In Between [Crankiplier]

7. A night to remember

A week later

It's Friday. I'm so excited for the weekend and to just relax. School has been great, but homework's a bitch. I put an alarm on my phone last night so I woke up early so I could go into the school gym. Regular morning gym kids were playing horse in the big side so I shyly made my way to the small side, thankfully going unnoticed.

It's been what feels like years since I've done gymnastics. Maybe here I can start again. I put my headphones over my ears and wrap a headband around them so they stay. I blast "Daddy" by Die Antwoord and place my phone in my pocket. Right when the lyrics start I begin with a cartwheel and double backflip, landing flawlessly and smiling at how I still got it. I move from move to move, doing somersaults and back handsprings. I climb halfway up the lone rope hanging from the ceiling and do a triple flip landing gracefully onto the mat. For once, I feel.. happy.

Mark POV

I'm so excited for football tryouts next week! I think it's next week anyway. I've always had a bit of a knack for sports, even though I'm not a jock or anything. I sling my backpack over my shoulder and start walking to school. I needed to go early and talk to the gym teacher about getting tested for a concussion like I always have to do every year.

I open the doors to the gym and see a ton of kids playing basketball but no gym teacher. Hmph. I look over to her regular office and see nothing but paperwork and stilts the school wouldn't allow us to use anymore. I walk up to the doors to the small gym and see.. Ethan?

I watch as he gracefully dances, flipping and spinning carelessly. I silently open the doors to the gym, it not mattering because he's wearing headphones anyway. I stand in the corner, amused. I can hear the music through his headphones. Poor ears. I think it's Die Antwoord? I used to be obsessed with them. Now I listen to Ed Sheeran and James Arthur.

I watched in amusement as he ran up the wall and did a double flip. I'm honestly so shocked at his skills. I clap loudly, cursing myself as I realize I shouldn't have done that. He looks up and sees me, clumsily dropping on his back because of the shock. He winces, rubbing his lower spine.

"I'm so sorry," I apologize, running over to him. "You okay?"

He smiles at me through the pain. "Yeah I'm good. Thanks."

We both get up. "You're amazing at this."

He blushes. "Aw thanks. I haven't done gymnastics in a while. It feels good to get back into the rhythm of  things."

I nod in agreement. "Hey, do you know how to backflip?" He asks. I shake my head.

"Let me teach you." He says. I stare at him, slightly shocked.

"Really?" I ask. He nods.

"It'll be fun." He replies. "Here. Stand straight up on the mat."

I do as he says and let him show me how to do it. I blush every time he puts his hands on me. Ethan first flips me pressing his hands on my stomach and legs. I land in somewhat success and smile happily. After a half hour or so of teaching I finally do a backflip on my own and land perfectly. Ethan smiles, immediately placing his hands over his mouth to hide it.

"Aww you did it!" He hugs me and I'm startled at first but I hug back.

"Heh. Yeah first try man I'm so cool." I answer manlyly. He giggles.

"Well I think it's time we go to class. But this was fun."

"Yeah." I agree. We go to  homeroom and sit in our seats. I can't wait for the weekend.

Ethan POV

My last class ends and I immediately run to my locker, impatient to see Mark again. I already see him there, smirking my way. I start opening up my locker.

"Hey Markimark." I say to break the silence.

"Hey beaniebaby." He replies.

"Oh wait-" he interrupts me before I can do more small talk. "I totally forgot to ask you. Uh- um my mom is going to be gone this weekend. And I was wondering if you maybe wanted to come over?"

"Uh sure! That sounds great! Should I just swing by your house tomorrow?" I ask.

"Yeah. Maybe 6 ish?" I nod in agreement.

"See you then." He says. I repeat his words and make my way out of school to my house. I'm scared slightly. What will we do there?

-

It's 5:50. I grab a snickers bar for dinner and start walking to his house. I wish I took his longboard home because it takes about two miles to get there. When I arrive i'm a hot mess but I knock on the door anyway. Immediately Mark opens the door and grins at me.

"Hey Ettannn. Come on in." Mark says. I blush at my new nickname and walk inside.

"Sooo... what should we do?" I ask.

"I was thinking I could show you something." He answers. "It's special."

"Sounds great. Lead the way." I smirk. We walk out and I follow him out as he grabs the longboards and turns right. After a few yards we get in front of a paved sidewalk, about half the size of a lane. "This it?" I ask.

He nods. "Let's ride." We ride along the sidewalk for a few hours, back and forth. He tells me all about this place and his favorite parts. I listen happily, glad I finally have someone to talk to and listen to. We laugh riding down hills, and scream jokingly when we hit each other's boards. The sun is setting and the beautiful shades of orange and pink collide together making a beautiful scenery. "I think it's time we head back." I nod in agreement and we make our way to his house.

When we arrive I give him my board and he puts them away. He takes my hand making my face heat up. We walk to the back of his house and I see his beautiful pool in the center of his backyard. I can't believe he could afford this. It's amazing.

"Let's jump in." He says startling me. I jump slightly.

"Wh-what?" I ask. I can't do this. I don't have my binder, my shirt will stick to my chest and he'll know. He'll hate me.

"We can just strip. It's okay. It's just you and me." He squeezes my hand. "You're safe."

I nod. I can do this. He strips into his boxers and I blush madly as I see his muscular bare chest. He blushes back after seeing my reaction. He dives in perfectly and splashes back out.

"Come on." He says, wiping his face.

I take off my shoes then my pants, leaving me in a shirt and boxers. It'll be okay.

I jump in and rise up quickly, putting my arms over my chest. "The waters pretty nice." I say.

He nods but keeps staring at me. I look questioningly at him. "What?" I ask.

"Why are you covering your chest?" He asks. Sadness falls over my face. I know I cant avoid it. Tears rush down my face as I tear my hands away from my chest and pull my shirt over my head, leaving the sleeves on because that's a whole other story. He looks at me shocked. I can't take it anymore. I move into his arms, crying against his shoulder. We stay like that for the rest of the night. And when I stop crying we just sway in each other's arms. He's right. It's all okay. Because I have an amazing Mark Fischbach in my arms.

And there's nothing I'd change about it.