Oh, sweet glob! I hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! ;)

Wow, I never though I'd come this far with this story honestly! It's all thanks to you guys!

TWENTY-FIVE

-"Wake up, sleeping beauty! You're gonna be late again and I ain't drivin' ya there!"

My mom's annoying voice woke me from my sleep. I sat and sighed tiredly. My head felt heavy, I managed to sleep like for three hours only. I wanted to beg mom to leave me here, but I won't waste my saliva on something pointless. She never listens to me; on the other hand, I knew if I told dad, he'd let me stay, but unfortunately, work comes first for him.

After a few more minutes, I managed to stand up and stomp to the bathroom. I washed my teeth and stared at myself in the mirror: I looked like a horror's movie character with messy hair and dark circles under my reddish eyes. I crossed my hands together, letting the water amass and slashing it on my face while little drops traveled down my naked chest and abdomen. I rubbed my forehead and opening my eyes became difficult; they wanted to stay closed apparently, Come on, wake up! I told myself and when I sat on the toilet to do business, my eyelids slowly closed…

"Jean! What is takin' ya' so damn long!"

I growled and my eyelids quickly fluttered open. I stomped my way out of the bathroom, snatched a black with a skull overcoat, the Batman beanie because I was too tired to brush my hair and blue trousers.

I stomped downstairs yawning with my hand on my mouth. Mom quickly glared at me and opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, I made myself towards the kitchen and ignored her. I wonder if she ever cared for me, really. When I ate a snack, I walked outside and waited for the bus. Five minutes, ten minutes… -"Ah, what the heck!?"- I cursed loud enough for my mother to hear me.

She laughed out loud, -"It left, you dumbass! If ya' would've listen to me, you wouldn't be standin' there like a street light!"

I growled for the fifth time this morning, -"Well, since you won't be taking me to school, I guess I'll fucking stay!"- I shouted back at her.

-"Oh no, mister! I'll call Nana and she'll take ya'!"

I clicked my tongue. Nana was the neighbor; another beautiful old lay that spends all day slacked on the couch watching stupid novels. I didn't have anything against her, she was actually better than my mother and she bothers to take me to school.

I decided to look on the bright side; even if I didn't want to go to school, I didn't get to stay home and hear mom's whines all damn day either.

I decided to play games on my phone while I waited for Nana, so I sat on the grass and when I looked at the date on my phone, I wanted to explode, -"Argh, it's fucking Saturday! Why didn't you tell me anything?"- I shouted as I stood up with an itchy ass.

-"What?"- She burst in laughter.

I stomped inside the house again. Mom was still laughing, so I went upstairs and slammed the door shut. Fuck me, I had to stay and bear with her annoying attitude. It was unlike me to forget a Saturday and if I did, it was because I was very tired. Even if I'm tired, I didn't want to stay and do everything for mom.

When I was about to take everything off, I heard the entrance's door open and dad's voice, -"I'm home!"

I quickly went down to greet him. Weekends with him were way better than with mom. Before I could greet him though, mom spoke, -"Back so soon, eh? Why don't ya' go to the supermarket and buy me some supplies for dinner?"- It was obvious that dad's arrival appeal her well instead of being alone with me. Oh, I was so much like her.

Dad never had a no with her, -"Of course. Let me change and I'll be out."

-"Um, dad?"- He just noticed me and gave me a hug.

-"Hey, son! How are you feeling?"

I shrugged, -"I'm fine,"- I said as I returned the hug. It wasn't usual of me returning hugs to my parents, things were tense between us, but I had a better relation with my dad than with my mom. I was more attached to him. I always was. Dad was so different from her and I wondered how he married her; I mean, what did he saw in her? Because all I see is an obdurate, grouchy and humor-less lady obsessed with stupid novels, -"Can I go with you?"- I asked him.

He eyed my face and sighed worriedly, -"Son, you really need to rest. I can tell you haven't got much sleep."

I clicked my tongue. Oh please, anywhere else than here. The idea of being a Saturday with mom alone sent me shivers. Gladly, she helped, -"Yeah, yeah, take that lazybones with ya'."- Who is she calling lazybones?

I gritted my teeth at her for calling me that, but she didn't know she actually helped me on my struggle to leave her. Dad sighed again and patted my head, -"Okay, son. Get ready. We'll leave in a minute."

But I was ready by now, so I waited for him on the door. When he finished, we mounted his car and rode off. The supermarket wasn't so far; living where we did was a benefit, because we had a gas station, a pharmacy and the school near. Actually, the pharmacy was like next door; I could walk there and I actually had. Whenever we needed pills or something, mom sent me. That or she sends me to ask the neighbor for supplies, which I didn't liked one bit. Our neighbors were kind of like my mom and with that, I say a lot.

When we reached the local supermarket, dad parked and we dismounted the car. Quickly, he searched for a cart and we went inside. Going to supermarkets and walking side to side looking for this and that wasn't my thing, but if it means at least an hour without mom, I'd do anything. Weekends alone with her were horrible; I don't care how many times I've said it.

In five minute, the cart already had potatoes, salt, bread, tomatoes, lettuce, milk, garnish… I guess I dozed into my thoughts again.

-"Son, if you want something, take it, alright?"- Dad told me with a wink.

I scratched my neck, -"Nah, it's…,"- I stopped and looked at him, -"Can I get a cereal?"

He smiled, patted my head and nodded, -"Of course, son. Whatever you want."

I thanked him and ran off to where my memory of the cereal's rack was. I loved cereal for breakfast and I specially loved Fruit Loops and Lucky Charms. I ran past lots of shelves until finally arriving to the cereals. I stared at the Fruit Loops and Lucky Charms for what looked like an eternity. I couldn't decide…

-"Mommy! I want these, please!"

-"Of course, my sweet baby! Anything you want!"

Mindlessly, I was staring at a family, -"Do you want to pick up a coloring book? I saw tons of them at the entrance!"- The father picked up a little girl and hugged her tightly. Then, the mother planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

-"Yay!"- The girl cheered as they walked away.

I was left alone and staring at the Fruit Loop box. Why couldn't mom be like that with me? It's funny, because she used to be like that, buying me anything I wanted, giving me kisses… and now, she's like a totally different person. One day she was all sweet and lovable, then she's all grumpy and unbearable. I wondered what changed her dramatically like that… was it me? Or was it me who changed instead? I couldn't really tell… Suddenly, I yearned for a family like that, always together and happy; no work, no bad times, no quarrels…

I heard a splash on the cereal's box and when my eyelids opened slightly, I gasped, -"Ah shit…"- I quickly swept off the tears from the box and from my eyes with my arm.

I gripped the box. Damn it… I'm such a crybaby. I had an unbearable knot on my throat. Pull yourself together; I said to myself as I shocked my head.

When I managed to pull myself together, I went back to the matter in hand. Well, dad said I could take anything I wanted, so I took both cereals and made my way to dad's cart.

On the walk to dad's cart, I felt the twist the air, halting my steps. Oh no… I turned around and looked everywhere. Him... here? I wanted to believe that it was just me being over dramatic and that maybe I had nausea or something, but I had to know if he was here. I had to know. I should leave it be; it was Saturday and I was tired and sick, but the joy wanted to overflow me. It always excited me whenever I found a friend from school somewhere else. Admit it, it's fun because you spend your time on the shop looking for that person; heck, even if you don't know him, but you know he's from your school, you still look for him and tell your parents 'hey, that guy's on my school.' And if he's like your best pal, you're all like 'Buddy! What are you doing here?' But you know the difference in this case? Marco… he was something else, way else. He was the one who made my dick go up, my heart skip a beat, my body sweat and tremble; he was the one who soothed me, who comforted me and… I thought we were best friends, from long ago and all, but… I wasn't sure anymore. I honestly felt like I was on a movie with him.

My legs moved on their own to the book section, fully knowing that if he's in the supermarket, he'd be looking for books, because as a "best friend", you have to know that he likes book a lot and guess what?

He was.

My heart began beating faster.

Marco was digging through piles of books when I hid in one of the tall shelves. I peered a little and watched him… or better yet, spied him; he gasped at a book and turned it around to read the back. I got bored and began eyeing him: he had a black T-shirt with a hand print sewn on it; below it 'We know' was written. I recognized that from one of the games I used to play: Skyrim, fucking Skyrim. He had several rubber bracelets on his wrist, but I couldn't identify them. Other than that, he had black jeans, his usual Converse and his skull beanie. Oh and around his neck were Superman Beat headphones.

I almost gasped; he looked so, so… ho- cool! I kept staring at his T-shirt and the headphones for what looked like an eternity. Damn, he looks awesome like always. My heart beats increased. My face burned. Then, -"Hey, hey, did you find it?"- A scrawny girl came hopping towards him. She looked like our age with blue jeans, white with pink flowers shirt and a pair of simple white slippers. She kept hopping around him cheerfully while chewing a gum, her long straight hair dancing along her.

My overprotective senses shot up immediately, but when I saw her jumping at him for a hug and leaned in for a kiss… I hid again and gripped my chest. What…? He… he had a girlfriend and he didn't…? I heard chuckles and I peered again. He was still hugging her tightly and when he let her go, he showed her the book, -"Yeah! I really though I wouldn't find it! Who would've thought it'd be in the supermarket?"

She chuckled and elbowed him, -"See, see? I told you, didn't I?"

I eyed her suspiciously; the way her chocolate eyes swirled… kind of bothered me. She looked kind of crazy the way she tilted her head to look at him. Other than that, her laughter annoyed me, her hopping pissed me and her cheery attitude was irksome. I had an unbearable ache in my chest and a weird need to snap the girl's leg. What was I feeling? I never experience it before… could it… could it be jealousy? Why? Marco and I had nothing. He probably guessed I had no feelings for him at all, so he went to fetch a girlfriend. Why did he choose this toothpick and nuisance? I felt like using her to clean my teeth.

I gripped my hair below the beanie. No, no, no! I shouldn't be considering her like that. Sure, she wasn't pretty, but it was his favoritism after all, no? Maybe she had a nice personality or…

-"Yeah, thanks!"- He thanked her and offered his hand for her, -"Shall we get going?"

She obviously took his hand, giggling and walked away.

My mouth gaped open. I felt an awful jealousy for the fact that now she was the one feeling those soothing currents of warmth he always emanated, the ones I was so deeply attached with. I gripped my hair harder. The aching in my chest increased. No, I couldn't bear with it…!

I quickly ran to dad's cart and threw the cereals in it, -"Hey, son! You got them cereals?"

I quickly nodded to him, panting, -"Dad, can I have a walk around?"

He smiled and nodded, -"Sure, son, but be careful! I'll call you when I'm done!"

By the time he said that, I was already gone and waving my arms back at him, -"Yeah, yeah!"

Now, where could they have gone…? I was trotting around the technical area and spotted them. They were eyeing computers and talking. He was probably saying dirty things to her because she kept giggling and blushing like a lollipop. I hid behind one of the showcases of TVs; well look at me, spying on their first date. I really wanted to leave them be, because this was none of my business. This was Marco's personal life outside the school. Then again, it was Marco here, you know… my "best friend", so I couldn't let it go.

They were still inspecting computers when, -"Marco, are you done?"- I heard a feminine voice on the other side. No way… two girlfriend? I couldn't get that many! What is he? Though, this one's voice wasn't as annoying as Toothpick's. This one was… soothing, just like his and calm, sweet… just like his, -"Marco? You know, you shouldn't hide from me like that, you playful boy."

Marco chuckled, -"I'm here!"- He raised his arm and waved it.

I realized that the woman turning from the showcase and revealing herself wasn't another girlfriend… it was his mother, -"There you are, my boy. I'm going to the checkout, are you coming?"- She took his beanie and began toying with his hair.

Wow, his mother was like… I dunno, an angel: she wasn't slim like Toothpick, she had curves and noticeable breast. With dark shoulder length curvy hair, her caramel eyes matched her freckled skin. Of course, she had freckled on her cheeks, but not as much as Marco. She was younger than my mother and looked like a normal girl; anyone could mistake her for his girlfriend. She had a white blue-ish knee length jean, nice brown boots and a plain white elbow length shirt. She had different bracelets, simple earrings that matched her clothing and a brown diadem around her forehead. She was simply… gorgeous and cute at the same time, besides looking like a huggable and cuddly person just like Marco.

He chuckled and blushed lightly, -"Nah, I'm going to check the videogames first."

She gave him back his beanie and smiled at him, -"Alright then, but stay there. Don't go anywhere else okay?"- She gave him one last squeeze in his cheeks and turned to face the Toothpick, -"Are you staying?"

Toothpick shocked her head and stuck out her tongue at Marco. I raged at her, -"No way! I'm not seeing stupid games!"

Marco's mother took her hand and they walked away, leaving Marco alone. The videogames were on the other side, so he walked there and I followed him. I took deep breaths as I just watched him eyeing videogames. What am I going to do? Face him? How? Then I noticed something: his arms. They weren't slim like they seemed to; instead, all I see now is toned arms. Not like mines, but… wow. Why didn't I notice this before in school? Well, most of the time he wears overcoats, so now that he had a T-shirt, I had a better view of his arms. I felt my mouth water and a boner coming up. Shit… no!

I grunted and that alerted him, blowing up my cover. I hid, grabbing my crotch to keep it down and hoped he just ignored this. I heard slow steps… I gulped and braced myself, my whole body trembled, -"Marcoooo!"- Toothpick's voice echoed, -"Time to goooo!"

Marco halted his step and waved at them, -"Coming!"

I took the opportunity and ran away, but not before looking back and seeing Marco stand where I was and looking sideways. A small smile spread on his lips as he turned around to leave. I ran back to the checkout with an aching chest, because the jealousy was still there; my heart was warm, though. Until now, I hadn't realized how much I wanted to see him.

Back at the cashier, dad was paying, -"There you are, son! I was about to call you,"- He said and retained his cellphone back on his pocket, -"Are you okay, son? You look tired."

God, I was tired. Following Marco all the time took a toll on me. I was all sweaty and out of breath, -"I-I'm fine. Don't worry."

He nodded and we began walking to the parking lot, -"You need to rest, son."

Oh, I really needed and he didn't know how much.

Back at home after eating, I went to bed early and slept the hours I hadn't slept last night. I dreamt of Marco and Toothpick, dating and making out. I felt like an oven inside me. I was jealous. I fucking admit it. It didn't make any sense, but I didn't care. I hated that girl. They were the only thing I could fucking think about and it bothered me. I still couldn't admit I was gay yet, but I sure as hell was jealous. All these things Marco made me feel were so real, I never felt like that before; heck, I never had a fucking boner with Trisha and today was like the third or fourth time I had one with Marco and we weren't even touching or making out or anything. I just looked at him and it goes up. I… I wasn't sure if I liked him the way he liked me or if this was just complete lust. Still yet, the way he makes me feel… meant something big, I just had to figure it out and accept things, but that was easier said than done.

God, why am I going through this? What have you got next for me?

Yuuusss! Marco plays Skyrim :D Just like me, but he's not as obsessed as me though lol xD Oh gosh, I had so much fun writing! I kept fangirling while writing!

Oh and remember that I'll soon be going on vacation, so I won't be updating for a while!

So, who is this new characters on Marco's life, hm? Is she really his girlfriend? Keep tuned, my babies :'D!