
Some girls hid my clothes during gym class yesterday; I found them soaking wet in a shower cubicle. Astounding – just because the new guy speaks to me in class where he HAS to. He’s quiet other than that, he seems to keep to himself, even though he draws people towards him without trying. He has this magnetism people just can’t resist, and they follow him like a lost flock. And so, because he speaks to me, I get punished.
I’m currently hiding in a locked stall in the girls’ room, trying to get some peace and quiet during lunch. Seat cover down, kindle out, feet up, door locked. It’s not the perfect setting, but it’s a whole lot better than out there. People discovered my spot in the library and kept interrupting my lunch to ask if I could pass on their number to Mason. I DON’T EVEN KNOW THE GUY! I lost it at the last girl and word vomited all over her before storming off and ending up here. The warning bell rings, disturbing my quiet time and I can’t help the exaggerated sigh that escapes me. Just four more hours and I’m free. Just two more periods then I can go home and have a long hot bubble bath. But first, class.
I gather up my stuff and pop it into my shoulder bag before heading towards Math, which I survive unscathed. Last but not least, I have English, just reaching my chair as the final bell rings. I slide into the chair next to Mason before unpacking my text books and notepad, and arranging my pens, just so, on the table.
“Hey,” I say with a small smile and a glance in his direction. What? Just because I hate the repercussions of being his table buddy doesn’t mean I’m immune to him. The guy is drop dead. Like, move over RPatz, Alex Pettyfer – take a step back, Mason Knight is in the house. He smiles at me and holy crap, I’ve not seen him smile before, not even a smirk. Ladies and gentlemen, my brain has just melted. He’s hot when he’s all broody, but smiling? I think my heart just turned to dust.
I shake my head a little before turning towards Mr. Perry, our teacher, who is groaning on about the philosophies of life.
“What would you do if you were offered everything you ever dreamed of but the cost was unthinkable? Would you pay that cost? What if it was to save a friend or a loved one? Would that make it different?”
I think about it for a minute, I don’t think I’ve ever wanted something that bad. I mean, yes, I’d like to know who my family are, why they left me, but would I do something insane for it, I don’t think so. And other than Monica, I don’t really have people – so the second part doesn’t really apply.
Sneaking a glance at Mason, he looks deep in thought, almost sad. I look away before he can catch me watching him and focus back on Mr. Perry, who is handing out copies of a selection of snipping’s from various literature. He’s still rambling, but I zone out, doodling on my notebook. That is until I hear Mason pipe up next to me. I turn to look at him and he’s leant back in his chair, looking as if he owns the room.
“My favorite book, Mr. Perry? Well that’s not a simple choice – the selection is too great,” Mason says with a smile. I can’t tell if he is serious or not.
“Well, Mr. Knight, if you are as versed as you say, maybe you can delight us all with a few lines from one of your favorites,” Mr. Perry challenges.
He’s stood at the front of the room, leaning back on his desk with his arms crossed. I have obviously missed something. Mason clears his throat before speaking.
“Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swaps of the not-quite, the not-yet, and the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exists... it is real... it is possible... it's yours." He speaks with such passion; the whole room is hanging on his every word. The bell rings drawing me out of my zombie like daze.
“From Ayn Rand’s, Atlas Shrugged – Very well, Mr. Knight,” he says, obviously impressed. “I expect you all to read your handouts before next class, we will be discussing them; and I will know if you didn’t read it properly,” he shouts as the class gathers their books.
Slinging my bag onto my shoulder, I move forward without looking up and walk straight into someone. I look up to see Mason looking down at me, his hands on my arms, keeping me upright. Oh, my God!
“Steady there, tiger. You don’t want to fall down on that pretty ass of yours.” He almost growls the words; his voice is so gravelly. I can’t place his accent, but he’s obviously not from around here.
I blush. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“It’s fine, having you pushed up against me really isn’t a hardship.”
☆☆☆☆☆☆
Do you remember that moment?
That one moment.
The one when you changed.
People might say it was this or that, but deep down you know.
You know exactly what that moment was. Even if you're not ready to admit it to yourself.
You know.
I remember mine, it didn't just change me.
It changed everything.
Everyone thought Mason Knight was the whirlwind that swept me away. But nothing compares to those two shots. Those two shots woke me up and made me see that when we fall, sometimes we need help to get back up.
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Hi everyone! I'm Sloane *waves*. I'm 27, a total book nerd with a penchant for travel and I probably use the words Dude & Awesomesauce far too often in real life.! I write mainly Paranormal Romance NA & YA, but I'll be branching out into other Romance genres too.
I was born and raised in Peterborough, England along with 2 sisters, 2 brothers and a plethora of cousins, I come from a REALLY big family! I'm one of the clumsiest people you'll ever meet, but I try to stay on my feet *haha*. I still live here with Mr M & our fur baby Arya.
Please don't be afraid to come and say hi! I don't bite I swear :)
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