Trust Your Instincts

-9- A Rude Dismissal

As if suddenly unfazed by Mark's question, Jack raised his head, insisting that the get started on the physics project. Mark saw this as an opportunity to move past his question, and agreed immediately. They sat down at the thin round table and took turns to reveal what research they had gathered on the topic by themselves. It wasn't even 10am and Mark knew that this would be a long, uncomfortable day for both of them. 

 Jack tried his best to keep the conversation on physics and physics alone, but unfortunately Mark seemed to have the attention span of a walnut, constantly asking Jack personal questions and steering the conversation in any direction that didn't involve physics. Jack's answers had gradually gotten shorter and snappier, but Mark must not have noticed how intolerable he was becoming.

 "So why do you live alone?" Mark blurted out before registering what he had just said. His face flushed, already knowing by the look on Jack's face that the question was a mistake.

 Jack looked at Mark, somehow expressionless. He was deciding whether to be furious at Mark for asking such a personal question. Or maybe he should be hurt, upset by the memories of his family. Perhaps he should even be grateful that someone is taking the time to get to know him. That'd make 4 of the 1000+ students who actually gave a shit. Before he had decided on a suitable reaction to have, however, Mark was already sitting upright, begging for Jack's forgiveness, firing off apologies rapidly, not once stopping to breathe.

 "It's okay," he bellowed, so that he could be heard over Mark's constant apologies, the fury and irritation crystal clear in his shaking voice. "Now can we please get on with this damn fucking assignment? I'm getting tired of physics for today." Mark nodded, his face a mixture of guilt and optimism.

 They eventually decided against continuing with the project,  realising that neither were willing to pay attention or come up with any new ideas. "Do you wanna play video games or something instead of this? I cant concentrate anymore." Jack said, faking a yawn. It was already 3pm, and Jack hoped that would be a good way to pass the remaining time without having to talk much. 

 Mark nodded again, this time more certainly, and so he followed Jack over to sit on his bed in his room, sitting across from the large screen TV. Jack opened the disk box and inserted it into the console, before handing Mark the player 2 controller. And they started playing, making jokes at one another as if this wasn't the first day that they had ever had a proper conversation. Mark smirked, shooting a sideward glance at Jack, happy to finally break down his walls and gain a little bit of trust in such a short period of time. At least he thought he had done so.

---

 They played until the light streaming into the apartment had dimmed to a beautiful orange glow, the sky had changed from grey and cloudy to a darkening shade of purple, the clouds had almost vanished. Jack seemed to have warmed to Mark drastically since the start of the day. Since the time they had started playing the game, they were gradually making more and more witty jokes and lighthearted insults directed at one another, Jack even shoved Mark playfully every time Mark bet him, which was almost every round they played. They had ordered pizza earlier that night, as Jack couldn't be bothered to make something for them. Mark didn't mind, it was a while since he'd last had a takeaway. He tended to stay away from takeaway foods since his mother and brother died, but he decided he couldn't let things like that affect his whole life.

 Jack obviously hadn't realised how late it had gotten, the moon was almost showing itself now, and the little natural light that was illuminating the room had diminished, leaving nothing but the red lamp on his desk to light up the room. 

 He was so determined to beat Mark, at least once. It was his game after all. That didn't seem to make Mark go easy on him. He was, once again, destroying Jack. Once Mark had dealt the final blow, and knocked out Jack's character, he felt elated. This was the first day he had ever won, Bob would always demolish him when it came to this game, and even Arin and Wade were slightly better than him. He couldn't help but cheer himself on, while Jack checked his phone.

 "YEEEESSS!!!!! YOU CAN SUCK A DICK JACK!!! YOU CAN SUCK 20 DICKS!!! I OBLITERATED YOU!!" He yelled, punching Jack in the arm lightly, trying to coax a reaction from him.

 At this moment, however, Jack was staring down wide eyed at his phone, at the time displayed on it.How could he be so stupid? Why did he have to pick today of all days to invite Mark over? He hadn't heard anything Mark had just shouted at him, or if he did, he didn't pay the words any attention. He looked up at Mark, whose face dropped when he saw Jack's expression. Jack was red faced, his blue eyes piercing deep into Mark's soul, but he didn't look angry. It looked like fear, desperation. 

 "I-I'm... You have to go Mark. Now." Jack said frantically, bounding to his feet and towards the door. Mark's face was now filled with a confused expression. "Please. Get out!" Jack almost shouted, trying not to come across as furious as he sounded. 

 "What? Jack? What's wrong?" Mark asked, his worry evident in his voice. After two seconds though, he smiled and nudged Jack's arm. "Are you really that much of a sore loser?" he teased, grinning.

 Jack's expression didn't change, he was already throwing Mark's shoes and hoodie at him. "Mark! Please. Leave. Now." he demanded. His voice was now loud, but strict, controlled. He sounded like Mark's mother when she was telling him off in public. This side of Jack scared Mark, it made him feel in danger, as if Jack was about to strike him if he didn't get a move on. 

 He quickly pulled his hoodie over his head and slid his shoes on. Without getting a chance to tie them, however, Mark felt hands on his back, pushing him towards the door. He stretched out, barely grabbing his backpack, and within seconds he was standing in the hall. He turned around, a look of utter confusion and sadness plastered across his face, but Jack had already slammed the door shut, not saying goodbye. Mark felt tears in his eyes. What had happened? Did Jack finally remember that he hated him?

 The it hit him. Had what he said to Jack when he won the game really hurt? His old friends would see the taunts as nothing, but he didn't know Jack as well as he did Arin. Maybe telling Jack to suck 20 dicks wasn't the best thing to say to someone you had only got to know about 12 hours ago. He knocked on the door, already formulating an apology in his mind, but got no reply. He decided after a while to walk home, letting the tears fall down his cheeks, almost freezing onto his skin on the cold cloudless night.

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 A/N hello my friends!

I know they're just becoming friends and I hate to tear it all away from you just after the friendship is starting to blossom but I promise Jack had a good reason to do what he did.

Anyway,,, I hope you will all read on and if so then I will see you in the next A/N ;) (if you read these (i don't judge if not i find myself skipping some too..))

The next chapter will take place at the same kinda time but it'll be focussed on Jack!