"You look extremely uncomfortable." Mara laughed. "You're gonna wind up hurt, Mason. I suggest you sit up properly before you break a bone. Riley will kill me if I send you home in a cast. I have a girlfriend to get home to as well—just in case you've forgotten." 

I shake my head. "The way you blabber on about Mavie twenty four seven is more than enough. It was already bad enough when you two were playing dumb and dumber. Now it's even worse! Forgetting is impossible—trust me." I laugh.

Mara rolls her eyes and throws an arm on my shoulder as we make our way down the steps. I've been spending the last few days with Mara. Her parents were generous enough to lend their estate in the city to two graduating high schoolers in need of a little getaway.

"Seriously speaking though." Mara added. "What's been going on lately? Because there's no way you're the same Mason that would find any excuse to stay home during the holidays."

"Mara, I'm still the same Mason." I chuckled. "Maybe I've realised the beauty of going on spontaneous getaways in the city with my best friend! Besides, we're graduating. I might as well live a little—take it all in."

There's a solemn look that washes over Mara's face as we take the last step. "It's just that you've changed. Ever since you met Riley. It's been a really good thing though," She confessed. "Though, I'll be honest...there's also parts of you that have changed that concern me a little bit."

I don't dare to look back at her as Mara unlocks her car door. "Yeah, like what?"  I open the door to the passenger side and sit down hurriedly.

Mara turns the engine on and buckles her seatbelt, and so do I. "I guess the worst part is how miserable you've been." The car revs up loudly and I swallow the emptiness that sits at the back of my throat as we drive off.

"I chose to be miserable. It'll be my choice in the end anyways. I'd rather be miserable with her than happier with anyone else."

Mara tilts her head slightly as she takes a left turn at the intersection. "Loving someone shouldn't be a reason to be miserable, Mason. You deserve a lot more than this—a whole lot more. It hurts to see you losing parts of yourself over someone that can't even give you the benefit of the doubt. I just think that there's things she's not telling you and—"

"I know." My voice stern.

"What?"

"She's been lying to me. I know. She's an awful liar." I chuckled. "I don't know how long she's been keeping secrets but I know. I have for a while now. I'm just waiting for her to tell it straight to my face."  I look out the car window. It's about to rain again—and like the world had conspired it to, the tears fall down my face.

"Mason..."

"Just drive, Mara. Please." I begged.