Quarantine High

Mason

Claire Lloyd-Smith isn't for me

She's St. Charles Academy

I'm Cedar Ridge High

She'll inherit an empire

I'll work construction

Our worlds couldn't be more different

But now the world is falling apart

Mason took a step forward so he was right in front of her, blocking out her view. “Look at me, Fifth.”

Unwillingly, Claire shifted her gaze up to meet his dark one. 

He studied her carefully. Eased back a millimeter. “You don’t have to be afraid of me.”

“I’m not afraid of you,” she lied, hating how small and powerless she sounded. “I came here alone, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did,” Mason tapped the small vial of Hydroxy against his lips. “And I can only think of one reason why you wanted to get me alone in the woods.”

Claire gaped up at him. Everything she could think of to say ended in a sputter as a familiar combination of confusion and heat swept through her. How did he always manage to make her feel like this? Why did their interactions always end up with her wondering what he meant by something and him laughing softly while she tried to figure it out?

“I can only think of one reason too,” she finally got out, pushing aside everything else and focusing on that small bottle glinting next to his white teeth. “The Hydroxy.”

Mason’s laugh was quick and surprised, and it broke the sensation of uncomfortable intimacy that had wrapped around them. He looked at the vial as though he’d forgotten he was holding it, then held it out. This time when she reached for it, he let her take it.

Claire wrapped her fingers around the small bottle, relief washing through her. She hadn’t let herself think about what she would have to do if Mason didn’t give it to her. Now a multitude of terrible fates she’d barely avoided flooded her imagination. “Thank you,” she breathed, her previous irritation forgotten. She lifted her gaze to his so he could see how fervently she meant it. “If there’s ever anything you need…”

Mason was looking back at her strangely. At her words, his eyes shuttered and the corner of his mouth twisted. “Be careful what you offer, Claire,” he said, his voice unreadable. “People might try to take you up on it.”

Claire

I used to be afraid of Mason Leary

Then I learned what fear really was

It's watching a virus devour the world

One adult at a time

It's finding yourself stranded

No adults, no society, no help

No one is coming to save me

...except maybe him