Black Butterfly

Chapter 2

My week had passed by slowly. Tuesday was bore, Wednesday was a drag and Thursday was a bummer. But it was Friday and that meant the weekend was right out of my grasp. No further commentary from my partner, which was a god send. After this project I never wanted to talk to him again. The richness of his voice was enough to make me want to gag. Sure it worked on other girls, but unfortunately, most of the female population that I knew of had an IQ of 4. 

I walked into school and the smell of teen angst hit me hard. I was about to pinch my nose when my phone buzzed.

Mason: Hey partner, when do you want to meet up?

Me: Excuse me?  We aren't meeting up.

Mason: For the project. Jeez. 

Me: Oh, yeah ok. You pick

Mason: How about Branson Park?

Me: Sure. 3:30?

Mason: Sounds good, see you then. ;)

The last few words of that text indicated a tone of voice that really would have made me throw up. I trekked up the stairs to 1st period science. We were dissecting frogs today. Yes most of us had done it in middle school, but they wanted to 'refresh' us. Thank god Jasie was in my class.

The science room was cold. High air conditioning, but also the feel. Jars filled with unidentifiable body parts of old dead animals in different color liquids. Posters of the inside of the human body, to great, detail. I walked over to my table, Jasie was sitting there looking excited. "Hey Jas, you look so bored." I say, sarcasm laced my voice, she gave me a look, "We're dissecting frogs. It's exciting!" Jasie told me. 

15 minutes later we were dissecting a frog. The smell with horrible. 

"So," Jasie started, "how's the project going?"

"Haven't started yet. Supposedly we're working on it later today." I replied

Jasie picked up a scalpel and began to dig out the insides of this poor frog. "You know a lot of girls are jealous of you right?" 

"Why?" I ask

"You got the hottest guy in school"

"I also got the assholiest guy in school"

"That's not a word"

"It is if I say it is."

"Whatever. Girls are jealous of you. I mean Mason is kind of attractive you have to admit. With those brown eyes and light brown hair, and oh that jaw line with that little bit of scruff on his face damn how can you not see it?"

"Looks are not that important, they just help a lot." 

She took the scalpel out of the frog and swiped it at me, "You, girl are crazy."

I smile, "Says the one wielding a weapon."

The rest of my classes passed without excitement. English was hell because my partner, wouldn't stop kicking the back of my chair and fidgeting. Asshole.

3:30 rolled around and a knock came to my door. And guess who was waiting on the other side. My partner, Mason. "Are you ready to go?" His question had no formal introduction and none of his usual charisma. "As long as I come home at a decent time." I shoot back. "Don't worry princess I'll get you home in time." The smirk on his face had returned. 

We drove his black Jeep to the park nothing but silence along for the ride. He pulled into a parking space and went to the trunk. I stepped out and was greeted with cool air. I walked back to the trunk of the car and saw Mason pulling out a blanket. The shock must have shown on my face because he said, "Did you think I'd let your pretty ass sit on the ground?" 

"I thought we were going to sit on a bench" I shot back.

"Ha yeah you're funny." Was his only reply

We stopped under a tree in a grassy area, and he set the blanket down. "Wow, are you actually going to have manners today?" I asked

Mason shot me a look, "Contrary to your beliefs, Calsy Bringer, I do have manners." 

I shrug and he finishes setting the blanket down and gestures for me to sit down. I plop down on the hard ground and Mason sits beside me. "So now what?" I ask. "We have to ask each other questions." Mason replied, leaning back. "That's the assignment?" I'm shocked. "Were you even listening to Ms. Chase when's she explained it Calsy? It's a partner project for a reason. This whole project is to learn new information about someone and then try to see the world from their perspective. For a whole two months. Something about open minds and shit." He explained. 

Well this is going to be great. "Ok so ask me a question." I say

"No no no, I drove and set up the blanket. You first." Mason objected

"Fine. Why are you such an ass?"

"Ah. See your definition of ass and my definition of ass are different. For me an ass is one of the best features on a girl." He smirked.

"You're disgusting." I spit.

"Ah but here I was thinking I was an ass."  I only scoffed.

"Anyway it's my turn. Name a favorite of food, drink and color."

"Cheese burger or steak, root beer, and black." I announce

"Good choices, good choices. Why black?" Mason asks

"Black is the ultimate color. When you put a color under black it disappears. So like if I put all my problems under a black veil, they would disappear. And because that was two questions I get to ask two"

"Shoot."

"What's your favorite color and why?" I ask

"Probably white. I guess it represents transparency for me. Put a color under it and you'll still be able to see that color. I like transparency, I don't have a lot of it in my life." Masons confession was definitely not what I expected. Not from someone like him.

"Ok my turn", I lean back, "favorite band? Song? Album?" Mason was about to interrupt, "DON'T say that was three because technically, they're all related." He shut his mouth and thought about it. His brow raised. He pursed his lips. Don't stare at his lips what are you doing!?

"Sam Smith. Pray and Too Good at Goodbyes. The Thrill of It All." 

Again his answers surprised me. Why did this guy, this tough, brooding, almost misogynistic guy, have such profound answers? I was about to ask another question when his phone rang. "Ah s**t. I'll be right back." Mason ran off to take the call.

After a minute or two his voice started to carry and the deep gravely sound reached my ears. He sounded upset, really upset. He ended the call and turned back toward me. Anger and hurt blazed in his eyes. He stormed over, "I have to go. So that means we have to go." 

"That's fine. My ass hurts from the ground anyway." I expressed. A small smile formed on his face, and then vanished. We didn't talk on the ride back to my house or when I let myself out of the car and into my house. 

A couple hours after Mason had dropped me off my phone buzzed.

Mason: I'm sorry I ran out earlier. Family emergency.

Me: It's fine. Everything good? 

Mason: As good as it can be.

Mason: Since we didn't finish want to meet up at the Dennys on 4th and Burbon? Tomorrow same time?

Me: Sounds like a plan.

Mason: Thanks Calsy.

I turned my phone off and sat on my bed. My stomach felt funny. Excitement? Was I really excited after one conversation? Especially one conversation with Mason Shade? Was it the fact that he'd used my name in the last message? What was happening to me? This was going to be a long month.