The Tree [On hold]

Five

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"So how did you meet Crystal anyway..?" I ask as I kick a rock to the other side of the street. "Oh her? Well, we were friends in high school. She was doing her last year and I was on my.. Second or third year I can't really remember. We were best friends- we still are. Anyway, she finished school and she wanted somebody else to live with. So she bought a house and a year or so later, I moved out with my mom and I moved in with Crystal." Mark says. "No I mean like.. How did you meet her..?"

"Oh yeah.. Oops. Well, we just saw each other a lot in the halls and we had lockers very close to each other." Mark puts his hands in his pockets and shrugs. "I don't know.." "Hmm?" I ask. "People made fun of her a lot. She got called 'Crybaby Crystal' and 'Crying Crystal' because she cried a lot.. I don't really know why exactly, but she just did. Which is fine. I stood up for her and I got made fun of for it. I didn't give a shit though." He says. "That's pretty awesome of you." I smile.

"Yeah, I am pretty aw- woah!" Mark says before he trips over a stick. "Jesus! Oh my god! Are you okay?" I ask, helping him up. "Yeah. I'm totally fine! Didn't even leave a mark on Mark!" He smiles. "Actually, you're bleeding on your no-" "Come on! Let's keep walkin'!" He says, ignoring me. I roll my eyes and chuckle as I catch up to him.

"How did you meet Julian?- Sorry. Shitty time to ask. I'm sorry. Just forget I asked." Mark says awkwardly. "No, it's fine. We were Sophomores in high school. We had a lot of the same classes. In gym I got hit in the face by this bully and Julian stood up for me. He didn't handle it very well, but that's not the point.. Then I said 'Thanks' and conversations continued from there." "Wow. He was still a dick back then, though." "Not really. It wasn't for a few more months when we started to date. Before that, he was extremely nice to everybod- well I guess he was always a dick and I never noticed it.." I trail off.

"How do you mean?" Mark asks. "I guess I forgot a few details.." "Like?" "Well he used to punch me a lot but I didn't think much of it.. Well, I did, but I didn't do anything about it." "We should change the subject.. Do you like video games?" Mark asked cheerfully. "Totally! Video games are one of my favorite things ever!" "What's your favorite?" Mark asks me.

"Shadow of the Colossus. What's yours?" " I don't know.. But I like too many! I can't remember any right now, but I don't know.." A minute or two pass and we haven't said anything. "You're running away with a stranger. You realize that, right?" I ask Mark. "Hey! We aren't total strangers! I let you sleep in my house. We're friends.. Right..?" "Yeah, I guess so." I chuckle. "What?" "Nothing.. You do know that most of this will be awkward pauses.. Right?" I ask.

"Yeah. I was expecting this." He says. "Do you think we should go on a train?" I joke. I go from smiling to a straight face. "Actually, that would be best.." I say awkwardly. "Heh.. I guess so. Do you actually want to go find one?" He asks. "Sure.. Do you know where a station is?" "Yup! We take a left on 31st Street. Then a right, another right, a left, go straight for two blocks and take a left." "Well damn.. Let's go!" I say before we start walking again.

-

"We're here!" Mark smiles. "Yup." I say before walking over to somebody waiting. "Hi.. Sorry to bother you.. Anyway, do you know when and where this next train is going?" "The next train will be here in about another half hour to Riverside." She says. "Thank you so much." I smile before walking back over to Mark. "So when is it coming and where is it going?" Mark asks.

"It's going to Riverside and it's going to be here in like a half hour." I say. "Okay. That gives us time to get to know each other more!" He smiles as he leans against the wall. "I guess so!" I giggle.

-

"It's not my favorite, but it's pretty close." Mark said. "Fair enough.. Do you want to buy a ticket or-" "No! I want something more adventurous." He smirks. "Okay, whatever. Let's wait then." We wait for ten minutes or so and the train starts to move. "Ready?" Mark asks me before running. "No.." I say before I run after him.