Chapter 6

Jack's POV

Today's punishment wasn't as bad as usual. Yes, I have several new bruises and wounds, but hey! I'm not bleeding anywhere this time. That's new.
It was 11:30 at night, late enough to where I could sneak out and be some what safe.

Though, I knew sneaking back in would be a whole other story. I sighed quietly, lying down on my bed. I decided I'd wait till about 11:40 or some time near that, to message Mark. Just in case. Thinking about sneaking out to meet up with someone defiantly made my adrenaline sky rocket. I couldn't stop thinking negatively.

What if I get caught?

What if Mark says he's going, but then never goes?

Is this just a waste of time?

I smacked myself. Literally. Only to instantly regret it for I made hard contact with one of my bruises. 'Shit,' I muttered, rubbing my cheek and taking a deep breath.

'Calm down, Jack. You can do this. ' I whispered things to myself. I needed to do this.
I decided to grab my pack of cigarettes, smoking the rest of that one half that I had. Feeling the smoke fill my lungs, then exhaling out of my nose and mouth was the things that relaxed me. Compared to ten minutes ago, I had relaxed quite a bit. This is why I smoked. It relaxed me a little bit.

Always.

It always relaxed me.

After finishing the rest, I put it out and looked at the time. It was 11:50. Now is a good time to message the other. I grabbed my phone and decided to text Mark:

Hey you able to head out?

The reply came back almost immediately.

Yeah, meet me out front?

I smiled, this was actually happening.

Yep.

I got up from my bed, putting my phone and cigarettes in my pocket. I opened my window, looking down.

I was on the second floor.

This would be fun.

There was no tree or anything to climb down from. I started off with putting my legs out the window, I slowly turned so my stomach was facing down, and slowly started sliding out till I was holding on to the edge, dangling the rest of my body. Gripping on it tightly, I looked down the best I could, alright. So this shouldn't hurt too bad. I was preparing myself to jump, when I was startled by a noise nearby. I made a noise and fell backwards, cursing out loud when I made impact with the ground.

"Fuck," I muttered, rolling to my side taking my time to get up.

"Jack?" I heard a voice say, and I lifted my head up to see none other than Mark.

Thank goodness.

"Jack? Shit. I'm sorry, did I scared you? He asked, sounding genuinely worried. I nodded, and shrugged.

"Yeah, it's fine. " He reached out a hand to me, and I gladly accepted, helping me up. I wiped myself off.

"I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. "

I waved it off, smiling lightly at him, "It's all good. Don't worry about it," it was quiet for a moment, I looked up at my window before back at Mark, "Well, you want to start walking?" I asked, and Mark nodded. We both started waking out of my yard and down the road.

"So, can you tell me why you wanted to walk?" Mark asked after a few moments of silence.

"Well, I thought we could get to know each other better, and it's rare when I'm able to go out during the day," I said, shrugging, "If you don't want to go, we don't have to," I chewed on my lip and look at him.

"Nono," he said looking at me, "It's nice to go on a walk, I'm perfectly fine with it. I was a bit confused as to why you wanted to go out a night though, but now that you've said you can't go out, I understand," I chuckled at him, he was rambling.

I wasn't complaining though, it was nice listening to his voice. To me, that's sounds crazy, but it's true. He has a deep voice, and it really was nice to listen to.

"I'm glad you understand," I said, shoving my hands in my pockets, "So, Mark, what do you like to do in your free time?" I was trying really hard not to get awkward, but it seems like I'm failing.

"I like playing video games, netflixing, and yeah. I don't really do much," He rolled his eyes, I believe at himself.

"Hey, we have something in common. I love playing video games!" I said, trying to be excited, but for some reason there was dread inside me, wanting to bring me down again.

"Really? We should play some games together some time! Have a tournament or something," Mark said, and I looked at him.

"Sounds like a plan! " I said,looking forward again.

"So where are we going?" He asked, and I eternally face palmed. I didn't have a clue. For awhile I thought that maybe we could just walk, but maybe we could just go somewhere.

"At first I wasn't planning on going anywhere, but if you want to go somewhere there's a park nearby that we can walk to," I said, chewing my tongue again. That was a really bad habit. Biting my lip or my tongue.

"Yeah, that'll work. My inner child can come out. " he chuckled, and so did I.

We continued walking in a comfortable silence. To me, it was really nice being able to walk with someone beside me. I felt nice having someone's company.

"Oh, Jack?" Mark's voice was laced with hesitation, and that worried me. Was he going to ask something bad.

"Hm?" I said, not looking at him. I couldn't look at him.

"Why did the teacher call you Seán?" He asked, and I felt any part of my good mood drop instantly.

"Oh," I thought of something. I didn't want to get too much into detail, so I thought of something quick , "I needed a new start. Back in Ireland, the name Seán haunted me. I didn't like it. So I would like to be called Jack. " the last sentence sounded a bit assertive, so I looked at him, softening up, "Sorry.."

He looked at me, I could see and sense a bit of worry in his eyes, "I'm sorry for asking, it must be a touchy subject." I opened my mouth to reply, but he kept talking, "You can talk to me yknow. I know we just met, but you can trust me. "
I stared at him. I felt like I just got punched in the chest. Why did this surprise me so much? Why did his words hit me so hard? I was quiet, why did this feel weird? Why did this happen? Why do I feel this way?? Those questions repeated in my head.

"Oh uh, thank you?" I choked out, coughing a bit.

"You okay?" Mark asked stopping, and stopping me. He looked at me, and I looked at him back. It was hard. It was hard to look at him. I don't understand why hearing those words punched me in the chest?

"Yeah! Yeah I'm fine!" I said, making myself laugh a bit and smile. "I'm sorry, I'm just really not used to someone saying that to me. At all. I never heard those words before. "I sighed to myself, and started walking again, looking at Mark and seeing hat he walked faster to be beside me, "Thank you though, " I said, a lot more confidently. I felt embarrassed at the way I reacted.

"You don't have to thank me, we're friends, I'll always be here for you. "

"Keep in mind I'm the same with you. You can trust me with anything you need to talk about. You'll always be secret safe with me," I smiled, and looked at him, and he smiled back at me. I was in a good mood now. Those words meant a lot to me.

I hope he was telling the truth, because I know for sure I was.

~~~~

We walked some more, talking about random things. Mainly about video games of course. Only about twenty minutes afterwards, we were at the park. We both decided to sit on the swings, swinging low. I didn't feel like swinging too high, and I felt like he might be like me in the aspect of laziness. I dragged my feet on the ground, stopping a bit.

"Hey, would you mind if I smoked?" I looked at him, hoping to get his approval.

"You smoke?" He asked, slowing down even more as well.

"Yeah, very occasional. " I answered, chewing on my lip once again.

"Yeah, you can. " He said, and I couldn't help but sigh of relief.
I stood up, for a second, getting a cigarette out and in my mouth. I was about to put my pack back when Mark stopped me, "Could I have one?" I looked at him, nodding. Handing him one. Then putting my pack back in my pocket.
I lit mine, taking a hit, then lighting Mark's for him. Putting my lighter back in my pocket.

"I wouldn't imagine you smoking," I said, sitting back on the swing, inhaling the smoke, and exhaling through my mouth. He chuckled at me, blowing smile out of his mouth.

"I used to, I haven't done it for awhile," He said, shrugging, "I wouldn't take you as someone who smokes either. "

"Used to? I don't want you to start a nasty habit again, mate. " I said, watching him with a bit of guilt.

He shrugged again, "It's fine, it's nice to do it again," he paused to take a hit, exhaling while talking, "It's relaxing yknow?"

I smiled, and swung slowly, which was a bit difficult. But was nice. "Yeah, I know. It always relaxed me if I'm stressed or anxious. " I said, smiling. Soon I finished my cigarette, and I dropped it below me, stepping on it. Soon after I did, Mark did that.

"Wanna have a jumping contest? See whoever jumps off the swing the farthest wins?"  He asked me, I can tell the smirk in his voice.

"You're on. "

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A/N I'm sorry for the shitty chapter, I had everything written, then it all got deleted  ;-;

Things will get better soon! But hey! This chapter was 1700 words! It's long Bros. Got any feedback? Feel free to tell me
See you in the next chapter!