I wake up Saturday, early too. For no reason. I'm going to Mark's at two. The week was uneventful. I have a class with Mark and its gym. Mark is a junior while I am a sophomore. We have been hanging out at lunch everyday so far. We hang out in the hiding spot. When your down there you can't hear anything. And nothing can hear you. I asked him if he ever explored more. He said, "Once or twice. Only when I first found this place when I moved here a few years ago." He told me he didn't get very far, but if I wanted he would take me. I thought about it, but this is his hiding spot, so I think it should really stay his.
Noon rolls around, finally! I can start gitting ready to leave. After I was done gitting dressed, I garbed my bag and started to hed out when my Malcolm stops me. "Where are you going?" Crap I forgot to tell him! "I made a friend at school, we have been hanging out at lunch. I asked if he wanted to hang out this weekend, and now I'm going to his house down the street. He lives at the corner on the last block." He sighs, "Just call me if you need anything. I'll be at work. Do you want a ride?" I refuse. I like walking more.
It's almost a two hour walk, but it's worth it. When I get there I am greeted by a younger kid leaving Mark's house. I hear Mark yell, "Just be back by six Tom!" The boy just nods and runs off. Mark sees me at the door and rushes over. "You can come in. My Mom works nights, so we have the house to our selves." As I enter his home, I see a beautiful, huge living room.
"Lets go play video games?" I nod and fallow him up the stairs to his room. His room is very simple, big bed and closet. And an awesome computer set up. "Wow this is even cooler then the one at school." He laughs, His laugh is really cute. " Thank you. The one at school is just my laptop hooked up to a monitor and keyboard." We play games for a few hours. Its six. Mark rushes downstairs. For the next 15min I wait in his room.
"Sorry, I had to call my Mom. My brother is spending the weekend at his friends house. If you want you can spend the night? My friends will be here in an hour so, its up to you." I would really like that. Shit I have to call Malcolm. "I would like that. Let me call my brother." I left the room to make the call, Mark looks confused, wonder why. (on the phone.) "Hey can I spend the night at Mark's? I can! Alright, tomorrow at seven. Will do, I love you too. Bye"
When I get back Mark is hooking up speakers. "I can spend the night." He turns around and smiles. "Cool. Do you like music?" "I do. I like all sorts of music." He shakes his head and went back to what he was doing. I start to look around his room. I hear rock music playing, I turn around to see Mark rocking out. I join in the fun and just start dancing with him. When we are greeted by two small knocks.
We are stopped by to very tall guys. Mark perks up, "Hi Bob, hi Wade! Jack these are my friends. Wait wheres Aaron, Cry, Felix, and Ken? I thought all of you were coming?" I'm not sure witch but one speaks up. "Aaron has to take care of Jess tonight. His mom got called in last minute. He'll be here tomorrow afternoon. Wade and I think Cry is with his mom for the weekend. Felix was forced to go to a scholarship program for the week. And Ken has the flu." So hes Bob. Wade, a tall skinny boy with an Afro introduces himself. "Hello. I'm Wade. Its nice to meet you..." Mark Chimes in, "Sean! Call him Jack." Both Bob and Wade look at each other confused. "Why Jack?" Bob ponders. I didn't even tell Mark why I like to be called Jack. "Well it's what my older brother has always called me, so I go by Jack and not Sean."
The night progressed nicely, we played a lot of video games. Prop Hunt is probably my favorite. Bob passed out on the couch with two bottles of beer in his hands. I watched as they all got drunk and played Minecraft. The yell almost as much as I do. Wade fell asleep next. He passed out on the floor of Mark's closet. Now Mark and I are alone watching a movie in the living room. Why do I feel so weird?!
Mark speaks up. "I had fun today. I'm really glad I met you Jack. Its nice not being alone." What he said hit me deep in my heart. He continues in my slince. " For a along time now I have been alone. Don't get me wrong I love the friends I have like family. But I don't get to see them a lot. They live so far away and its such a long drive, my brother doesn't like to hang out with me that much. My Mom knows how I feel. When she can she trys to talk to me. But she works so much that I don't want to bug her. She needs all the she rest can get." I sit and stare at him for what seems like hours. When I finally do speak he is relived. "I understand how you feel. I caused a lot of trouble back in Ireland. I got kick out of 4 schools in two years. My dad didn't like what I had become. My mom tried to help. But she didn't understand. My older brother Malcolm the one I live with was the only one there when I needed him. The one reason my dad accepted this was because he wouldn't have to see me for along time. I'm much happier here.
Tears appeared in Mark's eyes. I wanted to look away. But I couldn't stop myself from garbing his face and whipping the tears away. He doesn't move. He pushes into my hand, after a minute he pulls away and begins to speak. " I'm so sorry. In all honesty I was going to ask at some point why you live with your brother. But now knowing just makes me feel sick."