Victim of Love

27) Study Dates, Phone Calls, and Photo Albums

[Sunday - Dan's room]

Dan's POV

"Remind me why studying is more important than making out?" Mark pouts, playing with my hair.

I slap his hand away. "Shut up and study. If you want to pass junior year, you gotta know this stuff."

"I don't think that's important right now. Especially since your lips look really soft and kissable."

"Mark, concentrate and then I might give you a reward."

He perks up when I mention 'reward' and finally starts to read his history text book.

We're in my room, studying for our midterms and all Mark can think about is perverted stuff. Like, how is history related to any of that?

I don't even want to know where he got those thoughts.

I did invite the others, but they're apparently too busy for us. Or something like that.

It doesn't matter. At least I get to be with Mark alone for a while.

"Hey, are we going to do chemistry next?" he asks, not looking up from his book.

I shrug. "Sure. I mean, it doesn't matter."

"Can we do some practical stuff too?"

"Like?"

"Like we could mix our chemicals together right here on this bed."

That earns a slap from me. Honestly, why did he have to have a one-track mind?

Of all the people, why did it have to be my boyfriend?

Suddenly, Mark's phone begins to ring and his face darkens when he sees the caller ID.

"What's wrong?" I ask, frowning.

"It's my dad."

My heart drops when he mentions his dad. I know he has a bad relationship with him and I also know that Rose likes to stare at old pictures of him.

But, what I don't know is whether they still like him or not.

I know it's none of my business, but I am a little curious to know if they still like the man that walked out of their lives.

Mark hesitantly answers the call. I get up and leave the room, to give him some space. I really want to sit and listen, but I can always do that by eavesdropping.

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Mark's POV

"Hello?" I answer, shakily as Dan leaves the room.

"Mark?" my dad's raspy voice asks, unsurely. "Um...this is you, right?"

"Yeah...it's me."

"Good. Last time I called, Rose picked up and shouted at me."

"That was years ago and you interrupted movie night." I remember when that happened. Mom was so fricking pissed that he called and interrupted a very important kissing scene.

I remember we were watching Shelter. Mom was a little too engrossed in the movie.

Dad chuckles a little. "I know. I got chewed out for it."

"So...what're you calling for?" I don't mean to sound rude, but I do want to know why he's calling. I mean, it's a little surprising that he remembers about my existence.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't come to visit, I have work and stuff."

"And what's this 'stuff' you speak of?"