11: Run With Me
I found Ruth and my father snuggling on the couch under a blanket, watching TV. I rolled my eyes while walking towards them, still irked by the site of them together. I couldn’t help but to be bothered by the fact that my mother was six feet under yet here he sat, smiling happily at his wife. She had everything my mother didn’t, apparently. I pushed the thoughts to a far corner of my mind. I stood behind the couch and cleared my throat, getting their attention.
My dad sat up, turning around to face me. “Hey, honey. Everything okay?” he asked.
“I wanted to have a friend over so I came to see if that’s okay,” I said, ignoring his question. He already knew the answer to that.
“Yeah, of course it’s fine. Who’s your friend?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at me.
“Her name’s Scarlett. And don’t look so surprised, Dad. I am capable of making friends,” I said dryly.
He smiled at this, instead of getting upset like I thought he would. “I know that, kid. We’ll order you girls some pizza,” he said.
Ruth’s face lit up. “Maybe the two of us can go to the store for sodas and popcorn. It’s been so long since we’ve done anything girly around here. You know, she’s more than welcome to stay the night,” she said.
“I already stopped at the store on the way home from school. You don’t need to do anything,” I said.
Her face fell instantly as she nodded, and I could see the hurt flash across her expression.
I sighed before mumbling, “Thanks,” and walking away. My pulse was racing, a familiar twist forming in my stomach. I didn’t hate Ruth; I just couldn’t bring myself to like her. She was equally responsible for this mess. Just as much as my father.
I had a good two hours before Scarlett showed up so I changed into shorts and a tank top, getting ready for a run. I pushed the headphones into my ears, turning on my iPod as I rounded the corner towards the stairs, when I ran into someone. His arms reached out, gripping my waist to steady me before I lost balance.
“Shit, sorry Lyla. I wasn’t paying attention,” Mase said.
“It’s fine. I wasn’t either,” I said, much too aware of the feel of his palms resting against my shirt. His touch was soft and warm. Like the summer sun, it was relaxing.
“You going for a run?” he asked, pulling his hands back and shoving them in his pockets. Typical, Mase.
I nodded my head. “Wanted to blow off some steam before Scarlett shows up,” I said.
“The girl with the red hair? The one that talks really fast?” he asked, his eyebrows shooting up.
“The one and only. You know her?” I asked. She never said anything about her and Mase talking or having classes together.
“Yeah, that guy Cameron was talking about her at lunch the other day. Something about them breaking up,” he said, shrugging.
I rolled my eyes. “And what else did the jerk have to say?” I asked him.
“It’s not worth repeating. Just tell her not be all hung up on him. She can do better,” he said. The look in his eyes told me he truly meant it.
“Right. Well, thanks,” I said, a small smile playing at my lips as I went to walk around Mase and towards the stairs. I’ll never understand why Mase hangs around with the popular crowd when he’s nothing like them. Just before I reached the stairs, he called out to me.
“I’ve got nothing to do right now. You mind if I run with you?” he asked, his voice hopeful. Did he really think I’d say no? Being with Mase helped me forget, which was what I hoped for.
“Sure. Just don’t be hurt if you can’t keep up,” I said, biting my lip to keep from laughing.
He chuckled. “Yeah, whatever. Give me a minute to change,” he said, heading to his room.
He walked back out in black basketball shorts and a white tee.
“You’re seriously running in those?” I asked, nodding towards the Converse at his feet.
“Sorry, Lyla. I’m not planning on going pro like you,” he said, nudging my shoulder with his as we walked to the gym.
I smiled. “With those abs, I think you could,” I said, under my breath. I was sure he heard me, with that knowing smirk on his face, but he changed the subject.
“You ready for this?” I asked, my tone serious, as I stepped onto the treadmill.
“You’re insane. Go easy on me,” he said, pulling on the hem of his shirt. I couldn’t help but to laugh. He was actually intimidated by me. But when we ran, even in his Converse, he managed to keep up. I might just have a new running partner.
* * *
“So how is it? Living with Mase, I mean. I’m pretty sure every sane girl at school is super jealous of you. Hell, I’m jealous,” Scarlett said, her brown eyes sparkling. We’d just finished watching a movie and devouring a large pizza. I was so full, I was actually considering sleeping on the couch tonight.
“It’s not like he walks around shirtless all day, you know. We hang out sometimes. He’s cool,” I said, shrugging.
“So he does walk around shirtless sometimes though? Still jealous, Lyla,” she said, winking.
I rolled my eyes. “Anyways, speaking of Mase, he thinks you deserve better than Cameron. So I’m not the only one who thinks he’s an ass,” I said.
I watched as her expression fell at the mention of Cameron’s name, but then, her eyes lit up again. “Wait, Mase Dean said that? How does he even know my name?”
“Cameron mentioned you at lunch or something. Plus, that red hair is hard to miss,” I said, smiling.
Scarlett left a while later, feeling better about what happened with Cameron. She gave me a huge hug before rushing to her car to make it home before curfew. I felt better too, more relaxed. I cleaned up in the movie room before heading upstairs towards my room and got into bed. My eyes closed, and just as I was drifting off to sleep, I heard a knock at my door.
Author's Note: SO, since it's my birthday in less than 2 hours, I thought I'd suprise you guys with another chapter. :) It's short but there's more Mase! (yay!) Also, THANK YOU for getting me up to Page 2 of the What's Hot list. You guys rock. Check out the video & picture on the side>>> -Shahira p.s. Please VOTE. For Mase, not for me. ;)
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The Chord to my Heart
Teen Fiction"When Lyla Carter comes home to find that her mother has committed suicide, she's forced to live with her father who she's conveniently avoided since he left them seven years ago. Lyla does her best to keep everyone at arms length until she meets Ma...
