AN: Last weekend I got a hedgehog! I named her Ava! She's such a cutie! I hope you've been enjoying these chapters! This chapter was the one I have been the most excited to write so far. I was kind of nervous on how you all would react to it. You'll understand all of the twists and turns toward the end though! If you have any questions or whatever, just review or PM me J Have a wonderful Valentine's day! And maybe you'd like to follow me on Twitter? I update on my life as well as this story! My tag is carmie_thomas

The tone rang a few times before a confused voice answered.

"Carly? Everything okay?" Mark asked.

"Yeah I was just calling to ask about some time off," I said.

"Time off?"

"Yeah, our first exams are starting later this week and I just needed a few days for studying and doing them."

"Oh of course you can have time off. You can always come here and chill or study if you want." Mark replied.

"Carly won't be here a few days? The house will get terrible without her!" I heard Ryan yell in the background. I laughed and I agreed that I would come over and hung up with Mark.

The next day at school several people approached me. I was studying and walking towards the nearest lunch table.

"It must be amazing!" a girl in the group said. I glanced down at the anatomy and physiology book I was memorizing.

"Anatomy? Well it can be, I guess," I shrugged.

"Not that, silly. Dating Markiplier!" she replied.

"Well I wouldn't say we are dating. It's not really an official thing,"

"Yeah, yeah. So can we meet him?"

"I don't think that's a good idea." I glanced at my watch and jumped up. "Shit! I need to go. Exam time. Bye!" I said, hurrying off towards my anatomy class.

"Knock, knock! Mark? Matt? Ryan? Hello?" I called out to the eerily silent house.

"Matt's editing the videos and Mark is going over the stuff he wants edited out. I just finished making some dinner." Ryan said, meeting me in the dining room. "Matt, Mark, dinner's ready. And Carly's here!"

Ryan and I brought food out and Mark began setting the table.

"This looks great." Matt said, beginning to spoon out food for himself.

Light chatter began and we all began eating food.

"So I was recognized today." I said. Mark looked up at me.

"At school?" he asked. I nodded.

"Yeah, some students were asking me about you. They wanted to meet you but I told them it may not be a good idea right now." I replied.

"Be careful. Some fans can take a hint and some can't. I would suggest carrying some pepper spray." Ryan added.

"My dad makes it a requirement that I do anyway." I laughed. Mark smiled.

After dinner, Mark walked me out to my car.

"Thank Ryan again for dinner. It was wonderful." I said.

"Yeah, he's a really good cook. Not many people know that about him." Mark added. "Now you better be careful out-"

I leaned in and kissed him, stopping him mid-sentence. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer. We kissed for several minutes and I broke away. Mark looked down at me with a smirk on his face. I laughed and poked him playfully.

"I should really get going. More tests tomorrow!" I said. Mark opened my car door and I got in. I cranked it up and began to head home.

The next few days at school were a repeat. Take a test, get lunch, and get noticed from Mark's video. It was like a scratched record that wouldn't stop repeating. I spent just about every night at Mark's house.

My mom had sent a grocery list with me this morning. After class, I headed toward the closest store.

I grabbed a shopping cart in the parking lot and walked toward the store. I went up and down the aisles, grabbing the stuff my mom wanted.

"That's her, I swear! Hey! Carly!" a voice said. I turned around and noticed there was a big crowd forming around me. Someone shoved a pen and paper toward me and people began pushing. I lost my balance and the crowd engulfed me.

"I think she's waking up! Mark, honey? Carly's waking up." My mother's voice pounded in my ears. Faces came into focus. My mother, father, and Mark were all at my side. I looked around and noticed I was in the hospital. Matt and Ryan were asleep on a nearby couch.

"What happened?" I asked.

"You don't remember? You were at the grocery store and a mob trampled you. Seems some people had followed you from school and decided to ambush you." My mom said. Mark grabbed my hand and squeezed. I smiled.

"We'll give you some time to talk." My dad said, leading my mom out of the room.

Tears ran down Mark's face. I reached out and wiped them away.

"Why are you crying? Don't cry." I said.

"I shouldn't have told them. I got you hurt." Mark said, sadly.

"You didn't get me hurt. They were just excited. It's ok I'm not hurt that bad just a little sore. I'll be okay."

"Maybe we shouldn't do this."

"Do what? Date?"

"Yeah, I mean, I don't want this to keep happening."

"No. Don't do this. I really like you, Mark. A few fans got excited. Nothing happened. Don't worry."

"Guys, you should do a video about it to help get the message out." Matt said, sleepily.

"That's actually a good idea." Ryan added.

"Then as soon as you get out of here we will record a video." Mark said, leaning in to kiss my forehead.