I felt relieved that by Monday, it will be done and ready to go. I hoped that the extent of the water damage to the appliances wasn't severe.
" Lily, you just passed my house," Laira dragged me back to reality. Indeed I had passed her house
" I'm sorry," I sheepishly smiled " I'll turn around," I said as I turned around the car in the middle of the road.
" Don't worry. You look like you need a nap," She giggled, unstrapping her seat belt.
" It was good to see you, Lily. I'm free on Saturday. So since the kitchen is closed, maybe we could do some girl stuff," I had no plans, other than sit around and do nothing.
" Definitely. So what do you have in mind? I'm home alone for the next few days. Do you want to come to Northenhay? Or maybe go to the beach?" I was way too excited at the prospect of behaving like a rowdy teenager.
" Actually, I was thinking maybe we could visit David at the academy. This way you could ask your questions about the interview." Oh, no, no, no. That was out of the question. Walking straight into an uncomfortable situation. No, thank you. Since David was in his second year, he had deeply immersed himself in experiments and spent most of his time in the lab at the academy.
" Laira," I paused trying to find the right words. I wasn't ready to speak to David.
" Right now, I don't want to speak with David," Mostly because, it would be all kinds of weird and awkward. I didn't know how to deal with that. I wasn't sure if he wanted to see me either. I didn't reach out and nor did he after that night.
" I understand," I was sure she knew about the catastrophic date " How about a little bit of everything," She gave her final answer " And after drop me off at the academy and this way you have a chance to look around," She added, with her hand on the door handle.
" Sounds like a plan," I beamed " I'm sorry for being late today," I added with a smile hoping that would make things a little better.
" You had a good reason, so all is forgiven but don't make a habit out of it," Laira amusedly added, as she stepped out of the car.
" I'll see you Saturday at nine," Laira added, as she shut the door and poked her head through the window.
" In the morning Lily. Don't be late," She said as she turned around and waved at me, as she walked away.
" I figured as much," I replied and watched her walk inside the insipid barack. They deserved, so much better. Edelweiss came into mind when I thought of Laira. Despite the harsh conditions she thrived, and prevailed. I couldn't thank my lucky stars enough to have a friend like her.
Being around her, made me feel better. It brightened my mood and shifted my thoughts onto something else. She was smart, enchanting, and knowledgeable.
I still preferred solitude, when it came to other people. I wished that Ava would stop haunting me, and Mason. She was grinding my gears.
By the time I reached Northenhay, it was dusk, mostly because of the heavy grey clouds looming over the town.
I made my way inside the empty house, feeling somewhat better. Without Enid and Mason, it felt a lot bigger.
After spending the last two days fighting my inner demons. I had concluded.
Even though, I had made some mistakes along the way. I didn't regret the time I had spent with Mason. I was madly in love with him. Those feelings weren't misplaced or a surrogate to fill the void of my loss.
It was still early, we were only a month and a half in. I needed to manage my expectations and it would take time.
I was grateful that once in a while, logic prevailed when it came to Mason.
Opening the fridge, still very much working through all my emotions. I needed some order in my thoughts. The fact that he'd stopped going to Osyth, was a big change. The results of this change offered the possibility for a factorial outcome.
I took the sandwich that I had made and sat back at the table. I knew that probably my father and my mother would disapprove, but Mason had my heart in his hands. I just hoped that he wouldn't crush it. His behaviour behind closed doors gave me hope that there may be room for more. I sighed, revising and going through the same thought process each time something shook my belief. My exhaustive thought process was exhausting. Questioning and doubting everything that I had already taken as a given. Ava was an unknown. I had no idea how far she would go to get what she wanted and I couldn't exactly oppose her. I had no ground to stand on. Unless we would become official. Again, it was way too early to go that far and if he would refuse, my hands would be tied. Boy, I was screwed.
Standing up, to wash the plate, I filled up a glass of water and made my way to the bedroom. I needed sleep, to make everything stop.