Page 52 of Mason
I’ll see what I can do.
What the actual fuck? I pick up my backpack and sling it over my shoulder, walking back out of the art class I’d walked into not fifteen minutes ago. Like I predicted, no one even notices me leave. Artists. So fucking focused on their own shit, they don’t see the world around them. The honest truth is that I do my best work at home anyway; I’m not comfortable enough here to create anything meaningful.
I blow out a breath, pushing one of the back doors of Brandywine Hall open and exit into the garden at the back where the hawthorn trees are. I do like to sit out here sometimes and sketch. Chewing on my lip, I walk along the pebbled path for a bit, then sink onto the bench for a moment to think.
I haven’t known Lennon long, but if I’ve learned anything about her at all, then I believe she’d have sought out a quiet location to calm down. Somewhere she could be alone with her thoughts.
I highly doubt she’s back at the house. She doesn’t have the code to get back inside yet, so we’d know it if she opened the door and set the alarm off. I suppose she could hang out on the back patio until someone got home. But, nah. I doubt she wants to be anywhere near any of us. Duke admitted he pissed her off, so who the hell knows what actually went down.
I stand with a sigh, running a hand through my hair, and push it back out of my eyes. May as well start walking around. I wonder if any of the guys back at the house would know how to put a tracking device on her damn phone, because that would make a scenario like this a hell of a lot easier.
I stop off at the library, but there’s nothing but nerds studying in there. I try the coffee shop on campus, but it’s full of people and way too noisy. I find the same is true of the two eating facilities. I let my eyes wander as I walk, checking hidden spots on campus I’ve visited myself.
This is fucking stupid. She could be any-freaking-where. And if she sees me coming, who knows what her reaction will be.
Fuck.
And then, like a miracle, I spot her across the street from campus grounds.Oh, don’t fucking tell me.But yep, in she goes, hesitating only a moment at the entrance to Kingston University Cemetery before following the footpath inside. I’ve gotta hand it to her, it’s one of the nicer places to be laid to rest in this area of the state.
I should know. It’s where my mother is buried.
And it’s quiet, I’ll give Lennon that. The dead don’t speak.
I huff out a gasping breath. Dreams are the exception—or more specifically, nightmares. In my worst ones, my mother is talking to me, but I have no idea what she’s saying. Crying. Begging me, I think. Shaking off my morbid train of thought, I hurry after Lennon, determined to see if there’s someone specific she’s visiting or if she’s simply taking a quiet walk where no one would think to look for her.
Pulling out my phone, I shoot a quick text to the group chat.
Finally found her.
Don’t know how long it’ll take to bring
her home.
Duke:
Okay. Lemme know if you need help.
Bear:
Maybe you should give her some space.
Duke:
Me?
Bear:
Fuck yes, you.
That’s my plan, Teddy Bear.
I’m just watching her right now.
But I want to know what’s in her head.
Don’t worry, I’ve got this.
See you fuckers when I see you.
