Cory didn't get in until really late the night before. She was thankful that Mark and Roger left the window unlocked for her so she could climb in. The next morning, she woke up and went into the kitchen. She could smell eggs. She walked in expecting to see Mark staring at her with his purple apron on cooking the eggs. But to her surprise—it was Roger.

"Roger? What are you doing here?" She asked him confused.

"Uh . . . I live here."

"No. I mean, where's Mark?"

"I don't know. I woke up and he was still asleep."

"Really?" Cory rubbed her eyes. Just then, Mark came in doing the same, he still looked tired.

"What's going on?"

"There you are!" Roger pulled off his apron and started heading for the door. "God, I'm so glad you're finally up! I'm going to go downstairs and eat a real breakfast with Collins and Mimi." With that, Roger was out the door, leaving Mark and Cory, still in their pyjamas.

"Well, that was weird," Mark said as he walked to the kitchen.

"Yeah. Why did you sleep in?"

"Huh?"

"It's almost eleven. You never sleep past nine."

"I stayed up late last night."

"Waiting up for me?"

Mark blushed, "yeah. I guess I dozed off and woke up when you came in. Because I stayed up until four waiting for you."

"Oh. Yeah I got in about 1:00."

"Oh. Wow."

"So, Mark, what'd you think of Dave?" Mark put the eggs on a plate and handed it to Cory. She walked over to the couch and sat down. Mark followed.

"He was nice."

"Nice?"

"Funny."

"Funny?

"Um . . . smart?"

"Smart?" Cory looked at Mark strangely.

"What?" He asked.

"Give me a real answer."

"Those are real answers."

"No they're not. Those are generic answers. What do you really think of him?"

The truth was, that Mark didn't really like Dave. He'd spent the entire night with Cory and her friends. He met them at the Life Café and followed them to Maureen's protest. After the show, Mark expected Dave and Cory to say goodbye, but he decided to go to the Life with everyone else. For three hours, Mark listened to Dave go on and on about himself. Everyone else—especially Cory— was hanging on his every word. Needless to say, Mark was bored the entire night. After everyone left the Life Café, Mark was sure this would be the time that Dave and Cory would say good bye. But they didn't. The rest of the friends walked home while Cory and Dave went to his house. Mark didn't like this idea at all. But he didn't say anything. He just attempted to wait up for her. He finally gave up around four and went to bed. Throughout the entire night, Mark barely spoke a word to Cory. He had no idea why he was acting like this.

"He's cool," Mark lied.

"Mark . . ." Cory said sternly.

"I like him. I do. Okay? Jeez Cory."

"Sorry. It's just, I really like Dave. And I don't want it to turn out like . . . well, like last time. I want you all to like him too." Mark looked up from his eggs. Cory still looked tired, but happy, and still beautiful. He wanted her happy. She was his best friend. But for some reason, he didn't want this thing with her and Dave to happen.

"I like him. Promise," he lied again.

Cory's face lit up in relief. "Good!"

"So," Mark began trying to change the subject, "when are you going to find out about that play?"

"Um, they said they'd let me know by the 6th."

"Today is the sixth."

"I know! I really hope I get the part. Dave and I were talking last night and he said if I get the part, I should just tell him when the rehearsals are so he can ride the subway with me. I told him about my fear of riding the subway by myself. Isn't that sweet?"

"Just darling."

The night before with Dave was amazing. The walk there with Mark was weird. Cory was starting to think that maybe she was getting to him. But as soon as she saw Dave, she realized how much she really did like him. He and Cory were together all night. They even went to his house afterwards and she stayed there for hours just talking to him. When she got in, she didn't realize that Mark was asleep on the couch. He waited up for her, well, at least tried to wait up for her. She was beginning to think he actually did care.

"I'm going to get dressed. If Dave calls, come get me okay?"

"Okay." Mark continued eating his eggs. Roger sure wasn't the great chef that Mark was. Just then the phone rang. Mark didn't even budge. It was the habit of him and his room mates to screen the calls.

"SPPPPEAAAK".

-"Yes this is Michael Foster from Village Drama Company. I'm looking for

a miss Cory Runyan. She auditioned for me the other day. I wanted to let her

know that she got the part of Amy. Please have her call me back at this

number—714-8785. Thank you. -

Mark quickly jumped up and ran to Cory's bedroom. "Cory! Cory! You'll never guess what just happened!"

"What? Did he call?"

"Yes! He did!"

"He did? Dave called?"

"Huh? Oh. No. Michael Foster from VDC called. And you got the part!"

"Are you serious?"Cory asked, she couldn't believe it.

"Yes! I'm serious! Isn't that amazing!" Cory was so thrilled she didn't know what to do. Her first instinct was to run up to Mark and kiss him full on the lips. But she didn't. That would be too weird.

"Oh my god! Mark, this is awesome!" She threw her arms around him.

"I know—."

"I can't wait to tell Dave!" She pulled away.

"Oh yeah. Dave."

"I'm gonna go call him right now." She flew past Mark and into the main room and called Dave, leaving mark still in her bed room.

"What in the hell is happening?" He asked himself, "why do I feel this way? I shouldn't be feeling this way! She's my best friend. But, she's beautiful. God. This is driving me crazy. I've gotta get outta here." Mark went back to where Cory was calling Dave, and picked up his camera equipment and coat and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Cory asked placing her hand over the receiver.

"Out," was all Mark said and he left.