"We don't remember days. We remember moments,"
Louis and Carter, fall into a step behind us while we follow through the alcove, and then the corridor. We find ourselves in front of the double doors. Mason steps in front of me and begins marking the door following the same pattern that he used when we came in. It seems rather a laborious task and takes quite a long time. I refrain from saying anything in front of Louis and Carter. There is a time and a place. The doors pop open and we stride through them, while they creak to a close behind us. We follow the same route to the car, climb in it and make our way out of the academy grounds. The silence is loaded with tension. I can feel it in my lungs.
Louis doesn't ask for directions. Carter just stares out the window, chewing on his thumbnail, while Mason calmly gazes out into the distance.
After the longest drive of my life, Louis finally pulls in front of Northenhay. I need air. I need to breathe. I don't know for how long I can hold my tongue but I'm on the verge of erupting like a volcano.
I glance over my shoulder and I can see that Mason is speaking with Louis and Carter. The two don't seem pleased with the new course of action. There is nothing I can do about it. I've been thrown into this, just as much as they have.
I carry on climbing the steps of Northenhay to head inside. I need to pack. Enid will be shocked at my sudden departure. But if that will keep her safe and well. I'm willing to move to the other end of the earth.
I head into the kitchen, to see if I can find Enid. She is not back yet. I head back to my room to begin packing.
It's speed packing. Which by definition means that everything, I own gets thrown into boxes, and bags, in no particular order.
" That's one way to do it," I raise my head at the sound of his voice and find him leaning against the threshold.
" If you think you can do it better. Please be my guest," I throw a pair of shoes in a box, as he pushes himself off the threshold.
" There is no if. I know I can do better than that," He points at the heap of clothes in a box and smirks. Prick. Luckily, for him, I'm in love with said prick and that is enough to blunt the edges of my ire.
" Like I said, " I smirk back," Be my guest," I wave a hand towards the box in question and he takes the challenge with a smile on his face. One that says, ' You're on, lady,"
" We need to talk, " I settle myself on the edge of the bed, and watch him fold garment, after garment, with a dexterity that no man should be capable of.
" And we will," He neatly places the pile of folded clothes in the box, and proceeds to the next one," Just not here," He somberly says and takes a deep breath.
" Enid is not at home," I carry on glaring at him. Not for his refusal to speak but for the way he'd efficiently managed to fold three boxes of clothes in less than ten minutes.
" Are you sure," His smile lights up the room, but is not a charming smile, is one that challenges me.
" I'm home," I hear Enid's sing-song voice travel through the corridor and I puff out a breath of frustration.
" You have to tell me how you keep doing that," I whisper and his smile grows wider.
" Maybe," He smirks, " Are you gonna be a good girl," The tone of his voice drops to that deliriously sinful note that he has used on me so many times.
" Oh," I don't get a chance to answer because Enid appears on the threshold, holding a small bag.
" What is going on?" She worriedly asks and I want to hide under the bed, just so I don't have to answer that question.
" The matter with the academy has been resolved. Lily will move there first thing in the morning," Lying seems to be Mason's second nature. One that he has mastered so well. If I didn't know the truth, I would be able to tell he just lied.
Enid seems reluctant for a brief second and then nods, " A tad early don't you think," She has a hard time believing him. I suppose she knows him better than I do.
" I want to go. And the faculty agreed. It will give me time to adjust and I'll have a head start," I chime in when Enid's eyes seem to study Mason more furiously than before.
" Why? You'll be living there for the next four years. What's the rush?" She is not giving up this bone.
" Why prolong the inevitable? Whether its today or in three weeks time. It's all the same. Laira is moving early as well," Enid frowns, and plops on the bed, disheartened.
" I'll come and visit," I look at Mason who shakes his head as a no. What?
" Every Saturday, and Sunday," I push on," And sometimes during the week," I can't stop myself, while Mason has given up, and begins to tape the boxes.
" Promise," Enid pleadingly says, and I nod.
She pushes herself off the bed and pulls me into a bear hug. I take a lungful of the delicate rose aroma and commit it to my memory.
Sniffling she pulls away, and I wipe her tears away, while I feel mine streaking down my cheeks, " I'll be here if you ever need me," I say between sobs.
" Same," Enid sniffs, and pulls me into her arms again. And I don't ever want to let her go.
We cry our eyes out and by the time, we collect ourselves, Mason has finished repacking everything I own.
" I'll get dinner started, while you two," He waves a hand in the air, searching for the right word," weep," He fails miserably and makes his way out of the room.
Enid waves dismissively behind his back and laughs.
" Pay him no mind," She strokes my hair and sighs.
" You know," She quietly begins," When he told me that he would be bringing a girl to live with us, I was so happy. You are everything that I hoped you would be. I have no children of my own. Life hasn't been merciful in some ways but she has gifted me you. And I'm so grateful to have known you. You are a wonderful girl, don't let anyone tell you otherwise," She softly kisses my cheeks and hugs me one more time.
"Let's go and annoy Mason while he cooks dinner," Enid gives me a tearful smile and takes my hand in hers.