Chapter 6 FORGIVENESS AND THORNS

The boys were energised from interviews and an early rehearsal when they returned to the dorm later that afternoon. As usual, Mason entered last, wearing sunglasses indoors. Emily didn't dare approach, but she did peek from the kitchen. Naturally, though, Jackson was already rambling. "Mason, did you see Wendy today? She left tickets. It's almost blinding how glamorous she is in person."

Luke muttered under his breath, "She's also a snake in heels."

Mason hardly responded.

He was sitting in the corner, earbuds in, head tilted back with his eyes closed. Not asleep-just still.

Their eyes met the moment she stepped in. He didn't smile. Didn't frown. Just... studied her. Like he couldn't decide what she was made of.

She bowed slightly, "You're feeling better?"

He shrugged. "Still alive, thanks to my heroic savior."

Emily flushed. "I didn't mean-"

"I know you didn't," he cut in, "The press did."

She opened her mouth to apologize again, but he held up a hand. "Whatever. Just don't do anything else... life-threatening."

She offered a sheepish smile. "I'll try."

The dorm was busy the following morning. That evening, Zero Saints had received an invitation to attend Wendy's movie premiere, complete with front row seats, the red carpet, and the press. Mason was clearly dreading it.

The tension between Emily and Mason was like electricity beneath the surface as they all crammed into the black van on their way to the premiere.

Luke narrowed his eyes as he observed the two from the other side of the seats. Jackson talked to himself about what he would do if Wendy proposed to him. As soon as they left the venue, mayhem broke out. lights that are blinding, Fans yelling, dozens of cameras. It was too much.

In an attempt to avoid falling on her heels, Emily remained glued to Jackson's side like a shadow. Constantly calm, Mason walked as if he owned the carpet. But when Wendy saw them from her spotlight perch, she glided over with a megawatt smile.

"Mason-Baby," she purred. "You made it."

He gave her a stiff nod. "Of course. It's public relations."

Emily's stomach twisted. She watched Wendy link arms with Mason and guide him toward the cameras. He didn't resist.

The flashbulbs sparked like fireworks. The fans screamed louder. And Emily stood alone for a beat too long.

Jackson bounded over a moment later. "Let's get snacks!"

That night, Emily couldn't sleep. She stood on the rooftop balcony in her hoodie, staring at the stars.

"You should be in bed." She turned sharply. Mason was behind her, arms crossed, looking annoyed-but his tone was softer than usual.

"I couldn't sleep," she said.

"Because of...?"

"It's because of... everything," She shrugged, "It's not exactly easy pretending to be a guy."

She gave a fake laugh.

They stood in silence for a moment with the cool breeze blowing, Mason stood looking at her.

Then, she whispered, "Do you think I'm in over my head?"

He studied her face carefully. "Yes. But you're here anyway. That means something."

Her eyes met his. "I want to do this. For my brother. For our mom. Even if it's hard."

He didn't say anything for a long time. Then finally; "I won't stop you."

She blinked.

"But," he continued, "If you ever mess this up and I get dragged into another scandal-"

"You'll throw me out yourself?" She completed.

He cracked the faintest smile, "Exactly."

They both looked out at the stars again. There was something delicate in the air. Fragile. Unspoken.

But just as Emily felt her chest start to flutter-

BANG!

The rooftop door slammed open. Jackson's voice echoed out:

"GUYS! THE FANS THINK MASON AND ETHAN ARE DATING!!! IT'S ON THE FRONT PAGE!!!"

Emily's blood drained from her face. Mason cursed under his breath.

They both turned slowly toward Jackson, whose phone screen was already lighting up with breaking headlines.

Mason looked at her.

"WHAT!?" They both echoed.

He placed it in front of their faces, displaying a news article with a headline that read: "Zero Saints's Ethan Visits Mason in Hospital with Flowers?-Romance in Bloom?"

In the accompanying picture, Emily was seen giving Mason a bouquet in the hospital without either of them realising the camera was filming.

Emily felt her heart sink, "Oh no... I was unaware that someone was observing."

Luke leaned over to look at the photo, "It seems the paparazzi have been following us more closely than we thought."

Mason leaned forward, his voice firm, "He gave me flowers, so what?" Crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes at Jackson, who was still frozen with his phone in hand.

Jackson blinked in confusion, "Mason, I didn't say anything...But, um... it's kinda romantic-looking. Like... real couple vibes?"

Emily's face turned a shade of red that could rival a strawberry. "But it wasn't like that!"

Mason rolled his eyes, the muscle in his jaw twitching, "Exactly, It was not like that. It was a ridiculous misunderstanding caught by some nosy reporter who should find a new hobby."

Luke looked thoughtful, lips pressed in a thin line, "Still... it's out there now. The fans are going to run wild with it."

Jackson sat down, swiping through the article again,"There's already over 50,000 comments. Some fans think it's cute. Some are... threatening to throw rocks."

Emily gasped. "Rocks?!"

Jackson gave her a sympathetic look. "You know how intense the fandom can be, Ethan. If they think you're stealing their 'Prince Mason Brookes'..."

"Enough," Mason interrupted, voice sharp.

Emily stood up, wringing her hands, "I'm so sorry, Mason. I just wanted to cheer you up. I had no idea someone would take a picture like that."

He sighed, rubbing his temples, "It's not your fault. But we need to address this before it spirals out of control."

Manager Mr Edward entered, looking flustered. "I've already received calls from several news outlets. They're all asking about the nature of your relationship."

Mason crossed his arms. "What do they think? I would be romantically connected to a man? We need to hold a press conference. Set the record straight."

Emily nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes to fix this, please."

Later that day, the members of Zero Saints had a plan with Wendy and sat before a room full of reporters. Flashbulbs popped as questions flew.

"Is it true that Ethan and Mason are dating?"

The lights flashed. The yelling fans. Like fireworks, the paparazzi shutters click-click-click. And he was in the centre of it all, Mason Brookes, in the middle of the chaos, calm and still. He was standing beside her. Wendy. Perfect. Amazing. Her hand wrapped around his arm like she'd been born there. Like gunfire, the reporters yelled questions.

"Are you and Ethan in a relationship?"

"Was the flower hospital visit a date?"

"Is there a secret romance in Zero Saints?"

Mason's expression didn't budge. But his eyes flickered-for the briefest second-toward the crowd.

And then... toward Emily.

Emily, frozen a few feet away. Half-hidden behind a pillar. Heart in her throat.

She didn't move.

He turned back to the crowd, jaw tight.

And then-he leaned in.

His hand reached behind Wendy's neck.

And he kissed her.

Gasps exploded. Cameras flashed like lightning. Reporters screamed.

Wendy froze-and then smiled sweetly, tilting her head like she had just won the crown she was born to wear.

Emily felt her breath leave her lungs.

Just. Gone.

Her hand came up to her chest as if to keep her heart from falling out.

Mason slowly pulled back.

He didn't say anything.

He just turned slightly-his eyes meeting Emily's for a fraction of a heartbeat.

And then he looked away.

Emily couldn't move.

Couldn't breathe.

Couldn't feel anything... except the way her world suddenly tilted off balance.

The crowd roared. Wendy beamed. Flashbulbs burst like fireworks in the night.