I woke up the Monday morning, startled awake from the buzzing on my nightstand. My eyelids, heavy with sleep, struggled to open as the phone light glared in my face. I rubbed my vision clear and blinked several times to find two missed calls from Chase.

I sat up, and pulled the covers off my body, then redialed his number. For some reason, I was met by his voice message system. I ended the call with a roll of eyes. Must not have been that important.

You called twice, but you couldn't answer when I called back?

I sent the message, and climbed out of bed.

After showering and dressing for the day, I returned back to my phone to find one unread message.

Sorry, was in the shower. Wanted to know if u need a ride?

I tied my hair up into a ponytail before starting a reply.

Yeah sure, I'll let Aly know.

I sent her a quick message, that I wouldn't need her to drive me in, before heading downstairs. As I started brewing a coffee in the Keurig, Aaron appeared beside me.

"Can I have a cup?" he asked, surely knowing the answer already.

"Try again in a few years," I said, ruffling my hand through his hair. He folded his arms.

"Hmpf."

I took a seat on the stool, leaning against the island. He hopped up on the seat beside me.

"When are you getting a car? I hate riding with Mom and Dad. They never play the radio. They just listen to a bunch of boring talk shows."

I chuckled. "When I get my car who says I'm taking you with me?"

"That's what Mom says," he answered with confidence. "You're supposed to drive me and pick me up from school. Except Wednesdays, cause that's practice day."

I cringed. Of course my parents already had a traveling plan put together for me.

"We'll see about that," I told him.

The coffee was ready at the same time that my phone lit up. I hopped off the stool, and started to make myself a cup. Without enough time to find the creamer and extra sugar, I put a cap on the lid, and headed towards the door. I grabbed my bag from around the railing, and walked out.

Chase's truck sat on the curb, headlights lit up.

"Hey," I said, sliding in.

He gave me a slight wave, then placed his hand on the wheel, to turn onto the road.

"So," I said, sipping my bleak coffee. "What made you wanna take me in today?"

"I don't know," he said. "I guess I just wanted a chance to talk since it seems you're busy otherwise."

I bit down on my lip, suddenly aware of what this was about.

"Chase," I started.

"Sorry Kay. I just feel like we don't know what's happening in each others lives anymore. Between my parent's issues, and now Mason showing up at your house...I thought you two broke up?"

"We did. We are."

He glanced over at me.

"Really?" he asked, doubt present within the question.

"Yes."

"Then what was yesterday about?"

"Did you give me ride to talk to me or to interrogate me?"

He became silent, and edged the radio volume up. I turned towards the window, away from him. I knew he was right, because I was asking myself the same questions. If I couldn't find an answer on my own, then how was I supposed to give him one? I didn't want to argue with him.

"You were saying something about your mom moving yesterday?" I tried again after the moment of tension had passed. At least I thought it had. He didn't give a response until we stopped at a traffic light, seconds later.

"Yeah."

I waited, watching the traffic crossing the street slow down to a stop, until our light turned green. He rubbed the back of his neck, before accelerating forward.

"She's leaving right after graduation."

He didn't say anything more about it. I rose a hand to my collarbone, and traced the heart of my necklace. I knew he wasn't only upset about today. Whatever the problem was, it was about more than the way I spoke to him.

But, how could I be completely honest with him about a situation I couldn't fix? Was it even his place to expect me to? I didn't want to talk about Mason with him. I didn't even want to think about him, and yet my mind was encompassed around his very existence.

We pulled into the student parking lot, and he was there. His camry occupied the space that Chase ironically chose to park behind. He probably didn't even realize it. There were a thousand cars of the same make littered throughout the parking lot, but I knew this one was his. And to make matters worse, he was inside.

"Thanks for the ride," I said over my shoulder, as I stepped out. Head facing the ground, I walked all the way around to the other side of the car as I headed towards the door.

I didn't look back.

***

I sat on the bench in the locker room, running lotion over my legs even after there was no trace left. Gym period's bell was destined to ring in less than a minute, and my mind still wasn't in the right place to face him. Within the remaining seconds, I secured the strands of my hair into a braid at my nape, and stood up to follow the last girl out.

The wind was nippier than it had been during the morning, and I wished I'd brought a jacket. I ran my hands over my arms as I approached the field. I spotted Leah on the top row of the bleachers, and before I could raise a hand to wave, another's locked around mine.

I stopped, turning the edge of my face halfway.

"Can we talk?"

I pressed my eyes shut.

"Please?" he asked.

When I opened them to look back up, Leah's gaze was piercing. She looked at me in disbelief, and shook her head.

No.

I wanted to shout at her. It wasn't what it looked like.

"Leah," I said, walking away from Mason. "Leah wait."

She wouldn't look at me, as she stood to her feet. She made her way down the bleachers as if she couldn't get away quick enough. I stopped chasing her.

"Kaya," Mason was behind me. I turned to him.

"No Mason. I can't talk to you. I'm sorry."

He drew back, as though I bruised him.

"I don't understand. You did on Friday."

"Friday," I repeated.

"Please stop fighting me," he placed his hands on my shoulders. I wanted to give into his warmth, but I had to control myself.

"What do you want from me?"

I shivered as his hands ran down my arms, to clasp my own.

"I want this," he took a step closer "I want you."

I blinked.

"But, what about what I want?"

"Do you even know what you want?" he asked, dropping his voice to a whisper.

My mouth opened just as the shriek of a whistle interrupted. I slipped my fingers out of his grasp, but he didn't let me away. With the edge of his thumb, he brushed my chin.

"Think about it," he said. Then he let me go.

I took my place on the white line, painted into the grass. Shame flooded through me, flushing my face. I couldn't bare to face Leah. I didn't even want to know what she was thinking. She wouldn't understand.

Of course I hadn't forgotten what he did to her, and she had every right to hold it against me. I just wanted explain, but I was afraid I didn't even have the right words to say.

***

When lunch came, I didn't have much of an appetite. Leah went out of her way to avoid me during gym, and this was the last chance I had to see her today. I shouldn't have been surprised to find her spot empty when I reached the table. I was in no rush to get there, and she always arrived at the same time as Chase. But, he was already in the lunch line.

I took my seat between Aly and Rachel.

"Hey guys," I greeted them.

"Hey," Aly was distracted on her phone. "What do you think about this?"

She turned her screen to me, displaying an empire line coral gown. Was prom season intruding on us already?

"That's gorgeous," I told her.

"Love it!" Rachel glossed beside me.

"Isn't it?" Aly beamed. "I'm thinking, nude heels?"

Rachel nodded. "Definitely."

"It's all working out. I just need Seth to get the hint."

Rachel looked at me.

"Do you have a dress yet?"

I couldn't help but laugh. If only prom was the most demanding aspect of my life right now.

"Not yet. You?"

"Haven't decided. I'm going with blue though."

I hadn't made up my mind yet, if I was going at all. When I imagined the night, the images were hard to swallow. Mason would surely be there, the only single one out of his group. As would I, most likely. I'm sure Aly would snag Seth, and I didn't doubt Rachel would find someone. Chase would be with Leah, of course. Then there would be me. And as fate would surely have it, at some point Mason and I would end up together. It would be useless to run because he'd find me. He always did.

I watched him now as he sat across from our table. His eyes weren't on me, which gave me a chance to observe. Drew was spinning his empty gatorade bottle in the center of the table, raising his index finger and thumb to flick it in whichever direction. Johnny, quick to smack it back when it came towards him, began to laugh hysterically as though it was the most entertaining thing. Mason however, looked bored, as his eyes were unfocused; spaced out. I wondered what he was thinking about.

The scene was obscured, as a body appeared in front of me. I looked up, to find Chase glaring down at me. I lifted my eyebrows.

"Is there something you wanna tell me about Mason?"

My heart sped up. "W-What?"

I didn't think twice about it when Leah appeared behind him, shooting me an identical stare. I stood to my feet, to look both of them in the face.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"So you don't remember the party, then?" Chase accused. "When your boyfriend at the time, had his hands all over my girlfriend?"

Rachel gasped. I narrowed my eyes, aiming them at Leah. She looked down.

"She told me about what happened," he continued. "And I don't understand why you didn't."

By this point, we had the attention of the surrounding tables. I couldn't bare to look at Mason's. I knew that he was waiting for me to say something.

"Chase please," I lowered my voice.

"And now you want to take him back? What else did he do Kaya? I know there's more to it. Is that why you two broke up?"

My teeth pinched my bottom lip so hard, it drew blood.

"Okay," Aly came to my defense. She took a stand beside me, placing a hand on my back. "Can we do this later, guys?" she motioned towards our audience. I still couldn't speak as Chase backed away, Leah following behind him.

I couldn't be here.

Before Aly could stop me, I took off in the opposite direction through the back door. Nerves swarmed through me, making me nauseous. I felt my way through the halls as my eyesight was blurred.

How could this happen?

He heard everything.

All of it.

I was so stupid.

I found the bathroom, and nearly fell through the door. At the sink, I ran cold water over my face. After taking a paper towel to it, I saw myself in the mirror. My lip was swelled and red. An unmistakeable bruise, and he hadn't touched me. I jumped as the door swung back open, and relaxed seeing that it was Aly.

"Hey," she walked towards me with a pinched expression.

I dampened a paper towel and put in on my mouth. "Hi."

"Um," she looked at her shoes. "I'm not going to ask about what happened back there. I just want to make sure you're okay."

"I'm fine."

"Are you?"

I didn't answer her.

"That was pretty rough. Chase and Leah, I mean. It was pretty shitty for them to come at you that way in front of everyone."

I shrugged.

"Kaya."

I turned away from the mirror, and lowered my hand from my face. She flinched, seeing the bruise on my lip.

"Come here," she opened her arms. I didn't have the strength to put up a fight, so I went towards her. The tears began to stream, before I could stop them, soaking through her cotton blouse. I didn't even know what I was crying for this time. I deserved what I got back there. I should've just stayed away from him, but I didn't. I forgot who he was again, and because of that, I'd practically ruined a friendship.

"Come on," Aly said letting go. She gave me a smile. "Let's ditch and get lunch somewhere else."
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A/N: Over 2,000 votes!!! Thanks you guys :) it's summer break for me so look out for more frequent updates! I really appreciate all the feedback I've gotten on this story, and you guys' votes and comments honestly make my day! I'm not lying when I say this, like I smile every single time I get a notification. It's so amazing and I love all of you! Thanks for reading!