Chapter 7: A Secret Relationship

Ariah couldn't shake off the feeling of excitement and nervousness as she walked out of Mason's room. She had never felt that way about anyone before, and she wasn't sure what to do with these new feelings. As she made her way back to the living room, she caught Mason's eye, and he was still watching her, a small smile playing on his lips. The rest of the evening passed in a blur as Ariah tried to focus on the conversation, but her mind kept wandering back to Mason. She couldn't believe how much she was drawn to him, and she knew that she had to be careful. She didn't want to jeopardize her friendship with Evie and Astrid, but at the same time, she couldn't ignore the connection she felt with Mason. As the night wore on, Ariah found herself excusing herself to go to the bathroom, but she really needed some time alone to process her thoughts. She locked the door and pulled out her phone, sending a text to her best friend, just to talk to someone and clear her head. The response was immediate, and Ariah smiled as she read the words on her screen. But her mind kept wandering back to Mason, and she couldn't help but wonder what would happen if she and Mason were to explore this connection further. The next day, Ariah and Mason found themselves alone in the house, with Evie and Astrid out running errands. Ariah was sitting on the couch, scrolling through her phone, when Mason walked into the room. "Hey, Sol," he said, his voice low and smooth. "What's up?" Ariah looked up, feeling a little nervous. "Not much, just chillin'," she replied, trying to sound casual. Mason sat down next to her, and they started talking about nothing in particular. But as they talked, Ariah couldn't help but feel a sense of ease with Mason that she hadn't felt with anyone in a long time. As the conversation flowed, Mason reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind Ariah's ear. It was a simple gesture, but it sent shivers down her spine. Ariah looked up at Mason, and their eyes met. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. Without a word, Mason leaned in and kissed Ariah. It was a soft, gentle kiss, but it sparked a fire within her. As they pulled back, Ariah smiled, feeling a little shy but also exhilarated. "I guess we shouldn't be doing this," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Mason looked at her, his eyes serious. "Why not?" he asked, his voice low and husky. Ariah hesitated, unsure of how to respond. But as she looked into Mason's eyes, she knew that she couldn't deny the connection they felt. As they kissed again, Ariah knew that she was taking a risk. She was getting involved with her best friend's brother, and she didn't know what the consequences would be. But she couldn't help herself, and she was willing to take that risk for the chance to be with Mason. Over the next few weeks, Ariah and Mason's secret relationship continued to grow. They would steal moments together, whenever they could, and their connection only deepened. But as their relationship grew stronger, Ariah couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt. She was keeping this secret from Evie and Astrid, and she knew that they would be hurt if they found out. As she navigated this complex web of emotions, Ariah knew that she had to be careful. She didn't want to lose her friends, but at the same time, she couldn't deny her feelings for Mason. As the days turned into weeks, Ariah and Mason's relationship continued to blossom, but they both knew that they had to be careful, for their sake and for the sake of those around them.