"So what emergency did Lucas tell you I had?" Mason asked as the pair looked out to the ocean below. Anya was resting her head on his shoulder, and he couldn't help but feel that this was right. He was almost too frightened to move in case she released him from her hold, but his neck was beginning to strain. Still, it was worth the pain if he could stay like this.

"He said that you had stage fright," she chuckled, "and that he couldn't get to you...."

"Ah," Mason chuckled, "and you came all that way to check that I was okay?"

"Of course," she chirped, "I should have known something was up; my uncle and aunt were very eager for me to leave," she raised a questioning brow as Mason nervously laughed, nodding in affirmation to her hint.

"I went to see uncle Naveer while you were at work," he exposed as she released a small 'awh.' "I think it was worse asking him than asking you," he added as she rolled her eyes and elbowed him slightly.

"Uncle Naveer isn't that bad,"

"Not to you," Mason conceded, "alone, I felt that he may have gutted me alive,"

"Well, you are taking away his favourite niece,"

"Arent you his only niece?" Mason asked as she scoffed, folding her arms as his laugh rumbled through his chest.

"That's not the point," Anya clarified, "I should have known something was up; you were completely in your element when I arrived," she chuckled. "It was as if you were always meant to be on stage and almost untouchable. I can see why you want to pursue it,"

"Yes," Mason sighed, "I've always loved music, and I got into it after my brother passed away. It was my escape," he explained as her black hair tickled his chin as she nodded.

"I understand," she smiled, "We were quite young when Sameer died, so I'm not quite sure how I overcame that," Anya mused, "my parents didn't even tell me he had the short-gut syndrome; he just...died."

"It was the same for me," Mason sympathised. "It's so strange because when I look back, I genuinely can't remember Sam being ill; we played football together one day, and then he was gone the next,"

"The story I was told was that he'd gone in for surgery and something had gone wrong, he then had sepsis, and that's what killed him. It was all very sudden...."

"As awful as it sounds, I feel that's the best way," Mason reflected as he thought about his brother, who had been in a coma for six months, only living through the efforts of a machine.

"I think so too," Anya agreed as Mason tightened his grip around her waist in a diminutive form of a hug as they watched the waves lap over the rocks that peaked above the waterline. The salty air soothed his warm cheeks as he inhaled deeply, imagining the future he prayed for and spending that time with the girl in his arms. That future was potentially a reality, and if Mason could find a way to sing without restriction, he knew the years to come would be bright.

The night at the cliff was a night Mason knew he would cherish for the rest of his life. They stayed out until the sunrise, and when they finally parted, he returned home with a new weight upon his chest. His father had sold half of his business to ensure Mason continued to race. Simply dropping out of the sport was not an option, so he needed to find a compromise.

Speaking about Haneul had also forced Mason to acknowledge that he needed to do something about his mum. She was still heavily drinking when she could and unconscious when she didn't have a bottle in hand. Mason could only thank the universe that his mother hadn't become abusive- verbally or otherwise, as he had seen in films and such. If anything, her substance abuse trapped her between the life they had been living with Haneul and the six months they had waited for his death. It was as if the alcohol relieved her pain, and when Mason returned home to see her sleeping on the floor of the lounge; her clothes unkempt and hair unwashed; it was a conversation he needed to pursue.

Two weeks went by, however, and Mason was yet to acknowledge either matter to his parents. Instead, his father had illustrated a new timetable he was now expected to follow, including times he would need to spread salt on his racecourse, now that October had become November.
Along with the month that had changed, so had the weather. T-shirts and jogging bottoms were no longer appropriate, and Anya had taken things further, wearing fingerless gloves in classes, as she hated the cold.

Tonight, however, Mason had chosen to finish his training early, knowing his father would be too busy to notice. He had been called out on an emergency call to tow a car that bordered a neighbouring town, and by the time his father would return, Mason would have technically finished.

Instead, he decided to see his best friend, who he had only been able to spend form and lunch breaks with, since his new timetable had been put in place, and when he arrived, the smell of laundry detergent greeted him warmly as Lucas opened the door.

The twins were sitting in the lounge, currently discussing their opinions on their favourite celebrities, so after a quick hello, the two teenagers moved to Lucas' bedroom that Mason had shared for an innumerable amount of sleepovers during their childhood.

"So, what's new with you?" Mason instigated as he half lay on the bed, concentrating on the football he threw from his chest into the air and back again.

"I'm moving," Lucas announced, and horror forced Mason to sit up like a spring. The house certainly didn't appear as if the family was moving. There were no boxes littered around the room, and the Back To The Future Mason had gifted for Christmas a few years back, still hung on the wall above the desk.

It was only  when Mason detected the blonde's smile did his shoulders relax as he realised what this meant.
"You got the scholarship?"

"I got the scholarship!" Lucas celebrated, his beam so bright Mason may have even described it as blinding. "I'm going to Essex...it wasn't my first choice, but they have a great programme and...."

"And it's close enough for me to visit regularly! This is so awesome; I'm so happy for you; why didn't you say anything?" Lucas only shrugged in return as Mason demanded more details.

"I get my student loan and the maintenance fund," he began, "but the uni have offered to cover my books and a term abroad if that's the direction that I'm heading,"

"So you'll be going to the Vatican?" Mason enthused as his friend returned a sceptical look. "What? I do listen, you know," He chuckled. Lucas had spoken about visiting Italy for years. There was something about the religious aspect, along with the Roman empire, that led to conquering most of Europe and Asia that enthralled him. Mason couldn't explain any further; he didn't listen as well as he should, but it was clear that his best friend was happy.
His smile only dimmed when he realised that he had been too preoccupied to be there for Lucas and hear his good news. "So how did it happen? I thought you wouldn't hear back for another few weeks,"

"I wasn't supposed to hear anything," Lucas agreed, catching the ball Mason threw in his direction before tossing it back. "Someone from the admissions team read my application and decided to fast-track it. I had my interview just before mock exams, and so long as I meet their criteria, I'll be off,"

"I'm so happy for you, mate," Mason grinned, "really, you deserve this,"

"Thanks," Lucas smiled, relaxing into his chair. "So what about you? Have you got any thoughts yet?"

"Well, my dad sold half of the business, so it looks like I'll be racing for another few years until I can pay him back...."

"That's-"

"I know," Mason sighed, "I'm fuming, but at least my music keeps me sane. Honestly, if I couldn't sing, I'd have lost it much earlier...."

"I don't get why your father is so insistent you carry it through?"

"Believe me, I don't either," he shrugged, "Still, I know it's linked to Haneul and my mum, this was their dream, and if my parents can see it come through, I suppose it's not surprising to hear that they'll give up everything to see it happen. I need to place in the next race, I can't afford to lose another race,"

"You'll do it," Lucas encouraged, "Win one big race, and then you'll be free,"

"That's exactly what I was thinking. There is a big race in Birmingham next March, so I'll be busy preparing for that. I might even find a sponsor,"

"Fingers crossed," Lucas smiled, "And Anya? Has she told you her plans?"

"We haven't spoken about it," Mason confessed. It was as if the pair had silently agreed not to talk about the future until they faced that hurdle, but his best friend had a point. "She wants to move back to Birmingham, she misses her parents, and that's her home,"

"So why did she move here?"

"Her mum's vulnerable to Covid," Mason briefly explained, "But she still wanted to go to school, so she moved here for the final year,"

"That...that must have been hard for her," Lucas mused quietly as he nodded in agreement, "So then what will you do when she moves back?"

"I don't know," Mason expressed, "But I'm optimistic, we'll work something out, I'm sure. I love her" The words seemed to surprise Lucas as his blue eyes widened, but Mason chose not to dwell on his more profound confession. He had never felt this way about anyone before, and to know Anya felt the same way was just as much comfort as it was a motivating factor that they could survive any hurdles they faced. "Her birthday is coming up," Mason added, choosing to change the topic.

"Oh yeah, have you got any plans?"

"Well, Anya doesn't like anything crazy big, but it's her 18th, so I want to do something,"

"Think about it," Lucas smiled as his mother called their names down from the stairs.
After a quick text telling his father that he'd been invited over for dinner, he switched off the device and allowed his shoulders to relax as he settled at the dinner table, where Mr. Stewart had distributed the plated food.

Being laid off had undoubtedly taken its toll, and the scruff around his neck and chin was only the first indication. Mr Stewart also no longer fitted into his jeans, and his belt struggled to tie around his hips, while the smoker's cough and charred ash that infused into his clothes only suggested he'd increased his indulgence of the terrible habit.

Still, the six weeks at home, however, had given Mr. Stewart a new lease of life. After almost four decades out to sea, he'd rekindled his love for fish with cooking, and after Mason's first bite, he was happy to affirm the man was a culinary genius. The sea bass on his plate was heavenly, and it took less than a moment to compliment the chef genuinely.

"Seriously, Mr. S, you should consider running your own kitchen," Mason encouraged, "or maybe even work at a restaurant...say why don't you speak to Spencer Sinclair? Alison's going on maternity leave so that we would have the position,"

"Wait," Lucas interrupted, his blue eyes wide in shock. "Alison's pregnant? As in Alison from the year below?"

"Yeah, she's with some older guy; they're planning a wedding," Mason nodded as Mrs. Stewart whispered a prayer, pressing her fingers to her brow and then across to each shoulder. The action gained a chuckle, and she was quick to glare, eying them both with scorn.

"You two better watch it!" She hissed, "Seriously, Lucas, university offers a very different life, and who knows who you'll meet. Until you can look after yourself and have gained my approval, only then can such a thought cross your mind, and you..." she turned to Mason. He forced the bolus of fish down his throat as he met the eyes, also believed to be his best friend. "I see you all the time with Anya, she's a lovely, polite girl, and you'll think well to put a ring on her before she has any babies,"

"Ma!" Lucas accused as Mason choked, and the twins giggled.

"I'm just telling you how it is," Mrs. Stewart pursed her lips as she placed down her fork. "How would you like it if your girlfriend was mistreated, or how Alison must feel. We had our Laura young, and though we love her, it hasn't been easy,"

"I know, ma,"

"No, you don't; at your age, you think you have your whole lives figured out, but you don't,"

"Hear hear," Mr. Stewart murmured, raising his glass and pressing it to his lips in quiet agreement.

"You have your whole lives ahead of you to figure things out, but you need to do it responsibly. I'll chop off your...."

"Mum!" Lucas banged his hand to the table, and it was red cheeks and horror that Mason internally mirrored that encouraged the family to laugh. Mason would never have anticipated that this was the topic Mrs. Stewart would have wanted to bring to the table, but alas, that was family.

They dined peacefully after that, and by 8 pm, Mason politely waved his goodbye and drove to the racecourse for one last practise, just so that he hadn't lied to his parents. His speed averaged at 81 mph, and when he compared it to his competition, he knew he was slow. There was, however, a vast increase when Mason visited the track his father had paid for, and so he could only assume some progress had been made.

The crickets hummed as he exited his car and the chilly air coated him in a cool embrace as Mason pulled out his guitar. He'd sung at this hour to welcome the sunset, and without concern for his father, he began to play. It was the song Breathing by Lighthouse that gave life to his performance, and as he cried out to the clouds, Mason reflected on the words Mrs. Stewart had shared.

She was right. His path was music, and it would take him time to get there. It wasn't an industry one could just enter and thrive in, it took time, and he would have his barriers, but when he thought of the raven-haired girl who had consistently been on his side, Mason knew he could overcome it. He would succeed.

But first, he needed to practise the playlist he had set out for the Christmas Ball that wasn't far away. Taylor had emailed him a list of songs his peers had wanted to hear; she'd collected the music through a poll on her Instagram, and many of the songs were by artists Mason hadn't even heard of.

It would take him months to learn, and Mason had weeks at best. Plus, with the qualifying race fast approaching, that would allow him to compete in Birmingham next year, he needed to sing as often as he could

Mason had also discovered a Hindi song that he wanted to sing for Anya as a gift for her fast-approaching birthday.
It was evident that she loved her Indian heritage, and it was a large part of her life. The only issue was that Mason couldn't speak Hindi, and so each time he raised his guitar, he was butchering the language, but he could do it for his girl. She deserved it.

The song he had picked was from Anya's favourite Bollywood movie she had insisted he watched- Jab We Met and was a ballad about a pair starting their lives together by choosing not to be confined by the crossroads life threw their way. It was perfect. He needed it to be perfect.

A.N.
Another week another chapter, time just seems to be flying! But at least we're on the run up to Christmas and I couldn't be more excited.
Kind of a filler today but a nice way to end the first part that was released on Wednesday.
We're just over the half way point now, so my question to you is what do you think so far? This is my first young adult fiction, so I would love to hear your thoughts! Are my characters relatable? Are you enjoying the story? Is it too slow?
All feedback is welcome!
Have the most wonderful Friday,
Aamenah x
Breathing - Lifehouse