When I finally made it back to my room I still angry at how out of control lunch had gotten. At least Eddie I could understand wanting to make sure I was safe. I still couldn't understand why Mason spoke to me like I was some silly girl looking for attention. His passive aggressive insults were so unwarranted. I really should have hated the idea of fighting with Mason but for some strange reason the idea of it thrilled me. It was so childish like I was waiting for him to pull my hair or something. I never understood why girls seemed to have this magnetic pull toward guys that treated them like crap but I promised myself that was not going to be me.

Punching the code into my door I was surprised to see all of bags had been unpacked. The room was neat and tidy with all my suit cases now off my bed. Walking into the bathroom I could see all of my toiletries arranged neatly and my robe hanging on the hook. My lotion and small bag of make up was placed on the small dressing table with the magnetic mirror. A quick check in my closet showed all of my shoes arranged and my hanging clothes hung. I wasn't sure where my dresses had ended up. Whoever the mystery unpacker was had stolen the activity I was hoping to distract myself with. The next best thing would be a hot refreshing shower.

After my wonderful steamy shower I felt better. I was starting to put it all into perspective. After searching through all my drawers I put on the first sweats I could find and dried my hair. I sat on my huge bed enjoying the quiet and checking my email when I started to feel my eyes closing. My phone started ringing and I saw Jill's name flash on my phone. "Hi Jill," I answered.

"Hey where are you hiding I called your room a few times and no one answered", Jill added in a concerned tone.

"I came up to my room hoping to unpack my bags but someone had already done it for me. So instead a jumped in the shower. Sorry to worry you," I said regretfully.

"I probably should have warned you about that. I am so used to the invasion of privacy it doesn't bother me anymore. Your Grandmother must have set it up when she made the reservation. I hope you'll be able to find everything. "

"Yeah I hope so too, can you imagine me having to ring down to the concierge because I can't find clean panties," I joked as I heard a knock on the door. A little worried at who it could be I opened the door to see Jill standing there with gloriously large milkshakes.

"I come barring gifts, she said with a smile, "I got you your favorite, mint chocolate chip. I wanted to cheer you up after all the drama."

"Are you and Eddie on this floor," I asked knowing bringing Eddie's name into it could be dangerous.

"Yes when I booked the room I had to throw my name around to have any hope of getting a room close by. You should feel special I never do that, " Jill said seriously "I have no idea how Daniella got all three of your rooms on such short notice, she must know where the bodies are buried."

"Wow," I said taking my first sip of the really delicious shake, "maybe I should storm out of restaurants more often. I like being cheered up."

"That whole meal was very strange. Mason didn't seem to be himself at all. I've always known him to be quiet but polite," Jill said puzzled. "I've never heard a mean word out of his mouth. He seemed almost angry at you."

"How could he be angry with me, he just met me! I was trying to be really friendly. What's been bugging me most is his stupid comment about me being spoiled," I said exasperated as I took a huge pull of my milk shake.

"I'll tell you one person that was angry, Rose looked like she was going to explode after you left the table. She told Mason to enjoy his food because it was his last meal. She apologized to your Dad at least ten times. Which since you don't know Rose very well is very unlike her. I think that she genuinely didn't understand what was going on with Mason either."

"Well that was nice of her," I said with a huge yawn.

Jill patted the pillow in to motioned for me to lay my head on the pillow and on the huge bed there was plenty of room for her to lay next to me. She reached over and turned Ingrid Michelson softly on the i home next to the bed. "You have to understand that most of the dhampirs here don't have large allowances. Even if they did there is very limited opportunity for them to go shopping. Most of it is has to be done online. You aren't a brat Paris, but compared to most kids here you have a lot of freedom that they could envy. You have very nice expensive clothes, like most of the Moroi that are here. I would be careful not to rub it in," she said kindly. She smoothed my hair back away from my face.

"You know Jill you are going to make a fantastic Mom one of these days," I said softly with my eyes closed.

"Thanks sweetie. I'm working on it. Eddie has mostly come around on the subject."

"I call God Mother," I said almost completely asleep.

I was still laying in my super comfortable bed wrapped in fluffy blankets when a soft knocking brought me out of my sleep. It was coming from the adjoining door between the rooms.

"Come in", I said in a soft half asleep voice my eyes still closed. It had to be Dad or Jill coming to check on me. I rolled over and stretched. Luckily Jill hadn't turned any of the lights out. Sitting up I noticed I was wrong.

"Mason?" I said startled. I practically leaped out of bed looking around on the floor for my slippers. He was standing just inside the door when I saw him. He looked to be dressed for nice dinner with light blue dress shirt and a matching tie that made his eyes look like an even deeper shade of brown.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you. Your Dad thought you would be awake by now," he apologized.

"I guess my sleep schedule is a little bit off here. I didn't mean to sleep so long. Is Jill still here?, " I said hoping that I wasn't faced with him on my own. I really had no idea what he was here for.

"I came by earlier and she was letting one of the maids in with a bunch of dresses but she said you were sleeping. I came back about fifteen minutes ago to talk to your Dad but I haven't seen Jill. Mason looked down at his watch, "It's a little after 4:30 now."

"In the morning!," I said surprised, "I wasn't sure there was one of those."

Mason laughed, "That is one of the great things about this place you can be on almost any sleep schedule you want."

"Can you hold on a second?" I excused myself needing a minute in the bathroom. There was no way I was having this conversation with Mason when I could smell my own breath. It was bad enough I was wearing baggy sweats and my hair needed a serious brushing. After washing my hands and face I was much more awake.

When I returned Mason was standing in the same place. He was looking at my sweats with a confused expression on his face.

"What's with all the little pink dogs," Mason asked curiously pointing to my sweats and slippers, "I noticed them on your luggage too."

It took me a second to realize what he was talking about. "O it's a Victoria secret thing. Kind of like their mascot I guess."

"You mean Victoria's secret is that she likes to put little pink dogs on everything. Would you think less of me if I admitted that was a disappointment?" Mason remarked with a shy smile.

"I guess it's one of them. She has others," I answered with my own genuinely amused smile. I gestured to my sweats, "I'm sure you've seen other girls at your school wearing them. They are popular as workout clothes too."

"I never really noticed other girls. I mean the pink dogs on their clothes," Mason quickly correct himself.

I chuckled giving him another huge smile. We were actually having a normal conversion. He seemed to have sweet sense of humor but I knew that wasn't why he was in my room, "So what's up Mason? You didn't come here to talk about my pajamas."

"No I didn't," he paused and his face got serious, "Listen, I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am about lunch. Honestly I have no idea what got into me. You didn't deserve to be talk to like that," he stopped for a second and said, "This is hard for me."

"What, talking to me is hard for you," I said a little too defensive.

"No I not usually faced with being so blatantly wrong. I'll admit I have no idea how you ski, but the fact that you didn't pitch a fit about me coming in here shows you aren't a brat. I also have no idea why you don't want to be a guardian but that was no reason to yell at you. It was crossing the line to imply what I did. I swear I am usually a pretty easy going person,' Mason had the decency to look embarrassed at his behavior.

"Honestly, it seemed like it was more than that. Almost like you were angry at me about something?"

"My Dad told me that our Mom's are really close. That they have been close friends for like fifteen years. They started telling me stories about our Mom's traveling together and working together to help Jill. If I'm being really truthful I think that I was angry that my parents kept so much from me. It felt like they didn't trust me. It hurt my ego a bit. I hope maybe we can just forget about it all and start over, " he said with soft sad eyes.

I probably couldn't deny him anything when he looked at me like that, but I was doing my best not to give it away. "I'm sorry your parents have been secretive about us, but I'm sure they just wanted to protect us, not because they don't trust you. There are a few things it is better you don't know, for both of our sakes. Honestly, though I can see where your coming from, I hate when my parents keep things from me. My Mother has told me so many great stories about your Mom and Dad. Our parents have a lot history. Maybe there are a few gaps that I could help fill in for you, " I added regretfully, "I do think that we can start over. You obviously got my Father's forgiveness if he let you come in here."

"So you're going to let me make it up to you?" He said hopefully. "I was thinking maybe you would go out on the trails with me tomorrow. "

I couldn't let him waste his last real vacation pretending to be my friend. "Listen Mason that is really nice of you to offer, but I really don't want to high jack your vacation. You should spend it with your friends. Just because we got off on the wrong foot doesn't mean you owe me anything. I'm happy to do go out by myself, I'll even take a class if it makes you feel better."

He groaned hearing his own words, " Wow that really was a terrible remark to make wasn't it. I swear it was all my idea. If you don't come with me I'm going to end up with my brother and his friends; you would really be doing me a favor. Something tells me though that you're going to prove me wrong. I hope I can keep up."

"Yes that would be my plan. Let me think about it," I paused at Dad poked his head in the door.

"Hey good to see you guys patched things up," Dad said as he walked through the still opened door, "I'm glad you got some rest but we need to head downstairs soon."

"Head downstairs to what"? I said apprehensively.

"Jill booked a private room this morning for dinner. I realize our meals are all messed up but they should have an assortment of things to chose from. It is going to be more of a mixer so that you can get a chance to meet a few more people. I can't believe she didn't mention this to you. I guess this way you couldn't find a way to get out of it." he replied not really looking to surprised.

"I assume that's why you are all dressed up," I said to Mason but he just nodded looking at me cautiously like I was some kind of animal that might spook.

"Mason could you do me a favor and wait for Paris. She really doesn't know her way around yet and this place is huge. I wouldn't want her to get lost and not make it to the dinner," he noted trying but failing to be funny. "I really should head down I promised Jill."

"You want Mason to wait here while I get dressed in what I suspect is some kind of semi formal dinner wear and escort me to dinner," I said not really believing my own words. Mason just kind of shrugged like was thrown into uncomfortable situations everyday.

"Yeah why not, that would be a great way for him to make things up to me," he winked at Mason but I rolled my eyes, "Don't worry Mason, Paris has a gift for getting out the door quickly. That's a gift she got from her Momma."

It was at this point I decided to suspend all notions of surprise for the rest of the trip. It was time to go with the flow. Dad's comment did put me back in a good mood. I always liked to be compared to my Mother."Ok Dad we'll be down as soon as we can. I'll be quick,' I said convincingly.

"You better there's a great surprise waiting for you and he doesn't like to be kept waiting," he said laughing loudly and walking back into his room.

"I can go sit in your Dad's room while you get ready," Mason offered.

The wheels in my head started to turn. "You know Mason I may be fast but one thing you should know about me is that I'm not very decisive. I could actually use your help. Pick a color," I surprised him.

"What why?" he said slowly.

"This is not rocket science Mason don't over think it. What's your favorite color?"

Mason looked understandably uncomfortable," I don't know grey."

"Grey ok interesting choice,' I commented as I walked in the large walk-in. I picked up a grey dress that had a slight scoop neck top with a beautiful black flower appliqué. It was three quarter sleeves and had a thin tie around the waste. The skirt was short but would probably make my legs look fantastic. It looked simple but classy. I was starting to be really grateful for my Mother's wonderful packing abilities. After grabbing two pairs of shoes I walked out and held them up, "Flats or heels."

Mason looked scandalized. "Come on you want to get out of here. I heard your Mom didn't promise you anymore meals this trip so you better take advantage when you can."

My snarky comment seemed to wake him up, "I don't know you are pretty tall girl already but I like the heels," he said under his breath.

I ran in the bathroom threw on the dress and heels. I pulled my hair into a neat high pony tail. After just a bit of mascara, black eyeliner, and a bunch of blush I rushed back out into the room. "One more quick thing. Pick one," I held out both of my fists. Opening the hand he chose I reveled a silver chain with a large tear drop shaped amethyst, "Will you help me out?"

Mason looked apprehensive but didn't say no. I placed the necklace in his hands and turned around moving my ponytail to the side. Even wearing high heels he still felt a lot taller than me. It was hard not to feel his heavy presence behind me. His hands were startlingly gentle as they circled my neck. I could feel how rough the skin was on his fingers but they left a tingling sensation on my skin. It took him a few seconds to get the clasp to catch but he made no attempt to back up. I could feel his warm breath on the side of my neck and I desperately wanted to lean into him. I heard him take a deep breath exhaling slowly. Turning my head slightly I caught the intense look in his eyes and the smile slipped from my face. I knew I was pleading with my eyes for him to come closer but he seemed content to stare. There was something startling passing between us, something thrilling. Mason closed his eyes and I could feel he was about to kiss me.

An unusually loud ring came from my phone. It was still sitting on the i home and the ring startled us both. I was frozen in place and the ringing continued. Mason looked at the ground and very quickly took a long stride backward. I was suddenly very shaky and jittery. He knew I wanted to be kissed. He had to see it in my eyes and the invitation in my face. I never actually wanted to be kissed before. It had always been in reaction to someone else's invitation, not really desire. I felt a little ashamed.

Reaching over the other side of the bed I snatched the phone off the pedestal to quiet the noise. I could see Jill's name flashing on the screen. "Hey Jill thanks for telling me about the party," I tried to joke. I wanted to lighten the tension that was pumping throughout the room. "We're on our way down now," I told her and hung up a bit abruptly.

Walking quickly into my closet I tried hide for just a second to regain my composure. I grabbed a cute sparkly clutch and threw my room key inside. Bursting out of the closet and toward the door I called, "Come on Mason we're late for the party."

I had a difficult time finding a good place to stop so this Chapter probably feels a little long. I promise the next chapter some new characters.

This is the dresses I saw her wearing was one I saw on OMG Kate Middleton wore to the Dulwich Picture Gallery.