Everything's Alright

Chapter Eight

I pulled into a parking spot. It was half past five and the meters didn't stop running until six, so I put some change in to keep from getting a ticket. I led Mark towards all the little shops. I entwined my fingers with his as we walked. He didn't seem to mind.

We walked into a clothes shop and I saw a shirt that would go well with Mark's personality. He tried it on and proved I was right. Then he found a cute dress and made me try it on. It was a blue dress that floofed outwards once past the boobs. It came down to about mid-thigh. It was gorgeous. I walked out of the fitting room and when he saw me I almost fainted. His eyes seemed to pop out of his skull.

"Wow.." He murmured. "You look... Wow..."

I blushed and looked at the floor. I looked back at him, a burning still in my ears.

"You have to get that." He said.

"What?" I asked.

"You have to buy it. You look gorgeous in it. More so than usual."

I could feel the red appearing in my ears as I turned and changed back into my normal clothes. I bought it, with Mark's persuasion and we were on our way again.

We stopped in my favorite gelato place and got a couple cups. He insisted on buying. We took a stroll to the park across the street and climbed up in the tree.

"Sarah...?"

"Yeah, Mark?"

"This is going to seem really abrupt and soon, but I was wondering if you'd...." He bit his lip. "Would you want to come move in with me?" He looked at me.

I didn't know what to say, I just kind of froze. I met his gaze. It was some kind of dream.

I nodded.

"Yes."

"Really?" He asked, almost in disbelief.

"Yes." I smiled, which made him beam. We kissed.

"Let's celebrate!" He said. "Come on. I'm buying dinner and the movie afterwards."

We walked to a little restaurant near the movie theater. We ate and laughed and had the best time. We went and saw the most recent blockbuster hit, which was amazing. Then we drove back to my place.

Once settled in my bed with the TV going as background noise, I curled myself next to Mark. He wrapped his arms around me and brought my face up higher so that we could kiss. I reached up and tangled my fingers in his hair and his hands went to my back. He turned me over and kissed with such ferocity. I could feel the passion between us building.

But all of the sudden, Mark turned into Manny and I freaked out. I stopped kissing and pushed him off. I even yelled.

"Woah, woah. Sarah, calm down." He said, trying to put an arm around me

"Get away from me!" I yelled, scooting away from me.

"Sarah, it's me. It's Mark. You know me. I'm not going to hurt you." He said, raising his hands. "Look at me."

I could feel tears streaming down my face. I was shaking. My heart was racing. Hearing his calming voice brought me back and slowly, I looked up at him. His face showed nothing but concern and sincerity. I buried my face in my hands.

"Hey, now. Don't cry." He said softly. He scooted closer and placed a hand tentatively on my shoulder. I buried myself in his chest. He wrapped his arms protectively around me. He spoke calming words until I finally calmed down.

"I'm sorry about that." I mumbled.

"No. You don't need to be. In fact, I should be apologizing. I rushed you. It's obvious you need to work up to that and I should have respected that." He said. I couldn't believe he was condescending himself.

"No, Mark. Please don't blame yourself. It was my fault." I looked up at him.

"How? Because you're the one who got raped? No. I will not let you blame yourself for what happened. I care too much about you to let that happen, Sarah." He sounded so serious.

I didn't answer, just nodded.

"It isn't your fault, either. I was feeling it, too. But then I went into flashback mode." I said. But he didn't reply. We didn't speak for the rest of the night.

I eventually fell asleep listening to the faint talking on the television and the sound of Mark's heartbeat and breathing.