Just Hang In There

Chapter 11

(Mark)
My mom and I rode in silence on the way back home. I didn't feel like discussing what happened even though it ended up good for me. I assumed my mom didn't want to talk either since she stayed quiet.
"I better call your dad," my mom said, "He wanted to know what happened."
"Okay." I said. My mom pulled out her phone and called my dad. They talked for the rest of the car ride.
When we got home, I went straight to my room. I laid down in my bed thinking how the video got changed. Ian said something about altering the video. How could he of done that if the phone was at the school the whole night? I knew he was really good at computers but altering it from home was something I've never heard of. After thinking it over for a while, I decided to take a break and listen to some music.
I opened up the music app and scrolled through my music. I had all the pop stuff that started to get old. I sighed wishing there was something else besides the same four songs. That's when I remembered Jacob introduced me to this other band. It took me a minute to remember what the band was called. Excited to hear what else this band had to offer, I opened up google and typed Kodaline in the search bar.
The first song that came up was called High Hopes. I hit the YouTube link and laid back
on my bed.

But I've got high hopes
It takes me back to when we started
High hopes
When you let it go go out and start again
High hopes
When it all comes to an end
But the world keeps spinning around

It was a beautiful song. I really enjoyed it. Jacob was right though, it was calm. Sometimes the calm music is the best. It just makes you feel relaxed.
I was about to listen to another one when my sister barged into my room.
"Mark, do you want to play princess with me?" she asked. She was wearing a pink leotard, a puffy pink skirt, and a plastic tiara. Her curly brown hair was wrapped up in a messy bun. I didn't dare say it was messy or she would of killed me.
"Right now?" I asked.
"Yes," she said like it was obvious. I sighed.
"Alright Bianca. I'll play if I get to wear the tiara," I said getting up.
"And I have purple fairy wings for you too!" I laughed and picked her up. I carried her like a princess to her room. Then I threw her on her sparkly pink bed and began to tickle her. She laughed and tried to push me away.
"Stop," she said between laughs,"you are going to make me explode!" I stopped and let her regain her breath.
"Okay. Here is your tiara," she said handing it to me.
"Thank you your highness," I acted taking the tiara and placing it on my head.
"Now, go get us some chocolate milk and you will earn your wings," she ordered.
"Yes your highness," I said. I went downstairs and grabbed two cups, one pink and one brown, and filled them with chocolate milk. Chocolate milk is Bianca's favorite drink. I carefully carried the cups back upstairs. Bianca was waiting for me with the fairy wings.
"Here you go," I said handing her the pink cup.
"Thank you peasant," she said taking the cup and drinking her beverage. "Now, you deserve your wings." She handed me the plastic purple fair wings. There were one of those where put your arms through the straps and carried them like a backpack. They were too small for me, but I somehow managed to make it work.
"How do I look?" I asked. She laughed.
"Amazing," she said trying to hold in her snickers. I got up with a smile on my face and began to chased her throughout the house.
"Ahh, the fairy prince has turned into a monster and is chasing me," she screamed.
"ARGH," I yelled after her trying to sound scary. She screamed a playful scream and crawled under a chair. I pretend to act confused as if I lost her.
"Where did the princess go?" I asked aimlessly walking around. I heard her giggle from under the chair.
"You better show yourself or I'll send my tracking dog to come find you!" I heard her giggle again.
"Alright then," I said, "Sparky, go find princess Bianca!" I yelled out. I heard the pitter patter of Sparky's nails hitting the wood floor. She came up and sat right in front of me.
"Go find the princess and bring her to me!" Sparky let out a bark and started walking around the house. As Sparky looked around, I quickly went up stairs and brought our cups of chocolate milk down.
"Princess Bianca, if you don't come out I'll have to drink your chocolate milk!" I exclaimed.
"NOT MY CHOCOLATE MILK!" Bianca yelled coming out of her hiding spot. She snatched her cup and chugged the rest of it down. She got a milk mustache.
"Since you threatened to drink my milk, your punishment is to hand yours over!"
"Not my chocolate milk," I said. I acted as if that was the worst punishment ever.
"Uh-huh," she said putting her hand out. I sighed in defeat and gave her my cup.
"Thank you fairy prince monster. Now I must be going back to kingdom! My people must be worried about me!"
"Want me to come back with you?" I asked. She thought about it for a minute.
"Come back in five minutes," she said, "and don't be late!"
"Of course your highness," I said politely. Bianca nodded and ran back to her room. I laughed watching her run. Her skirt pounced with every step she took.
I waited in the kitchen and watched the clock. Bianca would yell at me if I was a minute late. Five minutes passed and I made my way back upstairs.
But then, our doorbell rang.

(Jacob)
I waited patiently at the door of Mark's house. I finally decided it was time to tell him the truth. My dream gave me the courage to do so.
Immediately after I rang the doorbell, I heard his dog barking. The barking was followed by footsteps. Then, the door opened by a teenage boy with a tiara and purple fairy wings. I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Nice wings," I said. Mark's face turned red.
"Sorry," he said, "playing princess with my sister. Anyway, what brings you here?" His outfit was making it hard to concentrate. Sweatpants, plain shirt, fairy wings, and a tiara make for an interesting outfit.
"Oh yeah, uh, I need to talk to you," I said. Mark paused for a second.
"Okay," he said slowly, "come on in." He gestured for me to follow him inside. I followed him into the living room.
"Can we go somewhere more private?" I asked. I was starting to get anxious.
"Sure sure. Lets go to my room. No one should bother us," Mark said. I followed him up to his room. His room was on the second floor.
"Mark, where are you?" I heard a little girl ask.
"Bianca, can we pause here for a little bit? There is something I have to do." said Mark. Out of a door on our right, a little girl around the age of five came out wearing what looked like a ballet costume. She paused when she saw me in the hallway.
"Who is your friend?" she asked curiously.
"Oh right. Bianca this is Jacob. Jacob, this is Bianca, my younger sister," introduced Mark.
"Nice to meet you," I said. Bianca gave me a hard stare then smiled.
"Princess Bianca. Now, bow before me," she said. I gave a confused look. Mark bumped my shoulder and gave me that just do it look. As told, I bowed.
"A worthy gentleman. You could learn something from this guy," Bianca said to Mark. He rolled his eyes.
"Listen Bianca, Jacob and I have to do something. Go rule your kingdom and we will continue later," Mark said. He started to walk off.
"Wait, weren't you grounded?" Bianca asked.
"I'll give you my dessert tonight if you be quiet," offered Mark. By the look on Bianca's face, that wasn't enough. "And I'll sneak you chocolate milk later tonight." Bianca pondered on that.
"Deal." she said and skipped back into her room.
"Nice sister," I commented.
"She can easily be bought with chocolate milk," said Mark. He pushed open the second door on the left and walked in. I followed.
His room had grey walls. There was a window on the opposite wall with white paper  blinds. The foot of a king sized bed rested on the right wall with rest sticking outward. A TV was on the left wall. Shelves were on either side of the TV filled with trophies and medals. A small desk was by the window with papers, a laptop, and books.
"Wow," I said.
"Have a seat," said Mark. I took my shoes off by his bed and plopped down on it. His bed was so comfortable. Mark closed his door, took off his wings and tiara, and sat next to me.
"Yeah, what's up?" I took in a deep breath and explained what happened exactly like I imagined it in my dream. I didn't look at him once the whole time I spoke. Once I finished, I laid back on his bed, my head hitting a pillow. My jacket collar suddenly felt tight.
"Jacob, I had no idea. If I would of known..."
"You can't tell anyone," I said.
"But if he is doing stuff like this-"
"I said you cannot say a word!" I said cutting him off, "promise me you will not say a word." The last part I said slowly.
"I promise," Mark said. I sat up and looked him in the eye. His chocolate eyes looked concerned, but truthful. I sighed and felt the bruises along my neck. They were still sore. Mark must of seen my fidgeting with it.
"May I see?" He asked. I hesitated, but then took my jacket off exposing my neck.
"I can't believe it," Mark whispered. I put the jacket back on.
We sat in silence for a while. I didn't feel like talking. We sat there shoulder to shoulder for what seemed like forever. It was the sound of music that broke the quietness. To my surprise, it was Kodaline.
"I listened to some more. They are really good," said Mark. I faced him and smiled.
"Told you," I said. Mark let out a small laugh and played some more. We listened to them together for the rest of the afternoon.