Last night was eventful if you know what I mean. Mason has been a bit out of hand lately because I'm leaving for school soon.

Speaking of school, I still haven't packed yet. I don't want to pack yet. I'm excited about school but not the location. It's so far from Mason.

I grab my phone, checking the time to see that I have to get ready for work. I'm only working half a shift today, maybe then I'll have time to pack.

I slowly get out of bed, careful not to wake Mason up.

I ruffle through my bag, wanting to put some pants on.

"Mm, I can't wait to wake up to this every morning one day" A raspy voice comes from behind me.

"Oh shush" I laugh, shaking my head.

"It's actually been a sort of dream I've had since I was little. My wife and I cooking breakfast in the morning. Me in a pair of sweatpants, you in my oversized t-shirt with a cute messy bun and no makeup" He smiles, his eyes tired.

"Go back to bed" I shake my head, walking into his bathroom to change and get ready.

When I walk back out of the room, Mason's bed is empty and nicely made. I smile, knowing that's something we have in common.

I grab my bag and other stuff and head downstairs.

"I know you need to leave soon so I toasted a bagel for you. I also put some butter on it, just how you like it. Here's some coffee too, and a to-go cup if you need to take it on the road" Mason smiles at me, the food sitting on the island for me.

I smile, shaking my head. "You're too good for me"

"That's where you're wrong" He winks at me, turning around to wash some dishes.

His toned back flexes as he scrubs the dirty pan. His Italian heritage is really shown when his sweats slide down a bit, exposing the pale skin usually hidden behind a bathing suit.

"Can we please go back to Italy" It flies out of my mouth before I can stop myself.

Mason turns around, drying his hands. "Well I would love to, but there's no time" He leans against the counter.

"I don't want to leave. I wanted to go to UCLA with you" I swirl the hot coffee in the cup.

"I know, baby. But this is what's best for you. You're going to thrive at NC State. I'm really proud of you. You know that, right?"

I nod, looking down at my food. This sucks.

"I'll come to visit whenever I can. I promise. Now, put a smile on that cute face. Go make me proud, make some money, and I'll take you out tonight" He smiles, kissing my forehead.

"Bye Mas" I kiss his cheek, finishing off my coffee and walking to my car.

Work flies by, and I find myself becoming giddy for tonight.

I head home and shower before texting Mason.

'Dress comfortably. And bring a coat ;)'

I sigh, knowing that could only mean one thing. Ice skating again.

I change into a pair of blue jeans, a white sweater, and slip some white sneakers onto my feet. I do my makeup simple and straighten my hair.

Once I'm ready, I grab my coat and purse and drive to Mason's house.

I knock on the front door before walking in.

"Ready to go?" Mason jogs down the stairs, kissing my cheek.

"Yup" I smile, following him to his car.

We drive to the ice rink, listening to music on the way.

Once we get there Mason quickly pays despite my best effort.

I get my rental skates on while Mason laces his up fast and with ease.

I struggle to tie them tight, causing Mason to smile. He sits across from me, patting his leg. I place my leg in his lap and he quickly laces it up nice and tight. He does the same with my other and soon we're getting onto the ice.

He skates on, turning around with his hands held out to me. I grab them, shakily standing on the ice. He skates backward, pulling me with him.

He lets go of one hand and moves next to me, aiding me. "Go ahead. I know you want to speed past all these people" I smile.

"Just a little," He grins. "I'll be right back" He kisses my cheek before weaving in between groups of people. Within a few seconds, he's sliding to a stop right in front of me, a massive smile on his face.

"You're a dork" I laugh, shaking my head. "Yeah, but you love me" He smiles.

"That I do" I smile, grabbing onto his arm when I start to wobble.

He grins, taking my hand and skating. Soon I get the hang of it and we're skating past people.

The hour and a half pass quickly and by the time we're done my feet are killing me.

"How did you ever get used to that?" I laugh, stretching my foot.

"When you need to practice for hours at a time you adjust quickly. Plus, rental skates suck. We'll get you a pair of real ones" He laughs. "Hop on" He turns around, showing me his back.

"I can walk" I laugh.

We walk to his car, trying to figure out a place to eat.

"How about Applebees?" He smiles. "Sounds good to me"

We drive to Applebees and within a few minutes, we're seated.

"So, you're coming back for Christmas right?" Mason asks, looking through the menu.

"Yeah, of course. I wanted to come back for Thanksgiving but the break isn't even long enough" I mix the ice in my drink.

"I need to check my schedule but we'll make it work" He winks, placing the menu down.

"I was thinking, maybe for Christmas, we'll go back to Italy. Even if it's just for a week" He suggests, a huge smile spreading on my face.

"Really?" I search his face for any indication of him lying.

"Yeah. If you want of course" He runs his hand through his hair.

"Of course I do. My God, please" I laugh, nodding. "This time I'm paying though"

"Oh stop it. Don't be ridiculous" He rolls his eyes, smiling.

Mason turns his attention back to the menu. I smile, admiring all of him. I love this boy so much. The way his eyes twinkle when he's talking about football. The way his voice shakes right before he asks me something. His beautiful and kind heart. His hair when he wakes up in the morning. His white basketball sneakers. The way his arms rest around my neck when he hugs me. The way he constantly puts everyone else's happiness before his own. His pink cheeks from the cold.

"What? Is there something on my face?" I get pulled out of my trance. "What? No, I'm sorry" I clear my throat, laughing nervously.

"Just admiring me?" He laughs, smirking. "Yes, actually" I nod, giggling.

"What? I was just kidding" He smiles. "Well, I wasn't" I shrug, placing my menu down.

"Um, so I was thinking. My father wants to put some money aside for Ellie and me for college. He's going to make separate accounts for us. It'll be like extra spending money. But I want to do something else with it" He bites his lip.

"Okay. Like what?" I laugh, a little confused.

"So like, I was thinking I take whatever I don't spend and then if I make it into the NFL donate it. Like I'll obviously donate it if I don't make it into the NFL too. But you know how a lot of times the football players like to create their own organizations or donate to multiple but have one main one? Like put the money towards that, do some good with the money" He explains, looking nervous and overwhelmed.

I smile, tears in my eyes. "You're so cute" I chuckle. "Mas, that's an incredible idea. You're so selfless. Not many people would think of something like that while in college"

"I think it is too. I'm not really sure what organization I would donate to but there's still time for that" His eyebrows furrow.

"Have my children, please. My gosh," I smile, joking.

"I've been trying to convince you" He sighs, smiling. "You're insane" I laugh, shaking my head.

The waiter comes over and takes our orders before taking our menus and walking away.

The rest of dinner continues and soon we're heading back to my apartment.

"I'm going to brunch with Macy tomorrow, do you want to come?" I ask Mason, jumping when he squeezes my thigh.

"Yeah, sure. What time?" He smirks, glancing over at me.

"12:30" My face heats up as he pulls into a visitor spot.

"Sounds good" Mason opens my door for me and we walk to my apartment.

"Okay, I'll let her know" I smile, picking Bella up.

I let her greet Mason and then feed her. Once she eats we go into my room and I get a couple of things into boxes.

"Here, let me help" He helps to fold some of my clothes and stick them in boxes.

"You're going to store some stuff at my place, right?" Mason asks.

"I was going to rent a storage locker. I have a lot of stuff" I laugh, shaking my head.

"Don't be ridiculous. It'll stay in the guest room. It was supposed to be yours after all.

"Mason-" I try and decline but he doesn't let me, "no excuses"

I sigh, agreeing with him. There's no sense debating with him, I know I'll lose this one.

We finish packing a bunch of boxes before eating another, smaller meal. Mason decides on making some pasta. "I'm going to shower really quickly and then I'll make us some food" He kisses my cheek before walking towards the bathroom.

I go into my room and grab out some of his clothes. I knock on the bathroom door, "Mas, I'm just going to put your clothes on the sink" I crack the door open, yelling into the bathroom.

"Thanks, babe" He yells over the water. I quickly leave and get some plates and materials to make some pasta. I'm not entirely sure what he needs but I'm pretty positive he'll at least need pasta, salt, and butter.

Once his shower is done he instructs me to shower while he makes the food.

I quickly shower the dust off me. My head feels heavy from exhaustion. I got more done today than I have in a month.

I change into a pair of powder blue joggers and a matching sports bra. Once I apply my hair and skin products I make my way to the kitchen where Mason stands facing the stove.

I hug him, snaking my cold hands under his shirt. His chest is warm and he jumps when my hands come in contact with his skin.

"Dámn baby, your hands are freezing" He laughs, rubbing them to warm them up.

"I know, I don't know why" I smile, sitting at the island. "How's it going?"

"It's good. Garlic bread is almost done and then we can eat" He wipes his hands on the towel next to him.

"Garlic bread? I thought you were just making pasta" I raise my eyebrows.

"Well, you can't have pasta without garlic bread. And pasta is so boring, there needs to be a sauce. So I made some penne vodka" He smiles nervously.

"You're too much" I laugh, shaking my head. "Well, it smells great"

"Thank you" He smiles, taking the garlic bread out of the oven.

He makes us a plate and we go into the living room. "You pick what we watch since you did everything today" I hand him the remote, grabbing the blankets.

"All I did was make us some dinner" He cocks his head to the side.

"You helped me pack, quite literally dragged my fat åss ice skating, paid for Applebees, made us dinner. Shall I go on?" I draped the blanket over Mason's legs, sitting cross-legged next to him.

"Yeah, but that's what I'm supposed to do. And you did it all too. I want to be able to help you pack and bring you for dinner. You're also not fat, and I happen to love skating with you" He smiles, taking a bite of his pasta.

I shake my head, "Well, I really appreciate it all. And as a token of my appreciation, I want you to pick what we watch"

"You're going to be the death of me" He laughs, kissing my cheek.

Mason flicks through Netflix, stopping to take a bite of food every once in a while. Soon he stops on Greys, right where we had left off.

"Mas" I frown. "What? I want to see what happens" He smiles innocently.

The food is amazing. The pasta is cooked perfectly and the sauce is the best I've ever had. It seems that a lot of vodka sauces don't have much flavor, which is not at all the case with Masons. The garlic bread has a smooth butter taste under the garlic. It's cooked to the perfect degree where the top is golden brown with just the right crunch, but not burnt.

"Mason, this really is amazing" I shake my head, finishing my food.

"Thank you, love" He smiles at me, taking my empty plate and walking it over to the sink.

He sits back on the couch and we cuddle up, just enjoying each other's presence. I take in this moment, knowing it will be one of the last for a while.

Hello, angels! I'm so sorry for the long wait on the chapter! I've been super busy with college stuff and a billion end-of-the-year papers that are due soon! This book is, unfortunately, coming to an end but there will be a drastically smaller sequel. At most, that one will probably have about 50 chapters. I hope you all will join me on that journey! Thank you for everything! Don't forget to vote, comment, and share!

If you like this book, make sure to go check out the other one on my page, It's a Thin Line, Darling.

Question: What is your favorite song or artist at the moment?

Answer: My girl, Madison Beer just dropped her album, Life Support so that has been on repeat constantly. I've also been loving all of Clinton Kane's music, especially Chicken Tendies. I had been waiting for both of these for a while so I'm glad they're finally out!

Word count: 2389

~Leah