⌗ 61; third person ✎ᝰ

Mason wakes at the first break of light. The sound of Mara sleeping soundly beside her brought a smile to her face.

She wasn't sure when the latter had joined her in bed, only that she had melted in the older girl's warmth at first touch.

Mara's arm was wrapped around Mason's waist. "Mm, I'm sorry did I wake you?" Her doe like eyes fluttered open. "Go back to sleep, Babi."

Mason turned on her side and looked longingly into her best friend's eyes. "No, you didn't wake me, lovey. How about you? Did I wake you?"

Her best friend looks at her with swollen eyes. "I felt you move, that's all. It's ok though." A small smile formed on her lips.

The younger traces Mara's lines with the her fingertips. "Where were you last night? I couldn't feel you beside me," Mason uttered. "It must've been awfully late when you came back."

Mara slipped into bed at three in the morning. Her conversation with Riley was still sitting fresh in her mind. It felt surreal; nothing about that conversation seemed like it ever happened.

Riley reacted a lot differently than she initially thought; a lot more composed and just downright beautiful and understanding. She finally understood why Mason felt the way that she does. Riley is a selfless and loving person.

Mara couldn't understand why at first. But the early hours of the morning had given her the opportunity to understand it fully. There was a lot more to Riley Marsh than meets the eye.

There's a reason why Mason had been in an endless misery; Mara too would have felt the very same had she been in Mason's shoes. A person like Riley Marsh is deserving of any kind of love; Mara knew that full well now.

"Riley and I had a conversation," Mara said with soft eyes. "It was really great. She's an amazing person, Babi. I got to understand her better."

Mason looks at her with that same longing gaze that transports Mara to square one. How could she not love the girl? "Hm, what do you mean?"

Mara tucks Mason's hair behind her ear. "I understand how you feel." She confessed. "I know why you feel that way about her. I can't blame you for that. She's amazing, Babi."

"Babi, what are you saying?" Mason could feel a heaviness grow deep within her chest. It felt tight and somewhat suffocating.

"I'm just saying sorry." Mara whispered. The latter couldn't understand. "I need you to know that I'm really sorry, lovey."

Mason inches closer and cups Mara's cheek. "I really don't know what you're sorry for."

"I'm sorry for keeping you away from her." Her eyes are wet with tears; sore and swollen.

Her best friend takes a deep breath and shakes her head. "No, you didn't do that. What makes you think that? Mara." She calls the latter with the kind of tonality that breaks her.

She looks at Mason with her soft gaze. "I'm so in love with you, Mace." Her voice shaky. "And I'm sorry that it had to come down to this."

"I know." Mason answered softly. "And I'm sorry that I can't love you the same. Just know that I love you nonetheless, Babi. Always."

Mara melts into Mason's warm touch. Her tears run down her face like an overflowing body of water. "Maybe in my next life?" She wondered.

Mason nods. "Mm. In our next life. Maybe then, lovey. But right now I can't be your love..." She caressed Mara's wet face with her thumb. "Would you wait for me then?" She wondered.

Mara sets her hand over Mason's and kisses it gently. "I would wait a lifetime and more for you, Mace. I would do anything to have you."

The younger nods once more. "I know you would." She smiled softly. "That's the Kim Mara I know and love. She'll chase after her dreams and...she won't ever lose the fight." Mason could feel her heart slowly break at the sight of the girl that lays broken beside her.

There is nothing she could do to reverse this pain; this everlasting misery that'll linger. Mason could only hope that the universe had something, or someone planned for Mara.

Mara deserved nothing but the very best. "You deserve better than me, Babi." Mason continued. "You deserve someone that'll love you infinitely and with their whole heart."

And so she breaks the distance that separates them. Her lips collide with Mara's for the very last time. It's gentle, and passionate, and it ignites a burning flame within them both.

"I wish this didn't have to end..." Mara breathed into the kiss. "I don't want to stop. I'm sorry."

She apologised as much as she breathed in air. "You don't have to be sorry for wanting, Babi." Her feelings for her best friend remained, but it could not suffice. Her heart still yearned for the girl that slept in the utmost corner of this place.

Mara swallowed the lump in her throat and pressed her lips against Mason's, hoping and praying that it didn't have to end like this. She wanted to be selfish and have her to herself. But she knew better to keep someone she can't have. All she could do was savour this for the very last time before she inevitably lets go.

She feels the wetness against her face. Mason could no longer stop the tears that fell. It was bound to happen as much as she tried to hold them in. But it was no use. She was fully aware of the irreversible damage she caused.

She could never wish this kind of pain on anyone. Yet, here she was, in the warmth of the girl she had shattered into a million pieces; even without intention. There were words that were lodged deep inside her throat. Mason tried her hardest to let them free. Her suffocation had gotten the very best of her. She couldn't bear to hurt her best friend any longer.

Mason sinks deep into the kiss and they make it last, one last time. Mara knew what she wanted to say. And when the time came to pull away,

she puts on a smile and says,

"You just weren't mine to lose."