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It was after six when I finally pulled on a pair of jogging pants and a sweater, and then went for a jog. Stopping only once I reached the gravel parking lot of the forest leading to the waterfall. I made my way across the parking lot towards the forest glancing around a few times, to see if anyone else was there. When the coast was clear, I made my way through the brush, walking deep into the forest, jogging again, burning off the anger and pain that festered within me. The mist from the waterfall caressed my cheek as I got closer to the waterfall. As it came into view I stopped and stood far from the water. I just stared at it, my heart slowing its pace. “Why are you back?” Matt appeared. I screeched and turned to face him. “This place is dangerous. It has tried to take your life on more than one occasion, darling.”
“I needed to see you,” I gasped, as the tears filled my eyes. “You have to stop searching for me. You need to start a new
life, without me, my love.” He sighed.
“I don’t want to.” I dropped to my knees, sobbing. “Things are
too hard.”
“You are making it harder than it needs to be.” He moved
closer.
“What does that even mean?” I replied angrily. Matt’s ghost
started to dissipate. “Matt! No, please don’t go. I don’t want to be
alone anymore!” My fingers kneaded the fallen leaves and soil as I
fell to the ground.
When Monday morning came, I chose to stay in bed again. There was nothing else for me to do. When I turned on my cell phone, all the messages started flooding in. I scrolled through the texts. Most were from Cassie, a few from Mike. I stuffed my phone back into my nightstand drawer and fell back asleep. Around noon Mrs. Peterson called and asked if I could work. With little hesitation, I agreed because I needed the distraction. After getting dressed, I went for a jog on the beach. Subconsciously, I hoped I would run into Mason, since this was a place was supposed to be peaceful to him. A glutton for punishment, I know. Luckily, he was not there, and I jogged longer than I intended to. When I got home, I ate, got ready for work and then left.
Being at work was the best distraction I could have asked for. It also helped when Mike invited me to his place after work, with everyone else. Happily I accepted the invitation, for that night and the few more nights that followed. I knew being around them would take my mind off everything else. What I discovered about Mike was he was into Jennifer but not the way she was into him. She was falling hard for him but he still had wondering eyes. I didn’t make it my business to point it out. I had only known them for a few weeks so getting involved in what they wanted everyone to see as a relationship was their business.
Eventually, jogging on the beach or in the forest became a habit. I was desperate to run into Mason. I wanted to see him badly. Before I knew it, the week was over, and the new week had begun. I did everything I could to force Mason out of my mind. Alcohol helped a bit.
When I had finally returned Cassie’s texts, I explained that I
needed space. Being around her and possibly running into Mason was just too much. I assured her that it was temporary. She didn’t respond so I assumed she was pissed at me.
On my way home one morning, after spending the night at Sam’s, I stopped at the gas station to get gas. I pulled up to the first gas pump, lifted the nozzle, pressed the trigger then leaned back on the car watching the numbers flip me into a trance, as it filled the tank.
“Hey , you,” someone said, pulling me out of my daydream. Startled, I turned to see who it was. “Nick—hi.” I gulped. “How’ve you been?” he asked, stuffing his hands in his pant
pockets, leaning against the gas pump.
“Okay.” I smiled and shrugged.
“That’s good,” his said with a forced smile.
“Uh, h—how have you been?” I asked, a little nervous. My
eyes darted to the pump, watching the numbers again. “Better, since Mason left.” He chuckled, running his fingers
through his hair and glancing over his shoulder. When he looked
back at me, he saw the look on my face. Mason had never told me
he was leaving town. Many thoughts ran through my mind. “He.
Never. Told. You?” His head went back a little, and he inhaled.
The pump clicked to a stop, forcing me to look up at it. Then my
head slowly shook as I look back at Nick.
“When did he leave?” I asked, my voice broken.
