Divide and Conquer

Chapter 10

People often mistake infatuation for love, especially in high school. Infatuation is being obsessed romantically with someone whether it be for their appearance, as it is in most cases, or other romantic qualities they may have. Love on the other hand means you care for them not just for superficial reasons, but also because of who they are as an individual.
Caspar was definitely infatuated with Mark. It wasn't just a matter of being attracted, it was also a matter of reputation. If he struck out with Mark, his streak of getting everyone he wanted would come to an end. He would be a joke amongst his peers. That's why he was stalking Mark on his way to the food court. He observed him as he approached the building, looking totally oblivious to his presence.
Mark was strolling along, excited to see his friends at the food court, and have some much needed good ol' classic banter. He had learned that word from the nurses at the hospital. That day was especially nice, so the different restaurants set up vendors outside the building. He saw his friends all sat at a long table by a wall, and took the only available seat in between Jack and Felix.
"Hey bro! 'bout time you got here." Felix said.
Felix was starting to wonder if Mark would ever show up. He was secretly panicking about if trust fund-bitch got him, but seeing him up and happy was a relief
"I was working on an assignment for chemistry." Mark explained as he sat his bag down.
"Yeah, yeah. You can tell us all about it after you go and get some food." Jack said.
Mark rolled his eyes at the two feigning annoyance as he got up and made his way toward the vendors.
Jack was happy to see Mark back on his feet. As much as his friends taunted him about 'caring too much', and already being 'completely hooked' on him, Jack just worried for him as a friend would. He couldn't help but grin at Mark because he was happy and healthy again.
"Awe." PJ said.
PJ started to like the trend of poking fun at Jack. It was actually quite entertaining to see his reactions. He took a bite of his sandwich as Jack looked to him confused.
"What are you 'aweing' about over there?"
"The way you're looking at Mark." PJ taunted. "You two are a great couple."
"Not you too, Peej." Jack groaned, covering his face with his hands.
Everyone started laughing a bit but continued with their food. At that moment, Caspar took his opportunity to approach Mark. He started walking casually toward the vendors where Mark was, ready to talk to him.
Mark debated what he would get, overlooking every option. He decided he would get a simple Italian salad and soda from the Italian vendor which had no line. Not wanting to use his student card, he dug out his wallet as he approached the vendor wanting to use cash. He politely ordered the meal and handed her the pound notes, which surprisingly looked cooler than dollars. The chef said it would be a few minutes before it was ready.
"Can I get the chicken salad?" Caspar asked.
Caspar was stood next to Mark looking at the menu over the counter.
Mark's body naturally tensed hearing Caspar's voice, and he frowned. He was in no mood to cause a scene, so he simply waited patiently, not uttering a single word.
Caspar decided to look sympathetic and glance over at him.
"Heard you got beat pretty bad."
Mark's jaw clenched, causing himself slight pain, but he still kept his front up and refused to give him the satisfaction of a conversation.
Caspar sighed, and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to look guilty.
"Listen, I'm sorry for beating you up. I was really drunk."
"Well then, maybe you shouldn't drink so much."
Caspar scoffed, and smirked.
"Yeah, maybe."
He didn't mean it, he needed to get close so Mark would trust him.
Mark couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at his response. A party boy saying he would drink less? Clearly something was up.
Caspar started to get a little closer to Mark, staring him in the eye.
"Listen, I mean it when I say I'm sorry, alright? Maybe we could forget about it, and start over, yeah?"
"I don't know how many stupid people fell for that, but I'm not one of them." Mark spat. "I gave you a chance despite what I heard about you, yet you proved that they weren't just rumours."
Mark wasn't going to budge on this. Luckily, he didn't have to remain near Caspar any longer since his food was ready and the chef handed it to him. He thanked her kindly, not even sparing a glance to Caspar as he started to make his way back over to his friends.
Caspar grabbed his shoulder to stop him, and pulled him close enough that his breath was radiating off him. He gave Mark a seductive look as well to top it off.
"Please let me try again."
Mark reflexively kneed Caspar in the groin, causing Caspar to fall to his knees, groaning in pain. People started laughing nearby at Caspar.
"Don't fuck with me." Mark warned.
He walked off to his friends, brushing off everyone's stares.
Meanwhile, Caspar was left on the ground in pain. Oli was passing by when he saw Caspar on the ground.
"Caspar?"
Oli rushed to him, and helped him to his feet. Someone definitely got him in the nuts.
"You alright?"
"He got me in the balls."
Oli tried to suppress his laughter at Caspar's statement.
"Who?"
Caspar looked at Oli in pain. Obviously he wasn't around to see Mark knee him.
"Mark."
Oli started cackling in laughter. If only he had been around to see it, or he would've filmed it.
"Shut up!" Caspar yelled.
Mark sat back down in his seat with a sigh as his friends were recovering from laughter. He hadn't meant to cause a scene, but clearly that couldn't have been avoided.
"Nice one. Been wanting to see someone do that for a while." Cry said.
Cry definitely had a new respect for Mark. He just hit Caspar in the nuts instead of fall for his flattery.
Dan looked up from his phone, confused as to what they were talking about.
"What did he do?"
"Just kneed the trust fund-baby where the sun don't shine." Felix chuckled.
Dan laughed so hard his stomach ached. That was brilliant!
"I wasn't exactly planning on doing that."
"He fucking deserved it." Jack said.
"Look at Jack standing up for his boyfriend, so cute." Wade teased.
"Shut up, Wade!" Mark said as he tossed a bit of lettuce at Wade's face.
"Hey!" Wade replied, flicking the food off.
Phil chuckled. They had quite a dynamic going on in their group.
"So how have yer classes been since ya came back?" Jack asked eagerly, in hopes to change the subject.
"A little much, but I'm catching up nicely. How about you guys?"
"Audio doesn't exactly have the most written work, it's much more of an application course." Cry shrugged.
"My professor is starting auditions for Romeo & Juliet this week." Dan chimed in. "I'm trying out for Romeo."
"Yeah, good luck with that." Mark retorted.
"Romeo, oh Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?" PJ dramatically quoted.
"Why is it that the only quote everyone knows?"
"Because it's one of Shakespeare's best quotes." Ken interjected.
"There are so many better lines in it!"
"Maybe because it's the only one that makes a lick of sense?" Felix imposed.
"I can give you better quotes than that overused one."
"Well go on." Jack encouraged.
Dan took a moment to think of a good line.
"If you ask for me tomorrow, I will be a grave man. It's when Mercutio is dying in the second act."
"And my prior statement has been proved, biatch!" Felix said triumphantly.
"He was making a joke! A grave man means a corpse in a grave!"
"The fact that you have to explain it is reason enough to agree with Felix." PJ said.
"Here's another one: Parting is such sweet sorrow."
Marzia was enjoying the conversation even if she didn't understand some of it. She'd decided it wouldn't be a bad idea to film it since it seemed to be quite entertaining.
"Oh that's definitely a good one." Bob defended. "Though, Felix has a point. Shakespeare's plays could definitely use a translate page, which it does for every school copy."
Everyone started laughing at Bob's harsh burn. Dan pulled up his hood, and tightened it to where no one could see his face. People really needed to appreciate this kind of acting, especially if it changed literature.
"I'm so done." He mumbled inaudibly.
The group couldn't help but giggle a little at Dan's response.
"That's going online!" Marzia announced as she stopped recording.
"What!? NO!!" Dan yelled.
"Send it to me!" Jack called.
"Please don't ruin what little reputation I have!" Dan pleaded with his hands folded.
"Which is none." Phil said as he sipped his drink.
****
Mark walked into class, still smiling a little from lunch. He took his usual seat in the far wall of the classroom, but in the middle as to not bring too much attention to himself. Usually it worked, though today people seemed to constantly ask him questions.
"What happened exactly?"
"He just grabbed me and I defended myself, simple as that."
"I heard you died but someone at the hospital brought you back! Is that true!?"
"No I didn't die! I was unconscious, huge difference."
"Someone said Caspar had a knife!"
"Well, if he had one, he didn't use it on me."
"Are you pressing charges?"
"Of course not, we all know it wouldn't make a difference."
"I heard your boyfriend called an ambulance, is that right?"
"B-boyfriend!? I don't have one, so clearly not. It was my friend who called the ambulance."
All day, he was bombarded with questions, some repeats of previous ones.

Becs
Well, that was fun! I actually knew two out of the three quotes I wrote, and it was pretty entertaining. Not to mention, Caspar got partially what he deserved.
QOTD-(everyone's thinking it) WHEN ARE THEY GONNA KISS!?!?

Lynn
That was probably the most fun chapter up to date. Mostly because of the entire Mark and Caspar scene but I actually got Felix on a spiritual level on this. As much as I wish I could Shakespeare will never come easy to me.
QOTC-Will Caspar ever give up on Mark?