Felix's boy

Chapter six

Marks POV

I walk into school alongside Ethan and Tyler, having carpooled with them again today. We walk down the hall toward our lockers, and on the way, I see Jack and Felix.

I smile, giving Jack a wave. Jack looks over, a light smile appearing on his face before Felix grabs his arm and lightly pulls him in front of him. Jack shamefully looks down at the ground, frowning as Felix tugs him away.

My smile falls, watching Jack walk away from me.

"Mark? Everything cool?" Tyler asks, nudging my shoulder.

"Yeah," i mumble, continuing down the hall to my first period class.

...

Throughout the whole day, Jack is pulled away from me. Felix barely allows him to look at me. After school, I'm excited and nervous to see Jack again while we help out with the variety show. I pray that Felix won't be coming with him.

I walk into the large gym, noticing there's not many students helping out. Mostly younger students. It's not hard to spot Jack, his green hair standing out among everyone else.

When he sees me, he gives me a wide smile and a wave. I walk over to him, noticing the giant poster board and paints in front of him.

"Wow, you're already started," I comment, sitting beside him on the floor.

"Yeah, barely. I just got the stuff together. Will you help me?"

"Of course, but I'm artistically challenged."

"Don't say that, you just haven't found a muse yet." Jack grins optimistically. I am silently grateful for his very existence. "Here." He passes me a paint brush. "For now we just need to paint on a purple background. When it's dry, we'll start sketching bubble letters."

"Okay."

We begin to paint, covering the board in a thin layer, and then doing a second coat.

"So, Jack," I casually mutter as we paint. "What happened today with Felix?"

"What do you mean?"

I shrug. "He didn't even let you look at me."

Jack hesitates, slowly dipping his brush into the paint again.

"He just..." he trails off, sighing lightly in a bitter laugh. "I have no excuses for him. I'm sorry, Mark."

"It's okay, it's fine. Is everything okay with you two?"

"He just wants me to be safe, but I don't feel like I'm living anymore. Did you know this is the first thing I've done without him in months? And the only reason I was by myself then is because I was sick with tonsillitis and if he got it one more time he'd have to get his tonsils out. I told him my aunt wanted to take me out for supper this evening after school so he didn't have to drive me home again."

"Why don't you just talk to him? I'm sure he'd understand."

"You don't know Felix very well. Just last night we got into a fight about--" Jack cuts himself off abruptly, blinking hard and continuing to paint.

"About?"

He doesn't elaborate.

"Jack," I say, getting his attention again. He looks up from the purple board and into my eyes, his perfect blue ones calling me in closer, but I don't push my luck. "You don't owe me any explanations. If you don't want to talk, I'll tell you silly jokes, and embarrassing stories. You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to."

Jack stares at me, like he can't believe the words coming out of my mouth.

"Thank you."

We go back to painting, the board coming together into a nice deep purple.

"What are you doing this weekend?"

"Probably nothing."

"Would you like to come to my house? I mean, my mom probably wouldn't care, and you seem like you need some time away from Felix. Sleepover?"

Jack smiles, and I'm proud to see that grin resurface on his face.

"That sounds great."

(Short chapter but that's okay cause it's just a way to Segway!!!!!!!!!!!! *waves*)