Timeless - Mark Tuan

Chapter 11

"JB!" I tug at the boy's arm. "I think we better go."  I get in the car and Mark stops me from closing the door as he holds it open. 

"Wait. Where are you going?" Mark lets his head inside as he talks to JB who's already at the driver's seat. 

I swat his hand away as he puts it on my lap. 

"Home." JB smiles slyly, then side glances me. "Why?"

"This early?" He pretends to look at his non-existing watch. "There's a party over at GD's place. I'm actually here to come get you guys. Where's Jackson?" Mark turns his head to the side and his drunk face is only more than an inch from mine. "What do you think, pretty?"

"I say not." I immediately answer, moving my head back a bit. 

"Oh, c'mon." He puts a finger under my chin. "You're gonna love it."

JB must've felt my discomfort. He pushes Mark's head out the car and pulls the door close. "Maybe next time, man."

"No. I insist." Although the door is closed, the window is down and he's able to lean his elbows on it. 

"MARK!" Both JB and I yell at the same time. 

I push him further out, but he holds on to my hand, not planning to let it go unless we say yes to him. Now that he's standing at a distance from the car and the only one who could see his face is me, his drunken character disappears and he looks at me with a very serious expression. I have to furrow my brows and turn my head away when I see the look in his eyes. It's like he's trying to tell me something, but is confused on what, too.

As if he's heard my silent cry for help, Jackson comes out from behind the car with the boy, Yugyeom. "You still here?" He asks. His expression changes as well when he sees the boy standing by JB's car and holding my hand. "What're you doing here, Mark?"

Mark's face and action go back to what it was minutes ago. A silly grin forms on his face when he turns to the incoming two. "Perfect. You're here." He lets go of my hand. "Let's all go to GD's then."

"What? Why?" Jackson comes between Mark and I, covertly taking my hand away from Mark. 

"Just..." Mark creases his brows, looking down at my hand which is now in Jackson's. "A party."

"Ah. Yeah." Jackson says. He looks at me then and notices my alarmed face. "I got a text from him. Are you going?" He asks Mark. 

"Are you?" The other boy throws back the question, his eyes still at my fingers tangled with Jackson's. 

Jackson opens the door and squats to look at JB. "Sorry, man. I have to take this girl back now. She's needed somewhere else."

I raise an eyebrow at him as he pulls me out. He bites his lip, giving me a meaningful look. 

"What? Wait!" JB gets out of the car, too. "What do you mean she's needed somewhere?"

"Her friend called." Jackson puts up his phone. But, I know there's no call. 

"Ugh..." JB rolls his eyes. "Your friend again, huh?" He stands in front of me with a frustrated look. "One of these days I'll run away with you before she does." He gives out a bitter laugh. He sighs loud and turns to Mark. "So, I guess we're going to that party then."

"S...Sure." Mark hesitates. He gives Jackson and I one last look before going behind the wheel of his car. He starts off before JB does, who tried to get my number but, Jackson pulls me away before I can even answer. 

Honestly, I don't have a phone. Why? Because I don't need it. 

That's why whenever I move, I make sure there's a landline in the house. Cecilia has a cellphone though, which she uses to call all the people to be called. It's not like I do the calling anyway. Someone else takes care of my investments. Cecilia contacts them, too, after I give my approval. Come to think of it, she handles everything. Should I get one then?