Everything keeps spiraling and I have no idea what to do about it. Annalisa’s rightfully pissed off, and Mason’s whole world just imploded. When I first arrived in King, Mason was really my first friend; he was the first person who kept putting effort into getting to know me, who went out of his way to talk to me. Then came Noah, Charlotte, Chase, Annalisa, Julian, and of course, Aiden, but Mason has always been my friend first and foremost, and ever since I found out about our parents, I feel like I’ve been letting him down. I’ve been a shitty friend, and the need to make it right consumes my brain until it’s all I can think about.

When I pull up to Mason’s house, I see his car sitting untouched in the driveway, and I sigh in relief. Using the tiny mirror in my visor, I attempt to tame my hair somewhat so I look like less of a disaster. There’s nothing I can do about my dull skin and dark circles, so I close the visor and steel all my courage as I walk up his driveway. I don’t see any other cars unless they’re in the garage. Is Brian home? Is Natalia? Has Mason confronted his dad? Does Natalia know? I left so fast this morning I didn’t get a chance to see Mom, but I’m sure she would’ve said something if her secret had come out.

I don’t bother texting Mason to let him know I’m here because I don’t want to give him the chance to avoid me. Instead, I knock on his door with as much confidence as I can before I lose my nerve. If Agent Dylan actually does relocate me, Mason’s last memory of me isn’t going to be that I kept a huge secret from him. No. He’s going to know that I was trying to do the right thing, and he’s going to know how much he means to me. I’ll be damned if I leave King with strained friendships all over the place, especially considering I love all my friends like I’ve never loved friends before.

The door opens to reveal Mason, who pauses when he sees me, a half-eaten Pop-Tart in his hand.

Before he can decide what to do, I blurt out, “I know I’m probably the last person you want to see but I’m here to say I’m really really sorry and I never meant to hurt you and I thought I was doing the right thing by not telling you, and please let me explain.”

It comes out in one big breath and Mason cocks an eyebrow at me. He stuffs the Pop-Tart in his mouth to finish it off, chewing slowly as he studies me. The silence makes me squirm. Before I can continue blurting the first thing that comes to my mind, he opens the door wider for me, gesturing for me to come in. My breath comes easier. That’s a good sign; that means he wants to talk.