Now, I know what you all think when you hear the words. "Headed to their apartment"… You know, you have dirty, sick minds…..Get them out of the gutter…geez, and I thought New Yorkers had bad minds…ha-ha…just kidding…
Anyways, nothing bad happened, April and Roger sat on the ratty old couch, as he read her song lyrics that he wrote for her. She'd smile and laugh at bits and pieces of the song. And when he finished, she give him a kiss on the cheek.
Mark and I sat on the stoop that lead up to him room. I had told him about when I was in high school, that I had made the odd film, and we were talking about which directors were best, and the like.
It finally got late, it was about 10'00 when I told April, " April, it's getting late, we really should go…"
April was lying against Roger, and he had his arms around her shoulders, and she was laughing at something that she said in her ear.
" That's ok Scarlette, I'm staying here tonight…You can head home though."
I sighed…I swear, she spent more time here, than she did at home..
I had gotten up and leaned against the couch to talk to her…But at hearing that,
I went and slumped back as I sat on the step again. Mark had been leaning back on the second step, with his elbows, and his head was back, and he was staring at the ceiling.
But when I sat downhe looked down at me.. " What's the matter?"
I sighed again, and looked down.
"Nothing"
" Come on Scarlette, something's really bothering you…"
I looked at him, my eyes brimming with hot tears.
Mark took my hand in his own, and looked into my eyes…
" …..Scarlette, I know something's wrong.. You can tell me."
I looked at the floor, my face turned flamey red. Why couldn't I hide emotions like April?
He put his other hand on top, and stood up.
" Scarlette, you can't keep holding this in…You're going to make yourself sick."
He turned and looked at Roger.
"Hey Rog, 'Lettie and I are heading out for a while, don't wait for me, I'll be back tomorrow sometime."
He then put his scrawny arm around my shoulders and lead me out the door.
I could hear April and Roger saying. " Isn't that cute? Mark and Scarlette are a couple!" -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He took me to a little park near their loft, and set me on the little porch-like swing.
The swing rocked back and forth, and back and forth as Mark held me while I cried.
His embrace felt strong and warm. Although he was about my size, he was a little bit better built than I was, so it felt like his embrace engulfed me.
This was it, I was crying into the worn shirt of a boy that I had only met a while ago…
He seemed trustworthy enough….I could feel his rough hands stroking my hair, his soft voice whispering in my ear. When I thought about pulling free, he only held me tighter..
I decided that now it was time.
I pulled out of his embrace, and looked at him through tear filled eyes. One tear fell. He wiped it away. I gathered my courage, and my voice and asked.
" Can I trust you? Will you help me?"