𝓔𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓼𝓾𝓷𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓮
ʳᵉᵘⁿⁱᵒⁿˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴷᴵˢˢᴱˢ

Elena was lounging in her room, the soft glow of her bedside lamp illuminating the pages of her book.

The quiet of the evening was interrupted by the sudden ring of the doorbell. Startled, she glanced at the clock—it was a bit late for deliveries.

"I'll get it!" she called out, setting her book aside and hurrying downstairs.

She swung open the door, expecting to see a delivery person, but instead, there stood Mason, a familiar, warm smile on his face.

"Mason!" Elena exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise and delight.

Without hesitation, she stepped forward and enveloped him in a tight hug.

Mason chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around her, both of them swaying gently in the embrace.

"I missed you," Elena mumbled into his shoulder, her voice muffled but sincere.

Mason's smile widened, and he pulled back slightly to look at her, his hands resting on her shoulders.

"I missed you too," he replied, his voice warm.

They stood there for a moment, just enjoying the comfort of each other's presence.

Finally, Mason cleared his throat, a playful glint in his eyes. "I, uh, got you something," he said, reaching down to pick up a small basket he had set beside the door

. Elena raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "You did not!" she exclaimed, her excitement palpable. Mason laughed, handing her the basket.

"Open it," he urged, his eyes twinkling. Elena eagerly lifted the lid and gasped.

Inside, she found a jelly cat plushie, some of her favorite candies, a hoodie she had mentioned liking, and a tube of Rhode lip gloss she had been eyeing for weeks.

"Mason, this is amazing!" she exclaimed, her heart swelling with affection. "You remembered everything!" Mason shrugged, a modest smile on his face.

"You talk about these things," he said simply. "I listen." Elena's eyes softened, touched by his thoughtfulness.

She set the basket down and stepped closer to him. "You're incredible, you know that?" she said, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

Mason's expression grew serious, his gaze locking with " uh so I remember you mention the jelly cat the day of the fair like last year - and and the Rhode I had to get it cause your obsessed and ya know your favorite candy's -" he began, his tone earnest. "And the McKenna thing look   McKenna is my friend, but she'll never come close to what we have. You're my best friend, Elena. Always have been." Elena felt a surge of emotion at his words, her eyes welling up slightly.

Without thinking, she reached up and cupped his face, pulling him down to meet her lips in a gentle kiss.

Mason stiffened for a moment, surprised, but then relaxed, his hands finding their way to her waist, pulling her closer.

The kiss deepened, a silent confession of all the feelings they had both harbored but never voiced.

When they finally pulled away, both were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other.

Elena smiled softly, her hands still resting on his chest. "I think I've missed you more than I realized," she whispered. Mason chuckled, his arms wrapping around her in a comforting embrace.

"Same here," he murmured. "Same here "

— ETERNAL SUNSHINE —

THEY KISSED