Back To School

The first day back at school felt so strange. I walked through the front gates with my bag slung over one shoulder, heart beating a little faster than usual. Mom was finally home resting. Dad had taken the day off to stay with her. I told them I’d be fine coming back alone. But the truth was, I was nervous.

Not because of school, but because of him.

I had barely made it halfway across the courtyard when I heard someone shout my name.

“Ezra!”

Kai came running from the direction of the parking lot, a big smile on his face. Before I could even say anything, he pulled me into a tight hug, arms wrapping around me warmly.

“Man, I missed you!” he said, squeezing me. “We were all worried. How’s your mom? You okay?”

I patted his back awkwardly. “She’s better now. Thanks for asking.”

Kai didn’t let go right away. His hug was sincere, warm, a little too long. Over his shoulder, I saw Mason standing near the entrance to the hockey locker room.

Mason’s eyes were burning. He was staring straight at us. Jaw clenched. Fists tight at his sides. The fire in his gaze was so intense I could feel it even from across the courtyard. He looked like he wanted to rip Kai away from me.

Kai finally pulled back, still smiling. “We have to catch up properly. Lunch today?”

Before I could answer, Mason started walking toward us, steps heavy.

“Ezra,” Mason said, voice low and rough. “Can I talk to you? Alone.”

Kai raised an eyebrow but stepped back. “I’ll catch you later, Ezra.”

The moment Kai walked away, Mason grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the practice room behind the main rink. He didn’t say a word until the door closed behind us.

The room was empty, just the faint smell of rubber mats and old ice.

Mason let go of my wrist and turned to face me. His breathing was uneven. He looked like he’d been holding something in for days.

“I can’t do this anymore,” he said.

I frowned. “Do what?”

“This.” He gestured between us. “Watching Kai hug you like that, watching Lila bring you stuff and everyone looking at you like you’re… like you’re theirs. 

I know I can’t have you all to myself, but please… I've been walking through a world gone blind and I can't stop thinking about your diamond mind, careful creatures made friends with time. Honestly I have been watching you for some time now, I 

can't stop staring at those ocean eyes. Just let me prove to you that I’m the one who can walk the mile till the end of time. You’ve been on my mind… I grow fonder every day. Losing myself in time just thinking of your face. God only knows why it’s taken me so long to let my doubts go. You’re the only one that I want.”

He took a shaky breath, but his eyes never left mine.

“I don’t know why I’m scared. I’ve been here before. Every feeling, every word… I’ve imagined it all. You’ll never know if you never try… to forget your past and simply be mine.”

The silence after his words was deafening. Mason looked raw, exposed like he had just ripped his chest open and handed me his heart.

I stood there, heart pounding, mouth dry. Mason took one step closer, voice barely a whisper now.

“I know we’ve been hating each other for so long. I know I’ve been an asshole. But I can’t keep pretending anymore, Ezra. Tell me to fuck off if you want… but I had to say it.”

He waited, eyes searching mine, fear and hope mixed together on his face. I didn’t know what to say because for the first time, I wasn’t sure I wanted to tell him to fuck off.