⌗ 12
third person ✎ᝰ
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Mason exits through the double doors and comes to a shudder as the cool breeze of the night touches her skin. It's quiet out here. Almost, a whole new atmosphere to the one inside.

The doorman from earlier this evening looks at her worriedly. "Is everything all right miss?"

Mason shakes her head. "Hm, not really. That's why I'm here," She chuckled. "To make it right."

The doorman shifts his gaze. It didn't take much effort to figure out why the young lady had brought herself outside in the late of the night.

"Is that your lady, miss?" The doorman asked.

Mason breaks away from her longing stare, "Oh, um. It's complicated." She answered, now looking at the doorman. "We're not..." Her voice fades. Just friends she tried to say. But her lips failed to speak those words. She didn't want to.

The doorman wonders. "Was it an argument?"

Mason shook her head once more, "It's not that. But, earlier tonight. I had something to say. To confess actually... I've had it planned for a while now," She chuckled. "But, I don't know what came over me." She looked back at Riley. She was sitting down by the lawn in the far distance. "I got scared. I mean... how could I not. She looks really beautiful tonight. She always does. But when I saw her tonight I..."

"You felt breathless?"

"That's exactly it," Mason chuckled softly. "But it wasn't just that. It's like my body froze and my throat went dry and when she was right there...I couldn't do or say anything. And she walked off."

"Do you think she feels the same way?" Mason could feel the genuine sincerity from the doorman. He didn't know her at all. But he still made the effort to help her out.

"I'm not really sure," Mason shrugged. "My best friends always tell me that they think she does. But I never felt like it was a good idea to be hopeful. Just in case she doesn't. But now I can't help but wish that she does. Because I love her."

"Let me ask you something. What makes you think she doesn't feel the same way?"

That's a really good question.

"Do you genuinely believe she doesn't reciprocate how you feel? Or are you purposely convincing yourself that she doesn't? He adds.

"Because those are two entirely different things. Think about it...does she treat you differently than everybody else? Does she make time for you even though she's busy? Does she genuinely care about you and what goes on in your life? You don't have to tell me. But if you can answer those questions then you've got your answer. If she does all that and more and you still think that she doesn't...then maybe you had an idea all along. You've just been too scared to admit it."

Mason wells up in tears. He's right. She's been too scared to admit the fact that it's possible. Possible for her to feel the same. I've just been too dumb to realise that she thought. Too worried that she told her how she felt...Mason would lose her all together.

Mason looks back at the doorman. Jesse is written on his badge. There's a smile on his face as they meet eyes. "Thank you, Jesse. I appreciate it." She thanked him several times.

He shakes his head, "You don't have to thank me. Now go get your lady, miss."

Mason wipes away the tears and nods. She felt a lot more confident now after this talk with Jesse. It was reassuring and just what she needed. In fact, it knocked a lot of sense into her. Mason needed this. A lot more than she'd care to admit. But here goes. To never looking back.

She walks towards the slope where Riley had been sitting. She was curled into a ball, arms wrapped tightly around her legs.

Mason could hear her sniffling. And it broke her a little. She's never seen Riley like this. The thought of Mason being the reason for those tears made her a lot sadder. She didn't deserve to be here all alone in the middle of the night crying to herself with nobody to lean on.

But now that'll change right?

I'm here now Mason thought.

"I don't care. Whoever you are. I'm okay," Riley shuddered. "I need to be alone right now."

Mason got down on her knees and found a position that felt somewhat comfortable.

"Am I really just whoever?" She wondered. "I mean...I can leave if that's what you really want. But I don't want to leave you here alone. In fact, I don't ever want you to be alone." She admits.

Mason sat there quietly. It was so quiet that it was almost no effort to hear Riley's soft sobs.

"Maisie."

"The one and only." Mason smiled.

There was a silence that followed thereafter. Both knew the reason why. They had always found comfort in each other's company. Even if they sat in silence. But tonight was a little different. They didn't know what to say. What would either of them do if the latter made a move?

Mason looked at Riley. The older had yet to look back at her. "You walked out earlier..."

"You saw that?" Riley questioned.

"How could I not? You're the only person I wanted to be with tonight. I couldn't...I couldn't keep my eyes off of you." She confessed.

"It didn't really seem like it." Riley answered.

"I know. But I was scared. I got so scared that I felt something that I've never felt before. I don't think you realise how hard it was for me to tell you to leave and watch you do exactly that. Riley, I thought you'd stay. But you walked off."

"I thought you wanted me to."

"I don't know if you heard me but you were the only person I wanted to be with tonight. Yet, you walked away. And it's not like I wouldn't have gone after you...because I would've. It's just..."

Her voice trails off.

"It's just what?" Riley turned around. Her eyes were red and swollen. She cried a lot.

Mason's heart ached. She couldn't bear to see the latter like this. She didn't deserve to sad. Mason wanted to fix things. Make everything right again. That's what Riley rightfully deserves.

Mason adjusts herself so she's sitting crossed legged this time. She had a feeling that they'd be here for quite some time. She might as well make herself feel comfortable.

"I walked into the venue today with one clear goal," Mason chuckled. "I had this planned for weeks. Ever since I got the invitation for the party today. I had it well thought out and I even had a back up plan in case things went wrong."

Riley looked at her with confusion.

"It didn't work out?" She wondered.

"It's not that it didn't..." Mason's voice was softer this time. A lot more quiet. "I actually didn't even get to do it. So the whole thing kinda went to waste and now...we're here."

"I'm a little lost, Maisie."

"I know. But let me explain. Please."

Riley cupped her cheek and nodded, "As if I'd ever stop you. I'll listen. Through and through."

Mason placed her hand over Riley's and smiled. She didn't think she'd get to feel her touch again, let alone the warmth she so desperately missed.

"I thought I blew my chance, Riley. But maybe the universe has given me another shot."

There was a look in Riley's eyes that made Mason realise that she probably knew where this was going but at the same time, didn't want to seem so hopeful.

"What chance?"

"To be with you, Riley."

Riley's eyes widened. "Are you saying..."

Mason nodded. "That's exactly what I'm saying."

Riley breaks down into a sob. Mason's smile faded and her brows were knit together. Her heart almost dropped at the sight of it.

"Are you...upset?"

This was exactly what Mason had been avoiding. But Riley shook her head. "No, absolutely not..."

Mason wasn't sure what to feel. She didn't know what to do or say next. Instead, she sat there, almost ready to break down too...but that's where she got proven wrong. Through and through.

It all happened so fast. She couldn't even process anything. All she knew next was the feeling of Riley's lips against her own.

Oh.

Mason felt her shoulders drop. She brought her hand to Riley's cheek and the other to her waist. She pulled her closer. Till there was no room left.
This was their first kiss. It was desperate and hungry. It was magnetic. It was a kiss that neither had expected. It was long and relentless.

Mason breaks away, panting. "Riley..."

The brunette brushes her thumb against's Mason's lower lip. "I love you."

Mason's breath hitches. "What..."

"I said I love you." Riley confessed. "I love you. I've loved you since the beginning...and I have loved you so desperately. I love you, Maisie."

A tear rolls down Mason's cheek. Followed by another. Until her tears run all at once.

"You love me?" Almost in disbelief.

"I love you. Like I was always meant to."

Mason falls into Riley's embrace, sobbing louder this time. She's never once cried in front of anyone else. Not because she lacked feeling. But because she'd rather seem strong and put together. But there was no denying it this time.

She couldn't help to resist. It's inevitable.

"Maisie..."

She pulls away slowly. Looking into Riley's eyes now. She could drown in them right now.

"I love you too," She smiled. "From the first time I ever saw you. You took my heart away with you like it was always meant to be yours. I've always wanted you to have my heart...my heart yearns for you. More than you know. But now I know that you have it and love it just as much."

Riley brushes her thumbs under Mason's eyes. Wiping away her tears gently.

"Please don't cry," Riley cooed. "I want you to know that there is no one else my heart could ever want. You took my heart away with you too. And it's always been yours."

"I got so scared thinking this was one sided."

Riley leaned closer and closed the gap between them. Kissing the younger once more.

"It was never one sided, baby."

Mason smiled and threw her arms around the older. Engulfing her in one big hug.

"I really thought I blew my chance."

"The universe would've given you so many chances. I believe the universe loves you too. How could they not? You were always going to have me, baby. No matter what."

"So what does this mean for us?" Mason pulled away and looked at the latter.

"Hm?"

"Um...." Mason looked nervous. More nervous than when she told Riley she loves her. "You know...um..." Her voice trails off.

Riley intertwines her fingers with Mason's.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" Mason worked up the courage to finally ask her.

And like it was the first time, Riley closes the gap once more. Gosh, they could never get tired of this. The kiss was soft and meaningful.

"Does that answer your question?" Riley asked.

Mason had turned bright red. "Yes. But..."

"But?" Riley quirked a brow.

"I wanna hear you say it." Mason giggled.

"Yes—I wanna be your girlfriend."

And like the universe had conspired, the rain had poured, and had left them stunned.

"Oh my gosh!" Riley exclaimed.

"This is perfect... it's like the universe showing you how much I love you. Limitless."

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a/n

if you'd like to listen to my dedicated playlist to riley and mason, i've attached a link below!!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Fq76yEkw588Fi4sKzCEXv?si=dNgyfJ24RQmsruCjiGTFCw