"Did something happen to you?" Gina's eyes grew wide and a worried expression settled on her face.
"No no no," Skylar rapidly shook her head, trying to calm her down. "Nothing happened."
Gina exhaled softly. "Okay, good. You know that you can come to me for anything, don't you?"
"Yes. I just wanted to thank you, that's all. How about we do a movie and popcorn?"
"Movie and popcorn it is. Now eat your dinner before it gets too cold."
After dinner, Skylar helped with the dishes and then excused herself to go to her bedroom to call Kayla.
"Hey, Kayla, what have you been up to?"
"Same old thing, work and school. Have you seen Mason lately?"
The sound of his name was like a stab to her heart. "No. I'm pretty sure we're done. He hasn't called." Then she realized it had only been a day. Why did it seem like it had been a week? "How are things with Nick?"
"Good. We're now dating officially."
"That's good. I'm happy for you. He better be good to you or else you know he'll hear it from me." Skylar tried to sound cheerful. "I've got to make this short. I'm at my house with Mom. We're supposed to watch a movie, so I'd better go. I just wanted to hear your voice and see how you were doing."
"I'm glad you called. You know you can call me anytime, right? Even if you want to talk in the middle of the night. Remember what you used to tell me? There are other fish in the sea. The sea is massive with lots of good fish."
"Yeah, but most of them are fishy," Skylar sighed.
Kayla busted out laughing. "You've never said that before."
"That's because I know better now. They are slimy and they stink."
"Hmmm, sounds like you're describing someone I know. I mean, I don't think he's that, but sometimes those fishes just need a little bit more time in the water before they get caught. The particular fish I'm talking about seems like the type that when he swims, he swims deep. I think he is just being careful. He doesn't want to be eaten by a shark, not that you are one. Just remember that, okay?"
"Don't worry. I'll be fine. I've been through a lot worse. Anyway, Mom says we'll be at your house for Thanksgiving this year."
"Yeah," Kayla squealed. "Jack bakes the most delicious, perfect turkey. Speaking of which, Jack and Mona send their love."
"Tell them I miss them too. They're so funny together." Skylar chuckled just at the thought of them. "Well, I'll text you when I get a chance. Miss you."
"Miss you too."
"I'll talk to you soon," Skylar said with hesitation, missing her cousin. Closing her eyes tightly, she exhaled a deep breath as if to release the tension.
"You okay, Skylar? You want to talk more?"
"No, I'm fine. I need to go. I don't want to keep my mom waiting. I'll talk to you soon."
"Okay. I'm here if you need me."
"Okay. I'm hanging up."
"Bye."
Click.
Skylar spent the rest of the week attending classes and trying to drown herself in her studies. With midterm exams coming up, it wasn't hard to do, but every once in a while thoughts of Mason would pop into her mind. She missed him, but she had to be strong. She almost wished the vultures were after her, just so she could be with him. At least his protection was better than not seeing him at all, she guessed, but that was a crazy, desperate thought. Oh forget it. Forget him. But she didn't want to.
With the turn of her key she entered her dorm apartment. Emily was sitting at the dining table with her boyfriend eating lunch. "Hey, Skylar," Emily greeted.
"Hey, what's up?" Dex grinned.
"Hi," Skylar replied, placing her key back into her backpack.
"Would you like a sandwich? I have extra," Emily asked, pointing to the kitchen.
Skylar smiled. "Thanks, but I'm not hungry. I'm going to take a nap." She headed upstairs.
"Oh, by the way, that guy came by to see you yesterday. You know that guy . . . what's his name?"
Skylar froze in place. Her heart stopped for a second and then thumped faster than she could catch her breath. Heat shot up from her heart to her face. It was like reopening a wound she'd been trying to heal. "Did he leave a name?" Wrong question. "I mean, what color hair?"
"Oh, the dirty blond, I think. Dex was here." She turned to him. "It was the dirty blond, right?"
Dex grunted, stuffing his mouth, only half listening to their conversation.
Emily continued, "Dex said the guy wanted to speak to you. He asked how you were doing and looked very concerned. Were you sick or something?"
Disappointed, Skylar's heart dropped, unable to answer. It was as if her words were caught in her throat, immobilizing her ability to speak.
"Anyway," Emily continued, "a guy doesn't just drop by to see how you're doing. I think he has a thing for you." Her tone went up a pitch. "Right, Dex?"
Dex let out a grunt again, taking another bite while nodding.
"Thanks for the message," Skylar said and headed to her room.
For a brief second, she had almost been happy. For a brief second, she'd had hope. That had vanished quickly when Emily told her the color of the visitor's hair. Shutting the door behind her, she dropped her backpack on the floor, took off her shoes, and plopped onto her bed, wondering what Noah had wanted. Taking out her cell, she checked her messages. After scrolling through her emails and texting her mom back, she couldn't suppress the somber feeling. What did she expect? She just had to accept the fact he didn't care for her as she'd hoped.
Exhausted from lack of sleep, she closed her eyes, trying to forget the world and think of absolutely nothing. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, her body began to relax, drifting peacefully to the sleep she yearned for.
Repetitive tapping sounds woke her up. When she opened her eyes, she saw it was dark. Had she been asleep that long? Not wanting to get up, she continued to lie in bed, irritated and confused as to where the sound was coming from. Feeling groggy, her body wasn't in tune with her surroundings. Then fear struck sharply, sending the frantic energy right through her gut, bringing her fully awake, and she froze.
The first thought that came to mind was the vultures; but if they were there, most likely they would've found a way to enter already. Hearing the sound again, she realized it came from her window, but it was impossible for anyone to be knocking on it since she was on the second floor.
Tap . . . tap . . . tap! Annoyed, she opened the blind, peered down, and saw a rock hit the window. "Mason?" Anchoring the blind so it wouldn't fall on her, she slid the window open. "Mason. What are you doing?"
"Didn't you get my message?"
"What message?"
"I came by the other day."
"You did?" Skylar was confused. She was sure Emily had told her it was the dirty blond. But then again, she said Dex had told her. Had he even known what he was talking about? Only two guys had ever visited her-Mason and Noah. Possibly Dex had forgotten the color of the visitor's hair. He must have agreed to the first thing Emily said, she guessed.
"Are you going to let me in or do I have to talk to you out here in the rain?"
Stunned and elated by his appearance, Skylar didn't know what to do. "I'll be right down." Just like that, her anger and pain vanished, and she was once again hopelessly in love. What was she going to do when he left? She was only setting herself up for more pain. She should tell him to go home instead, but it was too late. She'd already invited him in.
Walking into darkness, Skylar turned on the downstairs lights. Emily and Dex were gone, most likely out for dinner. She tried to steady her nerves but it was impossible. Her heart thumped erratically as she opened the door. "Hi," she welcomed him shyly. "Come in."
Mason entered, looking delicious and suave as always, but he had bags under his eyes. He looked tired, like he hadn't slept for days. With stubble along his jawline-which was actually kind of sexy-it was hard to resist the urge to run her fingers through it. Even with bags and stubble, he looked just as hot as she remembered him-totally not fair.
His hair was wet, but not drenched, from the light rain. Striding to the sofa, he settled himself comfortably. After crossing his legs, he placed his arms lazily behind his head for support. Skylar wanted to sit right next to him in his arms, but knowing better, she sat on the other sofa.
"I came to warn you and also to see how you're doing," Mason said. "Alena is no longer our problem, but whoever is in charge may still come after you."
Skylar wasn't worried about who was going to come after her at this moment. All she cared about was that Mason had come to tell her some bad news and then he would leave. It wasn't an "I miss you" type of visit. It was all serious business.