Trigger warnings: Mentioning of weed (much later on)

Chapter 5

Jack's POV

The rest of the day went pretty fast. Me and Mark walked with each other to our other classes, and during that time we got to know each other a lot more than I thought we would.

He knows about my mom, sort of. He just knows she's no longer part of my life. He's really considerate, he didn't make me talk about everything. Which I was extremely thankful for.

I found out that Mark is living without his father. He told me how he died by cancer, the sad smile on his face just made me want to hug him. He talked about how close he was to him, and I couldn't imagine how hard it was for him to go through with it.

During our last class together, I passed a note to Mark:

'hey, do you have a phone number'

I gave it to him, watching in the corner of my eye as he read it and wrote something down.
He handed it back to me, and I read it. Smiling slightly.

'Ya. 214-567-2468 '

I looked at him, and gave him a thumbs up. Folding the piece of paper and sticking it into my pocket.

After the last bell rung, I stood up and waited for Mark to get up. "Wanna walk home together?" I asked, kind of scared of what he would say. I mean, he's my first friend here. I don't want to scare him off with how clingy I might be putting myself as.

"Sure, if you want to. " Mark said, smiling at me. I couldn't help but sigh of relief.

"Lets get going before we get bombarded by students. " I said, before both me and Mark started walking quickly out of the classroom and towards outside.

It was a bright, sunny day. When Stepping outside, I couldn't help but shield my eyes.

I still wasn't completely used to the sunny LA versus the cloudy Ireland.

"Mark?" I said, breaking the silence.

"Hm?" I looked at him, and saw he was looking at me. I looked away from him, just looking forward.

"If I ever get too annoying, or clingy or something, tell me. I'll stay away from you for a bit," I told him, waiting for a few seconds before looking at him. I couldn't read what was on his face, shit did I already start to scare him off? He just sort of chuckled?

"Don't worry about it, I doubt I'll ever think of you as annoying, or clingy of any sort," he smiled at me slightly, and looked forward. Granted I wasn't convinced, I still feel like I'll get really annoying, and whatnot. He's my first friend from America, I don't want to lose him. Unless he becomes and murderer, then maybe I'll rethink my decisions, but for now, no. Not going to lose him. Not going to happen.

We reached our houses, and turned to face each other, "So.. I'll text you?" I said, looking at him. He smiled and nodded.

"I'll be waiting," he says, and before I said bye, he held his fist out. I chuckled and bump fists with him.

"Talk to you later!" I said, and all at the same time we both ran to our house.

~~~

I did all my chores, cleaning up any left over beer bottles, any messes, taking the garbage out, etc. This was always a daily thing before father came home. He must've had friends come over or something, it was a lot more destroyed than usual. It took me a good hour till it was clean enough. So I had a good hour left till he got home.

I was doing good. I went up to my room, taking my phone out and dropping my bag to the floor. I took the note from my pocket, punched in the number and sent a text: (Bold is Jack, Italic is Mark)

Hey, it's Jack

It was about 5 minutes after that I finally got a reply.

Oh hey, I thought you weren't gonna message me. I was worried I gave you the wrong number so how's it going?

I chuckled, how embarrassing would that be?

I typed out, "It's uh, it's going"

But I deleted it and sent:

It's going great! How about you?

I sighed, I always hated this part about friendships. I always have to lie about everything.

I waited for a text back, and for a second I started to get worried. He didn't text back that fast. Finally my phone buzzed, and I jumped slightly.

I frowned slightly at the response.

I'm fine I guess

You guess is something the matter?

I chewed on my lip, awaiting his answer.

It's fine.

Something is wrong. Something has got to be wrong. I'm not that much of an idiot.

It's not fine, if you need someone to talk to in all open ears

I told him, I couldn't stop repeating the word 'hypocrite' in my head.

It's fine.

The same reply, ugh. I'm not stupid, i know something is wrong.

I don't believe you. But I won't push you.

I sent him that, before immediately sending another text.

Hey, late tonight we can meet up outside? Take a walk and just talk? I would have to sneak it, but if you want?

I hope he said yes. I know he needed to talk to someone. Something was wrong. Something was bothering him.

Sure

Was my reply, and I smiled.

Alright. I'll message you later a good time and see how that rolls by with you

Alright see you later

I wonder if he would say yes knowing in was risking my life doing this.

~~

I put my phone on the charger, keeping
It on just in case I got a text or call from Mark.

The thought of calling someone else came to mind. I had someone, not that I considered a friend, but someone that I could call when I needed to feel something. Like yknow, a high?

I'm not a druggie, just if I feel too anxious or something I'll occasionally get a hit or two.

Right now I felt anxious. I felt extremely anxious. Maybe I'll just hit him up for some, Americans call, cigarettes.

Those are enough to keep me decently calm, but still fully active. Yeah.

I called him, telling him what I needed, and what I would give him.

I took some of my father's alcohol, his drunk ass will just think he drunk it, and once I heard he doorbell I went to the door, looking through he peephole.

It was him.

He traded, alcohol for a pack of 'cigarettes'.

Then headed straight to my room. Closing the door. I took one in my mouth, lighting it and taking a hit.

I would get my ass beat for this, but right now I didn't care. It relaxed me a little bit.

I checked the time.

10 minutes till he got home.

I only smoked half of it, putting the other half in the box, hiding it.

Waiting those 10 minutes felt like hell.

I spaced out, thinking of tonight when me and Mark will be able to take a walk. Thinking of what might be wrong with him.

Jumping a bit when I heard the front door slam open.

He's here.