Trust Your Instincts

-14- Sore Loser

Jack sat on Mark's bed. The whole world around him might as well not have existed, because all he cared about at this moment in time was topping Mark's high score. He had come so close earlier, but managed to fuck it up royally at the very end. He had finally managed to block out Mark's taunts and curses, which were whispered every now and then into his ear, and his eyes were glued to the screen. He was so close. In fact, he had no doubt that he was gonna beat Mark. He smiled inwardly, not wanting to celebrate before his victory. The score edged up, now seconds away from overtaking the original high score. Jack bit his lip, his fingers and thumbs tapping rapidly on the controller. He was gonna do it.

 He inhaled, readying himself for his victory cheer, but before he could yell his pre-planned triumphant yell, he had the wind knocked out of him, as he toppled to the floor, Mark landing on top of him. He let out a low grunt as Mark crashed into him, still in disbelief at what had just happened.

 They lay there for about ten seconds, Jack staring wide eyed at Mark, who was almost crying from laughter at Jack's priceless expression. Without warning, Jack rolled them both over, so that Mark was lying with his back to the floor, and sat up, straddling his midsection. Fury was turning his cheeks and nose a deep shade of red, and his knuckles were whitening from the tightness of the fist he had unknowingly formed. The once cheery Mark now looked up at Jack, still half amused, but rather scared now. It was all in good spirits, right?

 Jack's fist came crashing down into the floor next to Mark's ear with a deafening thud, but after that, it was Jack's turn to laugh. Mark's hands had came up to his face, his eyes tightly shut behind them. He let out a high squeak, a stark contrast to his usual low voice.

 "You didn't think I'd beat you up over a video game, Mark. Did you?" Jack asked, grinning evilly. Mark peeked up through his fingers at the Irish man on top of him, whose body had relaxed, his face returning to its normal colour and his arms dangling loosely by his sides. His eyes were not filled with fury now, and Mark felt stupid to fear that they ever were. Mark's body was no longer tense, he almost sank into the carpet, finally letting himself breathe. He laughed again, allowing Jack to help him to his feet and heartily apologise for scaring him, pulling him into a hug.

 "You should be sorry, you almost punched me in the face!!" Mark shouted sarcastically, laughing through almost every word.

 "You did tackle me to the ground." Jack responded, looking up to the TV screen, and letting out an audible gasp, the rage returning to his face once again. "I WOULD HAVE BEAT YOU MARK!" he yelled, gesturing towards the TV, which showed his score, 0.32 milliseconds off Mark's high score. Mark roared with laughter as Jack continued his rant, ending it by heaving out his chest and crossing his arms huffily.

 "I win!" Mark sang in Jack's ear, causing Jack to swat at him, a reaction that Mark had foreseen, and so managed to dance away from easily. "You know what that me-e-eans," he continued, dancing idiotically around the red faced Irishman.

 Jack's face became slightly more serious when he realised what it did mean. "Och Mark, I've told you, I don't like parties," he said, an exaggerated sadness softening his words. "I'll not even be very good company, I don't know anyone going too well." he protested.

 "You know me!" Mark reassured, "and Isaac, and Josh, and Felix!" Mark said, counting each person on his fingers. "And I know you'll like Ken, he's really kind, and you two have a lot in common!" 

 "He can't be that great if he hangs out with Will and Eli." Jack said sulkily.

 "You know I hang out with Will too?" Mark asked, causing Jack's cheeks to redden for what felt like the hundredth time tonight.

 "Y-yeah but... that's.... y'know... that's different!" Jack stuttered, struggling to get his words out, and eager to change the topic of conversation. "Please tell me Mark, why is it so important that I go?" 

 Mark looked at the wall for a moment, trying to figure out what to say. "Because Jack... you're one of my closest friends here. I don't want... Freya from music class to be there if you're not gonna. I've never even met her!" Freya was just an example. Mark didn't know over half of the people who would be showing up to his door, but he wanted more than anything for Jack to come.

 "Ugh. Fine." Jack mumbled stubbornly, causing Mark to squeal in excitement and continue dancing around his room, pulling Jack along enthusiastically. Jack smiled to himself, what a goof Mark was. 

 He still felt uneasy though. Why was Mark so determined to make him come? Why was he borderline forcing him to? Jack was excited, obviously, it was after all his first real party, nobody had ever invited him to one before, but still, he was scared. He couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't gonna enjoy it. That something bad was gonna happen. That was a problem for future Jack though, right now, he focussed on trying again to beat Mark's score. Now that their project was completed and perfected, there was nothing else for them to do but play video games together. Jack didn't complain. He enjoyed Mark's company too much to complain.

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A/N Hello again friends!! Another chapter? I have so much motivation for this story!

So this is the last chapter before the party, and I wanted to have some Mark and Jack time in there before the party!! I hope it was alright, and the character development of the two is somewhat reasonable hahaha.

One more thing, I am British, Scottish to be exact, so therefore I might spell some words differently to American readers, for example 'ise' instead of 'ize' on words. But hopefully thats not too irritating for you all!!!

Anyway I'm basically rambling again, so thanks one more time for reading, and I will see you in the next chapter!!! ;D