We stayed in the meadow for a little longer, Mason's fingers intertwined with mine as we sat at our usual spot overlooking the cliffedge. We mostly just sat quietly, enjoying each other's company. The giddy feeling of exchanging "I love you's" was still in the air.
"So, Valentine's Day is around the corner..." Mason started. I glanced up at him. His green eyes looked a little brighter which made me feel warm inside. "Do you want to have a date night with me?"
"I'd love to," I said with a smile.
"Great!" he replied. "It can be lower key if you like... I know things have been quite the opposite lately."
"Yeah," I chuckled dryly as a light breeze tossed my curls around. "How have things been with you?" I asked lightly, tucking my hair behind my ear.
"They're okay. Things at home are... quiet," he settled on after pausing to find the right word. "Like the calm before a storm or something. But for now, they're okay."
"Well, I'm here... if anything," I said. Mason smiled at that, squeezing my hand softly.
***
The next couple weeks passed quickly and I was back at the doctor before I knew it, getting my cast off. While I knew I wouldn't have full strength back just yet, I was grateful to be able to itch my arm at will and wash it in the shower.
I swung by the mall afterwards with Linda to buy a gift bag and a card to go with the Valentine's gift I'd got him a couple days ago. It worked well as she had to grab something for Jay. While I was hypervigilant as we wandered in and out of stores, I was happy to spend time with Linda. After we were finished with our errands, we popped into a cafe in the mall. They had cool seasonal treats and coffee so I decided to be a little adventurous. I got a Chocolate Strawberry Mocha with a heart-shaped nutella cookie and Linda got a Red Velvet Latte with a raspberry brownie.
"Okay, this is way better than I anticipated," I exclaimed after taking a sip. Linda laughed from across the cafe table we sat at.
"Why did you get it if you thought it wasn't going to be good?" she asked.
"I hoped it would. Hope for the best, expect the worst," I grinned. "Balance."
Linda chuckled before pausing briefly as she looked at me. Thinking. Observing.
"Things are... a bit better?" she asked gently, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. I gave her a soft smile and nodded, thinking back to my conversion with Mason.
"Things are a lot better," I replied shyly. While it was in my nature to wait for the other shoe to drop, I still hoped it wouldn't. Balance. "Especially since I have this cookie," I added with a wink.
Linda laughed once again and quickly ripped a piece of my cookie. She popped it into her mouth and raised her eyebrows.
"You know, you're definitely right," she said, making me laugh.
Author's Note: Yay! New fun lil chapter! I hope you enjoyed reading! What do you think might happen next? Let me know in the comments! <3
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Nothing's Fine
Teen FictionCharlie Ross was a teenage runaway before she was rescued by a compassionate Linda Wilson. Three years later and currently in high school, life is only slightly less difficult as it was before. No longer running away from dangers outside, but she h...
