Running From a Shadow

Cheesy Romance

Jack's P.O.V.

I had told Mark to grab a saddle from the storage area next to the stalls. He seemed shocked that we were going horse-back riding, but he still did what he was told. I prepared the saddle on Charlie. He was my favorite horse. I always talked to him when I needed to get my feelings out about Mark. I started feeling weird around him, like I could never leave his side. Everything he did gave me the feeling of walking on air, even the slightest touch sending me to the moon. But I could never work up the courage to say anything to him. That would definitely ruin our friendship.

"Jack?" Mark walked over and put a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah, Mark?" I whispered.

"You okay? You've been staring at the post for like, five minutes."

Fuck. I was daydreaming again. Usually that only happened after recording.

"I'm fine. Just a little daydream."

"Was it about me?" Mark was really close to my ear. My legs started to shake slightly.

Before I could answer, though, someone walked into the barn. It was Felix, the owner's son. We had been good friends ever since I got the job a couple years ago. He was basically my big brother.

"Hey dudes. Jack, you didn't tell me you were bringing your boyfriend."

I shot Felix a deadly look. He just laughed.

"Hello to you too, Felix." Mark chuckled. He always knew how to play off Felix's fanboy shit. He had always gone along with what our fans had said about septiplier. It irritates me, but at the same time, I secretly wished it would be true.

"Mark and I are just going on a short ride. I needed to relax, so I decided watching Mark fall on his ass would have to do."

Felix laughed and left the room, muttering something about a ship sailing.

"Okay, Mark. Climb aboard." I pointed a thumb at Charlie's back, my other hand on my hip.

"Oh no. You are getting on first." He backed away with hands up in surrender. I walked towards Charlie and took my spot at the front of the saddle, patting the back for Mark to join me. He reluctantly drifted to the side of my horse and I put my hand out for him to get on. He reached up and grabbed my arm, our hands each grabbing the other's elbows. The touch made me warm all over. I pulled him onto the back of Charlie's saddle and he wrapped his arms around my waist. I stiffened. Luckily, he couldn't see my red face from behind.

"Okay. I think I'm ready, Jack." His voice was closer to my ear than I thought it would be. An inch closer and his head would be on my shoulder. I felt his gentle breathes touch my skin as Charlie began to trot out of the barn. We rode on a trail I knew by heart because of the many times I needed to get away from everything. It was amazing to watch the sun set from the top of the trail, the leaves covered in a golden tint from the bright sun.

"Jack." His voice made me jump a little after the silence we had been in for the past five minutes.

"Yeah, Mark?"

"Do you know what happened last night? After I came to see you?"

"Um...I cried. You comforted me. We fell asleep sitting in the corner...and when I woke up, you were holding me on top of you and you kissed my head. Then you fell back asleep."

"Did you go back to sleep?"

"No. I couldn't."

"Why not? Did I-did I make you uncomfortable?" He sounded sad, like he thought I was mad at him.

"No! I...I just wasn't tired." It wasn't necessarily a lie. I wasn't tired, but it was definitely because of that morning. That kiss, although it was so small, made me feel so good. He made me feel good. I didn't know what it meant, but he was my best friend. I couldn't ruin that.

"You're a really bad liar, Jack." He whispered in his deep voice. He almost sounded like the guy that attacked me the night before.

We reached the clearing that I had set up for this afternoon. Felix had helped me a little, whispering about septiplier every once in a while.

I slid off Charlie's back and helped Mark get down as well. His face was bright and full of excitement. I tied Charlie to his post and pulled out the Coca-Cola and Cheez-Itz I stashed in his small pouch.

Handing Mark a Coke, we sat on the edge of the hill. The sunset left a beautiful pink reflection on his face.

"I know it seems pretty cheesy and all" I said, still staring at the cotton candy that rolled across the sky. This was why I got home so late, why my mom always wondered where I was, and why I lied and said I was hanging out with Mark or Felix.

"There's nothing cheesy about it. It's amazing, Jack." He sipped his Coke and put his arm back down by his side. He scooted closer to me, our arms touching.

"Is this what you do while you wait for me to get done with work? Sit up here and stalk me?" He chuckled, and I joined in. It was hard not to laugh at his jokes.

"Well when you put it that way." I laughed louder. Our shoulders brushed together, sending a chill down my spine. Mark must have seen this as he put an arm around my shoulder.

"You cold, little buddy?" His arm hugged me closer. My heart melted. Not knowing what else to do, I leaned my head on his shoulder and grinned.

His lips pressed onto my head. I lifted my head from his shoulder and his eyes locked with mine. He was only a centimeter away now, I could easily close that space, take away the air between us, or I could stay still and let it go. What would he think of me? What would happen if I shared how I felt? So much could go wrong by this small gesture. But Mark made up my mind, pecking my lips softly. He then rubbed my shoulder and stood up.

"Maybe we should get going. The sun is going down and your mom'll be looking for you."

I nodded and stood up, walking towards Charlie.

But he was gone...