A/N: This chapter I decided to write from Mark's POV
I heard the bed before I heard Roger. I knew he'd be filled with questions on the previous night. Grabbing the cheap coffee mug Roger insisted on buying, I walked casually to my bedroom. From the other side of the door I heard his soft whispers of questions. I broke into a smile without even realizing it.
Seeing Roger on my bed made my cheeks color. Thankfully, he was so self absorbed in self pity he didn't notice. Giving him the cup I sat down next to him. Unintentionally my arm touched his. Quickly I looked up to see if he had realized. But he was still out of it.
I had to get out of the room; fast. I couldn't possibly be having these thoughts when just one day ago the love of his life had died in some hospital bed. Wiping out another one of their kind. Grabbing the coffee cup and walking out I gave a silent prayer of thanks that he hadn't asked why he was in my room.
I had hoped having Collins and Joann over would have lightened the situation up some. But I still caught myself staring at the rocker whenever I allowed my eyes to wonder. Soon Collins or Joann would see my quick glances and know something was up.
It happened quicker than I'd expected. Collins got up from his place on our filthy couch and asked me to help him find something in the kitchen. I cringed. Collins knew this place well enough to know where any and everything was. This is was something else.
"Mark, buddy, are you alright? You seem a bit...out there today," Collins asked me, placing one of his enormous hands on my shoulders.
"Yeah. Yeah I'm alright. Just overwhelmed I guess."
Collins didn't look convinced.
It took a few minutes of procrastinating before I blurted it out into one long sentence. "Ever since Mimi got really sick I started to fall for Roger and now I don't know what to do and I'm afraid he might find out and...and I'm scared!"
Silence insued. I felt like an idiot. I had promised myself from the very beginning not to tell a soul. Because this was just a phase. I'd get out of it when I went out and found a pretty girl who caught my attention.
Collins sighed. I waited breathlessly for him to say something...anything. But it never came. The big burly man let go of my shoulders, let out another long sigh, walked back into the living room, and told Joann they had to leave.
My eyes grew huge. Leave, they couldn't leave. I couldn't be left alone with Roger. He needed someone to talk to, to comfort him. I definitly wasn't going to be that person by that point.
I watched them leave with a sinking heart. From the moment I closed the huge door and took one look at Roger's dazzling green eyes I knew I had to get out of the loft. It broke my heart to leave my best friend all alone when he needed me most, but I cared for our friendship enough not to risk it over my stupid emotions.