When I woke up the next morning I felt disoriented not knowing where I was. I looked around the room and it hit me where I was. The alarm besides the bed said it was eight in the morning meaning I had an hour to get to practice. Thankfully it had stopped raining and the sun was shining outside. I got out of bed deciding to freshen up before I left but I made sure to make the bed first.
When I opened the door I ran into Mason whose hand was raised to knock.
"Good morning Becca." He greeted looking yummy in some dark jeans, a matching black T-shirt and white socks.
"Morning Mason." I replied locking the door behind me and leaning on it.
"Sleep well?"
"Yeah. Better than I have in a long time." I confessed.
"That's great. Well your clothes are still damp so I laid out fresh ones for you and a new toothbrush. Maybe you can take a shower and join me for breakfast." He requested and before I could reply he had already left.
I wanted to argue with him but I had gone almost a whole day without a smoke and I was experiencing withdrawals. I probably should listened to Lee when she insisted I quit drugs. But I couldn't not when they are so fun and allow me to escape from the cruel world we lived in and a chance to get out of my own head.
I entered the bathroom stripping off all my clothes, tying my braids up into a bun on top of my head and got under the shower. Turning it on I was hit with hot water that immediately relaxed me. I was so tempted to stay in there longer but I didn't want to be late for practice. I used Mason's soap to lather myself up and using my hands to scrub myself down. I didn't want to use Mason's loofah, that would be disgusting.
Feeling fresh and clean I turned off the shower and dried myself up. Thankfully my undies were dry and I wore them before looking at the clothes laid out for me. It was a pair of black sweatpants which fit me because I was thick enough to fill Masons clothes. A white T-shirt was also laid out but it was a bit big on me so I tied it off with a knot on my stomach. He had also given me a pair of black ankle socks which I was very grateful for.
A new toothbrush was laid out for me so I used it to get rid of the foul taste in my mouth. Rinsing out my mouth and toothbrush I looked at myself in the mirror to make sure I looked okay.
Satisfied with what I saw I left the bathroom headed for the kitchen after making sure to fold the clothes he had given me the previous night and place them neatly on the sink.
I found him in the kitchen on his phone.
I stood next to him and he noticed me immediately putting his phone away.
"I've got to say, you look good in my clothes." He complimented and I smiled.
"Thank you." I blushed.
What was with all the blushing around him?
Mason pushed a cup of coffee towards me and I greedily took it taking a sip, holding back the moan as the much needed caffeine hit my system . Top shelf coffee. Why was I not surprised? He then pushed a packet of muffins towards me so I grabbed one.
"Thanks." I mumbled my mouth full with the delicious pastry.
"You're welcome." Mason replied said taking a sip of what I presumed to be tea.
He didn't look like the type to drink coffee and I was right.
After I was done I rinsed out my mug in the sink and went into the living room to grab my glasses.
"So are you headed home or do you have classes today?" Mason asked behind me.
I turned to face him. "I actually have dance rehearsals right now." I replied.
"I can drop you off, your department is on the way to the IT department where I have my class." He offered.
"I don't want to bother you." I excused but deep down I was thankful to avoid the long walk.
"No it's no bother let me grab my stuff and we'll go." He said excusing himself.
I grabbed all my stuff which were still damp and put them all in my small backpack. My sneakers looked so bad I wondered what I would wear. I found some newspapers in the kitchen which I used to wrap my shoes and toss them in my bag.
Mason came back a few minutes later and handed me a pair of black crocs.
"I'm sorry if they are a little big but they are the only thing I could find that would fit you." He apologized.
"This will do just fine. Thank you so much. You have already done enough for me. I will make sure to return everything."
"I would normally say not but if you return them then it means I'll see you again so yes you must return those clothes, I'm especially fond of that T-shirt." He demanded.
I could tell from the smirk on his lips that he was joking.
I didn't reply to that just put on the shoes and grabbed my bag following him out of the house. He locked the door behind us and led me to his car. It was impossible not to admire Masons physique as he walked. He was so tall with a muscular back hidden underneath the T-shirt he was wearing . Thankfully he wasn't one of those men who sagged their trousers. I hated that behavior with a passion. His hair looked like a curly mop on top of his head that I desperately wanted to run my hands through.
One thing I knew for sure is that I was deeply crushing on Mason but nothing good could come off those feelings. He was all too perfect and I was afraid of ruining him with my darkness. The best option was to stay away from him. But would I be able to after having a taste of his goodness? I had to at least try. I owed him that much after all he had done for me. Mason was a good guy and he deserved a good girl beside him.
Why was I assuming he didn't have one in the first place?
I had to ask before I continued having fantasies about another woman's man.
"Can I ask you something?" I inquired as we approached his car after descending two flights of stairs.
"Yeah of course."
"Do you have a girlfriend or any special lady in your life?"
"Why do you ask, afraid of some competition ?" He asked with a teasing smile on his face.
I rolled my eyes. "You wish and no I'm just curious."
"No I don't. I haven't really found anyone who has captured my attention, until recently." He replied and winked at me.
I stood there shocked for a moment watching him as he got into the drivers side of his car. I smiled knowingly trying to hold in a squeal. I was the girl he was talking about but I still knew that I had to stay away from him. It was still nice to know that he shared my feelings. I got into the passenger seat beside him buckling up with my bag on my lap.
The ride was quiet both of us stuck in our own thoughts. As we approached my department I was so tempted to ask him to pull over a distance away to avoid the many questions from my classmates but I quickly dismissed those thoughts. Let them think what they will, their opinions didn't matter anyway.
As soon as he pulled over I grabbed my bag and attempted to get out of the car but Mason grabbed my hand stopping me.
"Why do I feel as if this is the last time I'll ever see you?" He asked looking sad.
"Maybe it is." I replied.
"Well I do know where most of your classes are so maybe I'll just wait for you here one day like a stalker unless you reach out." He said and I laughed.
"Bye Mason thanks for everything." I said shocking us both again by kissing his cheek before I exited the car.
I didn't look back as I walked towards a gaping Hailee. She quickly grabbed my hand dragging me into an empty class.
"Spill." She commanded.
I rolled my eyes playfully before I told her every single detail from when we parted ways.
She looked stunned the whole time but didn't interrupt me. When I finished telling her everything she squealed excitedly making me laugh.
"Oh My God!. For a minute there I thought he was an old lecturer when I saw his car but I caught a glimpse of him as he drove away. He's yummy."
"Shut up." I said lightly slapping her arm.
"I'm serious, he's hot and according to what you've told me he is nice and rich. What more could you want in a man? So when are you guys seeing each other again?" She enquired.
"Never."
"What do you mean never? B he's perfect for you. You guys balance each other out perfectly." She encouraged but I had already made up my mind.
Mason was better off without me. My last relationship had ended terribly and I wasn't about to jump into another one so quickly. I was happy for those few happy hours I had spent with him. I would treasure them forever but we just weren't meant to be.
"B it's been almost a year. He's in the past." Lee said in understanding.
"I know but I'm not ready and Mason is too perfect for me to taint him with all my negativity." I expressed.
Lee hit me lightly and glared at me before taking my arms in hers.
"Ouch what was that for?"
"Listen and listen carefully. B you are the most perfect girl out there. All your flaws just make you more alluring. I don't like it when you talk this negatively about yourself so please don't put yourself down like that. You deserve to be happy with someone who appreciates how amazing you are. Now if your path and Masons cross again promise me to give him a chance." She demanded narrowing her eyes at me daring me to say otherwise.
"I promise and thank you for always telling me what I need to hear." I cried hugging the petite girl.
"Good, because I have a feeling you two are meant to be." She said with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
"What are you planning to do Lee?"
"Nothing." She replied too quickly.
"Why do I feel as if that's not the case?"
"I don't know. Your the one feeling it. So tell me more about Mason?" She said wriggling her eyebrows.
"I just told you everything Lee." I exclaimed.
"I know but I want to hear it again." She said pulling me to the room next door which we used for dance rehearsals due to the floor to ceiling mirror it had on one side.
I loved dancing even if I wasn't perfect at it. It allowed me to let loose and free my mind. We had an assignment for a seven minute contemporary dance routine due at the end of the semester and we were just coming up with ideas before we complied them into one whole routine.
I tried to pay attention but for most of it I found myself getting lost in my own thoughts. I was trying to convince myself that Mason was the right thing but at the wrong time but something in me kept insisting me that I was just trying to make excuses to avoid being happy. Maybe I had been alone too long and it was time to let someone in. But no he didn't deserve to be pulled into my messy life. Mason was perfect and deserved more and so much better than me.
We were better off apart. I was thankful for the memories I already had but they would never be more than that a thing of the past. Those were my last thoughts as I decided to finally concentrate on the dance.