Page 101 of Escape Velocity
For Callum to run up to him in the hallways and beg for Mason’s trust back. That it was all one big misunderstanding, and he regrets it so much. But it never came at the moment he wanted it.
Yet, here he is, just a bit later, and it came. Not at thetime he wanted it, but at the time he needed it. Their time finally came, and Mason is in disbelief at how his childhood best friend still holds a candle to him, even after all this time.
All the time they spent apart. All the time they practically ignored and hated each other. Callum was waiting, and so was Mason.
Mason is tired of waiting.
“I just never thought you’d… want me,” Mason says, his voice almost imperceptible with how small it was.
He feels like uttering these words will make them true. That Callum will suddenly see Mason as unworthy. A liar. A perpetual people-pleaser. That he can never love someone who lies to everyone around him.
Callum takes a step forward and grabs Mason’s shoulders.
“Mase. Look at me.”
Mason sniffles and tries to avert his gaze as he realizes he’s nearly crying.
“Mason.”
Callum softly takes Mason’s chin and lifts it to meet his eyes.
Callum’s disposition is serious now. He’s clearly shaken by Mason’s confession.
“You’ve always been there. And so have I. I messed things up royally, I know. But you were always there. And I want to always be there for you.”
Mason’s chin trembles.
“And I’m always going to be.”
Callum wipes Mason’s tear from his cheek with his thumb.
Callum licks his lips and leans down and kisses Mason softly.
His lips are still warm, but dry from the frigid cold that still hangs in the air.
It’s soft. It’s delicate. It’s like a fresh winter snowfall.
But most of all, the kiss is a promise. Without words, Callum’s lips fill Mason with the hope for future. That he won’t have to pretend with him. That he can be himself. That Callum won’t leave when he sees the uglier parts of him.
The world is quiet again. Only the thrumming of Mason’s heart and the steady thump of Callum’s keep them company.
Just like time, sound, and the air, their feelings had been frozen. It was unchangeable and unbreakable as a glacier.
Mason knows that from now on, Callum won’t fracture like thin, November ice.
They’ll stay strong and their love will grow deep like January ice. Their still waters underneath can change and morph with the seasons, but their attachment will remain unbreakable.
Unchanged.
Forevermore.
30
MASON
Twinkling Christmas lightsdance around the entrance of the Fanning household.
On the outside, one would think the Fanning household is warm and welcoming, especially given that it’s still November and they already have their Christmas decorations up.
