Mason pressed the white napkin to his nose, tilting his head back upon instruction with a wince as Vanessa flustered over the pair.
After Lucas had thrown the first punch, the entire group had stood up in defence. Naturally, Mason had participated, and though he was paying for it physically, he didn't regret his actions. Moreover, it couldn't erase the feeling that his best friend had come to his aid. That surely had to have meant something...right?

Spencer had intervened the moment he'd heard Lucas' war cry and sent the men packing with the threat of calling the police should they return. Most of the diners had left too, but thankfully the restaurant had been quiet at the time, so not many had been disrupted. Still, it hadn't been fair for the business to have been affected, and that was the only remorse Mason felt.

Only Mason, Lucas and Vanessa remained, Spencer, having gone to the police to file a racial abuse report. Mason had insisted that it didn't matter, but Spencer had been just as hurt. Being one of the few families of African origin in the town, the Sinclair's had fought hard for their place of acceptance. He wasn't going to allow it to go down the drain after one group of people decided it was their right to share their awful views.

"In all my years," Vanessa sighed, shaking her head as Lucas muttered an 'ouch'. Her eyes caught his, preventing any further complaint as she pressed a bag of ice to his jaw where purple had begun to bloom under the skin. "I can not believe this has happened. A fight! In my diner, just what were you two thinking?"

Her thoughts hadn't mirrored her husband at all. Whilst Spencer had understood and accepted the matter, Mason knew they would hear her opinion whether they wanted to or not.

"They deserved it," Mason defended, gaining a dirty look as she once more shook her head. "They did!"

"I know they did!" Vanessa agreed, "but that doesn't mean you two start picking fights,"

"It won't happen again," Lucas promised, and she nodded, collecting the wrappers of the used bandages and clearing the first aid utilities from the table before she departed with a look of scorn.
The expression followed by the slight waddle the short woman had as she walked away gained a chuckle, and Mason relaxed as Lucas chorused his humour.

It was only when their eyes met, however, did an air of awkwardness suffocate them, making it difficult to breathe as they turned away, without any words to fill the void.
Despite still mentally referring to Lucas as his best friend, Mason hadn't earned the right to call him that until he apologised.

"I was an arse," he confessed as Lucas met his eyes.

"So was I," Lucas nodded in agreement, with apology marred into his expression.

"I shouldn't have spoken to you like that though, I am sorry," Mason expressed. "I should have just told you the truth,"

"You should have," Lucas acknowledged, "any normal person would have, yet you just cut us out. I had to hear from Taylor that your mum was sick,"

Taylor's mum worked as a nurse on one of the wards, and had Mason used any insight; he would have known his mother's hospitalisation would have spread through the town. He had been so out of it, though, he hadn't even realised Lucas was potentially aware.

"I am sorry," Mason apologised once more, removing the napkin with another wince and scrunching it up into a ball in his fist.

"I know," Lucas sighed, "I'm sorry too," And just like that, things were back to normal. There was no anger or hate, Lucas just understood him, and this is why it was integral Mason kept him in his life. Even though he was moving away in less than a year, he would always be his best friend. Distance and time wouldn't ever change that, and he would work hard to keep things that way.

"So, how is she anyway? Your mum, I mean?" Lucas asked as Mason explained what he knew.

" I went to see her for the first time today, she looked well, but her hand is going to take time; it's going to be tough,"

"She'll be alright," Lucas encouraged, "did she ask about me?"

"Pfft no," Mason chuckled, "she's still mad at you for burning her duvet set all those years ago,"

"Hey, you're the one that lit the candle!" Lucas reminded as they thought back to the memory. Almost a decade ago, the pair had decided to build a fort in Mason's garden, and Lucas had succeeded in tipping over the tea light,  destroying his mother's favourite sheets. Obviously, she hadn't known the pair had taken the blankets at the time, and she'd sent Lucas straight home and maintained a semi grudge ever since.

"I'm glad she's alright, though," Lucas concluded, gaining a small smile in return.

"So what about you? I didn't even see you come to the diner,"

"I just walked in," Lucas shrugged, "heard what that guy said, and all the anger I had for you went to him," he grumbled as Mason snickered, finding humour in the rugged appearance that Lucas now presented. It was such a rare sight, especially since his glasses were sat between them, currently attached by tape having been broken in the fight. "I suppose it was better to hit that arse than you," Lucas mused as Mason hummed his approval.

"Yeah, I think I'm going to need this face," he patted his cheeks, hinting at the conversation he'd shared with his mother, but Lucas failed to make the connection until he explained.  "My mum wants me to sing,"  he added, as the blonde raised his eyebrows in surprise and his lips stretched into a grin.

"That's unexpected," Lucas commented, his grin genuinely bright as Mason hummed in agreement. He couldn't quite meet his gaze and fathom the same excitement, knowing he wasn't quite ready to jump on his path just yet.

"Yeah," He sighed, choosing to provide further insight, "She also agreed that if I didn't want to race anymore, then I should be allowed to pursue any career that I'd like...It's just hard to believe that I can,"

"If you've been given the go-ahead, though...." Lucas hinted as Mason lowered his gaze, remembering the two other vital people he'd hurt during his phase of self-loathing.

"I don't think I can," Mason decided, "Not properly, not until I've spoken to Anya," The name of his lips caused an ache so deep, Mason would have preferred to have felt a thousand knives strike his chest then this pain. What he'd said to her was unforgivable, and the small sound Lucas made reiterated just how guilty he was for his actions.

"You hurt her, man," Lucas expressed, "She does well to hide it, and at school, you wouldn't have known the difference, but you broke her heart. Anya was there for you, and okay, we're close and best mates and all that, but she was your person. She loved you, and-"

"Did she tell you what happened?" Mason interrupted, and Lucas shook his head. He wasn't about to tell him either. They were words that should never have been spoken, and he didn't dare to expose the truth and be reprimanded by Lucas; he'd been doing a great task already of it, to himself.

"She just said that you were a git and that she didn't want to talk to you anymore," Lucas highlighted, and Mason nodded, hopping off the table and stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"Right, well now's a time better than any, to make up for it...do you think she'll forgive me?"

The wince he received in return told him all he needed to know. "You're going to need a bucket load of ice cream," Lucas added as they passed the bin to throw away their rubbish.

After another stern warning, followed by Vanessa's strong embrace, the pair were on their way to Mason's car, Lucas wanting to tag along whilst he went to see Anya. He'd momentarily said no, but when his best friend offered both moral support and a shield in case he needed someone to intervene, Mason realised he couldn't deny both valid claims.

They stopped at the local shopping centre and filled a basket with all of Anya's favourites before making their way to her apartment. Anxiety bubbled deep in his chest, and a glance at the corner shop confirmed that Uncle Naveer was working with Talia downstairs.

That would suggest Anya was upstairs alone, and thankfully, her window looked out to the small parking lot outside, so he could potentially see her outline through the net that frosted the view within.

"So, what are you going to say?" Lucas asked, and he leaned forward to verify she was home. The bag by his feet rustled by his movement, and it was a hint that they needed to be quick. The last thing Mason needed was to give melted ice cream as an offering.

"I have no clue," he confessed, his hands still leaning on the wheel as he attempted to calm his heart. His grip began to loosen from sweat, and he rubbed his hands against his jeans as he glanced back at the window, where movement could be seen.

"Well, you could start off with sorry," Lucas reminded, gaining a pointed look in return. He provided an apologetic smile, and Mason released his key, climbing out of the vehicle as Lucas mirrored his actions.
His best friend remained stationed outside, leaning against the Toyota, as Mason made his way to the door, the bag held tightly in his hand.

He pressed the bell and turned over his shoulder to see Lucas offer an encouraging smile.

"Who is it?" Anaya's voice rang out through the intercom, and after an awkward momentary pause, he revealed his name and heard her sigh in response.

"Anya, please," He added, but when the door didn't open, he realised she wasn't going to let him in that easily.
Still, Mason wasn't going to let things go either, and he strolled with determination, picking up a pebble from the ground and expertly throwing it at the window, replicating the successful act from the countless 80's movies he'd seen. He picked up another, but the window opened almost immediately, her face of fury terrifying but just as beautiful as her smile.

"Did you just throw a rock?" She demanded, and when he nodded, she breathed heavily, running a hand through her shorter locks. Mason hadn't noticed she'd even had her haircut, but since Anya liked to wear braids, it wouldn't have been easy to see.

"I just, I wanted to talk to you," he expressed before his thoughts ran away from him.

"And when you could pretty much tell that wasn't reciprocated, you decided to break my house?"

"I just wanted to apologise okay," Mason apologised, his heart swirling with mixed emotion. As pleased as he was to be sharing a conversation with the girl he loved, this was not at all what he had envisioned.  "I bought ice cream," he added, raising the bag, and for a moment, she pondered, squinting as if it would give her the power to see through the white plastic.

"Give me a second," She decided, and Mason released his shoulders from their tension as he turned over his shoulder, seeing Lucas express the hope he felt. He raised a thumb and turned back to the window, just in time to see Anya return with a bucket.

Mason didn't have a second to comprehend what was happening, and the ice-cold water suddenly soaked through his clothes, forcing a shudder to run down his spine as Lucas' laugh howled over the silence. He clamped his jaw shut the moment Mason glanced his way before he returned his gaze to the woman glaring from the window.

"Ice cream!" Anya yelled, placing down the bucket and crossing her arms, "How the hell did you think the ice cream was going to fix this!"

"Well, it's probably all ruined now," Mason shouted back, wiping the accumulated water from his brow. "I just wanted to talk to you.  I was a total arsehole, and I should never have allowed how I f-felt to affect our r-relationship. I was w-wrong...." He stammered as he began to feel the cold.

Anya pursed her lips in response; her eyes narrowed as she calculated her following words. Though her ice didn't melt, it seemed his apology was a start, and when she nodded, Mason hoped that she wasn't leaving to refill the bucket. His teeth were beginning to chatter, and when the buzz of the door sounded, Mason moved to the door, grateful to be enveloped in warmth, the moment he started to ascend the stairs, Lucas hot on his heels.

His shoes squelched with each step, and he glared once more when Lucas chuckled behind him. "You were supposed to be helping," Mason hissed as the blonde shrugged, biting his lips to hide his hysteria.

"You shouldn't have led with the ice cream," he expressed as they let themselves into the apartment.
Lucas immediately made himself at home, taking a seat on the couch, whilst Anya stared at the two, with her arms crossed.
Mason didn't feel as if he had the right to take a seat, and so he remained standing at the door, toeing off his shoes as he felt the water soak through to his socks.

Anya sighed and disappeared, only to return to a towel that she threw at him before taking a seat at the armchair. Now, his apology felt like an interrogation. She just needed a white cat, and the scene would have been the perfect replication from The Godfather, though Mason still feared her without it.

"I'm sorry for hurting you," He stated, though  refused to meet his gaze. "I should never have cut you out or said the things that I said-"

"You told me you didn't see a reason for us to be together because I was going back," Anya reminded as he flinched. "When you knew that was the case from the start and something we were preparing for, and yet you threw into my face as if it was my fault."

"I'm sorry-"

"You already said that!" Anya raised her voice, "but how does that fix things? If you hurt and push away everyone when things get hard, how will we ever be happy?"

"Because I...because losing you, losing all of you was the hardest thing that I've ever had to go through." His heart ached with truth as he forced eye contact. Her brown irises were glazed with unshed tears, and he released a shuddering breath, hating how awkward he felt, standing in front of his friends in an attempt to redeem himself. "I should never have used my problems as a means to hurt you, and I shouldn't have lashed out. I am so sorry," he sniffled, "and I know it doesn't mean anything until I can prove it, but please, can I have the chance?"

Her jaw hardened as she stared, folding her arms as he watched her thoughts wash over her expression. She sighed and ran a finger through her hair before leaning back into the chair.

The silence was excruciating, and as much as he resisted, Mason found himself moving to sit on the floor, resting his back on the wall. The white towel was wrapped around him and had stopped his jaw from bouncing due to the cold water, but it did nothing to stop the multiple sneezes he expelled.

Anya sighed once more, and Mason glanced her way. "What ice cream did you buy then?" She asked, and he crawled towards her with the bag, laying the boxes out on the oak coffee table.

"Erm flake Cornetto, Ben& Jerry's, the cookie dough and the brownie one, almond magnums...."

"Flippin heck Mason, did you empty the freezer?" She commented, helping herself to a cornetto. Lucas swiped a magnum, and only then did Mason remember his best friend had been there the whole time.

"I'll erm, put these away," he added, surprised that they hadn't melted or been affected by the water she had thrown. She nodded, and he gathered the boxes as he heard the pair whisper behind his back.
He wasn't expecting Anya to take him back, but he could at least determine this was progress.

"So erm, how's your mum?" She asked when he returned, taking a seat back on the floor. He didn't dare take a seat on the sofa, in case it would annoy her, and he was still damp. The floor was safe and thankfully carpeted, so it was by far the safer choice.

"She's getting better," Mason nodded, feeling his heart warm when she smiled with relief.

"Good, that's great to hear," she confirmed.

"I got into university," Anya added after a short silence, and his eyes widened, his smile genuine as he shared his joy.

"Oh, that's amazing! Not that I didn't think you would, but this is fantastic news! Where? Where did you get in?" He questioned, almost fearful to hear her response.

"Birmingham," Anya smiled as Mason felt his heart sink. It was one of the top universities in the country, and she'd certainly earned her place, but it was confirmation that Anya would be moving back home. "I got into Leeds too," She added, "and my interview at Sussex is in a couple of weeks,"

"Sussex?" He questioned, "that's erm, that's a great school too." His cheeks tightened with half a smile. Sussex was just around the corner; it could mean that Anya was staying. Mason didn't want to probe further, though, and when she didn't divulge into the details, Mason knew that was all she was going to expose.  "Any university would be lucky to have you, congratulations,"

"Thank you," Anya smiled, uncurling her legs from the chair as she placed her wrapper on the table. "And what about you? Have you decided anything?"

"I'm working on it," Mason confirmed, "and I guess I should get going." He moved to his feet and folded the towel, placing it at the edge of the table before stuffing his hands into his pockets, his stance awkward. "Lucas, did you need a lift home?" He turned to the blonde, who glanced at Anya before shaking his head.

"No, thank you, Anya and I have revision scheduled; we could start early?"

"Sounds good to me," She grinned as Mason met her eyes. He nodded in acknowledgement and turned, sliding on his shoes before slipping through the door and descending the stairs.

Though Anya hadn't offered her forgiveness, Mason could accept that it was going to take time. She deserved more than what he could offer, and he'd apologised. It was the first step of likely many, but he was determined to make things up to her as well as he could.

"Mason,"

It seemed as if only the first step was necessary, however, and when he turned, she skipped down the final steps and launched, holding him with her embrace. Mason immediately reciprocated her action, the smell of her coconut shampoo filling his nose as he gripped her tight.
"I don't...I can't forget what just happened," She expressed, her jaw digging into his shoulder as she spoke. "And it's going to take me time, but maybe...."

"You can forgive me?" He filled in with hope, and he felt her nod before she parted. It felt natural to cup her cheek, and she leaned into his warmth with a small smile.

"I already have," she sighed, "just don't become an utter arsehole ever again," she warned, and he nodded, pressing a kiss to her forehead, mentally vowing he wouldn't intentionally hurt her, ever again.

A.N.
Oh my goodness! I...sorry, let me just take a second to realise we are one chapter away to the end! One chapter!
I just wow, this story has been journey and a half, and this week we've celebrated 2k reads! I couldn't he happier and it truly is thanks to all of you guys.
I hope you enjoy the final chapter next week! But until then, feel free to share your thoughts and vote!
Love, Aamenah x
Song- Munn- Need You To Believe
(this song is perfect!!)