School Hard
By: Erin (Kate)
Mark
I find myself cringing as I take in the look on Roger's face. Stupid, stupid Mark. You knew that he knew you in high school. You knew he has all kinds of stories about you, and you just had to go shooting off your mouth. "I... well... I..." I stutter and grab my camera, trying to burn time. I flick the camera on and zoom in on Roger's smirk, that's a really good shot.
"Marky?" Maureen purrs. I turn, the camera coming along, and find my camera focusing on her pout. "Aren't ya going to say anything?"
Damn. I mumble some and set the camera down on the table. Zoom in on Mark, who's just gotten himself into the biggest mess. "I... erhm... In high school I was exactly the same as I am now!" I blurt out, nodding, satisfied. "Same camera, everything."
And yet Maureen still pouts. "Marky! That's a crappy story! What are you doing? Roger told us his brace-y story, why can't-"
"I told you the stories about Roger's braces," I point out quietly, as Joanne tries to calm Maureen down. And shut her up, hopefully.
"Then why doesn't Roger tell Mark's story?" Angel asks, trying to be helpful. I drop my head into my hands, that's exactly what I didn't want said. Good old Angel... Who I really wish wasn't so smart and nice right now.
"I think that's a great idea," Roger says smoothly. I lift my head up and groan, I bet I know what story he's thinking of too.
"Mark... It can't be that bad..." Mimi whispers to me, leaning over and kissing my forehead. Roger's so involved in his self-satisfaction that he doesn't even notice. That's probably good, the last thing I need right now is for Roger to get mad and jealous while talking about me in high school.
"You'd be surprised," I whisper back. Angel picks up the camera and focuses on Mimi, Roger and I. Roger seems to take this is a sign to start talking.
"Well, well, well, embarrassing stories about Mark in high school. What a nice, broad topic." Roger smirks and I just want to jump up and go... elsewhere. Unfortunately, Mimi knows me, and her hand is tightly clamped around my arm. "I think I've got just the one." And he's going to milk it for all he can. "As we know, Mark doesn't drink too much."
"Cuz he's a prude!" Maureen declares loudly. I blush and Joanne starts whispering frantically to Mo again.
"Cuz he can't take his alcohol," Roger amends. I frown, he's making me out to be a loser... more so than I know I am.
"Hey!" I protest. "I have never thrown up or passed out!"
"Yeah, but you fall down all the time. You can hold your alcohol, you just can't take it." I find myself frowning more as Roger keeps talking. Stupid Roger...
"Anyway, in high school, Mark really couldn't take his alcohol. Makes me wonder what he was doing hanging out with us."
"Did you guys get Mark drunk?" Mimi squeals, looking back and forth between Roger and me. "Rog, that's so mean!"
"No, trust me, Mimers, it was funny. Mark makes a funny drunk." Roger grins and Mark groans. Angel seems amused by this as I can just feel the camera zooming on me. "Yeah, so, senior year, we're having this big party and Mark's pretty wasted. Mark also gets very gullible when drunk. So, Roger, knowing this, convinces Mark to-"
"Dress in drag! A very interesting experience, now let's never speak of it again," I say quickly, desperately trying to keep myself from turning too red. Hmmm, Angel seems upset, that's not usual. "Angel?" I ask quieter, now that attention isn't directly focused on my embarrassment-although Maureen's killing herself laughing.
"What's wrong with drag?" Angel asks in a tiny voice, setting the camera down. Mimi immediately grabs it, focusing on Maureen, who's practically crying, and narrating softly.
"Oh, Angel, no no... There's nothing wrong with drag. Drag on you-it's beautiful. Now, drag on me... It ain't pretty. Trust me, I've seen pictures."
And Mark goes flying in the air as the weight on the couch beside me abruptly disappears. "Oooh! Ooh ooh ooh!" Roger's sprinting across the room-practically in my bedroom now. My face is once again buried in my hands.
"No! No no no!" Damnit, shouldn't have mentioned the pictures, way to remind Roger. Stupid Mark, stupid stupid. Mimi gently rubs my back, turning the camera on me. I can't hear what she's saying to it, and I don't think I want to.
Boom, and the weight's back on the couch, along with the sound of Roger's hysterical laughter. "God, these things are great." More laughter follows and Roger's elbow pokes my ribs. "Much more embarrassing than my braces picture, huh, Cohen?"
"Shut up, Davis," I mutter, elbowing him back. We get rather involved in a little elbowing and poking war, before I notice Maureen kneeling on the floor in front of me, tugging on the ends of my scarf. Don't know why I wore that thing.
"Pookie? Pookie..." I frown, why is Maureen calling me that? She keeps tugging on the scarf, pulling me closer and closer to her. I glance over at Joanne, who should be saving me about now, except she and Collins are having some type of discussion surrounding one of the pictures. Damnit!
I blink down at Maureen, who leans up and start licking at my lips. "Pookie, I was thinkin'... You wanna go to a bar with me tonight? I've... got a blue skirt you can borrow! It'll go with your eyes!" She bursts out into hysterical laughter, rolling around on the floor.
Beet red and scowling, I lean back against the couch, elbowing Roger again. I let out a heavy sigh, which nobody notices. Kicking Maureen's feet for good measure, I grab one of the pictures and tear it up. "Isn't it someone else's turn?" I ask in a tiny voice, cringing as my voice cracks.
"You got yours," Roger laughs in my ear and, regardless of how childish it is, I stick my tongue out at him. "Now now, Marky, let them have their fun."
I scowl, turning to face the camera Mimi's still holding. At least she's not being mean. "Zoom in on Mark, who's desperately hoping for a intervention." Mimi sighs and puts the camera down, pulling me into a hug as Roger turns back to laughing over the pictures with everyone else.
"Mark? I think you'd look cute in a skirt." I groan and Mimi tips her head, kissing my hair. "Just kidding, hon."
-----
Author's Note: Sorry it's so short... I'm just not good at writing for Mark. *wink*wink* The next part will be longer... especially if I get some reviews!
Disclaimer: The characters all belong to the genius that is Jonathan Larson.
-----