I mean like snacks
M
Chips? Candy? Carrot sticks?
M
Princess. I’m literally standing in the grocery store like an idiot right now…
I smile as I read his texts, imagining him having a meltdown in the snack aisle.
Lily
I eat pretty much everything…why??
Before I can put my phone down, he texts back.
M
For tonight ??
Lily
Tonight?
M
You’ll see Princess x
“This M person must be pretty great if they’re making you smile like that,” Ava says, smirking at me.
When I just shrug and shove a big spoonful of ice cream in my mouth, she gasps and slams the table.
“Oh my God, have you met someone?”
I swallow.
“No,” I say, hoping they don’t see through my lie.
“How would I have met someone in the last few days?”
“What about you, Ava? You seeing anyone?” Harry asks, changing the subject for me and sending me a knowing look.
“I wish. All the boys at Ridgewood suck,” she replies sadly.
“Except you, but it’s not like that’s an option.”
“Oh, I know,” he commiserates with a sigh.
“I’ve already been through all the boys at Ridgewood. I guess there’s always Greendale.”
Neither of them can keep a straight face for more than a few seconds.
They both burst out laughing, and I shovel more ice cream into my mouth.
? ? ?
“Okay, so tell me why you have all this food?” I ask Mason as he drops two grocery bags onto my coffee table.
“Because tonight, princess, you and I are getting high.” He smirks.
I gasp.
“We are?”
“You get so excited about the smallest things,” he chuckles.
“Like a puppy,” he adds, and I whack his shoulder softly.
“I’m kidding.” He laughs, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a lighter and what looks like a hand-rolled cigarette.
“We should probably go outside,” he says.
“We can go out by the pool.” I lead the way and sit cross-legged on one of the recliners, waiting.
Mason sits down across from me. He lifts the joint up and gently places it between my lips.
“I’m going to light it for you. Just breathe in a little-you’re going to cough,” he explains, and I nod along.
He flicks the lighter and lifts the flame slowly to the end of the joint.
“Start sucking,” he says, and I do.
I’m instantly hit with a weird taste and smell.
“Now inhale,” he says, putting the lighter down next to him.
I inhale a little, my lungs burning a bit, so I inhale more and start coughing.
“Not too bad,” he says with an impressed look.
I watch as Mason takes two puffs of the joint before blowing out the smoke.
“You didn’t cough,” I point out as he hands it back to me.
“Not my first time smoking, princess,” he winks.
“Do you even remember my name?” I question.
“Lily.” He smiles, showing off his perfect teeth, and my stomach starts doing strange flips.
“Then why do you call me princess?” I ask, leaning back in my seat waiting for the high to hit me.
“Because you reminded me of that princess running in the forest with the hair and lizard,” he chuckles, leaning back too.
“Rapunzel?” I giggle.
“That’s the one,” he confirms, closing his eyes.
“You’ve seen Tangled?” I ask, laughing.
“I have two little sisters who are obsessed with Disney,” he answers, sitting up again.
“Want to watch it?” he asks with a goofy grin.
“Let’s go,” I agree.
Three hours, two movies, and a shitload of junk food later, Mason is passed out on my sofa and I’m struggling to keep my eyes open.
“Mason,” I mumble, nudging his foot with mine.
“Mason.”
“Hmm?” he hums, lifting his head up but not opening his eyes.
“Do you want a pillow?” I yawn.
“Come here,” he mutters, holding his arms out.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.