The transfer captain's kiss

Isla's pov.

“Smile, Sunshine.”

A grin spread across my face before I even looked up.

I barely had the time to close my locker before Mason Hayes cupped my cheek, his thumb brushed softly against my skin. Then, as if no one existed, he leaned down and pressed a gentle Kiss to my forehead. 

The hallway immediately erupted.

“Oh my God.”

“I swear, they're so cute.”

“I still can't believe Mason Hayes Is dating her.”

I felt my cheeks warm up instantly, not because people were staring, I was already used to that because I was already used to it my entire life. Sometimes because my dad was famous, my family had more money than they knew what to do with. 

But mostly, it was because I was fat, at least that's what people like to remind me of.

I was the girl whose Jeans were always a size bigger than everyone else's and also the same girl who heard whispers whenever she walked into a room.

“She'd actually be pretty if she lost weight.”

“How did someone like her get Mason Hayes?”

Honestly I used to pretend those comments didn't hurt but they always did, not until Mason changed everything.

I mean for the first time in my life, someone actually looked at me like I was more than enough.

He didn't bother to flinch when he wrapped an arm around my waist, nor was he ever embarrassed to hold my hands to class or even in the hallway.

He never cared when people stared, at least… that was what I believed.

“You've been smiling at me for a whole minute.”

His voice suddenly pulled me from my thoughts.

“What?”

He chuckled and then followed his pretty smile.

“You've got that dreamy look again.”

“I do not..” I protested 

“You do.”

“I don't.”

“You definitely do.”

“You wish…” I muttered rolling my eyes, trying hard to hide my smile.

“I know.”

His confidence suddenly made me laugh so hard.

God….

How did I get so lucky?

Like out of all the girls in Westbrook Academy, he actually chose me.

Me of all people…

Funny how I still avoid my bedside mirror every morning and I still always reach out for my oversized hoodie because they actually made me feel more invisible.

Yet somehow…

Mason stares at me like none of that actually mattered anymore.

“Are you coming to the game tonight?” He asked.

“Wouldn't miss it for anything in the world” I nodded immediately.

“Good.”

A mischievous smile suddenly tugged at his lips as he squeezed his palm against mine.

“Anyways I need to head to class now, but I've got something planned after.”

“Oh?”

“You’ll see.”

“What is it?”

“If I tell you now, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore.”

I narrowed my eyes painfully and smiled.

“I hate surprises.”

“Liar..”

“I do..”

“You love them.”

But before I could argue, he suddenly leaned in again and kissed the tip of my nose.

The butterflies on my stomach practically exploded.

Suddenly a dramatic groan resonated behind us.

“Can you two stop being adorable for five seconds?”

I laughed as Mason threw his arm over my shoulders.

“Jealous Much?”

“Absolutely,” one of his teammates called. “You're making the rest of us look bad.”

Mason laughed and then he looked at me, his blue eyes immediately softened and then he kissed me this time.

“I'll see you after school.”

“I'll be waiting.” I murmured as he squeezed my hand before jogging backwards down the hallway.

“Don’t forget!”

“I won't!”

I slowly watched him disappear around the corner, Only when he was gone did I realise I was still smiling.

“You really love him, don't you?”

I quickly turned to face Amber who was standing beside me with a teasing smile on her face.

She was my best friend. I laughed softly before answering her question.

“I do.”

She bumped my shoulder, smiling.

“I've never seen you this happy.”

“I know… I just didn't think someone like Mason would ever notice someone like me.”

Amber's face suddenly squeezed.

“What do you mean, someone like you?”

I slowly looked down at myself as my smile slowly dimmed.

“I mean my size— I'm practically fat”

“You know what ..?” She said, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.

“Forget everyone else.” she added, smiling softly.

“Mason chose you.”

“Yeah…” I murmured as my smile returned. “He did.”