All The Way

Chapter Four: Who are you, Jack?

**Mark's POV**

Felix was such a fucking asshole. I wanted so badly to let go of Jack's hand, turn back, and beat the living shit out of him. Instead, I squeezed Jack's small hand in mine, my narrowed eyes watching him worriedly. He held his side with his free hand, biting his bloody lip to contain the pain he was feeling. God, did seeing him in pain hurt. My stomach twisted in an unexplained manor, my heart beating rapidly in my chest.

"Mark, where are we going?" Jack asked, his voice quiet, and shaky.

"Home."

My voice was surprisingly stable, the deep sound making Jack tense. He slowed his pace, hesitant to leave school early. I stopped, letting his small, delicate hand slip from mine. Jack looked at me with scared, precious blue eyes. He looked away, his thick lashes brushing his pale cheeks. I reached up, brushing a smear of blood off of his chin with my thumb. He flinched at my touch, but didn't pull away. My thumb lingered on his skin, my lips quivering. Something inside me told me to drop my hand, and walk away. My mind told me to take his hand, and lead us out to my car, so we could go to his house, as planned. But, my heart told me to wrap my hand around the back of his neck, and press my lips against his shaking, bloody mouth.

I looked away, biting the inside of my cheek. "We should go, Jack. I don't want Felix, or the others to find you. He's not one to let something like this slide."

I looked back at Jack, his sad blue eyes shimmering back at me. He nodded, and came to my side. I grabbed his hand protectively, and led him to the student parking lot. His palm was sweaty in my hand. The fact that I made him nervous made me smile. He was honestly, incredibly adorable. We walked out to my silver Kia Optima, and popped open the trunk to throw in our backpacks. Jack lingered at the passenger door, staring down at the handle. I smiled, letting out a little chuckle.

"Why should I trust you? You're friends with them, aren't you?" Jack whispered, still staring down at the handle.

"Jack, I know this seems odd, but I would rather keep you safe, than talk to them ever again. I know I may have been rude to you before, but something about you has always made me feel strange. I want you safe, okay?"

I had no idea if anything I said made sense. I wasn't even sure what I was trying to say. I wanted Jack safe. I don't know why, but I couldn't take seeing Felix beat him up. Jack stared at me, an emotionless look in his eyes. Without saying another word, he opened the car door, and slid into the passenger seat.

The drive to his apartment was quick, and awkward. He was silent the whole ride, staring at his bloody, bruised face in the mirror. When we got to his apartment, I stood outside the door, leaning against the second floor railing, as he went inside to talk to his mom. He came back out a minute later, motioning me to come inside. The house was warm, and smelled of fresh coffee, and cinnamon. Bright brown eyes looked over at me, a bright smile lighting up on her round face. I hesitated, standing at the open door.

"Oh, do you come in deary," she chuckled, waving me in.

"Sorry, Mrs. McLoughlin."

"No, no, call me Agatha. Please."

"Sorry," I whispered, smiling shyly.

Jack was no where to be seen, leaving me to awkwardly shut the door, and sit at the counter.

"He's cleaning himself up. Poor boy, always getting picked on."

"Ma! I can hear you!" Jack called from another room.

I smiled, his accent more natural when he was in his home. Agatha smiled, sliding a cup of coffee in front of me.

"Cream?"