shark week? What the hell? The Discovery channel makes you feel sick?" Nico asks, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion with mustard on the side of his mouth. I smile and stifle a laugh while Piper shakes her head and leans forward to wipe he mustard off his face with her thumb. "Wait, Shark week isn't even until July."

"We're not talking about the Discovery channel babe."

"What?"

"We're talking about my period, Nico."

"What? Ew." His face immediately scrunches in disgust. "I thought we were talking about the Discovery channel. You two don't make any sense." Piper and I can't help but laugh while Nico continues to hastily shove food into his mouth all the while, looking at us like we've just told him that we ate his ice cream. "Oh, thank God you're here." He exclaimed as Miles and Sutton sit down. "One minute these two are talking about Shark week and the Discovery channel and then they're randomly saying something about their periods." He physically shivers as he finishes the last word.

"What?"

"Nico," Miles sighs. "They were referring to their period when they were talking about shark week."

"What? No. That makes absolutely no sen- oh." His eyes glaze over slightly as he goes silent for a moment. "You two are gross."

Sutton and Miles laugh at Nico's expense, though he doesn't seem to mind much as he steals half of Piper's sandwich.

"What are you guys talking about?" Milo asks as he and the rest of the boys, including Alex, fill the table. I refuse to even acknowledge the fact that he's here as well.

Doesn't he have some random girl to fuck anyway?

"Mason's period." Nico shrugs, nonchalantly. Meanwhile, Kai chokes on his soda and Miles bursts out laughing; and of course, my face is now crimson.

Oliver clears his throat, seeming slightly uncomfortable. "Can I ask why?"

And now everyone's attention is on me. I open my mouth to answer, only nothing comes out. How am I even supposed to answer that?

"We weren't talking about Mason's period. Well, I mean, we kind of were but not that way. I asked Mason why she wasn't eating, she said she didn't feel good, I asked if she was okay and she just answered saying that she was on her period and then Nico got confused so Miles explained to him what we were saying and then you guys showed up and asked questions and now we're here. So if we could all just stop talking about the blood coming out of Mason's vagina, so that I could eat. That'd be great."

A unanimous groan sounded around the table causing Piper to snicker. Someone kill me now, please. My phone dinged, thankfully giving me a distraction from this horrid conversation.

Ｌｕｋｅ

You busy?

Ｍａｓｏｎ

No, just as lunch.

Ｌｕｋｅ

Go on a date with me tonight?

Ｍａｓｏｎ

I'm sorry. What?

Butterflies erupted in my stomach as a reread the text, not once but four times. Did he really just ask me out?

"What are you smiling about?" Piper asked, causing me to look up, only to find her with a knowing smirk etching her lips. I shook my head, looking back down as my phone vibrated again.

Ｌｕｋｅ

Will you please go on a date with me?

Ｍａｓｏｎ

Are you sure?

Did I seriously just ask him he was sure? I'm such a damn idiot.

Ｌｕｋｅ

Lol. 100%

Holy crap.

"You okay over there Mase?" Piper was still smirking. 'It looks like your eyes are about to pop out of your head."

"I, yeah, what, I'm fine."

"Is it Luke?"

"Luke?"

"Who's Luke?

"Mason, who the hell is Luke?"

"Luke best be a girl."

Piper rolled her eyes. "All of you shut up. Is it?"

I nod, feeling my face heat up yet again.

"Who's this Luke character, Mason?" Miles demands the other boys, aside from Alex, nodding along with his request.

"Character?"

"You heard what I said, young lady."

"Young lady?" I snorted. "What is wrong with you?"

"Well excuse me if I'm a little upset that I'm now just here about this boy."

"I'm sorry. I didn't think,"

"Ah, see that's where you're wrong." Nico interrupted.

"Wrong about what?" I questioned, confused.

Nico seemed equally as confused. "Well shit, I don't know. Like Miles said, who's this Luke?"

"Some super hot guy Mason met at the football game last Friday." Piper giggled.

"Last Friday?" Miles raised his voice. "You met this boy last Friday and I'm not just hearing about him on this Friday. How could Mason, I'm hurt."

"I, uh, I'm sorry." I frowned, glancing back down to my phone, once again rereading the text.

"Well, come on out with the details." Miles raised his hands in urgency. "What does he look like? Is he tall or short? What's his full name and date of birth. What school does he go to? Is he even in school? Does he smell yummy? What size shoe does he wear?"

Everyone's attention snaps to Miles, Sutton being the brave one to speak up and ask the question we were all wondering about. "Why'd you ask his shoe size?"

Miles rolls his eyes. "Because, you know, big shoes mean big dick." Sutton's face scrunches in disgust, along with the other boys while Piper laughs and once, again, I blush deeper. "Well, come on girl. Are you going to answer any of my questions?"

I sigh, knowing he won't let it go if I don't tell him at least something. "I don't know. He's tall."

Kai chuckles, "Everyone's taller than you, Mase."

"Hardy har, har." I deadpanned. Miles looks back to me expectantly. "He goes to Ridgefield and plays football."

"You mean, Luke Roux?" Alex speaks up out of nowhere.

I swallow, confused as to why he's all of sudden chose to enter the conversation. Nevertheless, I answer him, "Um, yes."

"You need to stay away from him, Mason."

I can't help but scoff, and here we go again with him thinking he can sit there and boss me around like he has some damn control over me. "Excuse you." I snap.

"I'm serious, Mason. I don't care if you're mad at me or whatever. You need to stay the hell away from him."

I shake my head, slightly in shock with his demands. Especially seeing as we haven't talked or even acknowledged each other since our last fight. "I hate to break it to you Alex, but you don't have any right to tell me who I can and can't hang out with." I'm pissed, more so than usual, though I'd say that's more to blame on my monthly visitor than anything.

Alex seemed just as pissed off as I as his jaw became taut. "Maybe, if you weren't so fucking oblivious. I wouldn't feel the constant need to tell you what to do."

"Or maybe, you feel the explicit need to control any and everything." I snapped, fed up with this entire argument. Why the hell did he even care who I hung out with? Besides, it was none of his damn business. I can't understand why he always feels the need to insert himself into each and every aspect of my life because I can recall correctly, I told him to leave the hell alone.e

"For once, just fucking listen to what I say, Mason."

"For once, just mind your own fucking business, Alex."

"You are my business."

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. What was wrong with him? The entire table was focused solely on our argument as were a few other from surrounding tables. At this point, I can't help but laugh. Not because I actually find this situation funny, but because I can't believe this is actually happening. That we're actually sitting here arguing over a boy.

"I don't find anything funny about this." Alex grunts.

"Shit, I do." I snort. "I actually find it fucking hilarious that you think I'm your business. Or that you have a say in whether or not I talk to someone or not. I hate to break it to you, Alex but I couldn't give two fucks about what you say or want. So kindly, do both of us a favor and mind your own damn business." I'm blatantly aware of all of the eyes on me as I get up and practically storm out of the cafeteria. As soon as I'm a safe enough distance away, I stop and lean against the wall. "Who did he think he was and why did he care so much? He was the one who said he wished he didn't like me and now he's sitting here starting yet another argument with me because I was talking to someone. It's complete and utter bullshit.

Shaking my head, I push off the wall just as the bell rings. I quickly made my way to Biology just as the hall was filling with students. I chose a seat in the far back, closet to the wall, hoping no one would sit beside me. I wasn't in the mood to hold a conversation with anyone. Though, my hope was short lived as someone slid onto the stool beside me.

"Mase."

Looking up to see Sutton staring back at me, I was a bit surprised. Sure I knew we had this class together but we never sat with one another. Usually, he sat with one of his friends and I saw with some sweet but quiet girl named Ruby.

"Yeah?"

"I'm not going to tell you to stay away from Leo,"

"It's Luke."

"Oh, well, still,"

"Not to be rude but please don't sit here and defend Alex."

"I'm not going to do that either. Well, not so much. I just wanted to say that if you want to hang out with Luke, then go ahead and do it. Don't let what Alex says affect your decision."

I nod.

"However, just be careful. I know Alex is a complete douche sometimes, okay, most times but he usually has reasons to say the things he does. So for your sake, please just be careful. Yeah?"

I nod, giving him a small smile. I appreciated Sutton and well, most of the De Luca boys. The only one I ever seemed to have a problem with was Alex and nine times out of ten, it was because he couldn't seem to mind his own business and quit telling me what I can and can't do.

Neither Sutton or I talked for the rest of class, though I highly doubt it was because he was paying attention, I knew I sure as hell wasn't. I was in the midst of walking to Art when I remembered that I had yet to answer Luke. Sliding my phone out of my pocket, I typed on his name, finding an unread text.

Ｌｕｋｅ

Mason?

"Mason."

I can't help but roll my eyes at the voice. "What part of, leave me alone do you not understand, Alex?"

"Could you just listen to me for a second. Please?"

"Why? Give me one good reason why I should, aside from because you should." I sigh. "I just don't get it Alex. Why can't you just let it go? Why do you even care? No one else seemed to be upset, yet you felt the need to once again, start an argument with me."

"I never started the argument."

"Are you being serious right now?"

"Yes Mason, I am. Never once did I start that argument with you. You went off because I told you not to do something."

"Do you actually hear yourself right now? Alex, what you need to understand is that you have no right, whatsoever, to tell me what I can and can't do and who I can and can't hang out with. I'm my own person and I'm very capable of making my own decisions."

"Obviously, you can't because you keep making the wrong ones." He snapped.

I can't help but scoff. "Who says? You? Last time I checked, I didn't want or need your opinion Alex. You don't just get to decide what I do because you think you know what's best. You're not my father." I pause, swallowing the immediate lump that grew in my throat. "Remember, just like you said, I don't have one" Of course, my eyes began to burn with unshed tears as regret seemed to cover his features.

"Mason, I should've never,"

"You right, you shouldn't have but you did. You shouldn't have said a lot of the things you said to me and treated me the way you have, but you have. You said you liked me Alex, yet I find that so hard to believe. In all reality, I think you like the chase. You hate the fact that I don't just fall at your feet and beg you to fuck me like eighty percent of the population at the school. I don't even think you actually know how to like someone, I think you just like the chase and all of the games that come along with it."

"Mason I,"

"I don't want to hear any more of your excuses because honestly, I don't care. I just want you to leave me alone and for the love of God, please, just mind your own business."

He nods, only slightly. And with that, I walk away, quickly wiping away the stray tear falling down my cheek.

Everything I said was true, I don't actually think he likes me. He likes the chase. Shit, we barely know each other, how could he even say that he likes me? I mean, if we were going purely going off looks, then yeah, I could say I like him to. He's attractive as hell but that doesn't mean I like his attitude or the way that he treats me. No sane person could actually someone who treats them like shit.

Before I could change my mind, I unlock my phone, once again, tapping on Luke's awaiting text.

Ｍａｓｏｎ

   I'd love to. 

authors note, 

Hello! 

For some reason, I feel like it's been forever since I've updated. Has it? I don't know. Anyway, here's another chapter and if I can, I'd like to update again before Monday but we'll just have to see how that works out.

I hope you like the chapter and thank you so much for reading! 

I hope you enjoy it. 

M.