I just stand staring at Mason, feeling an intense amount of emotions and processing what he just said. While a small part of me wants to do it and start this big adventure with him, the big part of me knows I'm not ready. I feel my mind reeling just thinking about everything. "Mason," I pause, exasperated and trying to find the right words, "I don't think I'm ready for this quite yet. This is a really big thing, I mean it's no joke."

Masons grin falls as he examines my expression. "I know it's a big step, but this is going to happen eventually. I know I don't need to remind you, but we're mates. I know you feel this connection too." He cups my face in his hands and puts his face closer to mine. "I want you to live with me, but I'l give you some time and let you process this." His lips gently press against my forehead before he lets go of my face and walks away.

I'm left standing in the nearly empty hall, mouth open and stunned at what just happened. I don't know what I expected, but it was definitely not this. As I'm trying to gather my thoughts, the bell rings overhead. "Shit." I mutter under my breath, starting to speed walk in the direction of Mrs. Woodhams class.

"You're late, Ms. Dawson." Mrs. Woodham announces not looking away from the board.

"Sorry, Mrs. Woodham." I mumble the apology, taking a seat in front of Catie. I open my textbook to the correct page, and flip through my notebook until I find an empty page. As Mrs. Woodham starts going over what she's written on the whiteboard and begins the lesson, my mind starts to wonder. I playback our conversation in the hallway and a feeling of uneasiness washes over me. He just sprung this on me, and I don't know what I am going to do. There is so much that could happen. There's a chance neither of us will be good for each other. I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but if I don't try then I'll never know. This could be the best thing, or the worst thing.

The thought of us moving in together makes my heart race. This would be one of the biggest decisions I will have to make, and if I go through with it I know my family won't agree. My family is very important to me, and I'm worried that I'm going to have to make a choice between them or my mate. If Mason and I end up developing a deep connection and we end up together, I don't know if my family will ever support it. The bell ringing snaps me out of my head, signaling its time for lunch. The class went by pretty quick, mainly because I was stuck with my thoughts for most of the time. I grab my notebook and pens before getting up, thinking about how I'll have to catch up with someone in a little while to grab the notes I missed.

As I'm walking towards my locker, I go back to thinking about everything. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea if I just visited his pack house. It's not like I'll have to move in right that instant, I can just see how it's set up and see how Mason and I act with each other when we're trying to figure things out. Sighing, I absentmindedly put everything away in my locker and head towards the lunch room, meeting up with Madison and James. We walk through the line, chatting and grab our plates.

I zone out trailing behind a laughing James and a giggling Madison. I sit in the middle of them with Madison on my left and James on my right. They talk to each other as if I'm not there and I immerse myself in my thoughts. This has been weighing on my mind the moment he brought it up. It's going to happen sooner or later, making the trip to see his pack house won't hurt anything I'll just have to clarify that I'm not moving in with him just yet. I mean, it would be cool to see how his pack house is and to see everyone who lives there. Plus, this will give Mason and I a chance to actually talk things out and to figure out what a future between us will look like.

"What about you Al?" James asks with a mouthful of chicken, breaking me out of my thoughts. I didn't listen to their conversation at all, so I have no clue what he's asking me.

"Huh?" I reply, confusion covering my face. I take a bite of my food, waiting for him to explain what he's asking.

"James asked where his 18th birthday should be. Of course, I suggested the clubs and now we need your opinion." Madison explains, resting her chin on her hand.

Scratching my cheek, I try and think of some options. I can only thing of a couple generic things before my mind comes to a blank. I've never been the best at coming up with things to do. Shrugging, I suggest the first thing that comes to mind, "I don't know, how about a welcome to adulthood party?" James moves his head side to side as he thinks about the idea.

"Would Justin allow it?" He asks with a frown as he crunches on a piece of broccoli.

"I mean, I could always ask him when your birthday is closer. We have that room in the basement where Justin always through parties so it shouldn't be that big of a deal." I announce as I pour ranch over my lettuce.

"My birthday is close." He scoffs. I roll my eyes, mixing all of the ingredients in.

"Two months? That's not that close." I answer, shaking my head and taking a bite of my salad. The lettuce crunch under my teeth, and I stab my fork into it to grab my next bite. My salad has the perfect amount of ranch, bacon, onions, olives and banana peppers mixed in the lettuce.

James takes another bite of his burger, accidentally spitting food onto the table as he talks to Madison. Madison just stares at it with a disgusted face as James uses his napkin to clean it up. I look back and forth between them as they continue talking. They get along really well and I think they could make a great couple but it would be weird. I can't really imagine seeing my cousin and my best friend together, that's like if Madison got with my brother. I shove the thought away and listen to their conversation.

"If we do the party, we can get chips and dip, alcohol, pizza, all things like that." James says, shoving the rest of his burger in his mouth and leaning back in his chair. The piece was so big it takes him a little bot before he actually swallows it.

Madison rests her face on the palm of her hand, nodding. She took the responsibility to talk about the entertainment and music. Lunch is about to end, so I take my nearly empty tray and toss the left over food in the trash. Exiting the lunchroom, I pass a couple people lingering in the halls and grab the books I need for my next class. With my books in hand, I walk over to a group of comfortable chairs at the end of one hallway and take a seat. I lay. My books on the table next to me and cover my face with my hands. I feel a headache forming from the stress of today. I sit in the chair until I have to go to my next class. Walking in the hall, I notice Mason trying to get my attention but I just avoid his gaze and walk faster until I pass the threshold of the classroom.

~

The school day is done, and I walk out the doors with my backpack in hand. My mind keeps replaying all of the things Mason tried to do last period to get my attention. He poked me, would pass notes that I still haven't read, and he even twirled my hair between his fingers. I run my free hand through my hair to keep the loose pieces from falling in my face as I search the parking lot.

My eyes automatically land on Mason leaning against his car with one foot propped on the door as he is looking at his phone. I suck in a deep breath and walk his way, feeling the sun in my eyes. At the sound of my approaching steps, he immediately looks up and his grey eyes connect with mine. I stop a few feet away from him, putting my backpack over my shoulder and grabbing onto the strap. A smirk slowly stretches across his face and his head cocks to the side. "Ready, sunshine?" Mason asks, moving away from the car and standing directly in front of me. The sound of the nickname makes me cringe slightly.

"Don't call me that." I snap. His smirk has morphed into a smile now. I think he likes getting under my skin. A chuckle escapes his lips as he wink and walks over to the other side of the charm opening the passenger door. I don't move and just stare at him.

"Why do you think I'm even going with you?" I place a hand firmly on my hip. He rests an elbow on the top of the open door.

"Justo a hunch. Plus, why else would you come over here? Just to chat?" He asks, his arrogant smirk returning. I press my lips tight, glaring at him. He's right. I did make up my mind and decide to go with him, but I'm just being so stubborn and don't want to actually admit it to him. That's one thing I don't really like about myself, is how stubborn I could really be. "And Justin already took off without you." He adds moving his hands in a way to show the almost empty parking lot. I look around and realize the parking lot is nearly vacant of cars.

"What if I didnt want to—?" I start saying but Mason cuts me off. I internally scream at myself to say something, but totally different words come out of my mouth.

"Oh, with you standing right here and with your body language I can tell that you've already made up your mind and decided to come with." He states, walking over to me. He gently strokes my cheek and I can feel my heart jump at the feeling. Any feeling of uneasiness goes away with his touch.

"Fine Mason, I'll go over there for a little bit but I don't want to stay long." I announce. He smiles and motions for me to give him my backpack and I slowly oblige. He wraps his fingers around the strap and hold his other arm out, as if guiding me to the car door.

I slowly walk towards the door, not getting in. He opens the back passenger door and sets my backpack down. "I was afraid you were going to change your mind." He admits, staring deep into my eyes. I catch myself absentmindedly playing with my hair and Masons eyes shift down and watches my nervous habit.

"Trust me, I wanted to." I admit, causing him to look back into my eyes as if he was searching for something. I slide into the passenger seat, and Mason shuts the door for me and walks around the car to the drivers side. Out of my peripheral, I see him turn the keys in the ignition and the car roars to life. Within a minute, Mason starts driving and soon we are leaving the parking lot. I stare out the window and watch the blur of trees as we pass at an accelerating speed.

———————-