Jailbird

~Chapter 18~

My fingers tapped the coffee stained table at the pace of my rising heartbeat.

After my discussion with Elle, I decided it was time to stop ignoring my boyfriend and just talk to him. Of course, I liked him and wanted to work things out.

I was starting to realize that a lot of the time, my fascination with Zedlin tried to confuse me about my feelings.

My conversation with Elise really only made me long for him even more. Zedlin dang near had no one in his corner and I felt sad that he was basically alone. I knew David would try his hardest to be by his side, but I worried about how he'd do that when having to stand by my mom's side as well.

Sometimes my mom didn't seem to care for Zedlin and it annoyed me.

I checked the time on my phone and saw it was a quarter till three. Mason was pushing it. I had agreed to meet up with him at a well-known cafe in our neighborhood.

Sighing, I placed my phone back down on to the table and shot my head up when the doorbell chimed, announcing in the new customer. 

To my relief and to my anxiety, Mason stepped into the building with flushed cheeks. I smiled slightly because he always found ways to be late.

His blue eyes raked the room before they fell onto me. I didn't know why I suddenly felt so shy under his gaze. Maybe because it had been days since we had last spoken to or saw each other.

Tearing my gaze away first, I fiddled with my fingers and took a few deep breaths.

I could do this... have a civilized conversation with my boyfriend about our relationship. I could totally do this.

No problem at all.

"Hey, Sienna."

I couldn't do this!

I had no choice but to look up. Mason wasn't smiling as he stood next to the chair he was soon to occupy.

"Hi, Mason," I replied.

He gestured to the empty chair across from me, "May I sit?"

"I'd be disappointed if you came all this way not to stay and sit with me." Oddly, I wasn't smiling either.

My body was truly happy to see him, but my brain knew there was more to this meeting than to just kiss and make-up.

Mason pulled the chair out and sat down, instantly jamming his hands into his hair. I watched the brown strands disappear through his fingers.

"I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too."

"Funny way of showing it by not responding to my texts."

I huffed, "I just needed to think. I've been feeling off about this entire incident. Mason, I don't like how you get and it honestly scares me sometimes."

His eyes widened, "Scare you?"

"Yes. I want there to be honesty between us and I hate to admit it, but sometimes I feel you're gonna haul off and hit me or something." I stared into his eyes and only his eyes.

He blinked at me once and then his shoulders slumped.

"Oh."

I continued to watch him and he laid his hands onto the table, palms up and stretched out. His hands were huge and I'd be hurt if he'd ever use them to physically harm me. Emotionally and physically speaking.

"I... would never intentionally hurt you, Sienna. I want you to believe that."

"Then make me believe that. Show me and prove to me that I can trust you. Starting with Zedlin. He gets the best of you and we know it. Including him. I don't blame him for not letting me go with you. I was scared that day and I don't know if you agree that it was the right decision that was made."