I pushed myself off the railing and returned to the sofa, reeling from the slap that reality had just given me. Laira was quiet as a mouse, while David sort of made the most of the occasion and watched what was happening on the main floor.
While I sat with Laira in silence, I had just met the girl, and I had no idea what to say to her unless school related.
" Are you excited to attend the academy?" I asked Laira, who raised her eyes to look at me and shrugged. I smiled at her, expecting more than just a nod, but nothing came.
" Do you have a boyfriend?" I knew it was a stupid question, but I was out of ideas what to ask. I have never had a girlfriend before. Laira was out of her element, and so was I.
" No." Laira shook her head and looked at her brother.
" Do you like someone?" I tried to get things going, but her monotone and answers didn't make it easier.
Laira nodded, yes, and looked at David again, making me frown. David was her brother; it couldn't have been him, or maybe he was. I didn't dare to ask. It was a prospterous idea.
I gave up on trying to have a conversation with Laira. Given her morose spirit, I thought it would be best to ease on her before she would turtle. Silence settled in, and my thoughts drifted back to what I just saw earlier and the consequences of my disobedience.
After many hours, Jude and Henry finally returned with lifted spirits, covered in lipstick, rather ruffled up. I didn't need to ask what they had done; I already knew.
"Let's get you home. Sorry, David, that you didn't get any honey, " Jude said, patting David on the shoulder. He didn't look sorry, not in the least.
I didn't wait to be told twice and made my way to the steps while Jude and Henry talked about what they did in their time on the main floor. I grimaced each time, Mason's name came up, using him as an example of how it's done.
" That guy has a way with women," Jude sighed, putting the car in drive. I couldn't agree more, but I wished to be on the receiving end of his affections.
" I know, right? You saw how that blonde clung to him " Henry whistled, gesturing at the size of the women's breasts. I glanced down at mine. I was nowhere near that size. I wasn't flat-chested anymore, but they weren't anything that would draw eyes to them.
" Man, I can't wait to go back." Jude slapped the steering wheel, biting on his lip, eager.
Jude pulled over in front of the house. I opened the door before the car even stopped. I jumped out of a moving car and, without saying anything. I knew I was being rude, but the conversation had left a bitter taste in my mouth and left me feeling sick to my stomach.
As I ran through the garden, I made my way to my room. The scene that I witnessed at the club kept playing in my mind. And slowly, I began questioning my sanity. I knew it was foolish to believe that Mason was interested in me or that he would ever be. I was reading too much into things. I sighed, trying to find a resolution to my feelings for him. I knew it was unrequited love, and it would probably remain as such. As I stepped inside the bedroom and glanced around it, If I had no control over my irrational emotions for Mason, then I would control what I could. With that thought in mind, I slipped out of my dress and put on the pyjamas, preparing for bed and what was expecting me first thing in the morning.
Despite my resolve, I tossed and turned all night, wrestling with the sheets and the pillows, unable to rid myself of that image. Even if my feelings for him were misplaced, the hurt was very real. Eventually, with great effort, I managed to count myself to sleep after reaching ten thousand.