Confused and Alone

Part 11

--January 12th, Monday, Inside School, 7:42AM--    

"Hey, Sean," said Mark, "we have the exact same class schedule! Even science class! And we're just about to start the module on SPACE."

"Oh God no," said Sean, "I can just tell that I'm not going to get any peace from you all semester."

Mark was sitting down at their desk, the one they were going to share for the rest of the year, Sean standing and leaning against the frame of it.

"Mark..."

What is it? "What is it?"

Sean grabbed a piece of paper and slid it over to Mark. It read, "Are we in a relationship now?"

Mark, slightly blushing, looked up from the note towards Sean, seeing Sean was holding his breath, an expression of anxiety on his genuine and sweet face as he was trying to look natural and uncaring. Grabbing a pen, Mark crafted a reply in tiny print that said, "If you're okay with us being together like that. I want to be in a relationship with you." Mark rested the paper wad in Sean's hand, as if a low-five.

Sean opened his palm, unrolled the message, and sighed with relief. Taking time to think over his wording, Sean handed in his response, "I would love that. Though, we haven't been on a date yet."

After just a few seconds of short scribbling, Mark had given Sean the perfect answer, "Well, then let's fix that. Tonight, in the backyard, 7PM."

Trying not to appear too excited, Sean said out loud, "Pretty awesome, bro," as he sank into his seat while waiting for the teacher.

--January 12th, Monday, Inside School, 8:02AM--      

"I trust everybody got a good night's sleep and is fresh and prepared for today's class. We have a new student, Sean McLoughlin, starting with us this semester. My name," she said as she wrote it on the blackboard in elegant cursive, "is Ms. Dremurr, but you all can call me Ms. Toriel. Sean, please come to the front of the class, dear."

Sean rose from his seat and sauntered to Ms. Toriel's side. She appeared to be a kind and patient woman, draped in a long, flowy purple dress and wearing a pair of golden-colored wire framed glasses. 

"Sean, please say hello and introduce yourself."

"'Sup, I'm Sean McLoughlin." That sounded dumb.

"Thank you dear, you may return to your seat."

When Sean reached the desk, he was greeted by a small object in his seat, now crushed under where he sat. Rising up slightly, he reached under him to find a tiny origami butterfly, with the words, "I love you" written on it. Sean turned his head toward Mark, who was faced forward and staring at the teacher to avoid looking at Sean, knowing that if he did he would smile and lose control of his happiness. Sean smirked and slipped the butterfly into his pocket, knowing that he may or may not deserve him, but while he was in America, he was bound to enjoy himself.

All that's waiting for me back home is hate and responsibility. I might as well let myself be and have fun while I'm here.

Sean tapped his pocket with his fingers. Mark is such a nerd. A cute nerd. And tonight's my first date with him...calm down, stop freaking out. You're supposed to be a closed-off punk asshole, and yet you're sitting here, internally screaming. Chill out.

--January 12th, Monday, Walking Home, 3:12PM-- 

"So, what are you planning tonight?"

"Sean, I thought you of all people would know that you'll have to wait to find out. After all," said Mark, "you made me wait all day for your starry surprise. Don't worry, you'll like what I have in mind."