Middle of the Week Motivation

Falling For You

Mark stared out the window, watching his green-haired neighbor as he glided effortlessly across the ice. His mother sat down across the table from him, chuckling as she did so. "Mark, do you like him?"

Mark glared slightly at his mom. "I'd like to get to know him, I don't like him."

She stood up with a smile on her face, taking Mark's empty plate. "Whatever you say, dear."

Mark rolled his eyes before looking back out the window at... he was pretty sure his name was Jack. Or Sean. He had heard him be called both. And as much as he didn't want to admit it, his mother was right. He did like Jack. A lot.

Everyday, Mark would sit by the window to watch him ice skate. He never ceased to be amazed at how easy he made it look. He was always disappointed when he wasn't there, gliding across the ice.

Jack suddenly stopped, which confused Mark. He then began to slowly shuffle towards the edge of the pond, holding his arms out to his sides for balance. "Mom," Mark called warily.

She came and stood by his side, almost immediately spotting what Mark was worried about. She gently turned and pushed him towards the door. "Go check on him. Just in case."

Mark nodded and hurried to pull on his boots and a snow coat, then rushing outside to go see what was wrong. He kept his eyes on Jack as he marched through the snow, regretting not getting a hat or gloves.

Mark had just shimmied his way between the bushes separating his and Jack's yard when he heard Jack scream. He looked up and realized that Jack had fallen through the ice. Mark then sprinted over to the pond, where Jack clung to the ice, most of his body submerged in the freezing water. As Mark neared Jack caught Mark's eye, silently pleading for help. Mark took a deep breath as he began to shuffle sideways across the cracking ice, his hand reaching out for Jack. Jack continued to paw at the top of the ice, trying to keep his shoulders above water as Mark slowly shuffled towards. Mark finally crouched down, close enough that he could grab Jack's hand. "Okay, grab my hand, and I'll pull you out of the water."

Jack nodded and quickly snatched up Mark's hand, his breathing accelerating when more ice cracked in front of him. "Calm down," Mark gently urged. "Now I want to try and grab onto me with your other hand."

Jack hesitated, but eventually had both of his hands around Mark's. "Okay good, you're doing great. I'm gonna pull you out of the water and across the ice, okay?"

Jack nodded. Mark began to slowly walk back to land. Suddenly there was a large cracking sound, and Mark and Jack looked at each other silently. Mark then looked down, spotting a large crack forming beneath his foot. Jack saw it too and began to panic again. "Calm down, it's fine. You'll be fine, just focus on me. Only me."

Jack stared at Mark, his fear evident in his eyes. More ice began to crack beneath Mark, and he realized he would have to move quickly unless he wanted to fall into the ice too. Mark began to run backwards, latching his hand onto Jack's as he moved. The ice gave way underneath Jack, causing him to fall into water again before Mark hauled him onto the snow-covered ground.

Mark pulled Jack away from the pond and wrapped his arms around him, noticing that he was shivering uncontrollably. "Is anyone at your house?" Mark asked.

Jack shook his head. Mark then stood up, carrying Jack bridal-style as he trudged back to his own house. As Mark neared the back door, his mother rushed outside, pushing the two boys into the warm home. She then pulled out a chair from the table and rushed out of the room to find blankets. Mark set Jack down in the chair, helping him pull off his waterlogged jacket and ice skates. Mark's mother ran back into the kitchen with a pile of blankets. "Go get him some dry clothes," she ordered.