21: I.O.U
[Lyla’s POV]
I woke up to the sound of low breathing against my ear and an arm draped over my stomach. I went to move but his grip tightened, pulling me back against his chest. That’s when I remembered last night, an instant blush staining my cheeks. I wasn’t expecting him to hear me wake up from that nightmare, but the moment he came to my room and pulled me into his arms, I was glad he did.
As much as I liked waking up to the feeling of Mase Dean holding me, I cringed at how desperate I must’ve sounded when I asked him to stay. I couldn’t forget the soft look in his concrete eyes though, as his fingers got lost in my hair and he whispered goodnight.
I felt a weight in my stomach, realizing Mase was just being nice. He was just being friendly. If any other girl asked him to stay like I had last night, he would’ve done it. Because Mase’s heart was pure. And if there were only a handful of good people left in this world, he would be one of them.
His grip on my waist tightened again when I turned to face him, bringing me ever so close to his heartbeat. I listened to the soft thuds as I pressed up against his chest. I knew then that last night changed things. The way his eyes held mine and his arms cradled my scattered soul and how his words dug deep into my skin, moving towards my heart to calm its frantic beating.
Things changed because Mase found a way in. He weaved through my defenses, breaking down walls I’d built so high, keeping the onlookers from peeking inside. I didn’t just want to tell him about my mother, but I needed to.
I needed to take him to our old house, up to my mother’s room, where I hoped I could still smell her perfume. That’s where I’d unlock the box of secrets I kept hidden. I needed him to heal me, to help me keep these scars from marking me permanently. I almost smiled at the thought of telling Mase everything. I could only imagine the lightweight feeling that would push through my veins and settle in my heart.
I raised my hand, tracing the line of his jaw with my thumb. And as my fingers found his hair, running through the soft locks, he stirred awake. I pulled away, watching as his eyes fluttered open and focused on me. A confused look played across his face before he smiled.
“Hey there,” he said, his voice thick.
"Hi,” I said, smiling. “I’m sorry about last night.”
There was a flicker of sadness in his eyes, but his smile stayed in place. “Don’t be sorry. Are you okay?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No, not yet,” I whispered. “But I want to be.”
His hand moved from my waist, traveling up my arm and along my neck, cupping the side of my face. He made no moves to put distance between our bodies, and I didn’t either. “You will be. I promise.”
I nodded before asking, “And what about you? Are you okay?”
He sighed, looking defeated. He wore a sad smile and said, “I really don’t know anymore.” His voice was so low; I barely made out the words.
“Be okay for me. So I can be fine, too,” I said. His eyebrows pulled together as he watched me, taking in my words. And my fingertips followed the length of his arm, awaiting his response. He stayed silent while moving forward and pressing his forehead against mine. His fingers fell into the spaces between mine, where they belonged all along.
I closed my eyes then, listening to the melody of his breathing mixed with mine. He leaned forward, whispering the words into my ear that sent a cool shiver along my spine. “I’ll be okay, too. If it means healing you.”
* * *
“Come on, Lyla. It’s just one day,” Mase said, leaning across the island in the kitchen.
“I told you, I can’t skip math today,” I said, drinking the last of my orange juice.
“But your test isn’t until tomorrow. What’s the point of going today?” He’d been asking me to skip school today since we got out of bed this morning. But I wasn’t passing math class without a good grade on this last test.
“The point is that I suck at math. I can’t miss the review today,” I said, giving him a pat on the chest before walking by. He grabbed my wrist though, pulling me back against him.
“I’ll help you study tonight. And I’ll buy you a dozen brownies from Paradise. Just come with me,” he said, his arms wrapped tightly around my body, making it impossible to move.
“How do you expect to do that when you failed your last test?” I asked, turning my head to see his expression.
“I got a C. That’s not failing,” he said, rolling his eyes.
“Stop hanging out with those Barbie’s at school. You’re being dramatic like them,” I said, laughing.
“You know that’s not funny, right?” he asked in a low whisper, his breath tickling my ear.
His hands slid from the tops of my arms to my hips as I turned to face him. I pressed my palms against his chest and leaning into him before whispering, “You’re right. It’s not funny at all. Because it’s actually hysterical, Mase. Or should I just call you Ken from now on?”
I kept a straight face, my lips pressed together. He looked confused as he thought about my words. And when realization hit, his eyes went wide. I’d already lost my poker face by then, the laughter spilling past my lips.
“You’re such an ass,” he said, shaking his head. He was smirking though, an amused look in his eyes.
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. I won’t call you Ken. But seriously though, I’m going to school,” I said.
“Don’t you think you owe me the day after that insult?” he asked.
I sighed, reaching into my book bag and pulling out a pen and scrap paper. I scribbled the letters I.O.U. along with a tiny heart on the creased paper before handing it to him. “Here. Cash it in whenever you want. Now come on, let’s go,” I said, tugging at his arm.
He hesitated for a moment before nodding his head, shoving the paper deep into his pocket and following me to the garage. “Let’s take the bike today,” he said, pulling me towards the back corner.
“Really? I thought you didn’t like driving it to school,” I said. I’d asked him before why he never drove the bike to school. I couldn’t help but to smile when he said it attracted too much attention.
“Let’s just go before I change my mind.” He winked before handing me a helmet and climbing onto the bike. I shrugged, getting on after him. I’d take any chance to ride with him. Mostly because it was an excuse to be close to him.
It wasn’t long before we were pulling into the school parking lot, and I realized what Mase meant by the bike attracting too much attention. He found an empty spot while every student standing outside of Deep Run High turned their heads in our direction. The girls were watching Mase, their eyes stuck on the way he stood, pulling at the hem of his t-shirt and fixing his ripped jeans over his Converse. The boys avoided us, their eyes wandering along the body of the shiny, black motorcycle instead. And then my gaze landed on Tracy Hamilton, standing a few cars down from where we parked. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her jaw clenched and her cat-like eyes fixated on me.
Mase leaned over and said, “I’ll see you in Art class,” as he ran his fingertips along my waist before smirking and heading towards the school. My face felt hot as I dropped my gaze to the floor, hoping nobody saw that. I pulled my book bag further up my shoulder, about to walk to class, when Tracy came to stand in front of me.
“Are you deaf or something? I thought I told you to stay away from him” she said, looking annoyed.
“Times like this, I wish I was deaf,” I said, rolling my eyes. I went to walk past her, but her freshly manicured hand wrapped around my arm. I pulled out of her grip, a flash of anger ripping through my body.
“You’re so stubborn. I don’t want to have to take extreme measures here, Lyla, but you’re leaving me no choice,” she said, rolling her eyes and flipping her blonde hair off her shoulder.
“Get over yourself, Tracy. You’re pathetic,” I said, clenching my fists.
“Not nearly as pathetic as you. I’m pretty sure you get that from mommy dearest. She couldn’t even stay alive for her own daughter,” she said, letting out a short chuckle.
Her words were like a swift kick to the gut. I nearly doubled over, losing my breath. But the blood running through my veins ran cold and iced over, leaving my limbs frozen.
“Who told you that?” I whispered.
“Does it really matter? What’s important is that the whole school will know just how pathetic your family really is if I see you talking to Mase again. It’s your choice though, because I’ll be entertained either way,” she shrugged and winked before turning and walking away.
The late bell rang overhead as Tracy’s threats were seeping through my brain and sinking in. I suddenly wished I’d ditched today when Mase gave me the chance.
I couldn’t let Tracy tell the entire school about my mother. I couldn’t deal with being exposed. And I couldn’t stand to see their pity expressions or listen to their ear-shattering whispers. But could I handle losing Mase? Was I willing to let him go?
Author's Note: Um..Hi. :) Hope you liked this chapter. Please VOTE!!! And leave comments letting me know what you think. (I know, I know..Tracy is a biatch.) BUT I can't wait to hear what you guys think. Thanks in advance for reading and for your support<3 -Shahira