MARCUS (ongoing)

Chapter 15

Clare gets back but instead stays at corner crying......
Marcus: Clare?
Clare: [she just runs to him and hugs him while crying out]
Marcus: [closes his eyes and hugs her tightly while rubbing her back]

A few minutes later she let's go.....

Clare: [sits by a bench and was about to wipe her tears] I'm sorry [smiles].
Marcus: [wipes her tears] really? I remember apologizing once and what'd you say to me?
Clare: [smiles with teary eyes] .......thank you.

Marcus: exactly. Though my mom would say family don't say sorry or thank you. I get it, trust me.
Clare: .........
Marcus: come on. Let's get you to Chris, I'll stay home.......
Clare: actually Marcus, come with me.

Marcus: no I don't want to impose and remember they'll be lots of nosy students around.......
Clare: Marcus you deserve a night out plus; no one's going to care about who you are, everyone will be busy having fun. If anyone asks you're just my annoying cousin who just wanted to come along.
Marcus: okay, okay.
Clare: great, now let's all go home and get changed. Let's go find Chris first.
Marcus: I think he already left, I tried looking for him. Trish and Abby said they'd see you there.

They got home; opened the door.....

Chris: [immediately pulled Clare to his chest and hugged her] I saw you guys fight.
Clare: oh [smiles] thank you [she let's go and pecks him] you're already all dressed up. Marcus did all that already. You left without us though.
Chris: yeah, I saw you leave with them I assumed after all that you'd just come straight home so I came here. That was good man.
Marcus: oh, its nothing.

Chris: anyway, I got to step out for a bit I'll meet you there I have to drop something off by Dave's which is why I dressed in advance. I'll be about an hour late.
Clare: oh that's okay.

Chris: hey man come I need to talk to you.

They go into Marcus room...

Marcus: [it was layered on his bed] wow, my first suit.
Chris: you like it?
Marcus: I love it.
Chris: Thank Clare she got it for you.
Marcus: makes sense I think she saw me eyeing it back in the day when we went out.
Chris: ..........

Marcus: why are you so serious? Was it your dad too?
Chris: what? [Laughs] no, nothing affects me now. Listen don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't do alright?
Marcus: that's what's up.
Chris: exactly. I got you a present as well [it was a box wrapped in a plastic].
Marcus: [opens the plastic and box] oh my! [Hugs Chris] thank you!

Chris: shhhh [Marcus calms down] I don't want Clare to know. This right here is our little secret. Marcus at this point I see myself in you somehow not that I was just as you are when I was young; no, but like a son. Marcus at this point I actually....... we both consider you a son, I need you to keep growing right and I need you to take care of Clare, take care of your mother........

Marcus: [sheds tears] why're you talking like this?
Chris: please just listen. I love you Marcus and I care for you a lot and I'll do whatever it takes to take care of you both, to take care of my family. You are the man of this family here, look after her. I've already put in my number and her's with some apps and a couple of other things. Be a kid make some friends; good one's of course okay?

Marcus: [nods]
Chris: I'll tell you when to let her know about the phone.
Marcus: [hugs him] I love you too...................... dad.
Chris: [he's eyes get watery] okay, okay. I got to go; hide that.

Chris: babe I'll see you there!
Clare: okay, don't be too late!!

A few of hours later Marcus and Clare are ready to leave.....

Clare: how do I look?
Marcus: damn!! [Smiles] okay, okay I see you! You look really good.
Clare: yeah? Awesome [she fixes his bow tie] much better. For now you'll be my date until Chris shows up.
Marcus: let's go.

They get to the party, all the graduates of different school programs from her university were there.

Trish: girlllll!!! You look fire!
Clare: thanks [smiles] you too!! Abbyyyyyy your dress oh my...... gorgeous!
Abby: thank you
Trish: right? I did that [smiles]
Clare: makes, more sense she's almost incapable of dressing up like this [laughs].

Abby: oh please [smiles] where's Chris at?
Clare: he'll be here.
Trish: oh my God Marcus! You look real good
Marcus: thank you.

The party went on with people giving speeches of their life in school, dancing and eating.

Chris arrived......

Clare: my, my. Two hours late.
Chris: I'm sorry the last hour was spent on traffic.
Clare: no worries it was all just speeches this is when the party is beginning.
Marcus: well, Trish will be my date now I'm off.
Chris: [looks at Clare] okay [laughs].

They started dancing Chris slipped a paper into Clare's bag.
The party finally ended; Chris got Clare home who was drunk, he placed her on the bed, changed her clothes and she passed out sleeping. He tacked Marcus into bed.

Chris: I hope nobody gave you any alcohol.
Marcus: [laughs] that should have been the first thing that my parents say to me; "Marcus, don't take alcohol" [laughs]
Chris: [laughs] come on give us a little patience parenting ain't easy especially when it just started a few hours ago.
Marcus: okay, okay. All is forgiven, anyway no; Trish and Abby ensured of that even though some of their college friends tried to give me.
Chris: good. Go to bed now.

He turned off the light and closed the door. He went into the kitchen where there were bags packed up; he grabbed them one by one taking them to the car across the street and when taking the last one, he took one last glance at the house.

Chris: [said to himself] I love you both. Marcus, don't hate me; Clare please understand.

He walked out and locked the door from outside with his key, got into the passenger seat and shut the door.

Dave: all set?
Chris: yes.

The car drove off.