It's two days later, and I'm still embarrassed by what I told Mason. It was so random 'You looked pretty cute tonight'. I mean who says that?
I groan, dropping my head into my hands. What was I thinking? My brain just short-circuited when he smiled at me. Or maybe it was the way he said I looked beautiful. It seemed like he meant it.
My phone starts buzzing in my hand breaking my train of thought. I look at my phone to see 'Sammy' I answer her call, her background blasting in my ear.
"Xamira, can you hear me?"
"Yes, I can. Why are you calling me right now anyway?" Shouldn't she already be at the dance studio? She said she was deciding to tryout for the solo.
"Because I just realized that you never told me what happened between you and Mason when I left the party."
"Nothing happened." She definitely knows I'm lying.
Samatha sighs loudly into the phone and proceeds to scream in my ear "Xamira! If you lie to me one more time I will have all your chocolate melted!" What's worse is that she's not lying, she did it before and I have no doubt that she will absolutely do it again.
I groan, "Okay, fine! Just stop threatening my chocolate stash, you psycho!" Chocolate is my comfort food.
"That's what I thought, now spill. Don't you dare leave anything out."
I take a deep breath. "After you left, I stayed in the backyard to clear my head, and then Mason showed up. We talked for a bit, and then he offered to drive me home."
"And?" her voice is practically vibrating with anticipation.
"And he drove me home."
"And?"
I roll my eyes "thats all that happened." I'm lying through my teeth, but if she found what I said she'll never let me live it down.
She sighs "Girl I know your lying, your so fucking lucky that my audition is about to start".
I laugh. "Good luck! Love you."
"Love you too!" She hangs up and I walk into the cafe, order my drink, sit down at one of the tables, turn on my laptop, and start working on my essay for Spanish.
I get stuck on my essay when I hear someone's voice behind me "What are you working on?"
I jump and clutch my chest. "Jeez, are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
He chuckles, "Nah, I saw you sitting down and decided to say hi."
"Oh, okay. Well I need to work on my essay, so, shoo." I wave him away and turn back to my laptop.
I expect him to walk away but he doesn't, he just sits next to me. "What's the essay for?"
"Spanish class."
"Spanish?" he seems surprised that I'm taking Spanish as if I'm not Latina.
He takes a sip from his cup as he glances at my laptop screen. "You're working on school stuff on a Saturday?" He looks at me like he's impressed and surprised at the same time. "Now that's dedication."
I shrug. "Gotta keep my grades up. Besides, it's not like I have much else to do."
"No dance practice today?"
"Not until later," My leg is shaking viciously under the counter. "What about you? No soccer?"
"Just finished," he says, leaning back in his chair. "I only did a morning workout. Figured I'd grab some coffee before heading to work. Didn't expect to run into you, though." He smiles at that.
"I wish you hadn't run into me, maybe then I could finish this essay in peace and quiet." Why do I feel like being a bitch today?
His smile widens. "So, what's the essay about?"
"it's about your favorite Mexican holiday or tradition that your family does and how you do or would celebrate." It's an easy project but we haven't done much of our old traditions since my mom died. It's been a year almost, but it still hurts to celebrate without her.
"Sounds easy, what's stopping you?" I glare at him. "Nevermind then, so what's your favorite?"
"Every year me and my parents go to Puerto Rico to celebrate my birthday." I smile just thinking of it, it was always so fun going there. We weren't able to go the last year because we had to pay for my moms funeral and medical expenses, and we didn't go this year because my dad has to work longer shifts now that moms gone. Grandma offered to pay for our tickets and expenses, but dad couldn't get off work. I was fine with not going, it doesn't feel right going without my mom.
Mason goes quiet sensing that it's a sore subject. It's no secret how my mom died, it was all over the news. Two parents trying to pick up their daughter from school ended up in a 7 car pile up. Only one parent surviving.
"My sister and mom were in the pile up too."
I turn to him with a shocked expression "Are they okay?"
"Yeah my mom made a full recovery, we ended up finding out my sister had leukemia though." Oh shit
"That sucks, how'd it happen?" I feel bad but I'm curious.
"She was experiencing symptoms before the crash, she was heading to the clinic to get checked the day of it. They ended up checking her when she got to the hospital, leukemia and a broken leg. She's getting the treatment she needs but it's not easy."
I can only imagine. Why is he telling me though? "Why are you telling me this? I have a feeling it's not something you tell many people."
He huffs. "Your right its not something I tell others. The only ones who know the full story are you and Luca, my other friends just know they were in the crash. I don't know why I told you, it just seemed right."
I don't know how to respond to that. "Thanks."
"Anytime. Anyways back to your essay, can I read it?" He gives me puppy eyes. "Pretty please?"
He's cute when he makes that face. "fine." I turn my laptop to him so he can see what I have so far.
He leans back. "I get what you're going for, but it doesn't seem like you."
"What do you mean?" I tilt my head, confused.
"You talk about the tradition and what you guys do, but it sounds like a reporter wrote it, rather than you writing it." Looking at what I wrote, realize he's right. "Maybe try adding a few memories to it."
Color me surprised. "That's... actually not a bad idea."
"Why did it seem like you struggled to say that?" He has that stupid ass smirk on his face.
I roll my eyes, trying not to smile. "Thank you for helping." I point at him "I still find you annoying."
"Annoying?" He holds his hand to his chest dramatically. "I feel offended. All I've done is share my smart brain with you." He smirks.
I laugh. "You're impossible. You know that?"
"And yet, you're still sitting here with me." he points out, grinning.
I groan, turning back to my screen. "Don't push your luck, Mason."
"Wouldn't dream of it, alright, I should probably let you get back to your essay." he stands up from his chair.
"Finally, I was starting to think you'd never leave."
He slings his bag over his shoulder. "Don't pretend you didn't enjoy my company, I know I'm your favorite distraction."
I scoff. "Keep telling yourself that."
Before walking away, he hesitates for a moment, he holds out his hand. "Hey, give me your phone real quick."
I glance up, raising an eyebrow. "Why?"
"What? You'll need my number in order to call me when you need a cute distraction, or, you know, if you miss me?"
I scoff. "I'm pretty sure I'll survive without it."
"I'll get your number one day."
I roll my eyes "Yeah, in your dreams"
He smiles. "God forbid I want to talk to a cute girl."
That makes me smile. "Bye Mason." I turn back to my laptop and he leaves the coffee shop with a wave.