Author's Note: Ooh. Quick update. This is what happens when the German 8 class are doing a test and I have nothing to do but sit there since no one needs help. I'm pretty much awesome. Haha. I don't think I'll have chapter seven up so soon, though, so enjoy this one. It turned out slightly like I wanted it to.

CHAPTER SIX: Ordinary Men Abound

Can't get away from it now

I'm too entrenched.

-- Ordinary Men Abound

The ring of the phone rouses Roger and Mark out of their sleep-like state. They shift about, untangling their limb. As they yawn, they hear the familiar procession of 'BEEP! – SPEAK!'

"Hey. Roger. This is Greg. I figured that you –"

In a flash, Roger is off the couch. He picks up the phone, ignoring Mark's slight look of annoyance.

"Greg. Hi. Yeah, sorry about that. Yeah? … Oh." Roger frowns slightly, and quickly brightens up. "Are you serious? Of course! Yeah. Alright. No. Cool. Talk to you later." He hangs up and looks at Mark.

"Well?" Mark raises an eyebrow slightly. He's got an uneasy feeling in his stomach.

"We aren't going to LA." Roger sighs a bit, but grins soon after. "Instead, Greg's brother wants us to go to the gig he's doing in San Francisco! We're going in a week!"

Mark smiles as best as he can. He gets up and hugs Roger.

"That's awesome."

Roger practically squeezes Mark.

"I know! I can't fucking wait! Everything is taken care off, too, so I don't need to worry much about money!" He kisses Mark. "I've got to go talk to the guys."

Roger lets go of Mark. He swiftly throws on his jacket and shoes, then waves to Mark and is gone. Mark scowls a bit. He, too, puts on his jacket and shoes. He grabs his camera and leaves the loft, hoping to get other things on his mind.

--

A week, Mark thinks, goes by too fast. All of a sudden he and Roger are the bus depot. Mark shifts his weight uncomfortably while Roger puts out a cigarette.

"So. You're going to San Francisco."

Roger nods. He pushes some hair out of his face.

"Yeah. This is going to be awesome."

"Yeah …"

"Is something bothering you?"

Mark blinks and looks up into Roger's questioning gaze. He puts on a small smile.

"It's nothing … I'm going to miss you, that's all." He shrugs.

Roger laughs and ruffles Mark's hair.

"Thanks. But that's not it, is it?"

"I was finally getting used to everything again." Mark shrugs again. "We were finally starting to spend some good time together."

"We've been spending loads of time together."

"No, I know. But all you can talk about is your music and your band."

Roger frowns.

"You're the one who told me to make an effort!"

"What if I don't want you to make an effort anymore?" Mark gets a frustrated look. "I just don't want you to go, alright?" He watches Roger with narrowed eyes.

"This is one of the best things to ever happen to me and my band." Roger uses his hands to add emphasis to his point. He isn't glaring, but it's apparent that his anger is building. "And all you can think of is what you want? How fucking selfish can you get?"

Roger's bus starts loading on passengers. Mark finally blurts out what's been bothering him the most.

"What if you meet someone over there who's better than me?"

And that is it. Roger's response is far worse than any angry outburst. He watches Mark with a glare that's like ice. It's cold, hard anger, and it's directed at Mark.

"Nice to see you trust me so much. I'll keep that in mind while I'm down there." Roger's voice is as void of fire as his eyes. His words quiver slightly, sending a scared chill through Mark. He shakes his head and gets on the bus.

Mark watched helplessly. He knows there's no point in calling after Roger. That would just make the problem worse. The doors to the bus close, and the two men don't even wave at each other.

As the bus drives off, Mark sits on a bench. He holds his head in his hands. He had pictured saying goodbye to Roger all week, and not once had he imagined it going like this. It wasn't supposed to.

Author's Note: Silly Mark. Speaking what's on his mind like that. Reviews make me a happy person.