Hi, my name is Mark.

Ch 4 Friction

Light from the front window slowly falls into the living room. I've been awake for about 2 maybe 3 hours at most. Mark was is an awkward sleeping position when I had woken up. So I moved his body into, what I hope was a more comfortable pose. His legs were curled up fairly close to his chest and his head rests in my lap.

His black hair messily over his forehead, parts in the back sticking up in a comical angle. The scruff of his beard was getting a bit longer than when I saw him yesterday. With my pointer finger, I gently combed his facial hair downwards. His breathing was slow and even. Very rhythmic, all that's really changed about him is his stature, he's more muscular than before and of course, he no longer has his baby face... or.. just a little less now. He did look a lot more tired than before, maybe even a bit more grown-up. But to me, he'll always be the same.

I brush some longer bits of his hair behind his ear, his face changes. A small smile appears on his lips.

His limbs begin to move, legs stretch away from his body. He groans turning over to face me head still in my lap.
"Mornin'" he mumbles rubbing his eyes.
"Good morning, Markie." I smile "Sleep well, goofball?"
"Kinda." he shrugs. "would I sound old if I said I have a crick in my back?"
"yes." I joke
"Guess I'm old.." he pouts. I ruffle his hair.
"We are almost the same age. so shush."
"I'm soo olddd!"He groans. I playfully punch him in the arm, kissing him on the cheek. He pouts in response.

"What?"
"Nothing.." he looks away dramatically.
"Tell me." I poke his chest.
"Never!!" He rolls off my lap jumping up laughing. I try to jump up after him until I realise my leg was asleep. Causing me to fall flat on my face.
"Oh my god, y/n! are you alright?" Mark kneels down next to me, panic in his voice.

I just start laughing "Yeah-yeah I'm fine" I push myself off the floor.
"You sure? you fell right on your face" he is on the verge of laughing, he brushes the hair out of my eyes to behind my ear.

"I swear I'm fine." I mummer still in a fit of giggles. At that moment, Dad peeks his head into the living room. Bo at his heals wagging her tail happily.
"Good morning y/n."He smiles in his normal morning good mood until he sees the back of Mark's head. "and y/n's friend?" dad says a bit more cautious than before. Mark has a stunned look on his face then turns to face my father.

"Good morning Mr. (Y/L/N)." Mark calmly says as he stands up to shake my father's hand. Bo is as happy as ever to see Mark, again. She starts circling him.
"Good to see you, Mark. It's been a long time." my father does shake his hand. He put on his friendly smile, but I know he doesn't trust him. Even if Mark is my best friend.
"Yeah, it has been a while huh?" Mark scratches the back of his head.
"I haven't seen you around Cincinnati in a while. Is everything alright?" I know my Dad is just poking for answers as to why Mark disappeared without a word.
"Oh, yeah. I moved to LA a year ago  pursuing a career." He chuckles softly. My father nods in response.
"I see, well I'm going to go make some coffee would you two want any?"
"I'll help you Mr. (Y/L/N)" mark offers.

"Oh no, it's quite alright." Dad waves him off, in a charming fashion. "Although, y/n? Can I have a word with you in the kitchen?" Dad does smile while saying those words, but it doesn't make me feel any better. If anything it makes my stomach sink in discomfort.  Mark smiles apologetically as I slowly stand and walk with dad into the kitchen. Leaving Mark and Bo in the living room to play.

Dad is silent, it's then that I realize how much older he looks. More and more gray hairs seemed to appear in his the hairs behind his ear and temple, his eye's seemed to be more wrinkled than what I remember. He looks so.. Tired. Not that there is anything that I could do about this. It only felt more like a reality check. He moved so swiftly around the kitchen seemingly eager to set a cup of coffee. This silence feels like forever before he even speaks.