Filed to story: Lily Bennett and Mason Cooper Book
“I thought it would be easier,” I mutter, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“It wasn’t. I’ve missed you.”
Tears well up in my eyes again.
“Lily.” Mason breathes out before his arms are wrapped around me and I’m crying into his chest.
“Can we be friends again?” I sniffle, pulling back to look into his eyes.
“I don’t think I can be just your friend,” Mason declines.
My heart clenches, and I try to free myself from his grip, but he pulls me straight back into him.
“Friends don’t kiss each other the way I want to kiss you every time I see you,” he murmurs into my ear.
“Why don’t you then?” I ask, locking our eyes together.
Mason brushes his nose against mine, our lips so close to touching.
“I don’t think I should,” he whispers.
“How come?” I whisper back, lifting my arms to wrap them around his neck.
“I don’t think I can handle you leaving again.” He sighs, closing his eyes.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I say before closing the gap and pushing my lips against his.
It takes exactly two heartbeats for Mason to start kissing me back. When he does, I sigh into his mouth, giving him the perfect opportunity to slip his tongue into my mouth.
“Lily.” He breathes out, pulling away from me, making me pout.
“Your phone won’t stop ringing,” he says, tapping my back pocket where my phone is.
“Just ignore it,” I say, going to kiss him again, but he dodges me.
“It’s rung three times.” He shakes his head, and I sigh, pulling it out of my pocket to see Harry calling me.
“Hello?” I answer the call, rolling my eyes.
“Babe, where are you? Did you get out?” he asks quickly.
“I’m with Mason,” I reply.
“Why the hell are you with him?” Harry yells so loud I flinch and have to move the phone away from my ear.
“He helped me run away,” I explain.
“Oh. Well, do you need a ride?” he asks, a bit calmer but still sounding pissed.
“No. I’m calling an Uber now.” I lie.
“Okay, well, I’ll see you Monday,” Harry says before we hang up.
“He’s going to hate me when I tell him,” I sigh to Mason as I put my phone back in my pocket.
“We can keep it a secret for a bit if you want?” he suggests, rubbing his hands up and down my back.
“Just a little bit,” I agree.
LILY
On Tuesday, Harry, Jonah, and I walk into Saint Mary’s school gym, and I swear it is the coldest gym in the whole state. I hate playing here.
“I’m so cold,” I groan, bouncing my legs up and down, trying to warm up.
“I hate it here,” Sky agrees, rubbing her hands together.
“Let’s go warm up,” I say, thankful we’re playing before the junior varsity teams today.
Sky and I make our way to the far corner of the gym and start doing some stretches when a group of four girls dressed in the Saint Mary’s uniform walk up to us.
“You say something,” one of them whispers, shoving one of them forward.
“Hi.” The one who was pushed forward blushes, and I instantly recognize her as one of the smiling girls from the game at Greendale last week.
“Hello.” I smile politely.
“You’re Lily Bennett, right?” she asks nervously.
“I am.” I nod.
“Oh my god!” she whispers with wide eyes, making one of her friends shove her again.
“We just wanted to say we love you, and you’re such a good player.” She blushes again.
“Thanks.” I smile at her while Sky giggles.
“OMG, Tayla, is that your brother?” the red-haired girl squeals, grabbing her arm and pointing to the other side of the gym.
“What the hell is he doing here?” she grumbles, freeing herself.
“Who cares!” the other girl replies.
“Your brother’s Mason Cooper?” Sky asks, her eyebrows shooting up, and my eyes instantly lock on him walking toward the bleachers.
“Unfortunately.” She rolls her eyes.
“But I’m nothing like them. I mean like people from Greendale,” she rambles, spinning around to face us again with wide eyes.
“It’s a shame he goes to Greendale. He’s fine.” Sky sighs dreamily.
“He has a girlfriend,” Tayla says, making her friends all drop their jaws and look at her.
“I walked in on them during the summer, and it was so awkward. And I’m sure I heard her talking in his room on Saturday,” she explains, and I have to fight the blush off my cheeks.
“I’m sure I could make him forget about her.” The red-haired one smirks, pushing up her boobs, and Tayla snorts.
“Good luck with that.” She rolls her green eyes, and I start to see the similarities between the two.
“Dreams are free.” Sky laughs, making the girls turn back to us.
“Is it true you’ve never lost to Greendale?” the smallest girl pipes up.
“Never,” Sky confirms with a proud smile.
“We should totally go to your next game!” the red-haired one squeals, and Tayla’s face pales the slightest amount.
“I’d have to sit on Greendale’s side, though,” she mumbles.
“Oh no, tell your brother to get over himself. You can sit on our side.” I wink.
“Yeah, like that’ll work.” She snorts before covering her nose and mouth.
“Blame me. I don’t mind.” I shrug.
“You know what? I might just to see him lose his shit.” She laughs, throwing her head back.
“Well, we’d better keep warming up,” Sky says.
The four girls all wave goodbye before they walk off.
“I wonder why Mason’s sister goes here,” Sky comments as we hit a ball between us.
“It’s a bit weird,” I reply, my eyes wandering over to where Mason is sitting with an older-looking lady-maybe his mom.
After we’ve finished warming up, we head back to the bleachers, where Harry is pouting.
“What’s your problem?” I smile, amused at his face.
“Mason Cooper’s here,” he mutters.