Song~ Heaven in Our Headlights by Hedley

***

I take long eager strides down the sidewalk as I march to Mason's house. It takes me about 10 minutes, but I finally climb the stairs and knock on the door.

"You're so loud," Brooklyn grumbles, swinging open the door. She winces as the sun beams in her face. "Hey Vivian."

I beam at her. "Hey Brook. Would you like to come to the Shake Shack with Mason and I today in honour of Mason's belated birthday?"

"Depends. Will it take away this raging hangover and make last night less hazy?"

"No, but it has coffee which can help with both...kind of."

"It's a start," she mumbles irritably, shielding her eyes while calling Mason down in the process.

I hear thumping followed by Brooklyn complaining about his volume before Mason appears in front of me at the door. He's wearing jeans and a plain blue t-shirt.

"I'm ready for this surprise," he announces while jingling his keys in anticipation. Brooklyn joins us in the car. I give him a series of directions before we arrive at the Shake Shack.

"You told me this is your favourite restaurant. And before you even try anything, I'm paying. It's my treat for you," I order with a tone of finality. We collectively exit the car and walk into the diner.

I sit in the same booth as we did the first time Mason took me. Mason slides in beside me while Brooklyn sits across from us.

"Hi, welcome to the Shake Shack," a familiar voice chirps beside us. "Oh hey guys!"

Marina smiles broadly down at us and hands us each a menu. "You guys are still together. Congratulations, Mason, you didn't scare her off! Did you tell her about your foot fetish yet?" A joking laughter seeps out at her own words. Amusement is evident in her eyes. I can't help but to reciprocate the expression.

"Ha ha very funny, Marina," he says sarcastically though the twitch of his lip shows that he is suppressing a smile. He winks playfully at me. "Not yet, all in due time."

"Can I get a chocolate milkshake and a hotdog?" I ask politely after kicking Mason's shin under the table.

"I'll have the same." Mason folds his menu shut.

"I'll have a black coffee and a plate of bacon and eggs," Brooklyn orders handing Marina each of our menus.

"No problem, it looks like you could use it. It should be done soon!" She chirps before heading to the kitchen.

Brooklyn groans and massages her temples. "Do I look that bad?"

I study her carefully. "The navy blue on your dress really brings out the dark circles under your eyes," I tease poking her gently from across the table. "Guess you should pace yourself next time."

She groans and slumps down on the table.

"So I got you a gift," I announce to Mason, rummaging through my purse trying to find the small box I wrapped last night.

Mason groans. "I don't want anything. I told you it isn't a big deal."

"I wanted to. I'd feel guilty if all I did was take and never gave back. It isn't anything big, but I want you to have it." I push the box towards him.

He eyes me suspiciously and takes the gift. He unwraps it carefully and discards the wrapping paper to the side, revealing a silver watch.

"It was mine. I wore it all the time. It meant a lot to me because it's from my late grandmother. Now it's from me to you. It may be a little small on the wrist, but you can always get it adjusted," I explain with a small smile.

"Thank you, butterfly. It means a lot to me." He presses a kiss on the side of my head.

"I love third wheeling as much as the next person, I really do, but can we keep in mind not all of us are in a happy relationship?" Brooklyn groans from across the table.

"Sorry, Brook," I apologize half-heartedly. I cast Mason a sideways look, "Why don't you like celebrating your birthday?"

He shrugs. "I just don't. I haven't celebrated it since I was a kid. I've never really seen the point."

"Huh, I've never been a big celebrator either, but I always acknowledge birthdays," I respond. Just as the words leave my mouth, Marina arrives with our drinks as well as our food.

We thank her and begin to eat. "Brook and I used to come here with our mom. It was cheap enough that she could afford it. Ever since, it's served as a reminder of her. She used to dance with us to the music on the jukebox," Mason explains with a sad smile.

I take his hand into mine. "She's not really gone, she lives on in your memory. I wish I could have met her."

He smiles sadly at me. "She would have liked you."

His phone buzzes violently in his pocket. He slips it out and reads the message.

Mason sighs. "I have to volunteer today. I wish I could stay longer, but my shift starts in 20 minutes."

"It's okay. My parents wanted to talk to me anyways."

We continue to eat our meal and discuss what we want to do tomorrow. We decide on going to a drive in movie. They've always looked like fun and I've never been because they're hard to find nowadays.

From the corner of the room, we hear music start up. It sounds like can't help loving you by Elvis Presley. Mason grins down at me and holds out a hand.

"May I have this dance?"

"I don't know. I'll have to ask if it's okay from my other suitors," I answer playfully before slipping my hand into his. He guides me to the middle of the diner and securely wraps an arm around my waist and uses the other to hold my hand up. We sway on the spot doing a couple twirls and box shuffles which allows me to see the full diner.

Aside from us, there's an elderly couple sharing a milkshake across from each other. The old man shakily grabs his wife's hand and leads her to the centre of the diner to dance with her. My heart melts and I quickly look away. That can never be me.

A couple songs pass, before reality sets in and Mason has to go volunteer. Before he goes, he drops me off at home then disappears down the street.

"Mom, I'm home!" I call, disposing of my jacket and purse at the entrance.

I wander around the main floor before seeing my mom sitting at the table with a steaming cup of coffee in front of her. My dad is standing at the opposite end of the table leaning up against the counter.

"What's up?" I ask, taking a seat beside my mom.

"We really need to tell you something," my mom starts. She's avoiding eye contact. Uh oh, this can't be good. Worry overflows my senses.

"What is it?" I look between the two of them. "Are you okay?"

"We're fine. Just listen to what we have to say," my dad answers.

My dad moves to sit across from my mom. They each take one of my hands.

"I don't know any easier way of saying this so here it is. We're thinking of getting a divorce." My mom winces. I can feel both of their eyes on my face even though I stare straight ahead.

I jerk my hands so they're out of of my parents' grasps.

"What about Lydia and Ainsley? Have you told them?" My voice rises I'm volume with each word spoken. My heart is hammering in my ears.

"Calm down," my dad says simply. "It's not good for you."

I shoot him my best glare but I know I need to calm down. I take deep breathes. "But getting a divorce is? I get it I'll be gone, but think of what will happen to Lydia and Ainsley."

"We haven't told them yet. Our marriage hasn't been working for years. We're going to take marriage counselling to see if we can find the root of the problem and fix it, but if that doesn't work then we think separating is the best option. For everyone. We can't continue like this. Please don't tell them yet," my mom continues to explain.

"Why are you doing it?" I seethe through clenched teeth.

"We've been arguing a lot lately, over everything. We can't make decisions together anymore. It's been like this ever since you were small, but now that you're all older, we think you can handle it. We stuck through it when you girls were younger so you wouldn't come from a broken home. We've tried our best to hide it from you girls."

"How chivalrous of you. It doesn't matter anyways because we'll still come from a broken home. We'll just be older. Why did you tell me? Is it because I'll take this secret to my grave? Both literally and metaphorically? This should be something you tell all of us. They have just as much of a right to know as I do," I stand up abruptly and march to the door, pausing. "Don't worry your secret is safe with me since you asked so nicely and used the magic word."

I march upstairs and make a quick detour before entering my room. I push open Ainsley's door a little to see both her and Lydia spread out on her bed along with several magazines. They're both giggling and pointing to pages while making comments.

Lydia notices me. She probably thinks I'm creepy watching them with one eye through a crack. She waves me in. "Come on, Viv."

They look so happy. It will crush them when they find out that they'll soon have two homes.

I push the door open fully. "What are you guys doing?"

"We were doing Ainsley's project, but somehow we ended up making a meme account."

I roll my eyes. "You guys are so behind I did that last Friday," I joke.

"What are you doing this Friday? We should all hang out," Ainsley insists in a bossy tone.

I stroke my chin as if in deep thought. "Well, I was going to order a pizza, chill with Mason, scroll through social media, join a cult, and then maybe watch a movie, but I guess we can all hang out," I tease playfully. "Kidding. I'm free. What do you guys have in mind?"

"Girls night?"

Ah, yes, girls night. When we were younger, all three of us had a night where we would watch movies and binge eat junk food until we felt sick. Then we would crawl into my bed (because it was the biggest) and have a "sleepover". It was really fun.

"Yeah sure. Let's do it." I smile. They both squeal in delight.

Lydia pokes Ainsley's side. "Move over." They both shift so all three of us can lay down horizontally on her bed.

"Okay so we need an account name..."

And that's how the rest of the night went before we fell asleep sprawled on Ainsley's bed. We laughed and discussed memes (my favourite is and forever will be Pepe). For one night, I would let them carry on as if nothing was different. I will let them continue thinking we were a whole family and everything was okay. Who knows how'll they be emotionally after the news is delivered.