THIRTY ONE

I hadn't seen him since he got shot. He was in the hospital and I hadn't visited him once. I just couldn't see him.

If it wasn't for me, he wouldn't have been in that situation. He wouldn't have nearly died. Luckily, he was ok but resting. Ashley had came round a few hours ago telling me that half the time Mason was sleeping because of his wound. It didn't make me feel any better though, it made me feel worse.

I had put him in that much pain. Staying away from him was the much better option.

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Hearing a door slam, I shot up from my nap and leaped off the sofa.

"Leia!" An angry voice yelled out.

Facing towards the kitchen, I ran over to it and grabbed a cup to look normal and preoccupied.

"In here, Ana!" I yelled back, going over to the sink and filling the cup up with water.

"Leia, a word please," Ana said, pointing over to the sofas.

Shaking my head, I took a sip of water and carefully placed it down. I didn't want to speak about Mason.

"Fine, I'll be upfront​," Ana calmly muttered. "Why haven't you been seeing Mason? He wants you there."

Sighing, I bit my bottom lip and glanced up at the ceiling. I couldn't face Ana so I decided to admit everything to the ceiling instead.

"I can't​ see him, Ana," I revealed, huffing out a breath as my shoulders sagged.

"Oh, no, no, no," Ana uttered out, stomping up to me with her blonde, curly hair bouncing with every step. "It's not because you can't. It's because you won't."

Opening my mouth to protest, Ana held up her hand to continue.

"You feel guilty with what happened and you shouldn't. How could you have know that this guy would come out of the shadows and shoot Mason?" Ana exclaimed, reasoning with me.

"I'm sorry, Ana. I just can't do it right now," I truthfully told her, shrugging my shoulders whilst leaning against the kitchen counter.

Pursing her lips, Ana darted her eyes towards me and shot daggers my way. Her eyes were practically burning holes through the side of my face but I still wouldn't have it.

"You're always thinking of yourself," Ana spat, spinning around to my lounge door. "I mean why would you do anything for anyone else. You're too self-absorbed."

Ana proceeded to storm towards my front door without another word or glance my way. With a loud slam of the door, Ana was gone and so was my stubborn self.

She was right. Even though it was hurtful, everything Ana had told me was true. I was guilty. I was being selfish. However, would I still see Mason?

Ignoring my conscience, I decided to sit down and watch my favourite show- Catchphrase.

"You're too self-absorbed."

Was I? I mean I understood that I hadn't taken into consideration how Mason felt about all of it but I was trying to keep him safe. I was toxic and dangerous to him. I may not have pointed the gun at him however I may as well have been. I practically lead Mason to his death.

Shaking the thoughts away, I slid myself deeper into the sofa with my hands delved inside my hoodies' pockets. I tried to get comfy by moving into different positions each minute but I stopped. It just wasn't working. I needed to see Mason even if it was only for a few seconds.

Ashley updating me every day wasn't enough. I had to see if Mason was truly ok myself.

Springing up from the sofa, I ran to grab my coat from off the hook and soon sped out of the door.

After a while of extreme sprinting and a constant reminder of how much I needed to exercise, I was at the hospital's reception.

Limping over to the desk, I stuttered out, "Um...I'm here t-to s-see a M-Mason Daniels."

"Ok," the receptionist​ weakly smiled, typing a few words into the computer. "Room 209. Just through that corridor, turn right and it will be 4 doors down. You'll see it."

Pointing to a busy, narrow corridor, she beamed brightly after I gulped. There were lots of people and I wasn't used to it. Not one bit. Feeling a little sick, I breathed in deeply as I made my way over to the tiny hallway that remained chaotic.

Abundant of people kept going down the passageway and some would come out of it. Now I joined a few of those people.

Slowly, I shakily leaned onto the wall as I slid my way through the busy passage way. I managed to squeeze passed a group of tearful girls who appeared to have frowns engraved into their faces. They all looked incredibly upset.

I really hoped I didn't come out of here like them.

Turning my body right, I gradually got to room 209 with my trembling limbs and my watery eyes. Would he want me here?

Don't be stupid. Ana even told you herself.

Reaching for the door handle, I steadily opened the door, which will soon reveal myself to them all. I could feel their glares now. Their unforgiving eyes narrowed into deathly slits.

Wincing at the images in my mind, I waited until the door stopped its creeking.

"Leia?" A surprised Mason, who layed in his bed, softly whispered. "Is that you?"

Nodding silently, I stepped into the room as I averted my eyes to the floor guiltily. No-one else but Mason was here. I still felt anxious to face him though.

"I'm not going to be mad, Craze," Mason muttered, adjusting his position on the hospital bed and then hissing soon afterwards.

Alarmed and worried, I shut the door and rushed to Mason. I began grabbing his pillow and started placing it gently under his head.

"Careful, you dummy," I chuckled, patting his forehead delicately. "Don't want you injuring yourself even more."

It fell silent for a second until Mason spoke, "Why did you avoid the hospital or me to be specific?"

Huffing, I collapsed onto the armchair that was beside the bed. As I fiddled with the piece of fabric connected to the chair, I thought out my answer carefully.

"Protecting you is very difficult, you know?" I murmured. "I, let's be honest here, can't stay away."

Grabbing my hand, Mason stroked it with the padding of his thumb. His rough hand tended mine so softly that it brought sparks to my skin.

"You just can't stay away from trouble I suppose," he cheekily grinned, staring at me with his piercing forest eyes. They were so vibrant and definitely weren't anything like his fathers' murky green eyes

"Who said you were trouble?" I smiled. "You're more like a wrong path that people take. A bump in the road."

"Are you trying to say that I'm a mistake?" He pouted, leaning further towards me. "After everything we've been through, Owens."

"Fine, you're that score that people don't want on their test papers," I smirked in amusement, placing my forehead on his.

Gazing at his sparkling eyes that were wide with excitement, I began to utter out, "A sad lonely 20 out of 50. Not even half."

"Oh great, so now I'm unwanted," he dramatically cried out, clutching the left side of his chest. "Tell me something I don't know!"

"You're a rubbish friend."

"Yep, Kane tells me all of the time," Mason fakely whimpered, quivering his bottom lip.

"An awful listener," I quickly remarked.

"Ana is sure to remind me of each minute of every day," he nodded meekly with a sad smile.

Folding my hands into my lap as I crossed my legs onto the chair, I inaudibly whispered a few words.

"What was that, Craze?" He asked me, glancing up at me with a pout still formed on his plump lips.

"That," I took a heavy breath. "I, Leia Owens, am truly in love with you."

His forest eyes widened as they shot up to my honey brown ones. Scanning my face, I waited for his reaction as I held my breath.

"I," he suddenly spoke out.

Rolling my lips into my mouth, I anticipated for his answer.

"Did not know that," Mason replied, chuckling at my expression.

"You maggot-headed donkey loving spineless, cold-hearted devil!" I yelled out followed by a few rude swear words thrown his way.

Seething, I grabbed the jug of water that was on his bedside table and went to throw it at him when his hand stopped me. I tried getting out from his tight hold and stopped once I realised it was useless.

"Craze, I'm only kidding," he chuckled but abruptly stopped when the jug inched towards him.

"You made me feel stupid," I hissed at him, trying to free my hand out from his tight grasp.

"I know, love," he bit his bottom lip, struggling not to laugh. "But, I have something to confess to you too."

Nodding at him to continue, I felt his grip loosen.

"I," Mason slowly said. "love naked mole rats."

I wasn't quite sure if he chickened out or referred me to a naked mole rat however I was not having it. As I started to pour the whole jug of water all over him, he shouted out three words that made me freeze.

Darting my eyes towards him, Mason pulled the jug from my hand and carefully placed it back onto the table.

"I love you," he whispered, cupping my face with his calloused hands. "Ever since a certain someone struggled with inserting the right key into their crappy car, this guy couldn't ignore the interest he had for them."

I sheepishly averted my eyes to the floor as my face began to feel like it just caught the scorching sun.

"This guy," he grinned, pointing to his face. "Tried to hide his feelings for this person but of course it didn't work for him, considering where he is now."

"And where is he now?" I teased, prodding his cheek.

Pulling me down onto the bed, he straddled my hips and leaned his face down towards mine.

"On a hospital bed. Kissing with the girl he absolutely adores," he whispered breathlessly before connecting his smooth lips with mine.

Trailing my hands along his strong toned arms, I softly stroked the nape of his neck. I tugged with the small hair at the back of it before wrapping my arms right around his neck.

We kissed with passion and with so much desire for one another. He was about to deepen the kiss when the door swung open, displaying an extremely shocked and anxious Ana.

"You've got to be kidding me," Ana groaned, dropping the bouquet of flowers she was holding and running out the door after she had slammed it shut.

Letting out a few chuckles, Mason, sadly, pulled away from me. Slapping his chest in embarrassment, I squeaked out whatever swam in my mind.

"Oh my days, she caught us! Like in a hospital as well. I mean who does...that in a hospital. Imagine what she is going to think of us now. And she's going to go blab to all of my friends and yours. Well only Kane because you only have one friend and-"

"Calm your mouth," he interrupted, stopping me from saying any more and jumping off of the bed. "And what do you mean I only have one friend?"

"Well, it's pretty obvious Kane is your only friend," I stated, copying Mason's actions.

"I have you know, I am the most popular guy at our school! Of course I have lots of friends. More than one anyway," he grumbled.

"Like who?" I challenged, stepping towards him with one eyebrow raised.

"Like Kane, uhhh Angela?" Mason squinted, flinching at his own suggestion.

"Yeah, you only have one friend," I quickly nodded, patted his back and began to make my way over to the room's door that was shut earlier by Ana.

"You're my friend, right?" He questioned, making me stop.

Turning around, I yelled out, "I would prefer the term girlfriend now."

"Oh yeah?" He grinned charmingly. "Why's that?"

"What do you think?" I smiled teasingly before spinning around to exit the room.

"I think that I kiss all of my friends like that!" He called out.

Slamming the door, I rested my back against it. I bit my lip as a smile tried to make its way onto my face. I shouldn't had been smiling at a hospital but I just couldn't help it.

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Ooh, how was that? I know it had been long but thanks for being so patient. I think I will post one more chapter until my epilogue. It has been fun my friends but the story must end.

Please VOTE and feel free to COMMENT. And I will see you soon my lovelies <3

Gem Gems