The Blue Tree.

Time Goes By And So Do Accents

Mark's POV
I don't know how I feel about this.

Alright so maybe I did give him the idea, but I don't know if going against Chloe is the best idea. I'd tell him that now, but he seems so giddy to outcool Chloe. Or whatever you want to call it!

So I'm in the hallways, it's me and Jack's lunch break! Thank God! It's been a long day! We decided to meet a table to hangout at and I can't wait to see him. So on my way down I passed by a few people and I could pick out Emma in the group. I chuckled a little. She was the only one in that group I kind of liked. Well, who is bearable.

So I decided to have a conversation with her, since we were both off to lunch and Jack wouldn't be there for awhile. He was getting a book from the library or something.

"Hey Emma, what's up?" I shrugged and she looked over at me and had an expression as if I asked her what the equation of time and space was.

"Are you talking to me?" She said and looked around a little.

"Yeah, who else would I be talking to?" I laughed a little and her southern accent seemed to be gone. Interesting...

"Mark, you've never voluntarily talked to me. Like ever! What's making you talk now?" Still no accent, no weird pet names, no up beat pep. Weird...

"Yeah sorry about that... I was just thinking about how I never got to know you and judged you before I ever talked to you so, hey." I laughed a little and I saw her blonde ponytail bounce as she laughed too. Not the same laugh...

"Well it's alright, I've got an A+ on my Chemistry test so that's cool I guess, um Jill invited- wait shit!" She face palmed herself and stopped in her tracks. She starred at me hard. She must've figured out her accent was gone.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm not going to tell anyone." I laughed lightly and she seemed relieved to say the least.

"You're a real pal Mark." She said quietly and I nodded. Jack was definitely wearing off on me.

"So what's new with you doll?" Yup the accent is back. I'm sure it's not because of me, it's probably because she doesn't want people around us to find out.

I tried to think whether to tell her about the plan with Chloe. That wouldn't be right. Firstly, that's probably going to stay a secret. Secondly, Chloe is her friend and I guess I got to respect her for that?

"Um well hey I wanted to ask... is Chloe really a good friend or..." I asked quietly as we entered the lunchroom.

"Okay, being honest here, I hate her guts. She's um she's the one making me put on this accent and well this act. She's treating me like a windup doll and controlling my life. I just want things to go back to how they use to be... where I didn't have to fake get a good grade and calling everyone sugar or puddin." I took a hard look at her, this was definitely an interesting conversation.

I got this thought. If Emma is really telling the truth then I won't have to worry so I really hope she's truthful.

"You know Jack, the new kid, well we're trying to think of a way for him to um outcool Chloe... with your help I think we could really do it." I mumbled it quietly and she seemed to nod along.

"On one condition." I look around to make sure no ones listening. We're clear.

"What?"

"You tell me what happened to Charlie Smith."

Silence then a quiet...

"Deal."

I saw Jack sitting at a table and both Emma and I made our way over.

We have a lot to talk about.