Odd One Out
*Several days later*
"Are you sure you can do this?" Caitlyn asks
Jack looks at his mother. She is watching him, her face filled with worry.
"Yeah ma, I can do this" Jack says, trying to reassure her… and himself
She walks over and hugs him and he returns it. She pulls back and kisses him on the forehead.
"Be careful sweetie" she murmurs and Jack nods
Jack takes a deep breath and leaves the house. At first the walk is calm but when he arrives at the park the nervousness returns. He had pushed it away but now it's stronger. It helps that there are people there. Morning joggers and those who like to get out early. He hides his fear as he walks. Something happens when he walks near the grove. A small pebble hits his arm and he freezes, then glances at the trees.
'What was that?' he thinks confused
"Excuse me?" a timid voice comes from the trees
Jack blinks. What? He looks around but no one seems to be paying attention.
"Can I talk to you, please?" the voice asks
"I must be going insane" Jack mumbles, putting a hand on his forehead
"You're not, I just want to say something and all you have to do is listen"
"Why don't you come out first" Jack says, turning to fully face the trees
"I know you don't want to see me, just listen and then I'll go"
Jack sighs through his nose and grips the straps of his bag.
"Alright but make it quick I need to get to school"
"Remember that guy you met a few days ago?" the other asks
"Yeah?"
"Well, I want to say I'm sorry"
Jack blinks. Wait that means…
"I just want you to know I'm sorry. I wasn't myself and I hurt you so, I'm sorry"
Jack can feel himself shaking and there are tears in his eyes.
'He came back for me!'
His brain is saying Run but his body isn't listening. Why won't it listen! Because he is, apologizing?
The sound of crunching leaves breaks him from the huge storm that's going on in his head. His feet are moving before he realizes it. Not too far in, he sees a tree that is wide and tall enough for a person to hide behind. Finally getting control of his body, he turns to leave but stops at the sound of sniffling and hiccupping.
'It can't be…'
Taking a deep breath, he looks around the tree, then down. On the ground is a boy with black hair curled up against the tree. his shoulders are shaking and the sound of crying is definitely coming from him. Jack opens his mouth to say something but he looks up. His cheeks are red and stained with tears. From what he could see his eyes are brown with slightly tanned skin.
'It's him!'
Jack startles and steps back when he stands. The boy turns and starts walking away.
"Where are you going?" Jack asks without thinking
"Home, I know you don't want to be near me. After this you will never see me again"
After that he disappears amongst the trees. Jack feels something in his chest, like this is a missed opportunity.
"Wait! Come back!" he shouts
Nothing, the mystery boy is gone. He should feel happy, so, why isn't he? For one, he apologized and two he was crying. But why was he crying? So many questions.
His phone vibrates and he takes it out. 7:35.
"Shit, I'm going to be late!" he yells
He turs and runs out of the grove, but stops when he hears a voice.
"What's school like?"
Jack turns his head and peeking out from the first tree is the mystery boy.
'I can't deal with this now'
"Come with me!" he shouts
Then takes off toward the school. It isn't until he gets to the front gate that it dawns on him, he looks behind him. There, quite a distance away is the mystery boy. At the moment, he looks confused. Jack shakes his head and he walk to the door. He can tell he boy is close and doesn't want to keep calling him mystery boy.
"I'm Jack, you?"
"Mark" he says
Jack sighs and enters the building. It's all empty, everyone is in class. As Jack is walking he doesn't hear Mark walking until.
"Wow! This is what a school looks like"
Jack blinks and looks at Mark. He is looking around in total awe. Jack mentally laughs and trots to his locker. Mark is too busy looking at everything. At his locker, Jack opens it and puts in his bag and takes out what he needs. The bell rings and the hall is filled with students. Some greet him but most ignore him. He closes his locker and turns only to be shoved into it. He looks up and dark brown eyes glare at him.
"So, you finally decided to grace us with your presence"
"Noa. I-"
"Your story is all over town, it's funny how easily you get scared" the German male taunts
Jack opens his mouth to reply but is shoved against the lockers again. By now the hall is empty save those who skip class or those who want to see what will happen next. They are all bystanders. Noa holds Jack against the lockers with one hand the other a fist.
"Let me make up for that time you were away" he murmurs with a smirk.
He pulls his fist back and Jack squeezes his eyes shut, waiting for it to hit his face, but it doesn't. Confused he peeks though one eye. He sees someone standing behind Noa. He opens his eyes to see who, its Mark. Then he feels it, pure ferocity is coming from him and he is glaring fiercely at Noa while holding his arm.
"You're not worth spending my time on" Noa says pulling his arm from Marks grip and shoves his hands in his pockets.
He would never admit it but this boy terrifies him.
Marks furious gaze follows him until he turns the corner and is out of sight. Jack is trembling, fearing Mark will turn this on him. But to everyone's surprise he brightens as soon as Noa is out of sight. He turns to Jack with a bright smile all evidence of his earlier ferocity gone. Mark notices Jacks wide eyes and, shaking. Mark frowns, the feeling of sadness coming from him.
"Did I do wrong?" Mark asks
Jack blinks and shakes his head.
"N-No, you, were great!" Jack says happily
Mark moves away and Jack punches himself away from the lockers. Mark steps further away. But Jack grabs his shirt and pulls him closer.
"Please keep doing that"
"Doing what?" Mark asks
"Keep Noa away from me" Jack replies
"Noa, does he hurt you a lot?"
"Kind of, he is the school bully"
"Alright, I won't let him hurt you anymore" Mark says looking right into Jacks eyes
"That's a big promise to make" Jack says
"Ok I promise Noa won't hurt you anymore" Mark says and grins still looking at Jack
Jack blinks not sure if Mark will keep that promise. He turns and walks to his class when he opens the door everyone turns to them. The teacher is in the process of writing on the board.
"Jack! I heard you were returning, it's good to see you are better" the man says cheerfully
Jack nods with a smile.
"Who is the boy behind you?" the teacher asks
"Um-"
"Mark Fishbach" Mark says nodding at the teacher with a bright grin
