-twenty-one-

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A V E R Y
Five hours later, and I was hungry again. We were lounging on the couch, and somehow my head had landed in Mason's lap. My head was turned towards the TV, and silent tears were streaming down my face.

'So this is it. You are scored on my heart, Clark. You were from the first day you walked in, with your ridiculous clothes and your bad jokes and your complete inability to ever hide a single thing you felt.' A sob let loose from my chest and I lifted a shaky hand to wipe my tears - but I got beaten to it. Mason wordlessly wiped them away, stroking my hair. The gesture warmed me from the inside, and I was pretty sure my cheeks were red; I could just pretend they were from my excessive crying.

We continued watching Me Before You until the very end. I was a wretched mess by the end of it - don't get me wrong, I'd seen the film a few times prior... but, hell, it was an emotional roller coaster.

'Shit. That gets me very time.' I hiccuped, wiping my face with the crumpled tissue in my hand.

'You're not the only one.' I looked up, but Mason wasn't crying like me - he looked really sad, though. I must've looked surprised, because he smiled softly. That smile that not many people saw - that bloody gorgeous smile.

'What? You thought I was a heartless bastard, did you?' I grinned.

'Of course not... Just- I- I love your smile.' My words were hushed, and the way he looked at me... I found it hard to breathe.

Mason's hands found their way back to my hair, his fingers massaging and soothing. My back arched slightly, and I knew he noted the movement. It felt so damn good. My treacherous mind pointed out that if he could do this with his hands, what he could he do with his-

Shut up, you bloody idiot.

My eyes fluttered shut, relishing the feel of his hands erasing the aching - my hair was always up in ponytails and braids, and it felt nice to have it down for a bit. A small moan escaped my lips, and Mason's hands softened in my hair.

How strange it was, that I met him just weeks ago, and he was the one I came to? How come I never let anybody in, apart from those closest to me, and I was letting Mason so near? For god's sake, I was even feeling stuff for him.

As soon as that thought formed, I felt a little sick. I didn't even deny them.

It was all true.

I, Avery Ellen Green, had a crush on Mason. Mason-from-the-DM.

It would probably never happen. Even if it did, there'd be too much shit on both of our sides to be in a relationship.

'Mason?' I swallowed a few times.

'Hmm?' His head was tipped back to rest on the sofa, eyes closed. Sleepy as hell, hot as fuck.

I sat up, smoothing my hair down. Mason's eyes opened suddenly, confused.

He was alert in a second. 'What? What is it, Ave?'

'I-'

'Tell me.' His voice had dropped into a more reassuring tone. 'Ave, just-'

'Here's the thing; I like you.'

His frown disappeared, replaced with a warm grin. 'I like you too.'

I nearly screamed. Here I was, about to tell him that I like him, and he wasn't getting the hint. Boys were such idiots sometimes. I was standing up, my hands sweating.

'No, you shithead, I like you. As in I have feelings for you. Get it now?'

Mason's face was still confused. And then slowly, so slowly, it changed. From confusion to happiness. To joy.

'Well then, Avery Green, let me tell you something.' He stood up, as I was, and took my hands in his. 'I like you too. Way too much. I know we've known each other for a little-'

'I don't care.' I breathed. 'I honestly couldn't give a fuck.'

He smirked slowly, and I nearly lost my ability to think clearly. 'My kind of girl.'

I didn't know who moved first, maybe it was both of us, but my face was in his hands, his hair in my fingers and our lips were mere millimetres away from each other.

His mouth was slightly parted, and I took the moment to say some more. 'I don't care what people think, Mason.'

'Neither,' he said, not moving an inch.

I shut my mouth. After all, I had nothing more to say. I leaned forward, and my lips met his. Starlight, pure starlight flooded my veins as I moved my mouth in sync with his. Holy fuck, he kissed like he meant it. A slight groan rose from the back of his throat and I tugged his hair with my fingers, wanting more, wanting to be closer to him.

His hands roamed over my waist, never exploring higher - he knew better than to test me. I lifted myself slightly and wrapped a leg around his waist. Mason moved to the wall, holding my weight completely as his free hand snaked across my other leg and wrapped that around himself too. My back slammed into the wall, and I broke the kiss, eyes closed, gasping as he trailed searing kisses down my face, my throat. My chest pressed up against his, and damn it felt good.

His touch released a few gasps from me, I'll admit. And when his mouth lowered and gently sucked on the skin of my collarbone.

'Shit. Shit, shit, fuck.' I was barely breathing, only mouthing the words as I forgot who I was, where I was, except for Mason kissing me like his life depended on it.

It was like fire and starlight and lust where my skin met his. I couldn't get enough of him, the feel of his skin, taut beneath mine, his lips, bloody hell those lips-

Mason pulled back to look at me, his eyes searching mine for any trace of regret or worry. He found none. I gasped for breath, nearly hauling him to me again when I saw the need in his eyes.

'Holy-'

'Jesus, Ave, that was-'

'I never knew it could be like that.'

'Neither.' We smiled at each, and my chest rose and fell quicker when I saw his swollen mouth, his ruffled hair.

He secured his grip on me and walked up the stairs and back into his room. I had never felt this way with anyone before - never once during high school dates or drunken kisses at a club. It felt like... whenever I was with Mason, I didn't feel like a total mess. I didn't feel like a liar, a girl who had felt loss and not enough love, perhaps through no one else's fault but her own.

Mason placed me on the bed and pressed another feather-light kiss to my lips. I smiled through it, feeling him echo my movement. My hand snaked round his neck, wanting more of him, but he gently released me and pressed his forehead to mine.

'Slow, love. Let's take it slow.'

'Agreed.' I got out, smoothing my hair down. I lay down on the bed, closing my eyes. My heart was still hammering away, and my mind replayed the image of Mason again and again, until it took all of my concentration not to leap up and kiss him senseless.

'So... I have a question for you.' He asked from somewhere across the room.

'Shoot.'

'Why'd you join the Salvation?'

My muscles locked up as soon as the words left his lips - though years of training helped me cover it up and force out a lie. I wanted to tell him the real reason, but I couldn't. Nobody knew. Not even Maddie. Already I was deceiving him. 'I don't know, actually. I found out about it and ten year old Avery was even more stubborn than she is now.'

'I find that hard to believe, love.' A low chuckle resonated around the room.

I didn't, only smiled - and didn't resist the rush of warmth that began in my stomach and rose to my chest. It was a good feeling.

'Tired?'

'Yeah - all that making out really exhausted me.' I muttered sarcastically. Mason laughed, and I felt him collapse onto the bed beside me as the mattress dipped in slightly.

'What do you want to do?' he asked.

'I don't know. You tell me.'

'Come here.' I kept my eyes shut and rolled over to him until I touched the warmth of his body. My hand came to rest oh his stomach, and I let it lie there for a few seconds before I opened my eyes and slid it up higher to his face.

'Now what?' I whispered. His eyes flared slightly, and where my hand was, I felt his heartbeat - pounding faster until layers of skin, carved to perfection.

'This,' He kissed me softly, and I propped myself up on one arm to angle myself better. I stopped after what felt like hours and pulled back.

'Shit,' Mason let his head fall back onto the pillow. 'What the hell are you doing to me, Avery Green?'

'I don't know, Mason.' I slid down a little until my head was resting on his chest. His arm automatically came to wrap around me.

We stayed that way for a while, until, ironically, Mason fell asleep - he was the one suggesting we do something and now he was dozing.

It was time to go back home, I knew that at least. I could go back, and make it just in time, before they broke down my bedroom door.

I sighed. When I was sure Mason was completely unconscious, I gently extracted myself from his grip and left the room, switching off the lights on my way out. Looking back, something within me warmed at the sight of the boy who hurt people for a living now peaceful in his dreamland state.

I left the house soon after, knowing I couldn't hide from my family forever. A note was hastily written and placed in the breakfast table.

Mason,

Thank you. So, so much. God, I don't know what I'd do if you didn't help.

I'll be in contact . Don't be a stranger, mister.

Love, Avery xx

One thing was for sure - when the time came, I wasn't sure how the hell I'd let him go.

***

Well, well, well... They've finally kissed! Things will only get more exciting from here... Stay tuned, loves!

Remember... COMMENT, VOTE, SHARE and PROMOTE!

Until next time...

-M

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