A/N- So yeah I like to put little messages hidden with in the story (the beginning of chapter 2) but I couldn't find a place to put my latest… thing… I really cannot stand the freshman at my school… grrr… they are always in my way… and Jan behind me say's that they are small (in the pants… cause she knows).

Okay- that's done- enjoy.

Also I want to apologize for how long it took for me to get this up- simple explanation- ear infection, constitution test, constitution retake, Holiday concert, winter solstice, and Christmas decorating. If you put it in order you will understand lol

Disclaimer- I don't own anything. I wish I owned the freshman at my school however, so I could knock them into place

-Please review-

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It was near 6 when Mark returned to the building. He made his way up to the apartment, putting his bike in the normal spot, and shutting the large metal door behind him. Roger and Mimi were sitting together on the couch in each others arms.

"I was starting to wonder when you'd get back," Roger said as he momentarily looked at Mark then back at the TV.

"I went out to get something and was held up by my wonderful older sister," Mark said, spitting out the words about his older sister with the utmost disgust.

"That sucks." Roger said as he set his chin on Mimi's shoulder.

The phone rang and Mark stepped over near the answering machine and screened the call.

It was his mother.

"Honey," the shrill voice said through the machine," Honey I just saw Cindy who stopped by and she said that you have a theory that I am the reason that why Maureen went-"

Mark picked up the phone and spoke," Mom… hi."

"Oh, hello, Mark dear- why didn't you answer the phone honey?" Marks mother asked in a sweet tone.

"I just got home." Mark said- he wasn't exactly lying.

"Explain to me this theory Cindy was telling me about."

"Mom, your overbearing nosiness and your telling of things that you caught me doing when I was younger didn't exactly make her want to stay with me."

"Mark, that wouldn't-"

"Mom, just forget it. I told Cindy to keep her mouth shut but it is obvious that she is not capable of it."

"Mark Cohen, treat your sister with respect," Marks mom said sternly.

"Mother I am old enough to treat her how I'd like."

"And you are never to old for me to turn you over my knee and me to spank you."

"Mother, you try that and I'll call the cops. I'm sorry but I have plans and I need to go." Mark hung up the phone and sat on the counter, exasperated.

"Nice theory, Mark." Roger said, having heard the whole conversation because it was all recorded on the answering machine.

Mark tried smiling and let out a forced laugh," Yeah, what's Melissa's number?"

"Its on the paper next to the phone."

Mark nodded and found it then dialed the number.

After a few rings Melissa answered the phone, cheerfully saying," Hi Mark."

"Hello Melissa, how did you know it was me?"

"Cuase no one else wants to call me."

"Not true."

"Alright- I'll try to believe you… so when are you going to come down?"

"When did you want me to come down?"

"Anytime, really. I just finished cleaning up the place and no all I have to do is throw on some clean clothes and some makeup."

"I'll come down in 15 minutes then?"

"15 minutes sounds wonderful. How was your day?"

Mark suspected that she was trying to buy a little extra time," It was alright, I had an unwanted encounter with my older sister but the prospect of seeing you tonight kept me in high spirits."

"I'm glad that I kept you happy." Melissa giggled at the other end.

"You did- how was you day?"

"It was good, quiet. I slept most of the day."

"Well that's nice, Anyway I should get all the stuff together."

"Alright, I'll see you soon them."

"Definitely."

The two of them hung up. Mark got all of the food together and put it in the bag he had brought it all home in.

Mark waited about 15 minutes before he headed downstairs. When he got down to the floor under his, he balanced the bag on his hip and knocked on the door.

After a minute Melissa opened the door, while one handedly putting up her hair. "Hello," she said with a smile that looked purely forced.

"Hey," Mark replied as she stepped in, Melissa finishing putting up her hair and then taking the bag from Mark.

He had a pair of baggy jeans on with a baggy turtleneck. She walked over to the metal counter with the bag and set it down," Thanks for bringing this. It saved me an unwanted trip to the store."

Mark nodded," It was on the way home from work anyway." Mark looked at the flowers in his hand," Oh, I almost forgot, these are for you!" Mark held the flowers out to Melissa.

"Oh, thank you, they're gorgeous," Melissa walked over and took the flowers from Mark and kissed him on the cheek.

"I am glad that you like them- I'm not too good with picking out flowers." Mark chuckled nervously.

"They're great Mark, thank you," Melissa walked over to one of the cabinets and pulled out an empty coffee can and took it to the sink filling it wit water.

"Hey, I was wondering if you were okay, your dad seemed pretty angry."

Melissa nodded," I am fine. He just gets angry easily," she began to rub a spot on her arm haphazardly.

Mark moved to the counter, slightly worried about Melissa then moved behind her and set his hands on her shoulders and kissed the back of her neck lightly.

"You look beautiful tonight," Mark said softly into Melissa's ear.

"Thank you," Melissa said as she moved to the other counter and started unloading the bag," You are really sweet, did you know that?"

"I didn't know that but thank you." Mark said as he sorted out the food.

The two began to cook together, neither of them knowing what to say, unsure of their words. After they finished cooking the pasta that mark had brought, they sat down together on the couch and ate.

Mark relaxed back on the couch and looked at Melissa," Do you work?"

Melissa nodded," Yep."

"Where?"

"I work down the street at the Cat Scratch with Mimi."

"You don't seem the type to work there."

Melissa laughed and smiled, setting her plate, barely eaten from, on the makeshift coffee table." It makes money, well at least enough to pay some of the bills- that is when my dad doesn't use the money for him and his boyfriend," Melissa seemed to shutter.

"Why do you put up with him?"

Melissa pulled her feet up onto the couch," I'll tell you if you promise not to tell Roger."

Mark nodded," Of course I won't tell."

Melissa smiled," It was a deal I made with Benny and Allison. I agreed to stay here with my dad if they continued to pay for me to go to the arts academy."

"What if I were to talk to him about it?"

"Because if you did he still wouldn't budge- it would be a waste even to try." Melissa shifted and rested her head on Marks chest and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Whatever suits you." Mark said as he stroked her hair.

"Would you like to watch a movie?"

"Sure."

Melissa hopped up and rummaged through a box," Any favorites?"

"Anything you choose."

Melissa pulled out Holiday Inn and popped it in the VCR and moved back to the couch. Mark pulled Melissa closer as she hit play on the remote control.

They didn't get very far into the movie before Melissa turned her head and kissed Mark deep, pulling back after a few moments. Mark then bent back down and took Melissa's chin and pulled her mouth to his and devoured it.

By the time Melissa was straddling Marks lap, both of then still clothed but out of breath and exhausted. As the room went black because of the ending of the tape, Melissa pulled herself off of Mark and popped out the tape, snow filling the screen. Silently she popped in another movie, hit play then climbed back onto the couch, wrapping her arms around Mark. Mark quietly watched as Melissa fell into a light sleep. Mark closed his eyes and was in a slight sleep within a few minutes.

It was about 3 in the morning when Mark woke up, Melissa was laying there staring at the black TV screen.

"You okay baby?" Mark asked at he stroked her hair.

"I'm fine, it's late. You should go." Melissa said as she sat up, some of her make up had work off, showing a bruise on her cheek. Melissa flipped on the lamp behind her, not realizing that the bruise was visible.

Mark nodded and kissed her on the forehead then stood up, not wanting to mention the bruise. "Tonight was nice. I'll see you later." Mark walked to the door and opened it then said," Put heat then ice on the bruise on your cheek, and it'll take down the pain and coloring." Mark walked out, his last sight of Melissa looking shocked and holding her hand up to her cheek.

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A/N- Okay so that is enough for now! Hehe, I am evil. Sorry if some of the dialogue was shallow I have just been worn out and haven't really been thinking complexly lately. The next chapter will be better!