Nothing's Fine

• 51: Let It •

"Poke. Poke, poke."

"Mase, if you poke my nose one more time, I am going to bite your finger," I warned. Mason let out a laugh and rolled onto his back on his bed. It was now Wednesday afternoon, and we were in his room, hanging out before he had to take me to the coffee shop to meet Irene. While he was lying down, I was sitting against the bed's headboard.

"Are you scared?" Mason asked gently as he began to draw circles on my knee with his index finger. I shrugged. I felt a lot of things and somehow not anything at all – like I couldn't name an emotion that stood out the most to me to settle on it.

"I don't know," I said. "I feel as if whatever she's going to say won't change anything, as much as I want it to."

"Then let it." I frowned at Mason's statement, wondering if he thought it would really be that easy. He continued, "I can tell you're tired of being mad at her Charlie. Just let her say whatever she has to say without leaving, and then process it all later. Try to understand her side and let it change the situation."

My eyes widened at Mason's words, but I knew that he was right. I had been very closed off to everything Irene has had to say, but maybe something she'll say would change that.

Whatever happened would likely be a defining moment in our lives, as to whether or not we will ever have a relationship again. It wasn't something I simply could storm out on. I had to hear her out, no matter how scary or difficult it might be.

I moved down the bed and lied next to Mason, facing him. "You know... you're right."

Mason grinned at me, which made me smile.

"Aren't I always?" he asked teasingly. I stuck out my tongue at him in response, making him laugh again. "No matter what, things will be okay... and you have me." He pulled me close to him and I was no longer thinking about my mother as I snuggled into his chest.

However, my mind couldn't help but drift back to the Tiffany situation. If it were up to her, I wouldn't have Mason. Here I was in a moment of calm, when she was probably off somewhere happily plotting against me. 

At least I'd made plans to try to step my game up. Emery almost fell off the bed when I had told her that I wanted her to give me a makeover. She was more than willing to do it and was already thinking about outfits in her head as I spoke. She said that she would meet me at the mall after my meeting with Irene to help me buy some clothes and... makeup. It wasn't that I didn't have any makeup, but Emery thought I should update my collection. The thought of it all made me feel stressed and the idea of it sitting on my face all day made me itch. However, I knew I had the fight in me, and just needed a leg up with the looks.

Between Tiffany and Irene, I knew I just had to keep my head above water over the next few days and not let my guard down.

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Author's Note: Happy Tuesday! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I always love a little Charlie Mason moment!  <3 New chapter coming next week!