I HAD no classes today, so my alarm never woke me up.
But my lashes fluttered open later that morning, the sunlight beaming on the trees and casting scattered shadows along my hardwood floors.
I rubbed my eyes tiredly before sitting up on my bed, my hair slipping over my shoulder.
After letting out a soft yawn, I kicked my legs up off the bed, about to get up...
But I stopped.
My eyes moved to my nightstand, and suddenly a darkness coiled inside me.
On the nightstand... as well as set atop the book I read last night... was a small vase filled halfway with water...
And a flower settled in the liquid.
Specifically a sunflower with bright, yellow-white petals and a soft, black middle... looking freshly plucked with expert care not to damage the stem.
My brows immediately drew together, and I slipped off the bed, stepping over to it.
Quietly, I picked the sunflower out of the water, watching it carefully.
That's... uh... concerning. I didn't remember picking this.
I set it back into the water, gazing immediately down at the book under the vase with the black cover, a skull settled in the middle.
The book I read last night?
I thought I put it back on the shelf.
Swallowing something hard, I turned and gazed out to the bedroom doorway.
Carefully, I stepped out from the room, making my way down the staircase and to the front door.
It was locked.
My lips parted.
I just sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose in annoyance.
It's in my head. I probably did that at some point last night. My psych meds make it hard to remember.
In order to make sure, though, I went around the house to make sure all doors and windows were locked, and that nothing else seemed out of place.
It all was fine.
It's in my head. I must've put that vase there at some point last night after I took my meds. I think I'm just reading these romances too much.
After assuring myself that everything was fine, I stood up straighter and brushed off my sweatshirt, going back upstairs to bathe.
My shower was quick, and I got dressed in no time.
I then made my way back downstairs, rubbing my neck uncomfortably before I searched the fridge for something to eat.
After finding nothing, I pursed my lips and sighed.
Fast food, it is.
I didn't eat fast food often, anyway.
So, I pulled on some of my block-heeled ankle boots and caught my car keys (and purse), stepping out the front door.
After locking the door, I turned and glanced down the driveway.
And—sure enough—the caretaker was here, working on the lawn now.
Good. I was worried he would turn that poor bush into a stick.
I jogged down the porch steps and glanced back at him, waving.
He just gazed up and waved back.
I smiled at him before getting into my car.
Time for fast food.
My tummy needs it.
➿⭐︎➿⭐︎➿
"OH, HEY," I said, smiling gently as I entered the restaurant.
Mason glanced up from his table, face numb. "Yo."
I scooted in the booth across from his, setting my arms on the table. "How... are you?"
He went back to swiping through his phone. "Fine."
"Oh, alright." I shuffled uncomfortably in my seat. "What are you... doing here?"
"Was hungry," he replied.
"Oh, okay." I fell silent for a moment, my breaths slow and uneasy. "So... I heard there's a frat party at the FireNight later tonight. You wanna go?"
His eyes immediately hardened, and he gritted his teeth. "No."
My lips parted at his sudden change in mood. "Why not?"
He just glared up at me. "Stay away from the FireNight, Cameron. Trust me."
He then stood and loomed over me. "You are NOT going to that party. DO NOT ASK ME AGAIN." He then stood straighter. "And I saw you talking to Asher in your class. Stay away from him. You're betrothed to me." And he growled under his breath, walking off and out the door.
My brows creased, and I just set my face in my hands.
What is with him? He acts like I'm a nuisance to him and then he thinks he can go around and control me like this.
What's so bad about a frat party?
And does he seriously think Asher's such a threat?
I just sat up fully, rubbing my eyes tiredly.
But a voice came to my right:
"Hey, it's you."
I looked up, my lips parting.
Asher stood there—oddly enough—and he smiled down at me with a slight amusement. "Who knew I'd find you here. I just wanted a soda."
I glanced out the door to find Mason gone, and I stared back down at the table, my eyes darkening.
"Is something wrong?" Asher said.
I shook my head, rubbing my eyes again.
"Mind if I sit?" he asked me.
I looked up. "Sure, whatever."
I can at least have some control over my life before I get married.
Asher scooted in the booth across from mine, lightly sipping his drink as he set his arms on the table.
I just stared out the window, my eyes dark.
What's so bad about Asher?
"Hey," Asher said.
I glanced over at him. "Yeah?"
"I heard you and him talking about the frat party," Asher stated with a half smile. "What makes you interested in it?"
I sighed and rubbed my temples lazily. "I dunno. I just thought maybe we could spend time together but he clearly doesn't want that."
"Mmm..." he trailed off, his eyes dark. "So... you and him go back? How long have you been together?"
Why was he so curious?
But I was honest. "No. We don't go back. I'm just betrothed to him VIA my mother."
"You don't want to be?"
"Don't tell him I said this..." I whispered, "but he's an asshole. I hate him."
Asher chuckled then, clearing his throat.
I gazed up. "What?"
He looked more amused than anything... as if I completely erased every ounce of fear in him. "It's nothing."
I then set my arms on the table, tapping my fingers on it impatiently.
"So you still want to go to the frat party?" he asked me. "Even though he said no?"
I looked up. "I've never really been to one. It sounds like fun."
He nodded then, in amusement.
"What?" I said. "Why are you asking?"
"Well... I run it," Asher explained, chuckling. "I can personally invite you. It doesn't matter what he says. He's not the boss of the FireNight. I am."
My eyes glittered, but I attempted to hide it. "Why are you inviting me?"
"You need a little fun in your life," Asher stated then with a small smile. "You're too much of a goody-too-shoes. Why don't you come? It'll be fun. There's drinks and music. The drinks being cheap margaritas, but drinks nonetheless." He paused before his smile widened a little. "Although... a lot of the FireNight men will be in masks. Skull masks. Just a warning."
I felt my face heat. "Skull masks...?"
Like in the book I read?
God... it's concerning that I made another connection to that book. Especially knowing the fact that I found that weird flower on my nightstand this morning.
I really hope that was me.
Asher chuckled, his eyes darkening mischievously. "Don't look so excited."
I looked away, erasing my expression. "I'm not."
His smile remained. "You should come. It starts at five tonight." He bounced his brows. "You can't resist the cheap margaritas."
"Okay," I caved. "I'll come."
But only because of the masks.
He smiled in response. "I knew you'd cave eventually."
"Oh," I hesitated then, "wait. Will Mason be there?"
Asher just chuckled. "It's too late. You already said yes."
"But will he?"
Asher looked up then. "Yes, he will."
Then why couldn't I come? What is with him?
I then sighed, setting my chin on the table. "I don't know if I should then. Because he told me I couldn't."
Asher poked my nose. "You already said yes. You're coming. And if you don't, I'll get your friend, Maddie, to drag you there."
I just gave him a lazy glare. "That's cruel. She has iron grip."
"Well, then you better come." He just sighed and stood, stretching out his arms. "I should get to school. I have some assignments due soon."
"By the way..." I said curiously, "what's your major?"
He glanced down and winked at me. "Top secret." And he started walking. "See you tonight."
And he was gone.
Wow... that was the second guy to walk out dramatically on me like that.
I was starting to worry I was in some rom com.
Or maybe something much worse.
Word Count: 1780
a/n
Does anyone else think that Mason's a total douche?
Also... why do you think he doesn't want her to go to that frat? Just curious.
I hope y'all enjoyed, though!
- Aspen
PS. These are what her boots and shoes usually look like.
My girl has ✨style✨
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMaFv7ozEg
