Slowly, Mason inched his way closer and closer to her lips. She couldn't believe he was finally going to kiss her. Her whole body ignited with heat and want. When his lips touched hers, instinctively she pressed both hands on his chest. "Stop." Remembering Remus, she became really scared and protective. "What if something bad happens to you?" She'd ruined the moment, but she didn't care. His life was more important than a kiss. Though she knew it was swallowing her blood that had killed Remus, she couldn't take the risk.
"How many times must I tell you? I guess I'm going to have to show you." Without warning, he dove in and planted his lips on hers. His kiss was soft and perfect, and much more than she'd imagined it would be. Though it didn't last very long, it left Skylar wanting more, sinking deeper into the mattress, swallowed up in his succulent kiss.
When he pulled away, he fell onto his side of the bed. With both of his hands on his neck, he made gagging sounds as if he were choking.
Skylar was horrified. "Mason? Mason!" she called out, sitting up and placing her hands on his arms.
Mason stopped and pulled her in. Her legs swung over his hips and her body pressed to his chest as he embraced her tightly. "Just kidding. I was joking. See? I'm fine." It was his way of apologizing for being a prick.
"Ugh . . . jerk!" Skylar tried to pull away, but she couldn't budge from his hold. She was mad, but she couldn't stop giggling from his sense of humor. For a second, she remained still, enjoying her position, enjoying this tender moment as they exchanged an undeniably passionate gaze. In his arms, she found comfort. In his arms, she was just a normal girl being held by a normal guy.
"You got me," Skylar said when Mason released her.
"Now go to sleep. It's almost time to get up." Mason became distant again, turning his back to her.
With her eyes on his back, she wanted to reach out and touch him, to help him forget his pain.
"Don't stare at me," he mumbled.
"I'm not staring," Skylar said, recalling when he had said those words the last time, making her laugh.
"Oh, yes you are," he chuckled lightly. "I can feel your stare."
Skylar giggled and shook her head. "Fine, you got me again." She'd made a small dent in his wall tonight and slowly she would try her best to chip it away. Holding on to their first kiss, not knowing if it meant something to him or not, she fell asleep peacefully.
When Skylar opened her eyes, she knew it was late. She turned to Mason, but he was already out of bed, out of sight.
There was a note on his pillow:
Sky,
Lunch on the table. Taking care of business. Manager out sick at Bella Amore.
Till then,
Mason
It was already lunchtime? Skylar got out of bed and saw the clothes Mason had washed and dried for her. He was so thoughtful that way. She changed, ate, called home to her mom, got into her car, and headed back to her dorm.
On her way, she got a text from Kayla. She and Nick had made up and things were back to normal. Kayla had decided to attend the local state college. She would commute from home and continue to help her mom at the diner. Though they texted often, with school schedules and Kayla working, it would be difficult at times.
A week had passed. Disappointingly, Skylar had not heard from Mason, not even a text or a phone call. Wanting to take a break from studying, she texted Kayla.
Hey, what you doing?
Trying to study.
Miss you.
Miss you too. Hope you can visit soon.
I will. Things are crazy. I have an exam tomorrow.
Have you seen Mason lately?
No. It's been a week. I'm not counting on it.
I'm sorry.
No worries. Till then.
Skylar couldn't believe she'd used Mason's words "till then." Maybe his wall was too thick. Maybe it was hopeless. Not wanting to think of him, she poured herself into her studies. After an hour she picked up her phone, hoping she'd missed a text or had a missed call from him-nothing. She thought about calling, but lost her nerve. Placing the phone back down on the table, she dove right back into her studies. Then a few minutes later, she was startled by the vibrating phone and picked it up. She was so excited to see it was a text from Mason she could hardly contain herself.
Hi, Echo.
With a beaming smile, Skylar texted back: Hi.
What are you doing?
Studying.
Good. You're home. Are you alone?
No. Roommate.
Remember, stay around humans. Don't go anywhere by yourself and always bring your phone. If you don't return my text then I'll know something is wrong.
Okay. Stay near humans and not aliens.
Haha. You made me laugh.
Is it even possible to get a laugh from you? Just kidding.
Haha. I miss that.
Miss what?
Thinking of you. Till then.
Miss what?
He didn't answer and Skylar knew he'd done that on purpose. After the text, it was difficult to study again, especially because he had said he was thinking of her. A part of her felt guilty. She'd lied to Mason about her roommate being home. Since there had been no signs of vultures or other strange occurrences, she figured things were back to normal.
Not wanting to worry him, she hadn't told him the truth. Though she thought about texting him back and letting him know she was alone, hoping he would spend time with her, she knew better. He was busy with work and she didn't want to bother him.
Her phone vibrated again. Surprisingly, it was her roommate. Emily had never texted her before, even though Skylar had given her the cell phone number.
I need help. I'm at the bio lab. Can you come now?
Room #?
Biology building, first floor, room 110.
I'm coming.
No questions asked, Skylar grabbed a sweater, placed her cell phone in her pocket with her keys, and walked out onto campus grounds. It was just after eight. The night sky was merciless and the cold breeze stung her face. She walked quickly, passing the dimly lit parking lot. Seeing a couple making out in a car, she looked away, but somehow it gave her comfort that humans were around.
Farther along, the campus got darker since there weren't many late-night classes. Hardly ever going out this late, she hadn't realized how fast fall had crept in. Crossing her arms, she hugged herself tighter for warmth. When she passed by the small café, she knew she was almost there.
The campus was huge, but during the day it didn't seem so big. Perhaps it was the anxiety building in her. The darkness made the beautiful campus look gloomy, and she was almost positive she saw two pairs of small yellow lights following her as if they were watching her every move.
Finally, the biology building was in her sight. She just needed to cross a path and she would be home free, but the path was so dreadfully dark that she didn't know if she could do it.
Out of the blue, Skylar jolted straight up. With a huff, she took out her cell phone and turned off the vibration mode, but kept it on silent. It was another text from Emily.
Where are you?
I'm almost there.
Hurry!
What's so urgent?
There was no response.
Having a sudden idea, Skylar used her phone to shine a light along the path. It wasn't as dark anymore. In no time, she was through the double glass doors. Being inside, she was grateful to be out of the cold breeze and with plenty of light she was able to put her cell phone in her back pocket.
The floor squeaked under her feet from her sneakers making contact with the shiny laminate, and for several feet that was all she heard. Looking at the door numbers, she knew she was almost there. Room 107, 108, 109. Finally, Room 110.
Skylar pulled the door open, expecting to see a room full of students wearing white lab coats and experimenting with test tubes or hovering over microscopes, but that wasn't the case. In fact, Emily was the only student there. She stood all the way in the back, behind a lab counter, looking terrified. Trembling, she continued to stand there staring at Skylar, shaking her head as if to tell her something. Then tears flowed down her cheeks.
"Emily, are you okay?" Skylar started toward her, realizing someone else might have texted her from Emily's phone. She looked too distraught to have been texting. Whatever the reason, Skylar was glad she had come to her rescue.
Just before she reached her, the door she had just entered made a loud slamming noise and then she heard a click. Skylar instantly realized who was behind this and terror crept up her back. Though she had known Alena would come for her, she didn't think it would be this soon. She was glad Mason wasn't around. She wouldn't want to put him or his family's lives in danger too.
"Hello, Skylar," Alena said, looking pleased. "It's so nice to see you." Her lips slowly curved up wickedly. "You probably didn't expect to see me so soon, but you see, I have an agenda to follow."
Without hesitation, Skylar took several steps toward Emily, holding her hand to calm her down. Emily was trembling so much she didn't know if she would be able to get her to do what she wanted her to do when the time came-namely run. "I knew you were coming. Let her go. She is nothing to you."