(Septiplier) Alone

You look better when you smile

Jack was wearing a black beanie, black skinny jeans with worn rips at the knees, and some sort of band tee. He also had a dark leather messenger bag, which Mark assumed held his laptop and stuff. Mark thought he looked nice. Not that he'd admit it. Jack stared at him, waiting to be invited in.

"Oh yeah, Welcome to le casa!" Mark said, letting Jack in. Jack rolled his eyes with a smirk. Mark took that as a good sign.

"Is that your friend?" His mother called from the kitchen.

"Yeah!" Mark yelled back. He smiled at Jack. Jack smiled a little covering his ear. Mark almost couldn't tell he was smiling.
" sorry" Mark whispered.

"Tell him he is staying for dinner!" She said. Jack gave Mark a panicked look. Mark shrugged.

"Sure thing mom!" He said
"It's best not to argue". He giggled heading up stairs, motioning for Jack to follow. "Come on! We can work in my room." Mark said. Jack followed him up. When they got to his room, Mark turned to Jack to judge his reaction. Jack walked in and smiled. It wasn't a big smile, but it was the most Mark had ever seen Jack smile.

"Well how do you like my nerd cave?" Mark asked. Jack turned to him and gave him an excited thumbs up. Mark smiled. This was going much better than he imagined it would. "Awesome! Well we can work till dinner then you get to have my mom's famous chicken dumpling soup." Mark said. Jack rolled his eyes. He pulled out his laptop and Mark did the same. The two of them worked in silence for the a few hours. Mark would ask Jack's opinion on somethings, and Jack would give a thumps up or a thumps down. Jack would gesture for Mark's opinion and Mark would give it. It was almost seven o'clock when Mark decided he couldn't take it anymore.

"Welp! I'm starving and my brain hurts. Up for some dinner?" Mark asked, standing and stretching. Jack looked at the time then nodded vigorously. Mark smiled and headed down stairs. He heard Jack hurry to follow him. He went to the kitchen, grabbing two bowls for the both of them. Jack followed slipping alittle as he entered the kitchen. Mark giggled filling both bowls with soup.
"The floors are slippery with socks."
Jack clutched his chest and took a deep breatg . Mark smiled to himself and headed to the refrigerator he grabbed some apple juice.

"want some?" . Jack shook his head "No?...Water?" Mark said, grabbing some glasses from the cupboard. Jack shrugged with a nod. Mark filled his glass with some ice and poured himself some juice. Mark grabbed his food and headed to the living room. He sat down on the couch. Jack stared at him, but followed him and sat next to him. He gave Mark a curious look.

"I'm not working on the project anymore dude. Sorry I'm too tired. Besides its not due for a while. And we worked hard!" Mark explained. Jack shrugged and nodded. He gestured at the tv as if to ask why they were sitting in front of it. "I figure we could watch some x-files while we eat." Mark said. He grabbed the remote and turned on the tv. He looked over at Jack, who gave him a look that said 'oh my god you fucking nerd'. But Jack didn't protest, so they watched x-files. They watched about four episodes that night.

Jack had curled up to Mark slightly as they watched some guy get burnt alive. Mark tried hard not to laugh as He watched Jack react to the scary imagery on screen. The tough guy act had completely slipped away, and now Jack looked like a little kid hiding behind a pillow. Mark thought it was adorable. Then, Jack's phone went off.

"What is it?" He asked. Jack open his mouth to answer, then quickly shut it. He looked Mark over cautiously. Mark gave him a confused smile. Jack bit his lip nervously, then showed Mark the message. It was from his mom asking him when he'd be home. "Oh shit. It's kinda late. Sorry. Want me to walk you home?" Mark asked. Jack looked at the tv and then back at Mark. He nodded vigorously. Mark giggled at the response. Jack slapped him on the arm, before running up stairs and grabbing his stuff. Mark slipped on some shoes and a jacket, waiting by the door for Jack.

"After you." Mark said, holding the door open with a bow. Jack pretended to swoon, being as dramatic as possible. Mark laughed and the two headed out. It was about a ten minute walk, Mark talking the whole time. Jack listened and nodded in response. After a while Jack stopped in front of a house. He looked at it and then at Mark.

"This your house?" Mark asked. Jack nodded.
" looks nice" He didn't want to say bye just yet. He wanted to hang out with him more. It had been fun to hang out with him.
"Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Mark said. Jack nodded again, turning around and making his way to his house. Mark gathered up his courage.

"Hey Jack!" He called. Jack spun around and looked at him. Mark took a deep breath. "I had fun today." He said.
"You're really cool" Mark blushed alittle and hoped Jack was far enough away that he couldn't see. Jack stood there for a couple seconds. Then he smiled. It wasn't tiny either. It was a genuinely big, happy smile. Mark felt something in him light up. He didn't know what but it was amazing. Jack nodded, still smiling, and waved goodbye. He rushed inside as Mark waved back. Mark stood frozen outside for a while. He then hurried home. He'd seen Jack smile. It was the best thing ever. Mark promised himself he'd see that smile again.