⌗ 13
third person ✎ᝰ
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Mason and Riley make their way back to the party—hand in hand. The sky shines even brighter now, earning a small gasp from the younger. "Look, the stars came out!"

Riley squeezes her hand and smiles, "The universe must be our fan," She giggled. "They shine brighter now that we're together."

Mason's cheeks turned red and hot. She wasn't used to being this affectionate. Nor was she ever the type to be clingy. But Riley will always be an exception. "I can't believe you said that."

"Huh, why not?" Riley questioned.

"It feels like a fever dream. And to hear you say we're together makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. I just can't believe this is real."

Riley stops.

"Why'd you stop walking?" Mason wondered.

Riley tugs at her wrist and pulls her close. And like it was the first time, their lips touch, and it made Mason blush even harder.

"How about now? Does it feel real?"

Mason shrugs her shoulders. "Hm, I don't know...I think you should try again." She grinned. Her mischief had kicked in.

"Are you sure, Kang Haerin?"

"Just shut up and kiss me," She demanded. "Please. Just kiss me..." Her voice softer now.

Riley bit her lower lip and chuckled, "You must really. Want. Me. To. Kiss. You." Six kisses in between each breathe. They laugh.

"Can't really blame me now can you?"

They arrive back at the entrance. Jesse still stood in his place. Only this time, a wide smile present on his lips. "You got your girl, miss."

Mason nods happily. "I got my girl."

Riley smiles at the sound of it. My girl. She was finally Mason's and Mason hers. She too felt like it was a dream conspired by the universe.

"This is Jesse," Mason introduced. "He talked some sense into me before I went after you. Without him none of this would've happened."

Jesse shakes his head. "I'll have to disagree with that, miss. It was all you. All you needed was a little push to get there." He smiled.

"Please, call me Mason." She walked up to the older one and hugged him warmly. At first, he was shocked, but returned the hug. "And don't say that. You helped. You played part in this too. Little or big...what you did mattered."

There's an even bigger smile now as they pulled away. "You know...you should come inside," Riley added. "It's getting colder out here. You deserve to have something to eat. Get warmed up."

Mason agreed. "Yeah, come join us!"

"Oh, I shouldn't." He declined. "I have a duty to fulfil and honestly I don't think the host would appreciate me being in there rather than here."

Riley faces her phone towards him, "Nope, the host has now ordered you to come inside and enjoy yourself." She smiled. It didn't take long for the girl to text Jennifer. Nor did it take long for the older to reply. "Warm up and eat, Jesse."

It was always her genuine kindness that had Mason falling for her in the first place. It remains one of Riley's most endearing qualities.

There's really no one quite like Riley, and that's what makes her so special, especially to Mason. No matter who she meets, it'll always be Riley that will sweep her off her feet like the very first time. After all, even the universe had conspired them to be together. Nothing could change the fact that they were destined to be.

And with that, the three head inside, with Jesse following behind shyly as the couple walk ahead slowly—hand in hand. Nothing could possibly keep them away from each other. Not ever.

Meanwhile, Mavis and Mara are sitting by the table. Only this time, Mavis is on Mara's lap. Elly on the other hand was preoccupied with her eye drops. Head tilted, ready to apply them, only until a loud outburst from the eldest girls had driven her to snap her head forward.

"Girl, what the hell—" Elly boomed. She turns to face forward. Her eyes widen at the sight of the two girls walking towards them.

"Y'all seeing what I'm seeing or are the lack of eye drops making me delusional?" She added.

Mavis' jaw was on the ground. Beside her, Mara had water dripping down her chin.

"What in tarnation." Mavis chimed, earning a soft nudge from the girl that held her in her arms. Still tucked away in Mara's embrace as they sat there almost toppling over from shock.

"Maybe those are just clones." Elly uttered. "Mason's too much of a pussy to confess. That can't be them...those are imposters, surely."

Mara holds back her laughter, "They look real to me. I bet you fifty dollars that Mason made the first move." A grin on her face.

"Yeah right," Elly laughed. "She probably ran away after Riley huffed one breath."

The three burst into a fit of laughter. A vividly clear image of Mason running off at the sight of Riley breathing in her presence. Their friend was horrendously down bad after all. It wouldn't surprise them much had it actually happened.

"Hi." Mason smiled at her best friends. Beaming widely like never before. "Guess what!"

Elly makes her way in front of Mason and grips her head gently, earning a "what the hell are you doing?" from the shorter girl.

"Espírito Santo, may you release the demons that have taken over the soul of Mason Kang." She draws the sign of the cross with the side of her hand. "Release yourself from her bod—"

Mason shoves her away and looks at her with furrowed brows. Riley chuckles softly beside her.

"Elly, what are you doing?" Mason questioned.

"Bro." Elly looked at her with concern. "Is that really you. Oh my gosh did it work I—"

Mason rolls her eyes. "I'm not possessed dumb ass. Why are you acting like I've got demons living inside me? Seriously, I have news!"

Mara continues to hold Mavis in her arms, "Quit it El. She clearly isn't possessed. And you clearly owe me fifty dollars." She smiled.

"We can go for dinner tomorrow." Mara whispered into Mavis' ear. Not so subtle. As always. "Just the two of us."

Elly rolled her eyes. "We still don't know if she actually did it. Don't get too excited now."

"But anyways, what's this news you've got?" Mavis asked, clearly excited.

Mason holds up her left hand—fingers still interlaced with Riley's. "We're together!" She was beaming. The most euphoric they've ever seen her in such a long time. "We're actually together."

The three form a standing ovation, clapping excitedly. "AHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Mason brings her finger to her lips and asks them to quiet down. "Guys! You're being so loud?"

"So? My best friend is dating her crush! You really expect me to be quiet Kitty Kang?"

"Right? This is revolutionary."

"We're really happy for you." Mara answered on behalf of the other two. "Seriously, you've waited so long for this and now it's reality."

She makes way to Mason and engulfs her in a big warm embrace. This was the first time Mason had let go of Riley's hand since they got together.

Mason hugs her best friend back. It was just as warm and comforting as she remembers. She doesn't show her affectionate a lot when it comes to her friends, especially Mavis, but they've been through a lot together, and today, she felt like this was long overdue. Mara had been there for her for as long as she could remember, always supporting her dreams and wishes...and most importantly, her feelings for Riley.

"You've changed, Kang Haerin. You're still hugging me." Mara was delighted. Mason had a history of giving hugs that lasted for three seconds or less. This was a new world record.

Mason hugged her tighter. "I haven't changed, Kim Minji. I'll be honest, I've never been a hugger. But maybe...I'll admit defeat."

Mara laughs happily, still embracing the latter. "About time you did. I've missed you."

Even though they spend all their time together, the older had to admit. She hadn't hugged Mason in a long time. This felt special. Really special. And so they squeezed each other tightly. Cherishing this moment like it was their last.

She knew that Mason cared for her deeply. For all of them. Even if she fails to show it physically, she just knows that deep down, Mason loves them more than anything. But as they shared this moment, she knew this was something she'd be holding onto for a long time.

"Can we join you?" Mavis wondered.

"Right? We exist too." Elly chimed in.

Mason nodded happily. And without second thoughts, the two joined in. One big warm hug shared between four friends.

Riley watches from behind. A smile still on her lips. She was happier than ever. She now has the girl of her dreams. And as she stood there, she watched her lover experience a feeling, a moment, a memory that'll stick with her for the rest of their lives. This is true happiness.

"Mo Dani," Mason spoke. "Get in here, too."

Riley declined. "This is a special moment..."

"Exactly," Mara added. "It's special. You're apart of this group too. Get in here, quick!!"

Riley obeys and they stand there, in their own little world, a party of their own, celebrating a moment that'll forever be one for their books.

They hug each other warmly. A true friendship.

"Gosh..." Mason sighs. "Stop, I might cry."

They break away slowly and Riley wraps her arms around Mason's waist. "I love you."

Mason smiles and nods slowly, "Me too. I love you too, Riley Marsh." She answered.

"AYIEEEEEEEE," The three exclaimed.

"Me when?" Elly wondered.

"Retweet!" Mavis added.

"Oh goodness gracious..." Elly rolled her eyes.

"Dumb dumb." Mason giggled.

"Why are you laughing!" Mavis pouted at the sight of Elly and Mason giggling at her. Mara stood there next to her, confused.

"I thought I was slow but you take the crown." Mason admitted. "Seriously, Mav...just open your eyes and you'll see!"

Mavis shrugs, "What the hell is that supposed to mean? MY EYES ARE OPEN!" She widens them even further, making the friends, and Riley, burst into a fit of laughter.

"Seriously, I don't get it." Mavis answered.

"One day maybe." Riley said.

"See, even she sees it," Mason chuckled. "But then again, my girl is quite the smarty pants."

Riley blushes. My girl.

"Baby, stop...I'm blushing." She whispered.

"RIGHT HERE OFFICER GET THEM OUT OF MY FACE." Elly yelled. "Yuck!"

Mason sticks out her tongue, "Hehe."

"You're so annoying." Elly jokingly said.