Chapter 12

Serena’s POV

Mason walked me all the way back to class.

He didn’t seem to be in a rush or make it awkward. He just strolled beside me through the mildly empty hallways, talking to me like this was something we’d done this a million times before.

His scent was warm and welcome, and I indulged myself by sneaking in lungfuls every so often.

I guessed one came out as a weary sigh because Mason said: “You’re allowed to be tired, you know…” His voice was steady but I heard the edge of worry in it as we approached the door to my next class.

My heart fluttered. We hadn't even known each other for a full twenty minutes and he was already concerned about me.

“You’re not allowed to quit though.” He added with a small chuckle, shoving his hands into his pockets in the way that made him look smaller than his hulking figure.

I smiled at him.

As if that was even an option.

“I won't.” I said, with a hint of pride in my voice.

“Good.” He responded. “Those four in the council office would love nothing more than to watch you burn out. Don’t give them the satisfaction.”

I glanced at him briefly. “You make it sound so simple.”

“It’s not. I know it's not. But you’re already doing the hard part. And you kind of make it look easy.”

My heart warmed, leaving the evidence in my cheek.

He noticed of course. But he didn't comment on it. When he neared the classroom, he slowed down. “Uhm… Serena?”

I turned to him. “Hm?”

His own cheeks colored then as he hesitated on his next words.

I waited of course, heart throbbing.

We would wait for him until the end of the world, my Omega purrs. I agree, giving her a fist bump.

“Can I… get your number?”

My breath caught.

A few students passing stared, maybe even heard. But Mason didn't seem to care. Matter of fact, he wasn't afraid to be seen with me— a non-legacy Omega.

“My number?” I asked, heat rushing straight up my neck and into my face.

“Yeah.” He looked almost sheepish. “Just to talk… or if you want to bash my brother some more…”

I laughed. “Now that is a good reason.”

I unlocked my phone with clumsy fingers and handed it over before I could talk myself out of it. He typed quickly, sent himself a message, and then returned it back.

As I took it, our hands brushed again, that same spark from before igniting. I quickly pulled away and stared down at my phone. The new contact simply said Mason.

“Thanks… I’ll text you later?”

“Sure.” I smiled warmly.

He gave me one last small smile before walking away. I stood there a second longer than necessary, watching him. Once he was out of view, I slipped into class.

The rest of the day dragged on. I kept sneaking glances at my phone even though he said he'd text much later.

When the final bell rang, Katie and I walked home together but I kept that one minute detail of Mason from her. We hugged goodbye at my place since mine was closer and I hurried inside the house just so I could openly stare at my phone.

Still… zero. Just the hi he'd sent himself earlier. I pouted, wondering if I should text first.

NOOOOO, my inner goddess yelled. To my surprise, my omega agreed with her.

He’s the alpha. He chases, they reminded.

I smacked both of them. So much for being progressive. I dropped my bag by my bedroom door and toed off my socks and threw my bra away, before curling up under my blanket. I scrolled through my phone aimlessly, waiting for his notification.

My imminent war with Nathaniel still lingered at the back of back of my mind, and my inner goddess silently judged me, but hey! at least it was still there. It's not like I could confront the guy from the confines of my room? Like let a girl yearn for a few hours, i’ll deal with the other twin tomorrow.

I kept scrolling on my TL, eventually landing on AI slop. Man fuck gen AI and all but I couldn't deny I watched one of those fruit videos all the way to the end. I made a mental note never to mention it to Katie as she would cancel me for real.

I eventually got up, took a shower, ate the leftover pasta my mom made before returning to my phone. I was already invested in part seventy-two of a horrible reel drama when I got the notification.

Mason: Hey? Mason here.

I swallowed down the urge to scream. My fingers twitched as I replied.

Me: haha!😅 I’m never living that down, am I?

Mason: Not a chance. I’m using that story for every pep talk before every game this season. “You think we can’t win? Look at me! The student council president mistook me for my evil twin and tried to fight me over legislation. But I survived!”

Me: Stopppp😭😭 I’m going to die of embarrassment.

Mason: haha😅 don’t joke about that. And don't be embarrassed. You’re really hot when you look like you're trying to bite my head off.

My heart jumped.

HE DOESN’T ME TO DIE!!! HE ALSO THINKS I’M HOT.

Me: thanks☺️

So how was your day?

Mason: uhm... spent most of it Stu(dying) or practic(dy)ing.

I barked a laugh in the room. He also had a sense of humor.

Nathan when?

Mason: best part was you yelling at me though.

And all the other times I spent thinking about you— which was a lot.

So I guess I had a great day.

My heart skipped a beat more than once reading his text. My inner goddess swooned too. I guess she was moving.

“See I told you.” I actually said aloud to her, then caught myself quickly. Thankfully no one else was in the room or i’d really look stupid right now.

I sent a blushing gif, not sure what else to say.

Mason reacted with a heart. Then sent another text.

Mason: soooo how was your day? Good I hope?

Me: Barely. Still replaying the part where I slammed a paper on a piano and screamed at the hockey player. My palm still hurts ://

Mason: 😯

Are you okay? Do you need to get it checked?

His worry warmed my heart.

Me: No… I was just messing with you.

Mason: oh okay, president.

Me: 🙈🙈

Oh and Mason?

Mason: yeah?

Me: you were the best part of my day too

I sent it, risky as it seemed. I didn't care. He was too gorgeous for me not to put my heart on the line.

Mason responded with a funny crashing out gif that had me laughing so hard I snorted.

We spent hours talking after that, the conversation moving seamlessly as we learned small details about each other in between light jokes. And somehow, my entire day was made in a few hours.

He asked about my policies, followed every line closely, asked questions, got upset when I told him why it some of them were rejected— even once threatening to use his 5-minute seniority to tell his brother off.

I giggled and told him I could handle it. He reluctantly agreed without pressing too hard.

Then the conversation shifted into things that were personal, much vulnerable. I yawned soon, not really tired, just my body shutting down from my exhausting hunt for Nathan earlier.

Me: where do you go when the world gets too loud… and you just want to let it all out?

His typing bubble rolled by and he sent me a picture of a lake.

Mason: [image]

This is where I go when the world gets too loud.

Me: wow… it’s beautiful.

Mason: yes, it is

my parents used to take my brother and I back when we were young. But ever since my mom passed, we stopped going together. Everyone got too busy I guess.

But I still find time to go every now and then.. just to unpack and let it float away into the lake.

Me: those are some pretty words🥹 and i’m sorry about your mom.

Mason: it’s okay. It happened a long time ago

Me: ❤️❤️

So your pretty lake… take me someday?

He typed in for a long moment, the bubble appearing, then disappearing so often that I almost held my breath.

Mason: I will. I promise.

I smile, relieved.

Me: ☺️

Mason: so what about you? where do you go?

Me: oh easy. roof of the any building I can reach🤣🤣🤣 Or under my blanket as I am right now.

Mason: now that’s an image I would like to see.

Me: trust me, you don’t want to.

Mason: I’m sure it's cute.

A text came from Katie then, her name popping up at the top of my screen.

Katie: what am I hearing about MASON STORM walking you to class?!! Spill. Now.

I giggled mischievously. I’d been caught. I knew she would not stop blowing up my phone if I didn't answer so I quickly switched the chat to hers.

Me: yeah that kinda happened😅

Katie: HOW??? WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME?!?

Me: nothing really. I was hunting down Nathaniel when I found him in the old piano room. I mistook him for Nate and ended up yelling at him. it was so embarrassing.

Katie: oh this meet cute story 😍😍😍

Me: SHUT UP KATIE

I yelled at her but inside I was already blushing.

Katie: 🤣🤣🤣

But he’s so cute and he even walked you to class, so sweet of him.

Me: yeah. and he took my number.

We’ve been texting for like hours now. and I keep smiling at my phone like an idiot.

Katie: YOU HAVE HIS NUMBER??!? I’M SCREAMING. It WAS a meet cute🥹🥹. Is he funny? Please tell me he’s funny.

Me: He’s actually so funny. And very thoughtful🥹

…I think I might actually like him🫠

Katie: Wait, like “he’s kinda cute for a highschool romance” like him or “Alpha, breed me and give me all your pups” like him?

This girl—

Me: HELP?!? 😭😭😭

Girl, get off my phone!

Katie: boo🍅🍅 the people demand to know, president

Me: 😭😭😭😭 you are crazy.

Go to bed girl.

Katie: 👎👎 sending me off because you want to keep texting him?

you traitor, you knew me first.

Me: 😭😭😭

Katie: anyway, text me later with updates and try not to show up pregnant tomorrow.

Bye.

I love you more than him.

Me: 🤣🤣🤣 Good night baby❤️

I love you

I switched back to Mason’s chat. A few new texts were waiting for me.

Mason: You still there or you fell asleep

I guess she fell asleep

Why is that so cute?

Good night, Serena.

Me: heyy… i’m still here.

Just had to tell my best friend how I made a complete fool of myself in the music room.

Mason: oh that 😅😅

Tell her I said hi and i’m asking for her blessing to court her best friend.

My heart stuttered. I blink hard, wondering if my sleep deprivation was already playing tricks on me. But it was there.

It was actually there.

Me: Is that what this is? Courting?

Mason: No… not yet.

My face fell for a moment.

Mason: But it will be… when I ask you in person.

And just like that, I was glowing again. I buried myself deeper into the sheets, giggling and kicking my feet. So this is what a crush felt like??

Me: and what if I say no?

Mason: i’ll ask the day after.

Me: and if I say no again.

Mason: i’ll keep asking until the answer changes

A man’s gotta get lucky someday.

I stared at the message for another long second, my cheeks warming again, before I screenshotted it, locking it in my hidden folder of pretty things.

Me: blocking you 🫠🙈

Mason: please don't😅😅

Me: 🙈🙈🙈

We kept texting after that, the conversation never really slowing down. We talked about hockey, studies and one ridiculous story about the time he and Nathan switched places in middle school and no one noticed for months. Nathan decided to switch back when he noticed his actual grades dropping. I laughed too hard picturing it.

Every message came easily, and I really enjoyed every moment. Soon my eyes started to feel heavy and my text came slower with an embarrassing amount of typos.

Mason: You’re slowing down. Getting tired on me?

Me: A little. It's been a long day.

Mason: Go to sleep, Serena

We’ll talk tomorrow?

The question mark undid something in me.

Why was he so perfect?!?

Me: of course!

Good nkghty, Mason❤️

Mason: Good night, Serena❤️

Sleep well.

I hearted his message, before clicking my phone off and setting it on the charger. After that, I let my exhaustion take over, sleep pulling me away.