Sorry for the long wait! I…recovered earlier last week, but I didn't have time to update. I was planning to update last weekend, but I was too busy. I don't know how much I'm going to be able to update this week either (I'm SO busy!), but I'll try my best! And, good news! School lets out on the 16, so I can update a lot once that date rolls around. And, on top of that, this chapter is pretty long (at least longer than most of the others). Enjoy!

I awoke to Mark's gentle snoring. Dim light softly poured through the little window towards the ceiling. I smiled contently and closed my eyes, allowing the light to envelope me in a pocket of serenity. Mark had always been a morning person, resulting in me following his suit. At first I grumbled at being up at what seemed to be 'un-earthly' hours, but I picked up the habit and now being up with the sun was like being tossed around in the dryer- my guilty pleasure.

I watched as Mark tossed and turned on his cot, mumbling in his sleep. "No," he whispered desperately, "No, come back!"

Small tears started to slowly flow down his cheeks. His arms flailed every which way, causing him to knock his glasses off of the cardboard box he'd rested them on near his cot. He kicked the numerous blankets off of his makeshift bed and began to shiver in the early morning chill.

I clucked my tongue and shook my head disapprovingly, smiling all the while. "What are we going to do with you Mark?" I teased.

The boy woke up with a start, glancing around the room wildly before spying me. In a mad dash he ran over and picked me up, sighing loudly and rubbing me along his smooth skin.

"I thought I'd lost you," he whispered, using me to wipe away his tears, a habit he hadn't been able to break since the first grade.

"Don't worry Mark," I reassured, "I'll always be here for you. Always."

Just then, Roger burst into the basement. "Hurry up!" he whispered harshly, "My Mom's running late, so she still isn't downstairs and my dad is just finished up with his shower. Quick! Just change really quickly and get outside before they come downstairs! You can brush your teeth and junk at school. I'll swipe you some breakfast!"

Mark was already done changing by the time Roger finished speaking. He nodded dutifully before wrapping me around his neck and picking up Camera. He quickly dashed into the bathroom and brushed his teeth and straightened out his hair before running up the stairs and slipping out the door, just as I saw Mr. Davis ramble down the stairs into the kitchen.

"Close call," I muttered as Mark hid behind a bush, catching his breath.

"Tell me about it," he whispered. As soon as he said it, a wild and confused look crossed his face. He shook his head and closed his eyes, muttering to himself inaudibly.

I watched, dumbstruck, as Mark winced, flinched and started yelling bloody murder.

"What the…?" I asked myself.

That's when I noticed the foil-wrapped muffin sitting in the soil and Roger laughing his head off.

"God Mark," he said between laughs, "You're such a wimp! All I did was throw the fucking muffin at you and you totally spazzed!"

Roger stopped his mockery abruptly as Mrs. Davis' shrill voice rang through the air. "Roger honey?" she asked, "What are you laughing about? Did your invisible friend Moe come back again?"

Roger blushed a deep shade of red and Mark stifled laughter, as did I.

"No Mom," he called back, "It's nothing. I was just laughing at a joke I heard yesterday."

I heard the door click shut and Mark started laughing hysterically.

"Moe?" he teased, "Moe? What kind of dumb-ass name is Moe? And who the fuck has imaginary friends? Oh, that's right, YOU DO!"

Roger smirked. "My Mom doesn't know that you're here," he said dangerously, "But she could very soon."

Mark immediately shut up.

Roger grinned evilly. "That's what I thought."