21

3 weeks later

It was after my shift when I'd heard the news. Another person, actually two people were now dead in the home. Death has been moving around a lot here and it's just weird, their causes of deaths are around the same symptoms so the doctors around blame it on some infectious illness or something? I wasn't paying much attention but I was more worried at how people kept going left to right. Just the other day we lost Mrs Kamper too. She died of a heart attack just like Mr Rowan.

"Isn't it worrying? They're all leaving...all of them. Oh I really hope nothing bad happens to Mr or Mrs Odette. She's like the sweetest and   Mr Odette is practically her world you know? They've been together for so many years, so many."

"Don't worry, Liana, I'm sure nothing will happen to them, they're good people after all. Good people always get rewarded. You need to stop stressing yourself, breathe and focus on how you are alive and well and safe." Mason reassured. Him and I... him and I, we've been on a few dates now and they've all been amazing. Sadly though none has been amazing enough for me to reach 'girlfriend status'. In school, we act like a couple and everyone practically thinks we are. What they don't know is that he doesn't want to make it official. I listened to his words and breathed in.

"Thanks for the advice, so will we do anything tonight?"

"I'll think about it, but this next date I know it'll be something special." As special as him asking me out?

"I hope I will." We kissed, yes, regular kisses and no 'will you be my girlfriend'. He pulled away from the kiss when his phone started to blow up and he got a worried expression on his face.

"Uh my mom really needs me at home, she's pretty pissed at me."

"Oh ok, bye I'll text you." He waved giving me a little smile before he left. But this time, I followed him. He was talking like he was on the phone so now all I have to do is ease drop.

"Leave me alone! We've talked about this, I've done everything why can't you let this go already?!"

Talking to his 'mom'?

"I'll...I'll send you more money, I can't let this get out and if it's gonna keep you quiet then ok." Money? He's paying someone to hide his secret, how bad is this secret. What did he do?

He ended his call and I quickly rushed to my car. My mind was popping up with a lot of questions and I needed to find answers. Maybe it's nothing, who's to say that the secret is necessarily bad? I'll just ignore this one, if it happens again I'll instigate. Only if it happens again?

. . . . .

I couldn't stop thinking about the call, but I can't let 1 silly phone call ruin a potential relationship. That's very dumb. Very very dumb. He'll probably tell me anyways, right? Yes. He will, when we reach a high level in our relationship he will tell me what he's trying to hide.

________

Me -

Are you busy rn?

Clown -

Nope not right now, why what's up?

Me -

Can we meet somewhere? I want to talk

Clown -

Sure, you're not gonna like destroy my heart or anything?

Me -

Whatttt!? How could I ever do that...I'm mean sometimes but not THAT mean

Clown -

I know that's why I like you so much, you're a challenge, a good and fun challenge

Me -

Thank you! That's one of the nicest things you've said to me. Go to the park near our school, you know the one right?

Clown -

Yep, I'll be there in 2 secs🫡

*name changed to clown💞*

________

What exactly was I going to say to him? Quite honestly I'm not sure yet, what I want to do is get off my chest and I just want the answers to this question. I just hope I get enough courage you know?

. . . . .

When I reached the park, he was already there sitting with a bright smile on his face.

"Now may I know why we're here together and alone near our school?" He asked.

"Yes, I wanted to ask you something. Something that's been on my mind for a while now and it's like if I don't ask you then it's not good because it'll just stay on my mind for like ever and ever and I don't want it to stay on my mind for like ever an-" before I finished my sentence Mason just kissed my lips.

"Sorry that kiss had to happen to shut you up. I'll be ok if you just say what you're thinking, ok? It won't affect me don't worry. I've probably experienced worse." I'm not gonna say it.

"Well I just wanted to know, when will you ask me to be your girlfriend? Because why haven't you asked just yet? You know that I'd obviously say yes."

"Um no actually I didn't."

"Stop being stupid obviously I would. I like you Mason, like a lot more than I should. That took a lot from me since you know you're like the biggest jerk."

"Me? Odd opinion." He's acting delusional nowwwww?

"Oh please, anyways you're a jerk and I'm a sweetheart so when will you ask me out?"

"Liana, I wanted to make it special and on our second date too."

"Oh, well in that case, I never said shit. Ok?"

"Got it." He said and I pulled him back in for another kiss before I left.

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