*....I'll Never Admit How Much I've Missed You...*

[MALLORY TORRES]

[Mallory. Meet me at Bleeding Hearts at 7. <3 Veronica]

Mallory had read that message over and over since she got it...which was around one. Six hours seemed like six seconds since it had been over four years since she had actually seen Veronica. Veronica was like her baby sister and Mallory truly missed the Howard family, well except for Mason. She wasn't going to focus on Mason, nope. She'd focus on reminiscing with Veronica and inviting her to come stay at her condo, which was on massive clean up since her parents were due back in the next few weeks. Mallory needed this distraction,she had been so wrapped up in college, Rose/Guillermo Drama, and Seth who was not answering her phone calls, which was pissing her off more than normal. She felt the twang of jealous inside her, but it felt more like she was going to vomit than yell.

She calmed herself as she did a small turn in the lobby of her condo. There was a large mirror that allowed her to see herself fully and she looked...sexy. Well, Veronica hadn't seen Mallory in a while, so it was like a new first impression, right? Or was Mallory still thinking that because she was loaded she needed to flaunt it? Fuck it, it was too late to change out of her OUTFIT! Her white pea coat was opened to expose the pastel purple dress, so she knew that she was looking good. Clean and Gorgeous. No one could tell her otherwise. Mallory was in the mood for enjoying the ride, so she called for the condominium's limo service to take her to Bleeding Hearts. She slid into the limo wearing a rather large goofy smile.

The ride to the restaurant was smooth, but Mallory felt nervous and anxious at the same time. What if Veronica didn't find Mallory pretty anymore? What if Mason decided to show up? Mallory literally laughed a loud at the latter thought as she climbed out the limo and made her way to the front door. The restaurant was cute with a French theme, very sophisticated. Veronica had done her research. Mallory told the girl at the front desk that the reservation was under Veronica and the waitress smiled and told her to follow her. Mallory was led to the 'couples' section which was dimly lite and smelt of roses and a light hint of strawberries. Mallory was curious, but simply shrugged it off as nothing and took her seat with out question. She took her pea coat off and draped it over the back of the chair before ordering her normal drink. Water with a lemon. She was scanning over the menu when her guest arrived and to her dismay it wasn't Veronica. No... It was much much worse.

[MASON HOWARD]

[Mason, we're having dinner tonight. Bleeding Hearts at 7, your treat. Remember you owe me one. (: -your favorite sister]

God, he fucking hated those text messages. The ones that just demanded he meet her someplace with no explanation and only one of those retarded little smiley faces to prove she was actually as bitchy as the text made her seem. And then she wondered why he never visited. Still, he'd show up. He'd show up because Veronica was his baby sister and he'd promised to take her out one day and if because if he didn't, his parents would hear about it and still manage to punish him even if he was living in his own goddamn apartment. It was actually amazing, how the little devil managed to weasel her way into thing like this and not get caught once. Of course, Mason knew what the answer was: blackmail. The "Could you buy me those shoes? You know, or I'll tell Mom and Dad you slept with that senator's daughter and called her fat halfway through it, 'cause that's what her little sister told me," kind.

This time, though, there would be nothing for her to complain about. He'd make sure of it. Mason left his condo early, taking the Porsche because he didn't feel like calling for the limo; the driver annoyed teh fucking hell out of him. Never stopped talking, even when Mason threatened not to pay the fare.

Dressed in a partially unbuttoned dark navy shirt and the usual obnoxiously well-tailored dress pants, Mason was--for lack of a better phrase--not overly thrilled as he parked the car and made his was into the restaurant. So what if it was one of his favorites in all of New York? He was not in the mood to have dinner here with his sister, of all people. Honestly, he couldn't think of a worse person to eat with. All she ever talked about was Mallory Torres, and how they'd texted this and that since they'd moved back to New York and how she hoped to meet up with her soon because really she missed her ever so much and Mom and Dad did too, and oh Mason, you should really lighten up about the whole thing and stop acting like such a dipshit about her all the time. There was no other word to describe Veronica than annoying. Irksome, maybe. But just tolerable enough to have dinner with, so long as it meant no tattling for the week.

Upon entering the establishment, Mason flashed the hostess one of his more impressive smirk-smiles before offering up the name "Veronica" for the reservation. She smiled and nodded as she led him away from the more well-lit area of the place and to the couples section...the exact sort of place he didn't want to be seen with his seventeen year-old sister. In fact, he was just about to open his mouth and suggest the waitress move them to another location when he saw exactly who was sitting at the table he'd been led to. The girl--woman-- was certainly not Veronica.

A muscle in Mason's jaw actually twitched. "I wasn't aware you'd changed your name," he spoke curtly, tone ice cold as he suppressed the sudden urge to look Mallory Torres up and down. "I could've sworn I was supposed to be eating with my sister," Mason stood stock still, making no move to sit down although his hand was clenched around the back of the chair.

[MALLORY TORRES]

Mallory felt it. It was sudden, yet so dominant. It was that feeling of longing for something for so long, seeing the said person/thing, and the joy that filled you and made you want to smile, but no. Mason Howard wasn't going to get that from Mallory, not in a long shot. Her eyes were soft, but her stare was cold and distant. Threatening, almost. She did not want Mason thrust at her, and she'd remove herself from the situation. Yeah, she'd leave without giving him a side glance, but she spoke. His voice like a dull blade stabbing her in her heart and with each word, each syllable the blade twisted and Mallory felt it. It was powerful and she felt like crying. He had gained control in a matter of moments, yet he didn't know this. He didn't know how much she still cared for her Mase. She spent her sophomore year in an almost comatose state while the world continued to spin, she was stuck. Frozen in the moment that he left her cold and alone. However, she grew stronger and she protected herself from being hurt like that again, and she vowed to never let a guy do that to her.

"I wasn't aware you'd changed your name. I could've sworn I was supposed to be eating with my sister."


Mallory swallowed the lump in her throat back before speaking, "Mase...?" She stated bitterly as she stood up with her eyes fixed on him. Analyzing his every movement while her body was rigid and unmoving, even though it screamed for her to embrace him. She felt her walls practically melting away by just being here with him. "Veronica told me that I'd be meeting her here, if I knew yo--" She stopped and looked down at her feet not wanting to finish her statement. Instead, she slid back into her seat and ran a hand through her hair, sighing a bit agitated and flustered. "Can you please sit down? I haven't seen you in a little over four years, so I think we can catch up...right." Her question was a demand, that she hoped her listen to if only to give her more time here with him.

He had definitely grown more since the end of 9th grade, and he obviously changed more than just physically. The way he spoke to her seemed much more harsh, as if he was mad at her for something. But, He left her. He caused her to become the person she is now. He abandoned her and lied to her. The only guy that she had ever truly trusted more than any female in her life had used her and just dropped her. Left her shattered, heartbroken, in New York City, while he escaped to California. She felt it again. The twang of sadness pulling at her heart as her gaze stay on his.

[MASON HOWARD]

If Veronica honestly thought she was getting away with this...well, she was obviously out of her goddamn mind. The minute he saw Mallory, of course, something inside him clenched. Just between his stomach and his chest, and it jarred him; nerves. He actually bit his tongue to keep from cursing aloud. What had Veronica been thinking? That the minute he saw her again he'd feel his heart drop and his palms begin to think about sweating and he'd want to run up and give her a hug right then and there? Because that was certainly not happening. Not under any circumstances. Especially not now.

No, Mason was nothing but calm as he surveyed the girl across the table. Not a trace of the momentary urge to smile flickered across his face. After years of practice, even his eyes could remain ice cold, with only the faintest flicker of anything but stoney apathy behind them. As she spoke his name, however, Mason couldn't help but react. Hating the way he swallowed a bit harder than usual upon hearing that nickname--No one called him that anymore. Didn't she know that?--Mason made up for it by tensing even further; as if it wasn't obvious enough that she had touched a nerve. They weren't fifteen anymore.

Mason watched as Mallory stood up, suddenly unable to resist giving her a once-over. And she looked good, there was no denying it. Different from high school. Definitely better. A lot better. Placing his tongue in his cheek, Mason raised his eyebrows a bit as his gaze lingered somewhere around her chest for a halfsecond longer than it should have. "Did she...?" his eyes flickered back up to hers, tone slightly skeptical. This was it. As if there had been any doubt before, Veronica's fate was now sealed.

Mason sat stiffly upon her request, his movements clearly screaming just how much he didn't want to be here. Not that he could back out now; it was too late, and he'd just look stupid, which was most certainly not how he wanted to look around his ex-girlfriend. "Yeah, of course," there wasn't even a twinge of eagerness in his voice. He ran his fingers once through his hair before flipping open the menu, speaking softly as he scanned its pages. "Except, you know, if I'd wanted to catch up I would have called..." So he was being a bit harsh. Rude, even. But it was necessary; he didn't want to talk to her, didn't want to have anything to do with her. And it was also perfectly true--if he'd wanted to talk, he could have called. God knew Veronica had her number.

Clearing his throat, Mason finally looked up from the menu with an absent-minded sort of stare. "But since we're here...How've you been?" Not that he cared. Honestly, he didn't give a shit about what Mallory had been up to over the past four years. He really didn't.

[MALLORY TORRES]

Cruel. That's how God was when it came to Mallory's life. God's darker humor seemed to shine when it came to her life from hitting her best friend with her car to this which was way worse than anything else. He was teasing her, taunting her with someone that didn't want her anymore, but she wanted more now that he was back. Yeah, she had Seth, who was absolutely amazing, but Mason, the old Mase, was someone that she had fallen in lo-- She felt her throat clench up at the thought of that four letter 'L' word.

"Did she...?"

They way he looked at Mallory almost made her collapse. His eyes were so... they were Mallory's favorite thing about Mason. Except for...her eyes drifted to his crotch, but she adverted them to the table in front of her. She found the salt shaker quite intriguing, until she noticed Mason actually sitting down. Wait.. NO.. he was supposed to leave like a gentleman---Wait, this was Mason. He apparently wasn't a gentleman anymore.

"Yeah, of course. Except, you know, if I'd wanted to catch up I would have called..."

There was the dull knife again and Mallory slid her hand up and rubbed where the pain was. It was a casual movement, subtle, yet to Mallory is helped ease some of the pain that was mostly emotional, but her mind was registering it as physical pain. She didn't like this at all. The way he was so mean...so cold.. He had completely erased Mase. What had happened to him? She wanted so speak, but he cut her off.

"But since we're here...How've you been?"

Mallory glanced at the menu before her mind could register her words, they just blurted out, "I missed you." She squeaked a bit, shifted a bit in her seat, but no matter how much she wanted to look up, she kept her gaze on the words of the menu. She had just admitted something that she wanted to keep locked up. Fuck Emotions! "Well, you know, mostly Veronica and your parents." She quickly added trying to be casual as she found what she wanted and leaned back in her seat crossing her arms and legs. "Well, I've been fantastic, though. After y'all left things with my parents only got sooo much better, then in high school. I ran that place. I've had my fair share of 'fun' times after 9th grade though."

[/b] Mallory's voice was calm, smooth even though her insides were churned and knotting up.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[MASON HOWARD]

Was she staring at his--? No. No, it couldn't be that. She'd just been looking at the salt shaker, that was all. To think anything else would be beyond ridiculous. Amusing, but stupid. Even so, he couldn't help but smirk a bit at the thought as his eyes quickly snapped away from her person. What did he care what she looked like? The fact that she'd clearly been blessed by puberty in more ways than he could count didn't matter at all to him. Not one bit. She looked great; so did he. End of story.

Mason couldn't help it; he actually flinched at her words. Letting out the breath he'd apparently been holding (since when? Why the hell hadn't he been aware of this?), Mason shot Mallory a look that was somewhere between a glare and pure surprise. Miraculously, he resisted the sudden, near-uncontrollable urge to say "I missed you too," and instead simply nodded. "Makes sense. They've missed you as well; I mean, Veronica never shuts up..." He sort of bit his tongue on that one, just in time to stop the "She's always telling me how you're doing," from coming forward. Jesus, these were closer calls than they needed to be.

He closed the menu with a snap, a good two minutes after making his decision. That way he didn't have to look at her. Although his face showed no betrayal of emotion, Mason's insides were churning. Not about her parents, or even about her running the school--hell, that almost made him want to smile--but about the "fun times" bit. And in all honesty, there was no reason for it. They'd gone their seperate ways a long time ago, and what happened happened--it was inevitable, really, with the way she'd turned out looking....No. No, he wasn't going to think of that. So instead, he chuckled. A smirk accompanied the noise and he leaned backwards in his seat as well, stretching his legs out under the table until--shit. Was that her foot? His eyes snapped open a bit wider as he shifted backwards in his seat before responding. "I bet you did," he reached forward to take a sip from the glass of water resting on the table, licking his lips a little bit as he set it back down. "It's sort of impossible not to, isn't it? I mean, at least it was for me...Have 'fun' and all that. It gets a bit..What's the word?...intoxicating after a while, I think."

[MALLORY TORRES]

Mallory was distracted and didn't notice his flinch to her words and it was a good thing. The look that he gave her would have made her die or confess true emotions and that couldn't happen. She waited for him to respond and when he did she felt relief and a bit of sadness.

"Makes sense. They've missed you as well; I mean, Veronica never shuts up..."

As he told her that the family missed her she smiled a bit, but then he cut his sentence off abruptly and that was curious indeed. She glanced up at him and wanted to inquire about it more, but she let it drop. New Mason wasn't going to let her get her way with a bat of her eyelashes and an innocent smile. When they were kids she only had to put on her puppy dog eyes and he'd break and give her his last cookie or pudding cup. Those were the days, but now... They sat here tense and awkward. Mallory was fearful as to not say something regrettable.

Mallory jumped a bit when Mason closed his menu as if he was mad at it... or her, whichever. But then he chuckled.It lacked real amusement, as if he was mocking her words. Her nasty, slutty words that were meant to make her sound more promiscuous than intended. Then she felt his leg brush against her foot, so she simply adjusted so that they were not touching.

"I bet you did,"

Mallory watched him carefully. She was loved how smooth and collected he was now. His movements precise and unwavering as if he was a perfect operating machine without flaw. The way he licked his lips made Mallory bite her lower lip and a soft moan escaped her lips.

"It's sort of impossible not to, isn't it? I mean, at least it was for me...Have 'fun' and all that. It gets a bit..What's the word?...intoxicating after a while, I think."

She agreed with his words, but she wasn't going to admit it. "Well, it gets boring after a while. God, it has been sooo long since I've had fun. It's a bit depressing actually....Guess I haven't found anyone else worth my time." she stated cooly as she noticed the waitress headed their way. She ordered a cranberry salad with raspberry vingerette, and the waitress looked to Mason. The waitress was oogling and Mallory was pissed. Her jaw clenched up tight.

[MASON HOWARD]

Of course Mason knew she was watching him. He always knew when the girls were watching him; it had become like a sixth sense, at this point. And this time, that sense told him he was winning. Winning at "It"; whatever that game was people got involved in the minute they set foot anywhere near an ex. It was one Mason was only moderately familiar with, but a champion at all the same. And how could he not be? There had hardly been a time in his life when he wasn't blessed with having the upper hand, if one excluded the years before he'd befriended Mallory...which he certainly did. They were of no consequence and no benefit to anybody. Just about as meaningful as a single brick in an entire pathway.

Mason frowned the smallest bit at Mallory's confession about having fun; it was a pity sort of frown, however. The sort of look one might give a three legged dog or a bird with a broken wing. For a moment he half wanted to click his tongue at her, but refrained from doing so on the grounds that it was probably overkill. Subtlety always worked best. "Boring?" he scoffed lightly at the mere idea. "Hardly. Now that's depressing, succumbing to boredom like that. Who gives a fuck if they're worth your time, anyway? That's the whole point of fun: it doesn't matter."

Seeing the sudden appearance of the waitress as a wonderful teaching and showing up moment, Mason made sure to flash her his most charming smile, although only after offering Mallory a small wink. "Listen, Lizzy," his glance at her nametag was lightning fast, virtually unnoticable to the girl standing in front of him, whose eyes never left his lips. The sudden creation of a nickname was quick, efficiant, an immediate indication of the chemistry he obviously felt between them. "I know you probably get those special orders a lot, and I can only imagine what a pain in the ass they are, so I really am sorry to have to ask you this, but do you think you might be able to add a few truffes to the pâté de foie gras? Don't worry, I can cover the extra," he interrupted her before she had to explain just how much money he was adding on to his already outrageously expensive dinner. She smiled a bit, giggling softly at his obnoxiously well-pronounced French (gained from dining at countless such restaurants) before jotting down the order and turning to walk away. Of course, Mason made sure to let her know he was checking her out before turing back to Mallory. He shrugged, giving her a "Sorry, it's habit," kind of look that very much lacked any sort of apology as he settled back into his seat, satisfied with himself thusfar.

[MALLORY TORRES]

Mallory didn't like the way he frowned at her. It was as if he was pitying her or something. She didn't need his pity. Fuck that Noise. If he needed to pity himself and the way that he acted would leave him alone. She pitied him for acting like he was superior to her when in reality they were on the same page. Well, sort of. Years prior she was the only one willing to defend him, which may not have been good, but everyone needs a friend. Especially, Mason, but this guy who looked like Mase was not going to get a friend... not in Mallory at least. She'd play polite and civil, but she'd never let him in again. Nope, Never ever.

"Boring? Hardly. Now that's depressing, succumbing to boredom like that. Who gives a fuck if they're worth your time, anyway? That's the whole point of fun: it doesn't matter."

Mallory was disgusted with Mason's words, even though they were true. Mallory operated on that motto, but hearing it from Mason's lips made her cringe away as if he was wearing a Scarlet A on his clothes announcing his whoreish ways. Mallory was at least a bit discreet about her 'adventures.' "It's all about being Classy, Mason. You know, something that you seemed to have left behind." Mallory shot him an accusing glare.

Then came the waitress. The tramp was throwing herself at Mason like she was the next best lay in New York City. His smile came first, it sent both the girls on edge, except Mallory was controlled... Always in control. His wink made Mallory grow numb and she felt dizzy and confused. Then he spoke and Mallory had to close her eyes but that left her imagination to roam. His french was impeccable, so seductive and alluring. When he finished, Mallory felt a chill run down her spine as she opened her eyes. However, two could play at that game.

"Right. Lack of Class. Point Proven." Mallory stated bluntly as a male waiter passed their table. "Excusez-moi monsieur." She called out in her sweet voice, her French matched Mason's. The waiter turned and greeted her with a warming smile. "Pourriez-vous éventuellement aider une jeune fille de sortir? Je suis dans le besoin de quelque chose de lourd sur l'alcool, mais il me semblait avoir quitté mon id dans ma voiture." Her voice laced with a honey-sweet twang as the words escaped her lips. The waiter looked a bit starstruck, but smiled and nodded. He returned with a bottle of Chateau Pavie and a single glass half full. He smiled and set it down in front of Mallory, while she thanked him with a slight nod. Her eyes fell back on Mason as she took a sip from her glass.

[MASON HOWARD]

Mason watched, tongue placed lightly in his cheek, as Mallory flinched away at his words. Good. That meant they were doing their job. Expression bored as she threw out what was apparently supposed to be an insult, Mason allowed for a small smirk to play at the corners of his lips before responding. "Aww, come on, Mal," he spoke softly, but there was no tenderness in his voice. "Don't you think it's a little early to judge that sort of thing? No need to be so cruel," he said the last word as if it was a joke, like he didn't really care what she thought of him that this point. Or ever, really. He didn't give a rat's ass about Mallory any more.

Gauging Mallory's reaction to his obviously successful attempt at impressing the waitress was all too easy. "Oh, so now it's tacky to be friendly and polite? Goodness me, it seems I'm doomed," there was no emotion in his voice save the false astonisment he so cleverly laced there, yet another product of the long-drawn out battle towards apathy. But honestly...Was she trying to one-up him? Really? He was half ready to let out another small laugh as she waved the waiter over to the table, but instead merely watched the whole thing with raised brows. And well, he had to admit, she was good. Had he been as outrageously thickheaded as the server, there was no doubt he would have fallen for her schemes as well. People really were idiotic.

Now if only he had something to--ah ha! Mason's smile was back on his face as he sat up a bit straighter, silently beckoning that Elizabeth girl over for a second time. God knew she wanted it; the girl had already walked past their table three times in the past ten minutes--not once had he looked her in the eyes, but the moment he did, she practically came running. It was all too easy. Mason took another glance at Mallory before motioning for the girl to lean in closer with her newfound nickname, so that he was practically whispering in her ear. "Écoute, mon peu chou, je suis très désolé de peine, vous avez encore une fois, mais je ne vous crois que vous avez peut-être me faire un plus de faveur? Juste une petite chose, je vous promets qu'il sera utile de votre temps," he licked his lips again, just slightly, and leaned in even closer before continuing in more French.

Minutes later, the deal was sealed. The waitress returned with a bottle of Pétrus and another glass was filled, this time placed in front of Mason. "Merci," he made sure to brush his hand with hers as she placed the glass on the table. Once she'd quite finished lingering (really, Mason hated that sort of thing), he turned back to Mallory with the glass in his and raised, clearly as a toast. "Inattendue de retrouvailles," he smiled, but it did not reach his eyes.

[MALLORY TORRES]

She was growing impatient with Mason which was odd. She had truly missed him, but now that he was back the only thing that she wanted more than for him to smile...like genuinely, was for him to leave. She'd help pack his things if that was the case, but as much as she wanted him back over those four years, she couldn't handle this side of him. What was wrong with him? Had she become this cold and unattached to true feelings? No. Fuck No. Even if she had, she grew up and changed herself with assistance from her true friends... Rose... Jeny... Guillermo... Seth.

She wasn't cruel... not anymore. She moved on from that part of her, even if it reared it's nasty head, Mallory stayed as strong as she could against it. "I am not cruel, Mason. "She voice cracking from the usual smoothness, "You have not shown me any other side, but this one. " She stated harshly, with venom seemingly laced in her words. He was fading from her heart. Everything that she missed most about him was being swallowed by everything that she is seeing now. Vain. Cold. Mean.

His sarcasm made Mallory despise him more, but she played a game that she was good at. Her eyes watched his reaction, but he didn't seem phased. Aside from his obnoxiously crooked smile, he was utterly unmoved. Then he did it again. He had to be better than her... She had somehow become his competition. Fuck the days when they were a team. Those were the days she held on to the most, but he seemed to have lost them. Mallory was so beyond pissed that his French, divine and elogant, did little to her. Her eyes were slits and her jaw locked as she watched him.

That was the final straw. She was done with him. "Pourrir en enfer. " She stated as she stood up with her jacket and clutch in hand, and slapped the hell out of him. She was merciless and hurt. The dull knife had done it's job and successfully left Mallory wounded. She felt tears start to fall as she stormed away from Mason. The only person that she assumed she could trust, but he had proven otherwise. Mallory approached the front counter and spoke quickly, "I'll get mine to go please. Wrap the wine up. I'll pay credit. Thanks. " Her dramatic exit was cut off when the machine went on the fritz. She kept wiping her tears away and resisted every urge to look back at Mason.

[MASON HOWARD]

"This is me, Mal," Mason shrugged slightly, eyes level with her the whole time he spoke. "And it's not cruel, it's called growing up. If you don't like it, well," he hesitated for a split second, but miraculously resisted the urge to look away from her. "That's not really my problem, is it?" It was true. He hadn't invited her to have dinner with him--hell, he hadn't planned on ever seeing her again--and was therefore under no obligation to impress her in the slightest.

Well now, she looked angry. Mason was just about to ask what exactly was wrong with her (just to tweak another nerve, naturally) when Mallory spoke. So instead, he did the next best thing: he laughed. He watched as Mallory stood, not quite comprehending what it was she was doing until her palm actually made contact with his cheek. Mason's head whipped to the side as she slapped him, the arrogant smirk instantly wiped off his face. "Fuck," he hissed under his breath, shaking his head as he rubbed the stinging section of his cheek. "What the hell are you looking at?" he snapped at one of the many couples staring his way.

Still massaging his face, Mason turned to look towards where Mallory was spluttering something about taking her meal to go. And, for whatever reason, seeing her cry like that didn't feel half as good as he'd thought it might. It was a bit alarming, really. Mason stood up from the table slowly, dropping his hand from his face as he pushed his chair in, making his way towards the counter where Mallory was apparently trying to make some sort of dramatic exit. He glanced at her only once, noting the tears on her face, before pulling out his wallet and turning towards the woman behind the counter. "Look, ignore her. Here, we'll both take it to go," he smiled as he handed her the credit card, suddenly a bit grateful for the dim lighting--his cheek still stung like hell. "If it's not too much trouble, that is. Wouldn't want to make your life difficult or anything..." he trailed off, glancing down at the malfunctioning machine before meeting the girl behind the counter's eyes. Slowly, and without any objection from the doe-eyed hostess, Mason reached down to pluck Mallory's card from the counter before handing it back to her. He didn't look away from the hostess (now happily punching Mason's card information into the machine) as he spoke to Mallory"Here. Put this away."

[MALLORY TORRES]

Mallory felt is brimming up inside of her as he spoke. He was only making things worse, but she felt like he didn't care. From the way he spoke and the casual shrug as if life was just great without Mallory in it. How in the hell did he do this to her? Made her feel all these emotions. Hate. Anger. Joy. Sorrow. Excitement. Love. Wait, what did he just ask? Did he just really ask that it wasn't his problem if she didn't like the 'new' grown up him? Oh. That spark at ignited the flame inside of Mallory. Her angry had consumed all the other emotions that she was feeling. Her actions weren't premeditated, well not until she heard his laugh.

When she slapped him, it felt so amazing. Almost rejuvenating, but then the sorrow set in, the guilt was creeping up on her. She tried her damnedest to look tough, hell she even have a commanding tone when speaking to the cashier. Her words didn't crack, but each time she sniffed back the tears, she felt her willpower to bitch diminish. Then she saw Mason out of the corner of her eye. He was coming this way.

*Mallory. Let me help you. Please.* This was the first time Dorothy had spoken to Mallory since they saw that the Tinman had awakened. Dorothy's voice had changed and it made Mallory feel uneasy, but she accepted silently. Dorothy sort of 'possessed' Mallory's body.

Dorothy was a changed girl now that she had been locked inside of Mallory for nineteen years. Dorothy started out sweet, innocent, but Mallory introduced the young girl to a world of truth. Possibilities. Sexy Men. However, Mason had always been a 'file' in Mallory's mind that Dorothy never got to sift through. He was new territory, but Dorothy was ready to play.

Dorothy glared at the cashier who was ogling over Mason, but bit back the words that Mallory would say. "Mason, take me home." Dorothy looked up at Mason teasingly, and grabbed Mason's wrist trying to pull him out the restaurant. Hopefully, Mason grabbed the food and his credit card in time, if not, well that was too bad. Dorothy pulled him out the door and pushed him up against the wall, her eyes staying focused on his. "I am sorry for slapping you. I want you." Dorothy tried looking seductive, but something was off. Her natural innocence seemed to be holding her back. She tried pressing her body onto his to maybe get something going.

[MASON HOWARD]

"Thanks so much, sweetheart," Mason gave the cashier a small wink as she finished up the transaction, loving the way her cheeks flushed at his words. God, this was alwaysa too easy. And Mallory hadn't even said anything. The way things had been going so far, Mason had half expected her to try to push him out of the way or something, try to convince the girl behind the counter to let her pay for her own meal. Not that he minded. It only meant he'd really won--it wasn't like he couldn't afford to pay for her food as well.

It was then, just as he was about to compliment the hostess--named Kristen, he'd noticed--on her "beautiful eyes", that Mallory spoke. In truth, it actually took him a second to fully comprehend that it was her speaking, despite the fact that he would still be able to recognize her voice in a crowded room filled with blasting music and yelling children. Mason started, turning to give her a semi-questioning look, silently inquiring as to why she wasn't trying to push him as far away from her as possible. The whole thing caught him off guard, and before he could get out more than a nod and an "Of course," she'd grabbed his hand and begun yanking him away from the counter.

Mason had just enough time to grab his credit card and stuff it back into the wallet before he was dragged completely out the door. "What're you? Insane?!" he hissed at her, trying to wrench his hand out of her grip. Didn't she know he'd just left about seventy dollars worth of food in there? Before he could fully form a protest, however, Mason found his back slammed rather uncermoniously against the wall of the restaurant.

She was looking straight at him. When was the last time she'd looked at him like that? Really looked at him like that? Mason didn't eve know, it seemed like forever ago. And yet, there was something different about her stare, something...unfamiliar, and not just from so much time apart. "You're...sorry for slapping me?" he repeated a bit stupidly, suddenly feeling like he was fifteen again for whatever strange reason. It had to stop. And what the hell was she doing, anyway? She wanted him? No, no, this was not the same Mallory he'd been competing against not fifteen minutes ago. Hell, this wasn't even the same Mallory he'd known four years ago. Mason had no idea who this girl was that "wanted" him, but...well, she definitely looked a hell of a lot like Mal and he supposed that would have to do.

Before the other part of his mind had time time to protest, Mason was leaning down towards her as she pressed herself up against him. His hands found her waist and he kissed her, Mallory Torres, for the first time in four years.


ooc: I'M SORRY THIS SUCKS SO HARD. But...YOU HAVE A POST. SOO...BE HAPPY. xD

[MALLORY TORRES]

When he accepted her 'offer' for him to bring her home, she(Dorothy) finally felt superior and in control. Mallory was too strong for Dorothy to be in the lead, per sa, but this... This was what it felt like to be a queen. The way that Mallory looked and the way that Mallory just made herself known when entering a room had always been the two things that Dorothy craved and here she was experiencing it. It filled her with so much adrenaline that she felt invincible and almost unstoppable. She could not understand why Mallory sometimes cried at night or why Mallory liked being alone more than being surrounded by people that had all eyes on her. Mallory had lost Mason four years prior, but now Dorothy would get him crawling back to her. If Mallory didn't approve then oh well, Dorothy would be more than happy to deal with the piece of male flesh that she had slammed up against the wall. His face seemed bewildered and dazed, but Dorothy felt like she had him under her spell. That he'd bend to her will no matter what she requested of him. She only wished that she had been given the chance to look through Mallory's memories of Mason.

"You're...sorry for slapping me?"

Had she stuttered? Jeezum this boy was thickheaded if he was not jumping on the chance to sleep with the hottest nineteen year old in New York City. So sue did what she thought Mallory would and used her body was a weapon. She was on him, pressed against his body with her hands grabbing his shirt, but she didn't expect him to act on anything, well not this quickly. His lips were on hers and they were so soft and delicious. God molded those lips to fit perfectly with hers. She tried to kiss him back, but her attempt was horrendous. It wasn't as passionate and full of lust, and it lack the true Mallory charm. Fuck! He'd notice...right? Maybe not. It had been a while that they kissed And Dorothy could blame it on him. Flip it so that he was the bad kisser. Back to reality though.

The kiss ended as Dorothy pushed away from Mason, yet tugged him along. "Where'd you park?" she asked with a wink as she glanced around, but that's when it happened. A phone call that made Dorothy jumP a bit before answering it. "Do--Mallory speaking." her voice prim and inviting. Dorothy's mouth gapped open a bit at the sound of Mallory's Mother's voice requesting that she get home before their arrival back at the condo. " yes Mom. Of course." she responded which sounded so foreign that even Mallory's mom asked if she was feeling well. "We gotta go." she told Mason as she closed her phone.


Will make pretty later!!