Invisible

Invisible Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Up to Something

(Olivia)

Walking up to Mason after my last class, I scan the crowd for Robin. Mason didn’t say much after lunch about how his conversation with her went. I’m curious to know if he got any more details out of her.

“So, you never really told me what Robin said,” I start. “You were pretty quiet this afternoon. Was everything okay?”

Mason looks over at me with a strange expression. “Things are fine with Robin. I just apologized for making her feel bad. She said it was okay. We went our separate ways.”

“So what’s wrong?”

His shrug doesn’t say much, but he is clearly upset about something. I try not to be obnoxious and pry it out of him. It’s not easy. With everything he’s been going through lately, I worry that it will become too much at some point.

When we get to the Jeep, I try again. “Are you worried that Robin will cause problems for you?”

Like she apparently did for Eliana.

“Why were you talking to Hayden?” Mason asks, dodging my question.

The strange sense of embarrassment that spreads through my chest catches me off guard. “I don’t know,” I say with a shrug.

“What did he want?”

“He asked me if I wanted to see a movie sometime.”

I look over at Mason and am surprised by his sour expression. I didn’t even realize he had seen me with Hayden. I know he doesn’t like him much, but the way his fingers curl into fists seems a little intense. What is going on with him?

“What did you tell him?” Mason demands.

Shaking my head, I say, “I said maybe.”

Mason’s shoulders drop. I don’t know what I expect him to do, but I’m startled when he jumps out of the Jeep and announces he’s going to walk home. The door slams shut before I can say anything. That doesn’t stop me from jumping back out of the Jeep and trying to get his attention without looking like a total wacko in front of the whole school. Mason knows I’m limited on what I can do without drawing too much attention and keeps walking.

I intend to get back in the Jeep and follow him home, but Robin catches me when I turn around.

“Where’s Mason going?” she asks.

All I can do is shrug. “I don’t know. He’s in a weird mood.”

I start to brush past Robin, but a thought occurs to me. I’m still not convinced Robin isn’t bad news, but I’m leaning toward her not being a direct threat to Mason’s safety. She’s got such a big mouth and no social filter to stop her from saying whatever’s on her mind, so I doubt she could really carry out a complicated, underhanded mission without giving herself away. I’m hoping, though, that her big mouth can be put to use in a more helpful way.

“Hey, do you want to come over and hang out?” I ask Robin.

Surprised by my offer, it doesn’t stop her from accepting. “Sure! I can’t wait to meet the rest of your family.”

Her enthusiasm gives me a moment’s hesitation, but I figure Mom and Dad will both be at work for a while still, so it shouldn’t be a problem. “Hop in,” I say with a smile I’m not sure is completely honest.

The ride to my house is short and filled with Robin talking nonstop about her day. I’m glad when we finally pull into the driveway and I have an excuse to jump out. Robin goes right back to her story about the guy who sits behind her in French when she comes around the Jeep and I have to stop myself from groaning.