Alyssa's PoV:

Waking up, I felt a sense of comfort that was rare for me lately.

My body was relaxed, and there was this gentle movement on my head like someone was softly massaging my scalp. It was so soothing that I didn't want to open my eyes. I smiled to myself, thinking that maybe I was still dreaming. But as I slowly became more aware, I realized that this was no dream, so I tried to open my eyes to see what was happening and the first thing my eyes saw his him, his hand resting on my head, gently stroking my hair.

For a moment, I didn't move. I just stared at him, my heart racing in a way that had nothing to do with my fever. Mason looked completely at ease, his focus on the movie playing in the background, but his hand never stopped its calming motion. It was such an unconscious act of care that I wasn't sure he even realized he was doing it. And yet, the sight of him, so close, so delicate, sent my emotions spiraling. I felt a warmth run through me that had nothing to do with the blankets I was wrapped in.

But then reality hit me like a cold splash of water. My head was on Mason's lap and he was touching me. Panic set in. I needed to move, to put some distance between us as quickly as POSSIBLE.

Without thinking, I got up, sitting upright so quickly that it startled Mason. His hand froze in midair, his eyes wide with surprise as he looked at me. "Did you have a bad dream or something?" he asked, clearly confused by my sudden movement.

I blinked at him, trying to gather my thoughts. A bad dream? That was as a good excuse .

"Uh, yeah," I mumbled "Really bad dream."

Mason didn't look convinced. "Are you sure?" he asked, his tone soft but a grin coming to his face.

"You don't usually get freaked out by dreams. What was it about?"

I hesitated, trying to come up with something believable. "I was skiing," I lied, my voice steadying as I fell into the story. "I was going really fast, and then I lost control and fell off a cliff. It felt so... real."

For a moment, Mason just watched me, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he was trying to read me. But before he could say anything more, the sound of voices and laughter filled the air. The rest of our group had returned from the mountains, their faces flushed from the cold, snow still clinging to their jackets and hair.

Mason was still looking at me not really bothered by them coming.

"Feeling better?" Nate asked me as they took off their snow clothes I nodded

"How did she behave?" Aiden questioned and finally, Mason's attention drifted from me I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly, the tension between Mason and me disappeared as our friends came in, full of energy and stories from their day.

As the evening wore on, I started to feel more like myself. My fever had broken, and the honey tea Mason made me drink had worked wonders on my throat. Cameron and Luke took over dinner duty, they were today's chefs, and honestly, it was starting to smell amazing, while Nate and Selena set the table.

We all gathered around in the table, as they shared stories from the day.

"We were climbing pretty well all singing and shit and then I hear this loud noise" Cameron explained

"It was like a strong wind with the sound of branches breaking" Luke helped him

"But we didn't care... we walked on not really interested on the noise"

"I was afraid it was a bear" Nate commented

"Wait! So you all heard it and decided to walk on?" Jaden exclaimed frowning his eyebrows while the rest laughed, I stood there waiting for their explanation

"As I was saying we were barely reaching the top and I felt like eating something especially chocolate which...." Cameron explained

"Jaden had" Luke completed

"When we look back Jaden was nowhere" Cameron said "We started to go walk back trying to see if he wastired or something then after like what?"

"10 minutes" Aiden commented

"Felt like an hour" Jaden pouted

"We heard Jaden shouting and shouting"

"Oh my god... where were you?" I asked

"Down the cliff, turns out that windy sound was Jaden falling so we had to go all McGiver and rescue him" Cameron explained while Jaden was pouting

"Meanwhile Nate and Selena were doing snowmen" Luke mentioned making me giggle

"Hey... it's not funny" Jaden told me with a pout and clearly sad

"I am sorry but it's funny how these two were so unbothered"I replied

"In my defense I knew they were going to get you out of there if I tried to help I would only complicate even more" Nate explained making everyone chuckle minus Jaden. The conversation went on and actually all of their stories were also new to Cady and Regina.

Cady and Regina apparently weren't with them, they had found a mall on the way to the mountains and decided to spend the day shopping instead. Now, Cady was glued to Mason's side, her head resting on his shoulder, laughing at everything he said— even when he was barely saying a thing, even when he wasn't trying to be funny, yes trying because that's all that he did, he tried.

He just sat there, letting her, nodding along and occasionally glancing in my direction as if checking to see if I was watching. It was infuriating, and I was almost believing he was doing it on purpose.

After dinner, we all moved outside to the balcony, gathering around the fireplace. I wrapped myself in extra blankets, determined to pass through this cold and not let her come back. The night was dark and clear, the stars shining brightly above us, if you paid enough attention you could see the constellations which I was trying to do.

We roasted some marshmallows on the fireplace and they shared more stories, but the whole time, I couldn't stop noticing how close Cady was sitting to Mason, how she kept leaning into him, whispering things that made him smile, even though he barely seemed to be listening and I hated myself for noticing all of this and for being particularly interested in what they were doing.

It was driving me crazy.

Really crazy!

Every time I looked up, there she was, and Mason just... let her.

I tried to focus on the warmth of the fire, on the sweet tasty marshmallows but as I heard the high pitched giggled of Cady I couldn't take it no more, maybe I was alergic to her.

"I am going to head up" I told everyone, they nodeed as i gave Emily my extra blanket

"Have a good night" They said and I left the place finally being able to breathe.No one questioned it, probably assuming I was still recovering from being sick. made my way to the jacuzzi, craving the solitude and warmth of the water.

I needed to get away, to clear my head. I reached my room and lay on my bed looking at the ceiling... I felt like the sleep wouldn't take over me at any time so my mind reminded me of something.

I quickly got on my bikini while wearing a sweater on top of it and carefully climbed down the stairs. They were all still talking outside by the warmth of the fire so I carefully walked through the living room and went to the jacuzzi and pool which was far from where they were. I could be at peace and on my own there.

The jacuzzi was exactly what I needed. I sank into the hot water with a sigh, feeling the tension slowly melt away. The night was quiet, and for the first time all day, I felt like I could breathe. There was a fireplace in that room, and from the jacuzzi, I could see the snow outside from the big window, the place was so quiet and cozy, and the steam from the water rose around me, creating a cocoon of warmth.

So I gave in and closed my eyes, letting myself drift, the sound of the bubbling water leading me into a state of relaxation and making me almost fall asleep that's when I heard a voice, breaking through the peaceful silence.

"Careful, don't let those nightmares catch up to you."

My eyes snapped open meeting him, again.

Mason was standing at the edge of the jacuzzi, a teasing smile on his face.

"What are you doing here?" I gasped, my voice full of surprise and a little bit of annoyance. He shrugged his shoulders and that infuriatingly casual smile still on his lips.

"Just thought I'd join you," he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He slipped into the water, settling across from me. "You know, keep you company in case any more bad dreams show up."

I narrowed my eyes at him, suspicion creeping into my thoughts. "You're up to something," I muttered, though I wasn't entirely sure what it was. Mason was always hard to read and as I was about to find out or before I could question him further, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

My eyes rolled in annoyance as Cady appeared at the edge of the jacuzzi, her face lighting up when she saw Mason.

"Oh, there you are!" she said, her voice full of that annoying, sugary sweetness she always used around him.

I just wanted some time alone and far away from these two and magically I got exactly to a place where I was alone with just both of them. It's like you know, the stars are aligned or some shit, honestly at this moment fuck positivity, I can't handle these two alone.

Without waiting for an invitation, she climbed into the jacuzzi, immediately sliding up next to Mason and wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

"Alyssa, you should probably head inside. It's getting late, and you don't want to get sick again, do you?" Her tone was polite, but the message was clear: she wanted me gone.

I felt a surge of irritation rise within me, but I forced myself to stay calm. Why would I leave if I got here first, I am on the verge of exploding and get her head under the water.

"Actually," I replied, my voice cool and even, "I'm feeling much better. The water's helping, and I think I'll stay a bit longer however if you guys want some alone time, there's a big pool with warm water out there" I needed with a smile while Cady's one fell down for just a second before she turned her attention back to Mason, who hadn't said a word since Cady's appearance.

I couldn't tell if he was enjoying this or if he was completely oblivious to it.

"Do you want to go to the pool?" she asked with her sweet and flirtatious tone

"No, I am perfectly fine here" he said as his eyes pierced into mine. I closed my eyes trying to ignore their annoyance presence.

She started talking to him about something, her voice dripping with flirtation, while I tried to focus on the stars outside trying to find some constellations, pretending not to notice how close they were sitting.

But it was impossible to ignore, especially when every so often, Mason's eyes would flicker over to me, as if checking to see how I was reacting.

I couldn't help but frown and once she started to whisper on his ear I decided it was enough, if I stood any longer they would fuck each other in front of me.

Gosh I am so mad that I am saying fuck a lot.

I gave up eventually, I shook my head in defeat and I grabbed a towel near me outside so I could leave.

But before standing up I heard Mason's word making me stop in time.

"I will meet you up there"