Page 94 of Escape Velocity
Joel shrugs. “I know, just wanted to tell you anyway.”
Mason wants to drop kick Joel, but Callum’s pretending to appear unaffected.
Like a switch, Callum stands taller, lets his body poise with confidence, and puts his usual cocky smirk fully on display.
“I was just saying hi to Jenna, she’s in my kinesiology class,” Callum says before taking a sip of his beer.
Mason takes a sip of his own, watching every micro movement that Callum’s making. He doesn’t like how he’s acting like the person everyone expects him to be. He doesn’t look like Callum. The Callum he knows.
For some reason, he wants Callum to defend him. He wants him to shove Joel over or tell him off, but he can’t expect him to cause a scene.
“You interested in him? He’s on the market,” Joel says to Jenna, pointing to Callum.
Anxiety surges through Mason’s veins as Callum takes another sip of his beer.
Jenna scoffs. “I’mgood, thanks.”
“Oh, come on, he’s the quarterback and has won every single game, and look at him, who wouldn’t want him?” Joel goads, nudging Callum in the process.
Jenna glances between Mason and Callum, her expression morphing from astonishment to discomfort.
“I already have a boyfriend, sorry,” Jenna says, her smile thin.
Joel nods. “Ah, would have made sense, too. I actually have a girl waiting for you Cal, come on bud,” Joel says, smacking him on the back and wheeling him out of Mason and Jenna’s way.
Mason’s heart sinks as he watches Callum walk away, not giving a single glance back at Mason.
He wants to go crazy on Joel, but what hurts more is that to most people, Callum is the person that Joel’s describing, the star quarterback who’s good at everything and who everyone wants to be or be with.
How can Mason compare? He’s just this physics obsessed dork who’s lying to everyone about who he is and who he wants to be, who keeps to himself, and his idea of a fun Friday night is studying. What was he even doing here?
He was never supposed to belong at something like this.
“Mase, you okay?” Jenna asks.
Mason’s bottom lip trembles, but he makes it stop by taking a gulp of beer.
“Yeah. I’m fine. Joel’s just being an ass.”
Jenna looks at him unconvincingly. “Mason.”
He shakes his head, knowing what she’s about to say. “It’s fine.”
“Do you wanna go somewhere else?” she asks.
Mason looks at the party and sees people making out on the couch or shotgunning beer cans everywhere. The music’s too loud and he needs some air.
“Sure, let’s just go outside.”
Jenna nods and guides him out of the frat house, past a group of bloody nurses and doctors and out into the crisp night air.
A drunken zombie stops him. “Hey… you’re—you’re Mason Fanning, right?”
Mason nods. “Yeah.”
The zombie runs a hand through his chalky hair. “I knew I recognized you, I’ve been reading all your articles. You’re agreatwriter.”
Mason puts a fake smile on. “Thanks. I really love being on the paper.”
