It had been more than a week since I had last seen Mason and I was feeling worse than ever. What had that guy done to me? I had thought staying away from him was good for the both of us but I was beginning to feel as if that was a mistake. But it had been too long now and I was too chicken to go over to his place so I just decided to wait for the hollow feeling in my chest to pass and I would be back to my normal self.
I was dressed in an oversized hoodie and comfortable leggings as I headed to the nearby market to grab a pack of cigarettes and restock my kitchen. Maybe I'd eat out for the night or get some take away being too tired to cook. I had also been trying to reduce my drug intake slowly. It would be a process but I realized there were other ways to get a high that didn't involve poisoning my body. Lee had never done drugs in her life and she was doing okay so I thought it would be great to listen to her for once.
I was in the mood for some fried fish so I headed to one of the stalls to grab myself some that were ready to eat. I was looking through some good pieces when I heard a voice I wasn't expecting to hear.
"Sasa Mathe, umemalizia order yangu?" He asked.
Hello madam is my order done?
I stood still hoping he didn't recognize me and pulled my hood further down.
"Eeh nishamalizia ndio hii." She said handing him his wrapped fish as he gave her the payment.
Yeah all done, here it is.
"Asanti mathe tuonane siku ingine."He said but didn't leave.
Thank you madam, see you another day.
"You know if you really wanted to avoid me you could have just left. " He said close to my ear.
I turned around slowly and looked up at him with a shy smile on my face.
"Hi Mason. " I greeted feeling really awkward.
"Hey there beautiful, long time no see. I was starting to think I'd imagined our whole encounter." He replied with a smile on his face.
I had missed that smile so much. He looked good in all black. A black hoodie over his towering frame, dark jeans and a pair of black Airforce sneakers. He looked better than I did that's for sure. And he had called me beautiful. I held in a grin after hearing him say that. He didn't look angry to see me so I hoped he wasn't too mad that I hadn't returned his clothes.
"I'm as real as I can be. " I replied awkwardly.
"I remember us agreeing you'd return my clothes." He glared at me but I saw the hint of a smile on his lips and realized he wasn't actually mad at me.
"I"m sorry I've been under a lot of stress lately, it completely evaded my mind." I lied and saw the disappointed look on his face immediately feeling guilty for saying that to him.
"It's okay. It was nice seeing you again. Have a goodnight Becca." He mumbled excusing himself.
I knew I had offended him by making him feel as if I hadn't thought about him when he was all I had been thinking about for the past one week.
"Mason wait!" I called out catching up to him and holding his arm.
"I'm sorry I didn't return your clothes. I wanted to but I kept talking myself out of it till it was too late to actually come." I rambled out quickly.
If it had been any other guy I couldn't care less about his feelings but this was Mason and I didn't want to see that sad look on his face.
"Since we are confessing. I called your friend and asked her for your number and where your lived but she only gave me your number before threatening me. She was really something." He said chuckling to himself as he recalled the conversation.
I laughed with him. "Tell me about it. But I don't have the money to fix my phone yet or get another one so there's no way you could have contacted me."
"Yeah I guessed as much when I kept calling and your phone was off and all my messages went undelivered."He said.
"Anyway I'm sorry I didn't come by. " I apologized.
"It's okay. I'm just happy I ran into you. So what are you up to? " He asked as we moved past that conversation.
"I was actually just grabbing some supper because I'm too tired to cook." I said holding up the bag in my hand.
"We can share mine. I actually bought too much." He hinted holding up his bag.
I laughed "Slow your roll cowboy. "
"I'm sorry. How about this, you allow me to accompany you as you do your shopping and I'll drop you off?" He asked hopefully.
I wanted to say no but I found myself agreeing.
"Okay but only if you pay for everything." I joked.
"Deal." He agreed quickly making me laugh.
"I was just pulling your leg. Thanks anyway. "
"It would have been a small price to pay to be in your presence. " He said nonchalantly and I was left speechless.
Well what was I to say when a guy I barely knew offered to pay for my shopping just for a chance to spend time with me? Guys like Mason weren't real, but here he was within touching distance.
I walked back to the fish stall and grabbed a few pieces before paying and walking back to Mason. He smiled at me following me around as I bought everything else I needed. He ended up buying me some fresh blended juice and a few samosas which I was extremely grateful for. We argued for a while about me refunding him but he won saying it was extra change that was just making his pocket heavy. All I could do was shake my head at him as I took a sip of the delicious juice.
"Just pull up there." I instructed Mason as the gates to the hostels where I stayed came in sight.
He stopped the car next to the gate parking like a pro. I was about to get out but I hesitated and turned to look at Mason.
"I want to invite you in but I don't think we are there yet." I explained.
"It's okay I totally understand. What are you doing tomorrow?" He asked.
"It's a Saturday so pretty much nothing why?" I asked.
"I'll pick you up at nine so be ready. " He replied completely ignoring my question.
"Mason why are you picking me up tomorrow?"
"Goodnight beautiful, I'll see you tomorrow. " He said kissing my cheek literally dismissing me.
I wanted to throw a tantrum but I smiled at him before exiting the vehicle and walking inside the compound hearing him drive away. I opened the door to my house and got in dropping everything on the floor except for my cigarettes. I desperately needed a smoke but then I remembered I was trying to quit. I got one out of the box placing it between my lips but didn't light it as I started unpacking everything.
Since I didn't feel like cooking I just ate the fish I bought and the samosas before downing it with some juice and called it a night. It was still early but I was already mentally exhausted.
***
I woke up thirty minutes past eight and it took me a few minutes to remember that Mason was picking me up in half an hour and I was yet to get ready.
I quickly got out of bed and headed to the bathroom to take a shower and brush my teeth. Getting out I dried myself and began looking for something to wear. Damn Mason for not telling me where we were going or what we would be doing so I had no idea what to wear.
I decided to dress comfortable yet stylish. Pulling on my inner wear I picked out a pair of ripped skinny jeans and pulled them on. I paired them with a navy fishnet top that exposed parts of my bra and cleavage. I completed the look with a pair of black converse. I tied my braided hair into a pony tail but left a few strands free on my forehead before putting on my glasses.
As I was debating whether to put lipstick on or not there was a knock on my door. That was strange. I rarely talked to any of my neighbors so it couldn't be them at the door. Hailee was away for the weekend so it couldn't be her either. I was planning to ignore it when the person knocked again.
I reluctantly walked to the door and came face to face with a smiling Mason.
"Good morning gorgeous. " He greeted making me blush.
"Good morning Mason. Sorry I'm running a bit late." I apologized.
"It's okay, I understand."
"Please come in while I finish getting ready." I welcomed him and he removed his shoes and got in.
I went to stop him from removing his shoes but it was too late and he was already in looking around my place. It wasn't much compared to his place but it was mine and I loved it.
"Nice place. " He complimented.
"Thank you. I know it's not a lot but I love this place. " I said looking for a small backpack to place my essentials in.
"Believe me I prefer a much smaller space like this. My place is so huge and I hate cleaning it. " He complained as he looked through some pictures I had pinned to the wall with tape.
Some included me and Hailee, a few alone and the rest of my family members.
"I assume this is Hailee. " He said pointing to a picture of us dressed in very tiny shorts and bikini tops. We had gone swimming but Hailee didn't know how to swim. I had to drag her into the pool and the picture was taken the moment she started falling and pulled me along with her.
"Yeah that's my crazy best friend. "I said laughing as I finally decided to put on some pale pink matte lipstick.
Mason nodded before continuing to look around. I grabbed everything I needed and put them in a small bag I found before turning to Mason. I found him staring intently at the pack of cigarettes placed on my desk.
"I didn't peg you for a smoker. " He said a little shocked.
"Well it's one of the bad habits I'm trying to kick aside. " I replied nervously.
"That's admirable of you. Anyway are you ready to go? I didn't have breakfast yet and I'm sure you haven't either and I'm starving. " He said quickly changing the subject.
The look on Mason's face was exactly why I was afraid of hanging out with him. He looked ready to run just because he saw the pack of cigarettes. What if he found out about every disgusting habit of mine? I had to cut our relationship at the bud before it grew any bigger.
"Mason I think you should leave, this was clearly a mistake. " I said dropping the bag I was holding and grabbing a tissue to wipe off my lipstick.
"Wait, what? Why? "He asked shocked.
"Mason you are a nice guy and before this goes any further I think you should leave. You deserve so much better than I can give you and I want to spare us both the heartbreak. " I explained finally finding some wet wipes for the lipstick.
Before I could begin getting rid of it Mason took my hand in his and tossed the wet wipes on the table.
"Where is this coming from?" He asked looking at me in the eyes.
"You almost ran to the door after seeing my cigarettes. What if I showed you my tattoos or you discovered all the other bad qualities? You'll hate me and I'd rather you leave right now than hate me later on." I said sounding defeated.
"I'm sorry I've made you feel that way. I'm not going anywhere. I was just surprised there for a minute but it's not enough to chase me anyway. And besides I'd love to see your tattoos. " He said whispering that last part in my ear and I smiled.
"Are you sure?" I asked doubting him.
"A hundred percent. Now let's go. I know the perfect place for breakfast. " He replied grabbing my bag in his free hand and dragging me out of the house.
I smiled as I let him pull me away. He waited as I locked the door before I followed him out. I was taking a giant leap of faith giving him a chance. I just hoped Mason would be able to catch me.