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me.

An arm snaked around my shoulders and woke me. I didn’t know how long I’d been there, sleeping. I knew it was Mason without even looking up at him. He was the only one stupid enough to keep coming back.

“I’m pretty pathetic huh?” I asked him in a muffled voice.

“Just as pathetic as I am, which makes us even. I brought you some breakfast.”

I lifted my head and he shoved a brown paper bag at me. “Thanks.” I took it and pulled a muffin from the sack.

“You know, every time we end up here I find something else about that painting that I didn’t notice before.”

“Oh yeah?” I asked, forgetting about the hell night we’d had.

Mason stood and moved closer to the glass. “Her nails are bloody. It’s not just her eyes. Can you see it, just here?” He tapped at the window.

“What do you think that means?” I refused to budge.

“I’m not sure…it’s a mystery. Just as mysterious as you.” He loomed over me, staring directly into my eyes.

I stopped chewing my muffin and tossed it back into the bag. “I’m sorry about last night OK?”

He kneeled down to my level. “I haven’t ever been fully committed to anything that isn’t music or acting, I just can’t follow through. Yet, here I am…”

I decided to change the subject quickly. There was no way I wanted to talk commitment with him. “You mentioned a sister last night?”

He nodded.

“I had a sister once. She couldn’t paint but she loved whales.” I smiled slightly and turned my face to the cement.

“Had? As in past tense?”

My chest clenched. I could feel the familiar ache creeping back in. “Yeah, past tense.”

It was his turn to change the subject. “Hey, have you ever considered acting? I bet you would be good at it.”

I looked up, surprised. He was grinning and obviously making fun. “That was an asshole thing to say. I’m allergic to the entertainment business.”

There was no way I would act. Just the thought of it made me want to laugh out loud. It was absolutely ridiculous. Mason seemed to think I would be good at it but one look at me and I would be sent back out the door I’d shuffled through to begin with.

“You’re quiet,” Mason said, breaking the silence.

“I was thinking…wondering actually, why you put up with my shit, why you insist on helping me.”

His knuckles turned white as he made two perfect fists. “Have you ever felt invisible, Fallyn? Even though people see you every day?”

The question was not what I was expecting. “Um, well I know what you mean.” My voice cracked and I cringed, hoping he would continue.

“I feel that way, a lot. Like no one cares to know the real me. There was something about you and the way you just told me how it was that interested me. It sounds selfish, I know.” He glanced over at me but I just smiled.

“Guess I should be honest about something then…I’m not as tough as I look, Mason.”

“Doesn’t matter,” he said. “Being see through would be boring right? How would you ever find that one person who just got you despite all the garbage?”

He brought up a good point. “Is that why you enjoy acting so much? I mean there are infinite possibilities on people you could be.”

Rather than answer me, he pulled a folded, yellow sheet of paper from his back pocket and tossed it into my lap. I picked it up as if something was going to hop out and bite me.

“Just open it for Christ’s sake.” He was smiling which made me feel a little better.

“An audition? Why in the hell would you give me this?” I almost yelled.

“I think you can do it,” he admitted, running a hand through his messy hair. “If you get it, it’s quick money. If not, then you’re no worse off, right?”

He looked so excited, like a kid in a candy store, that I couldn’t say no. I would rather chew my own leg off than step in front of some arrogant, judgmental fucks but I didn’t want that genuine smile on Mason’s