Nora
My eyes were heavy and my body was heavier as I dragged my feet through the hallway. I was unable to sleep last night. I couldn't get his scent and words off my mind.
Why did he want to protect me?
Well, it didn't matter because that was yesterday, and today was a new day. Besides, I could still hear mutters and side talks from people. Leaning in to tell the next person some lies about me.
I finally got to class and took a seat, my mind buried deep as I glared at the ground. I had learnt to lower my gaze, it was a defense against predators like Sasha.
“Mind if I sit here?”
I blinked that voice again. I raised my head, and I almost turned pale.
Mason?
“Hello?” He waved his hands in my face and I blinked twice to snap back to reality.
“Can I sit next to you today?”
I felt my throat dry up the instant he asked that. The seat next to me had been empty for ages. No one had dared sit next to me. I guess they didn't want to be associated with the stigma I carried or the rumors some bullets spread about being fat upon close contact with me.
“I'll save you the trouble. There's no need to…”
I trailed when I noticed he used his rag to wipe the dust off the seat before sitting.
“That's much better.” He flashed me a perfect smile.
I noticed all the eyes in class darting towards our angle. I felt tense, and my palms became sweaty.
“Mason, you shouldn't be here. You should be with the—”
I couldn't finish my sentence because the teacher walked in. She scanned the class with her eyes and the moment she sighted Mason there, she smiled.
“Good morning class,” she began, before starting her lesson for the day.
“Lunch?”
I heard as the last teacher left the class.
“Um, I'm sorry. I can't allow that. I don't want to ruin your career.”
He furrowed his brows, eyes slightly narrowed. “What do you mean?”
I sighed. “I appreciate you trying to be friends, but the sight of me is bad news. I'm sure you're aware?”
He shook his head. “You’re not bad news. Besides, having lunch with you is better than having lunch with these people who can't appreciate this beauty in front of me.” He smirked, and I almost turned red. I didn't recall when last someone called me that.
“So shall we?”
I bit my lower lip. If this was a dream then I never wanted to wake up.
“Come on.” He urged, and I finally took his hands in mine.
He was very sweet and discussed hockey nonstop as we reached the cafeteria.
“What are you ordering?” He asked and when I told him the usual, he rolled his eyes.
“You're not supposed to subject yourself to such suffering. Wasn't that what you wanted to eat yesterday?”
I pressed my lips into a thin line, playing with my fingers behind me.
“We'll have the French fries and orange juice with grilled chicken.”
I swallowed. I didn't remember the last time I had that kind of food in school.
Once both our foods were served, he helped us collect them and move to a seat that was open. He was already seated when he turned his head towards me.
“What's up?” His eyes remained fixed on my expression.
“I don't normally sit here; it's too—”
“You should sit here. You're too beautiful to stay hidden. Maybe that's why I didn't find such a pretty damsel earlier.”
I pressed my lips together, confused. I contemplated if I should sit with him, but we were already here, so there was no need to ignored.
I took a seat and buried my head deep in my food tray.“Did you see that? Mason's hanging out with the fatty.”
“Isn't he going to get fat like her? Oh no! What would happen to his hockey career?”
I felt a lump forming in my throat when I heard that, but instead of feeling ashamed, he stretched out his hands to take mine.
“You shouldn't let anyone bruise your confidence. You're pretty.”
I nodded, eating the meal in front of me as we discussed. It wasn't long before I started chuckling, and I stared right into his eyes as he stared back at mine.
For the first time in forever, lunch was enjoyable.
“There's a game later today. I was wondering if you could…”
I shook my head. I couldn't do that. I didn't attend any school event; I didn't want the building to collapse, as they would say.
“I'm sorry, I wouldn't be able to—”
“But I got you this front-row ticket. Besides, I want to be able to get a glance of your pretty face and guess what?”
I blinked, having no clue, “What?”
“The first goal I'm going to score would be yours.” I felt my cheek puff.
I mean, I didn't expect him to be acting this way. He was far too nice.
He pulled out the hockey front-row ticket and pushed it into my hand.
The feel of our hands stirred something inside me.
“I'll be there.”
He smirked. “Great, see you there.”
***
I didn't expect to be there. Well, maybe I didn't want to lose a new friend.
I cheered, watching how he took forward strides. His speed was incredible and the fact that no other person could touch the puck once it was in his possession.
“Clawbridge Academy, 1point!”
I watched how his teammates celebrated, but he turned towards me, creating a heart shape with his fingers.
I felt warm inside, my lips twisting into a smile. The game lasted for a while, and by the time the game was done, he had scored about 5 points.
The game ended, and it was time to head home. I walked towards the exit when someone walked towards me. It was Mason. Wasn't he supposed to be with his teammates? What was he doing here?
“Nice play and congratulations on your win.”
He nodded. “Yeah, and we're celebrating the win at my place. What do you say we hang out tonight?”
My eyes widened, my crush, asking me out?
“No, I have something to–”
“It's just a party. I know you like privacy, and I can arrange that for us. I hope to see you.”
He didn't give me the chance to decline.
I blinked, watching how he returned to his teammates, my heart racing. I had a party to attend.