“I don’t want to lose you too!” I cry, and he holds onto me, a sob wrenching from my lips. He pushes us into my room and closes the door. Every second that passes, our arms tighten on each other.
“Don’t worry, Thea. We’ll figure something out,” he sniffles, holding me close to him. Something wet hits my neck, and I look up. Tears leak from his eyes like small waterfalls, but he’s silent.
“Mase...” I trail off but can’t say anything else because another sob escapes.
“I love you, too,” he murmurs, and I nod, burying my face in his shoulder. I dig my fingers in like it could keep him here. Maybe we could explain to whoever is coming here. Perhaps they’ll listen.
My door flies open, banging against the wall, and Alisha laughs. “Pathetic. It saves me time, though. I have a phone call to make,” she says and starts walking away. I remove myself from Mason’s arms and lunge forward, grabbing her arm.
“Please! I need him! He’s all I have left!” I cry to her. She shrieks in annoyance and pushes my hand off, disgusted. She acts like I’ve got some kind of disease she could catch.
“I do what I want. I gave you fair warning,” Alisha tells me and raises her phone to her ear. Fair warning? No one should be warned or have to worry about this-about being ripped from their families! I want nothing more than to claw her eyes out, but Mason stops me, shaking his head. A defeated expression crosses his eyes, stopping my heart.
Just like before, she uses the upset tone and the woe-is-me act. “Yes, it’s Alisha Tremaine again. The boy skipped school, the little troublemaker, so you may come get him,” she says into the phone. After that, I don’t listen, I just fall to my knees and cry. Arms circle around me, and I know it’s Mason. I turn to him and hold on as tightly as I can.
“Mason,” I gasp for breath. She’s ruining my life- our lives. He pulls me into my room, sits us on my bed, and whispers to me, but all I can focus on is keeping him close. His tears drop on to my neck and cheeks, mixing with mine as we sit there.
After a little while, my body isn’t shaking as bad and I’m not squeezing Mason to death. I look up at him and see silent tears falling from his eyes. He kisses the top of my head while I wipe at my tears, trying to clear my vision. If this is all the time I have left with him, I need it to be more than crying.
Slowly, I climb off of his lap. “I have something for you,” I tell him as I walk to my dresser.
“I won this in one of the boxing matches last year, and I want you to keep it until we’re together again,” I tell him, picking up the gold chain necklace that has two boxing gloves on it. Someone had paid their bet with it. It surprised me when the bookie passed it to me with my wad of cash, but now I’m glad. If I can’t be with Mason because he’s taken out of state or far away, I can give him something to hold on to.
Turning, I walk back and stop in front of him. I turn his hand over and let the cool metal fall into his palm. Mason looks down at it and gives me a small smile. “Hey, we’ll probably see each other at fights. I can still call you. Plus, there’s school,” he says hopefully.
Looking at my brother, I shake my head. “Knowing Alisha, she’s made sure we’ll never see each other again,” I say bitterly. He sighs. He knows I’m right. It’s her goal to separate us. He wraps his arms around me and buries his face in my stomach. Wetness seeps into my shirt, and I slap my hand over my mouth to keep from screaming as my tears fall again. I hold him while he cries, returning the gesture, and brush my fingers through his hair.
The ringing of the doorbell makes me jump and makes Mason tense. “No,” I plead in a whisper. Mason’s eyes fall on me, and he grabs my hand, pulling me out of the room. I can hear people talking from downstairs, and tears gush from my eyes.
“Look at me,” Mason demands, using his fingers to tilt my chin up. Our eyes lock. “Promise me you’ll take care of yourself.” I nod, closing my eyes. He taps my chin. “Promise me,” he repeats, and I open my eyes.
“I- I promise,” I whisper. Mason leads me to his room with a nod, where I watch as he fills a large duffle bag. Once his bag is full, he turns to me. He doesn’t even get to take everything with him. It’s just not right.
“It’s time.”
Those two words shatter my world.
“I don’t want you to go. They can’t just take you away. We’ve done nothing wrong!” I cry helplessly. The only other time I felt this helpless was when my dad was killed. I never wanted to feel this way again. I’ve failed in protecting Mason.
“Mason! Athena! Come down!” Alisha shouts from downstairs. I clutch Mason’s hand in a death grip as we walk out of his room and down the stairs. Thoughts of jumping out the window and running cross my mind, but we can’t. It would cause more problems than it would solve.
With every step, my heart breaks. I’m sure everyone downstairs can hear me sobbing with each painful step, yet I don’t care. From Mason’s stiff posture and rigid face, I know he’s trying not to cry. We stop walking when we reach the living room, where there are two men and a woman. Their eyes turn to us, watching us for a little too long. Are they looking for something? The woman studies Mason a little too long, making the hairs on my neck stand on end.
“You’re coming with us. They’ll send the rest of your things soon,” the woman announces, and Mason turns to me.
“I love you, Athena,” he whispers, his words nearly stopping my heart. I circle my arms around his neck as he picks me up, his hold tight yet soft.
I lean my forehead on his. “I love you t-too,” I sniffle, and a single tear rolls down his cheek. He wipes it away and lets me down. Next thing I know, the men escort him out, each gripping his arm, and the woman behind them. My mind shouts to follow them, to stop them, to do something. Anything.
Before I can move, Alisha snatches something from Mason’s hand, and they’re out the door. I glance at Alisha to see Mason’s phone. No, no, no. They can’t take him. I run out of the house, and I run down the path, but someone grabs me. “Stop it!” Alisha orders.
“He did nothing wrong!” I finally scream, “Mason!” He looks past the woman in front of him, his eyes pained. I throw Alisha’s hand off of me as the woman closes the SUV’s door. I see Mason mouth, ‘I love you,’ and press his hand to the car window just as my fingers brush the cool glass before the car lurches forward and speeds away.
I crumble, agony searing through me as a long wail escapes. The pain. The grief. Everything overwhelms and weighs on me. Struggling to breathe, I lean over and grip grass in my fist. I know the neighbors are probably watching, but I don’t care. I pound my fist on concrete, letting the pain consume me as my tears paint the ground.
Alisha yells something, and at the same moment attempts to pull me up, but she can’t. The vehicle disappears around the corner, and I just sit there crying.
He’s gone.
Drake
The loudest, most heartbreaking scream I’ve ever heard flies through the air, making me jump to my feet. I run to my front door and yank it open, heart-pounding adrenaline spiking. I never would’ve been prepared to see Athena on her knees at the end of her driveway, punching the ground, and wailing. Without a second thought, I run.
“Athena!” Her head snaps up at the sound of my voice. Tears are rivers down her face and her eyes are voids filled with darkness. “What happened?” I kneel, gathering her into a hug.
“He’s gone,” she sobs, burying her face in my neck. “Sh-she got th-them to... t-take him away. He’s... gone!” She stutters between sobs. I search for Mason, and when I don’t see him, it clicks.
In the hospital, she told me what her step-mom said about getting Child Services to take Mason. I didn’t think it would actually work. I should’ve known better, though. So I hold Athena tighter as she wraps her arms around me, clutching me like her life depends on it. Her step-mom is standing in the house's doorway now, scowling at the girl who’s clearly in pain. I ignore her, though. My focus is on Athena as I lift her into my arms.
&nb
sp; “I’m right here,” I whisper, and she holds on tighter if that’s even possible. I carry Athena into her house and up to her room, ignoring the protests from her step-mom while I think about the broken girl in my arms. I’ve never seen anyone so broken before, and I never would’ve expected it from Athena. Everything I’ve seen from her has been strength and grit. I say nothing. I just lay on her bed, hold her, and let her cry.
Chapter 15
Athena
An arm tightens around my waist, and my eyes fly open.
“Mason!” He’s the only one who’d hold me like this. Then I remember, and an ache fills my chest when I realize the person holding me isn’t my brother. It’s like when I was younger and had nightmares; I’d called out for my dad before remembering that he’s gone. That I wouldn’t get a hug from him or that he wouldn’t answer when I called. Stinging pain makes my puffy eyes hurt as my vision blurs and tears threaten to spill over.
“It wasn’t a dream,” I whimper, burying my face in Drake’s chest.
“Athena, you okay?” Drake whispers, cringing at his own question, and I shake my head. I won’t be okay until Mason is back.
“No, I want Mason,” I mumble. Drake releases a breath and pulls me closer, tightening his arms around me. The comfort is nice, but it’s not enough. It helps, knowing I have someone else here with me. If I didn’t have Drake, I don’t know what I’d do.
“I’m so sorry about what happened.”
“I’m going to get him back. I just have to wait two-and-a-half months,” I say softly, my eyelids heavy. Laying my head against his chest, I let Drake’s strong, steady heartbeat lull me to sleep.
~*~
“Drake, I’m hungry,” I grumble, rubbing sleep from my eyes. Drake’s eyes slowly open to look down at me, then he nods.
“Okay. Let’s get you something to eat, Flower,” he hums, pushing himself out of bed. Once he reaches back for me, I take his hand and allow him to pull me up. I let him lead me down the stairs, through a hallway, and into the kitchen. Honestly, I feel like a zombie, physically here but not mentally. Emotionally drained. I don’t think I could cry any more tears even if I tried. I think my tear ducts are empty.
Drake directs me to a chair while making the food. I ignore what it is because I don’t care as long as it’s edible.
“Eat,” he instructs, his voice soft yet demanding as he places the plate of eggs in front of me. I slowly eat and stare out the small window above the sink. It’s light outside, so I think it’s morning. The food has no flavor, but I don’t think it’s Drake’s fault. Everything tastes and feels bland. I’ve been in this position, and it took time and help to get out.
I glance up at Drake, who’s eating his breakfast. He can help me. He is already helping me.
“What are you doing here?” Alisha directs the question to Drake. She freezes in the doorway.
Then she turns her enraged gaze on me. “Athena! Why aren’t you at school?” Alisha yells, but I don’t move. I don’t care about her anymore; the only thing keeping me from disobeying her was Mason. She’s in for a rude awakening if she thinks I’m still going to listen to her. I turn in my chair and narrow my eyes, focusing all my anger and hate on her.
“I’ve been in the hospital for two days after bleeding internally. The doctor told me to stay home and rest. You sent my brother off because you’re a self-centered witch that can’t handle life,” I snarl, standing. I stalk toward Alisha, and because she isn’t wearing her usual stilettos, I have a height advantage.
“You never cared about anyone but yourself. I bet you never even liked my dad! I know you want his money. You must’ve been disappointed when you found you couldn’t touch his money,” I sneer, getting in her personal space. I step forward and grab her by her arm. “You got rid of my brother, so you’ve ruined any chance at getting me to do anything for you.”
“You will obey me! I’m your mother!” She screeches, making me laugh. Like a child, she stomps her foot and crosses her arms. It’s unflattering, to say the least.
“My mother? Ha! You have never been and never will be my mother!” I growl. With a huff, she stomps away, and I wait until she’s gone to slump back in my chair and drop my face in my hands. I can feel Drake watching me, so I peek at him.
I’m glad he’s here.
~*~
Monday is the worst day of the week, especially if you’ve been absent for days. Work piles up. People stare when you return. Not that people don’t stare at me, anyway. Also, Mason won’t be there. I’ll be on my own. Well, not entirely on your own, I remind myself. I have Drake and the guys.
Quickly, I dress in a pair of black jeans, a black shirt, and black converse. Can you guess how I’m feeling? Leaving my hair down, I put my colored contacts in and slide my glasses on. With a sigh, I leave the house and find Drake leaning against his car.
When he sees me, he pushes off and smiles. “Hey. How you feeling?”
I look at him and shrug, wrapping my arms around him. “The same,” I mumble and move away from him. He watches me with a sad expression but says nothing while I get into his car. Since they took Mason, I’ve spoken little; only a few words now and then. I don’t think Drake likes it, and I can tell he wants to talk to me, but he’s respecting that I don’t want to talk.
Drake climbs into the car and sighs. I know it isn’t ideal, my silence, but I can’t help it. At first, I answered his questions, and if he were to ask now, I’d probably say something. It’s not like I ignore him. At least, I don’t see it that way. I don’t think he does either.
Gazing out the window, I watch as houses then store buildings blur. We pull into the school lot a couple of minutes later, and I climb out, waiting on my side for Drake. He walks around and grabs my hand, locking our fingers together. I feel bad for freezing him out. If he weren’t here for me, I don’t know what I’d do. I promised Mason I’d take care of myself, and I will. I have to.
“Ready?” Drake asks. I nod, taking a deep breath. We slowly make our way inside, and I can feel the stares on me. There’s a spark of hope that Mason could be here, but take that hope, crumple it into a ball, and shove it way, way deep down. It would go against what Alisha wanted. So, when we reach my locker, I grab my books.
“Hey, Button,” Ross says from behind my locker door, making me jump. His eyes are full of sympathy as he stares down at me. With my permission, Drake told them who I am and what happened with Mason. He told them about the fights and Alisha. Now I feel like I have more supporters in my corner.
“Hi,” I mumble, shoving my books into my backpack. Closing my locker, I turn to the guys to find four pairs of concerned eyes trained on me. “Can we go?” I ask, and they all nod. Drake offers to carry my backpack, so I let him because I feel bad when I don’t accept his gentlemanly offers.
Soon, we reach our English class. I’d rather be anywhere but here with Richards. Drake settles in next to me, his presence giving me that blanket of comfort just by being near. I pull out my book and feel someone tap on my arm. Turning my head, I find Alec.
“I finished, so I figured I’d give it back,” he says, holding out a familiar dark red, leather-bound book. I take it and quietly thank him.
“Class, today you’re to work independently on your Reading Projects,” Mr. Richard announces, then looks at me. “Miss Hale, will you step into the hallway with me?” I nod. I’ve only taken a step when Drake reaches out and grabs my wrist. He’s not looking at me, though. He’s glaring at Mr. Richard.
I tug at his hand to get his attention. His slow movements prove he’s reluctant to look away from Mr. Richards. It’s like he’s warning the man. Sending a veiled threat. It’s sweet, truly. I don’t know if I’ll get used to having someone other than Mason watching out for me. “I’ll be fine, remember?” He smiles. Sometimes, I think he forgets about my other side. Though, I wouldn’t blame him after the way I’ve been moping around all weekend.
With a sigh, I walk to the front and out the door with Mr. Rich
ard right behind me.
“What do you need, Sir?” I ask as nicely as I can. In reality, I’m not perfect, so the words come out sounding irritated and, if I’m honest, a bit disrespectful.
He closes the door and narrows his eyes at me. “You’ve missed several days of school, and you never served out your detention, so you’ll spend lunch with me in detention,” he tells me. Unless I’m wrong- which I don’t think I am- he sounds proud. I roll my eyes. Then he steps towards me. I mirror him and take a step back. I meant what I said to Drake- I can take care of myself. He will not touch me.
“What?” I growl.
“You also have missed work to complete,” he huffs before turning and going back into the room.
Sighing, I shuffle back into class and to my desk. Not watching where I’m stepping causes me to trip over something and fall. Hard. I hit the ground and groan when my side twinges with pain. My side has felt better since I got out of the hospital, thanks to the pain medication I occasionally take, so I get to my feet easier. I hear a giggle and know this was Lexi’s doing. Ignoring her, I walk back to my seat and sit down.
~*~
Between classes, I asked the office where Mason was. I hoped, since they have to keep up with records, they’d know. The lady working at the desk said they had transferred him to the high school one town over- Mayfield High. That information lightened my heart a bit. He’s close, and, at least, I know where he is.
With a sigh and an internal curse toward creepy teachers, I enter Mr. Richard’s classroom for detention.
“Sit in that desk, and complete your missing work, Miss Hale,” Mr. Richard tells me while pointing at the desk at the front-center of the room. Ignoring him, I grab the worksheets from the desk and move to the back of the room to sit. To my regular seat. Mr. Richard narrows his eyes at me. I recognize that he wants me to move because I didn’t sit at the appointed desk. However, I’m not getting any closer to him than this. He opens his mouth, probably to demand I obey, but before he can say anything, the door flies open, and in walks Drake.
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