Black Butterfly

Chapter 5

The text came in an hour before school ended. 

Mason: My place 3:15. 

Me: So much for manners.

Mason: Only for you. 

I sighed and rubbed my head, I'd been nursing a headache since lunch when I'd been debating whether or not to tell Jasie where I was going this afternoon. I'd decided against it and even though I felt guilty I didn't want gossip to spread, even though I knew it would. 

Because I didn't take any electives or extracurricular activities I had three free periods before history for seventh period. I really didn't feel like going to history at all so I went to the nurse and told her I wasn't feeling well. "What's wrong?" The lady behind the nurses desk asks. She was clearly new because five other kids were 'sick' in the room. At least two of them had s**t eating grins. 

"I have a headache. I just need a pass to skip seventh period." 

She put her hand on my forehead and puckered her lips. "You don't feel warm." "It's just really hard to focus when I have a pounding in my head." I said. "You're right. Here wait one second." She trotted back over to her desk and began to write what must have been the nicest pass ever created because it took a solid three minutes. 

She handed it back to me and I left and headed to my car in the student parking lot. I almost fell asleep on the drive home and barely had set an alarm to wake up before I crashed on the couch and slept deeply. 

The doorbell broke though the dreamless sleep. I groaned and turned over hoping whoever it was would leave after no one answered the door. Instead the lock clicked and the door opened. I lifted my head over the back of the couch to see a leather jacket clad back closing the door. 

Mason turned and arched a brow at me. "You were supposed to be at my house five minutes ago." 

I looked at the clock on the stove. 3:20. I sighed. "I'm sorry. I had a a headache. I was hoping a nap might make it go away." 

"If you want I can leave and we can reschedule." 

I shook my head, "No it's okay. Give me a few minutes I'll get ready." I grunted and sat up, rubbing my eyes. I stood and stretched, my shirt coming up just a sliver. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mason's eyes dart to the spot my shirt wasn't currently covering. I quickly put my arms back down and walked over to the stairs and climbed them to my room. 

I opened my door and quickly picked up the clothes and trash that partially covered the floor. I heard footsteps coming up the stairs and stopping on the landing. Soon Mason stood in my doorway, arms crossed, gaze assessing my room. His stare drifted back to me and he chuckled when he saw my expression. "Are you going to watch me change?" I asked, challenging. 

"Why? Do you want me too?" A gleam shone in his eyes and it sent shivers down my spine. 

I stalked toward him, and put my face close to his, almost touching. "Pig." I whispered pushing him out if the way of the closing door. I heard his laugh sound from outside and despite myself, I smiled. His laugh was kind of cute. 

Oh hell no. Mason's laugh is not cute. Calsy get yourself together, he's no good. 

I sighed, walking over to my closet searching through to find something appropriate. Fifteen minutes later I heard a "You're taking to long." From the other side of the door. I snorted, "Shut up. You don't know what it's like to be a girl." 

"No but I've seen many." 

"You're disgusting." 

"So I've been told." 

I stepped out in a plaid shirt and jeans. Mason's back was toward me, he was looking at the family pictures that hung on the walls. I suddenly felt very self-conscience. I mean he was looking at my baby pictures. I coughed to alert him I was ready and he turned. He looked me up and down and then nodded. 

"Acceptable." 

"Glad to know I have your approval." I pursed my lips. Mason flicked his eyes downward but I couldn't tell where it was too. They shot up fast enough that someone else might not have noticed it. He held out his hand and gestured for me to continue down the stairs. 

He followed me down and opened the door for me and I stepped out. Mason's black Jeep waited in the driveway behind my Honda. 

Once we were headed off a question sprang into my mind. "How did you get into my house? I'm pretty sure I locked it when I got home." 

"Your key was under the mat. Really you ought to hide it better, I could've been a thief." 

I snorted, and he cracked a smile. "So I'm going to the Mason Shade's house. Which is where exactly?" I asked, actually curious to know.

"Ah that I'm afraid is secret. If I tell you how do I know you won't tell anyone else? If you did, I'd have angry boyfriends egging my house." 

"Now why would they be angry?" 

"I think you know the answer to that question." Mason smirked. 

I turned away, face burning. Of course, I must have forgotten who I'm dealing with. I'm so stupid. 

We sat in silence for a while after that, until Mason opened his mouth to speak again. "Before we get there, I should probably warn you," Warn me? About what?  "My family is a little crazy. My stepmother is great and all but she can be a bit overwhelming at times." A stepmother. Okay. "I'm not sure if my cousin will be there but I know my stepbrother won't be and thank god for that." 

So a stepmother and stepbrother. Interesting. 

I looked at him and nodded. "Well here we are." 

The wrought iron gates that greeted us were incredible and crafted with precision. The entrance path we drove on was crowded by trees and plants of all kind. I stared at greenery as we passed by. When the the flora started to thin, I looked out the windshield and was met with one of the biggest houses I had ever seen. 

In fact it wasn't  house at all. A palace was a better word for what stood enormously in front of me.

I heard Mason sigh from the seat next to me and murmur, "Here goes nothing."

He turned to me, "Well are you ready?"