10 Chapter 10

"What are you doing this evening, my beautiful Mae?" Mason asks as we work on our drawings.

Today is the last day of our project, and I hate to see it end. Mason is fun to hang around. I have been able to let myself relax and have fun while working on this. He makes me laugh and seems to get it when I don't want to talk about something. I don't see him in any romantic way, but I will admit any girl of his would-be lucky. He seems to be a caring and fun guy.

"I'm most likely going to be reading. Why?" I raise my brow in question.

"I was hoping you would join me and the guys tonight. We thought about going to see a movie and thought you might enjoy coming." He has that hopeful yet puppy face going on.

"I don't know. With everything that happened with Cole and my sister, it may not be a good idea." I do my best to not look at him.

"You can't let their problems keep you from having fun. It's not like you are going out on a date with him. We're just going as a group to watch a movie. You can stay by my side all night if you want. Plus, Dominic and Pearce will be there."

Mason wasn't going to give up any time soon. I could see it in his eyes. He wanted to spend time with me and have fun as friends. My inner turmoil was raging as I thought back to all the times that I said that I would keep my distance from them. The thing is that I meant it romantically. Surely, there is nothing wrong with just being friends with the guys.

As long as I kept my heart safe, I should be fine. As far as I know, none of the guys see me that way. That should mean that I am in the clear, right? Why am I questioning myself? I should stay focused on the task at hand, and that is getting away from my family. But I want to live a little too. I've spent my entire high school life working or reading. Nothing fun ever happens.

"Sure. As long as I can keep my distance from any situation that can cause me problems." I look at Mason to see him smiling.

"I thought I was going to have to beg a little more." He starts laughing as he says this.

"Look, I know I'm not a party girl but, damn way to make me feel like a prude." I roll my eyes at him.

"Aaaawww, don't be mad. I was only joking with ya. I didn't think you would accept though. I know this week has been rough for you, so I thought you may just want to be alone. I didn't want you to do that though. You deserve some fun for a change. You work too hard between school and work. Live a little." Mason pats me on the head as he says all this.

I walk into my next class to see that as usual, I am the first one here. Mr. Nash looks up from his desk to see me there and gives me a huge smile. When I first met him I was a little caught off guard by how he interacted with me. There was an excitement there that I couldn't really understand. I have had some teachers that were over the top before, but this was different.

There were times when I wondered if it was some type of physical attraction that he had. I quickly realized that wasn't what was going on. He was just really invested in literature. So when he heard that I was good with words and loved to read, he hoped that he had found a student that shared his passion. Truth be told he did. We are very alike in our ways of thinking and love for the written word.

Now I see him as a fellow lover of the word and nothing more. I think Cole has a misunderstanding of our relationship because any time he sees us talking he scowls and acts overly protective. Boys can be dumb when they want and Cole is no exception.

"Ophelia, I'm glad you got here early. I had a book to share with you and you also need to head up to the office after this class for your first session with the counselor." He smiles and walks over to me handing me the book.

"Thanks. Is this the one you were telling me about?" I ask smiling at him.

Before he can open his mouth to speak, I feel a presence behind me. I don't have to turn around to know that Cole is looming over me. Mr.Nash has that look on his face that gives nothing away. We have talked about Cole and his unfounded fears, so this is nothing out of the ordinary.

"It is. Let me know what you think. And don't forget right after class." He turns and walks back to his desk as more students come in.

"What was that all about? Is he trying to get you alone?" Cole says through clenched teeth.

I turn around and look him straight in the eyes. I was right, his jaw is clenched as well as his fists. I don't think I will ever understand this boy and his issues with me and other males. I've noticed he does the same thing if I get too close to Pearce or any of the other guys.

Part of me thinks that it's because I am friends with his sister. Maybe he thinks that he needs to watch over me as he would her. Then again, part of me hopes that there is something more than that going on. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm developing feelings for the guy.

"What? No. I have my first consoling session today. Your Aunt told me I would have one this week, and guess what? I do have one." I smirk at him and walk to my seat.

I feel him following close behind me, and I can feel the irritation rolling off him. I've come to learn that Cole doesn't like to be told no or to be in the wrong. He very much likes his control. And for some reason, he likes to have control over me. Not in a bad, way like he wants to dictate my life. It's more like a prevent me from falling on my face kinda way.

"I still don't get what you have against Nash. He has never been out of the way with me." I look over at him as he sits next to me.

"You don't see the way he looks at you. His face lights up like it's fucking Christmas morning." He scoffs as he says this.

"Is that jealously I'm detecting Mr. Henson?" I laugh at the ridiculous idea.

"What if it is?" He leans closer to my face.

If either of us moves we would be nose to nose. I blink and pull back and start laughing. The very idea that Cole would be jealous of anything having to do with me is comical.

"Yeah, right." I turn and face the front of the room.

My heart is thudding in my chest, and I feel like I am breaking out into a sweat. The look in Cole's eyes was telling me that this was definitely not comical. He meant every word of what he just said. I'm lost as to what I should do or say. I know that Cole doesn't do relationships, but I can't see myself being another one-night stand.

My heart would never recover from being used and tossed to the side. But my heart seems to have a mind of its own, and it keeps pushing me toward him. I know that if I were to be with him, my sister would lose her mind and would come after harder than she already is. I couldn't risk the damage that could be done. Before I know it class is over and I'm brought back to reality by Cole nudging me.

"Hey, you good? you drifted off to outer space somewhere." He looks at me kinda worried and even a little annoyed.

"I'm good. I was thinking about what to talk to my counselor about." He nods in understanding and walks alongside me.

"So are you going with us tonight?" He asks.

"Yeah, I told Mason I would go. As long as it's a group thing I'm good." I say looking ahead.

"What do you mean as long as it's a group thing?" He raises his brow clearly confused at what I'm saying.

"I mean, as long as it's not a date, you know one on one. I'm not looking for that right at this moment. I don't know any of you well enough to consider going on a date." His eyes widen at my words.

"You think we're a bunch of serial killers or something?" He chuckles.

"No, but I have heard the rumors about how you guys are with girls. I'm not a one-night stand kinda a girl. Plus I'm nowhere close to ready for sex. I just want things clear before I go anywhere with any of you."

"Just so you know, WE don't think of all girls as one-night stands. Some girls are worth more than that." He huffs and walks off.

Maybe I insulted him, but that wasn't my intention. It's his choice on how he wants to live his life. I have no right to dictate that for him, just as he has no right to do it to me. I just need him to know that I am not easy and up for grabs.