RUSH

Ch. 20: Easy

"Oh." I didn't know what to do with that information. Or how to reply.

"Are you going to be free later?" Eric suddenly asked, his eyes so bright and hopeful that I couldn't help the twinge of responsibility that sparked within me. I didn't want to be the one to dull that elation in his eyes."

I nervously scratched at the side of my nose, pensively glancing around to make sure none of the kids' parents were getting irritated. I was supposed to be paying attention to their kids, after all. "Ah, yeah. I... I guess?"

"Do you want to go swimming with us, then, when you get off work?" he asked, smirking when I looked away entirely. "Unless you're too busy to hang out, that is?"

I wasn't necessarily busy, even if part of me felt like sinking through the floor at the thought of hanging out with Mason and his friends.

"It'll just be the three of us," Eric added, flashing a reassuring smile. "But no pressure... only if you want to."

Could he see the fear in my eyes, then? Because in all honesty, I couldn't help but shudder at the thought of having to fit in amongst strangers. Was I even allowed?

"What... what does he think about that?"

I held my breath, unsure of what type of response I was actually expecting. All I knew was that there was no way I could say yes if it felt even remotely like Mason didn't want me there. There was coldness... and then there was disinterest. And the last thing I wanted was to experience that from him. If he acted like he didn't want me around, would my ego be able to withstand it? Or would I fall apart like the sensitive little piece of shit I was?

And after how I'd blown him off just the day prior, what were the odds that he even wanted me to interrupt him when he was hanging out with an actual friend?

"Huh? Mason was right; you do overthink things a lot, don't you?" Eric pointed out before placing a firm hand on my shoulder, leaning down to grin at me. "He'll be happy to see you there. I promise."

My eyes widened in awe.

"Ahh, I see. I—I should be able to hang out, I think," I caved so readily, even if I'd been hoping to borrow Jonah's laptop after my shift so I could continue working on other assignments. Yet, everything had gone out the window the moment those words left his mouth. Nothing else mattered after that, not even my own apprehensiveness.

If he thought Mason wouldn't mind, then... perhaps, it was alright.

"You have your swimming trunks?"

I nodded.

Eric beamed at that, and I couldn't help but feel a bit excited. It had to be okay, right?

"Mason, is that you?" Eric suddenly called out.

I grew still, my eyes shooting up towards Eric, who was staring up at the running track, eagerly waving. And Sure enough, Mason was up there, glaring down at Eric from behind the railing.

Since when?

"Eric! What are you doing here?" he replied, which... was weird.

I darted my eyes between them before nervously waving up at Mason, unsure of what to make of this situation. "Mason? Hey, I—I didn't see you up there." I said hesitantly, wondering how long he'd been up there. Had he seen the way I'd slammed into the door while trying to walk into class earlier, having forgotten to turn the doorknob before pushing on the door?