Black Butterfly

Chapter 14

My alarm was an unwelcome intruder. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and sat up, stretching my arms above my head. I checked my phone for texts from Mason or a call, anything, but nothing. He said he'd be there for the project, so his word is all I have. 

I flopped back onto my pillow, We'll see how much his word is worth. 

"Calsy, time to get up!" My mothers voice drifted up the stairs. 

"I'll be down in a minute!" I reply. 

I slowly get out of my bed, careful of my arm. I still had to come up with a good excuse. I should just wear a jacket to cover it up. The idea led me to my closet, and to a cardigan I hadn't worn in forever. I was gingerly slipping my arm in when my phone vibrated from my nightstand. It was foolish to hope, but I did anyway. 

It was Jasie:

Jasie: Hey girl, can I pick you up?? I have muffins!

I smiled and sent back: 

Me: What kind of muffins?

Jasie: You'll just have to find out.

I grabbed my bag and headed down stairs. My mother was finishing packing her lunch and Anthony was eating breakfast. Seeing them almost made my heart stop. I could've been taken away from them. But I was still here. Thanks to Mason. Thinking of him made my stomach feel funny, but before I could dwell on it a car horn honked from the street. 

"Love you mom, see you later!" I called and mused Anthony's brown hair on the way out, chuckling as he batted me away. I shut the front door behind me and waved to Jasie, who was sitting in the drivers seat. As I open the passenger door something catches my eye. 

Down the street a guy about my age leaned against his car. I stopped and watched as he took one last look at me and got into the car and drove away. 

"Calsy, you gettin' in?" Jasie's voice jerks me from my thoughts. "Yeah, as long as you have chocolate chip muffins." I reply, sending her a look. She laughs.

After a while Jasie spoke, "Cals what's been up with you lately?" The question takes me aback.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Ever since you got paired up with Mason you've been, distant."

She was right, I had been a terrible friend. I took a breath, "You're right. I don't know what happened."

She looked at me, "Calsy, if something's going on-"

"Oh no, everything's fine." The lie rolled off my tongue before I could stop it. 

We sat in silence for a while until I said, "I went to Mason's house."

The car screeched to a stop and Jasie whipped her head to me, "You went to his house?!" Her eyes held an eager flame. 

"Just once." I murmured. 

"What happened? What did it look like? Was it big? I bet it was huge-" Jasie started.

"Jasie, relax-"

"Oh my god, did you sleep with him?" 

"No, no, no, no, no. Jasie you know me better than that." 

She put a hand over her heart. "Oh thank the Lord and Jesus Christ, my best friend did not lose it to a man-whore." 

Heat crept up my cheeks. Sure, Mason had a reputation but, the feeling I'd gotten from him, it didn't match. 

Jasie pulled into a parking spot and we jumped out. She held out her arm and I gave her mine, and we walked into the school arms linked together. 

-

It was almost time for third period, and butterfly's were beginning to fly in my stomach. I didn't know why I was so nervous. Math wasn't helping, it wasn't my strong suit. I hadn't seen Mason all day, but he'd said he would be there. 

"Okay, pages three and four due tomorrow." Ms. Tres called as the bell rang. I grabbed my books and hurried out into the crowded hallway. I barely made it to my locker without being crushed, and quickly shoved my books inside. The mass of people was beginning to thin and I set a brisk pace to third period.

I walked right as the bell rang and found Mason sitting in his seat, behind mine. I sat down and tried not to look at him, I didnt know if I could handle it. I pulled the flash drive from my bag and held it in my hands. 

"Hello, hello everyone!" Ms. Chase's voice floated up from her desk. "Today we're starting presentations. Haliey Brodrick , you're up first and then Joshua Chank." 

After a few presentations it was clear that some people hadn't really completed the requirements. False information and guesses were pretty common. More names had been called and a small drop of hope filled my chest, Maybe we don't have to go today. But the relief was short lived when she called the next name: 

"Calsy Bringer and then Mason Shade. Calsy, if you would." She gestured to the front of the classroom. I stood and walked to the front of the class, Ms. Chase took the drive from me and plugged it in, and the project appeared on screen. 

I tried not to look at all the eyes trained upon me. Not even Mason's. Instead I started to talk, explaining things on the slides. Every now and then I heard giggles from the back of the class, but I couldn't lose focus. I told them the answers to the first questions I'd asked him and what I'd learned for the family visit. 

That was when Mia Padderson spoke up from the back, "Did you f**k him for this?"  A laugh spread through the class. "I mean, come on, we all can't just believe he gave you this, right? He doesn't tell anyone anything." More laughter.

I looked at Mason, but he didn't look at me. Or blink an eye about what was happening.

"Ms. Padderson that's enough." 

"But Ms. Chase, I'm just asking a simple question." She flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder, "Curiosity and all." 

"I don't care. You will not use that vulgar language in my class. And if I hear you say such things again I will write you up."

Mia shut her mouth but a smirk perched on her face as she stared at me. Giggles and noises still arose from the back. Words were staring to be whispered, and I had no doubt of what they were. The room was suddenly growing smaller, and all the eyes on me became more intimidating than before. I managed to squeak out the last couple of slides amidst the muttered obscenities. I finished just before the bell rang. 

"Mason, you will go tomorrow then." Ms. Chase called. I was out the door before I lost it. When I finally reached a bathroom, I locked myself in a stall and tried to breathe. Mason hadn't stood up for me. He just f*****g sat there. God, I can't believe I expected more from him.

When I finally worked up the courage to leave I texted my mom:

Me: I don't feel good. Can you come get me?

Mom: Sorry honey, I wish I could. 

I didn't bother responding.  Instead I walked back to my locker only to find notes with the words slut and w***e pasted to it. I peeled them off, slowly at first,  then ripping them off, I threw them away and stormed out of the school. I would walk home, if I didn't have a ride. That's when I saw him. 

He leaned against the same car, in the same position. But this time he walked towards me, but I didn't step to side and pretend I didn't see him. I held his gaze as he stopped in front of me and said,

"Get in the car."

"No." I answered. 

He tsked and wagged a finger at me, "Wrong answer sweetheart." 

 A bag was pulled over my head, and strong hands gripped me from behind pushing me forward. One hand pushed into my left arm and a strangled cry escaped me. My wrists were tied together but before I was shoved into the back I heard a voice say, "Careful, the boss wants her alive."

And then a door was shut and silence filled my ears.