In Between [Crankiplier]

11. Regrets

I hate classes so much it's concerning. Mark is the only thing that keeps me sane and relaxed. I can actually focus when it comes to him. It's like he's my high.. so to speak.

Our math teacher mumbles random things about integers even though we learned about them fucking 3 years ago. I just keep staring at Mark. He mouths what the math teacher says like he's a monkey and I can't stop smiling. He's so awkward and adorable. That's normal to think about your friend right?

When you think about it, we could be like cuddle buddies or just friends that flirt. It's normal. There's nothing more to it.

I work on my homework until the bell rings. Everyone leaves but Mark walks over to me, waiting.

"What's next class?" I ask.

"It's lunch." He laughs. God I'm stupid. Stupid for his smile. *AWHHH THAT MADE NO SENSE BUT AWWHH*

"Well lets go." I laugh back, clearly embarrassed. When we walk out of the classroom Mark takes my hand and starts running. I run too so then he doesn't let go.

"Why are we running!?" I pant.

He doesn't answer. We go downstairs and turn left instead of going to the lunch room. He hides us in front of a garbage cylinder.

"Want to skip?" He asks. I look at him, puzzled.

"Why would we do that?" I reply.

"I have a surprise for you." Mark smirks. Hmph. I've never cut class before in my life, even if it's just lunch and a bit of next period, I didn't think it was easy to do. He clearly hasn't done it either. But fuck it. You have to live a little, right?

"Ohhhkayyy." I give in. He smiled and we quickly run out the door before any teachers can protest.

"Close your eyes." He says when we're hidden from the school.

"What? How will I walk then?" I ask.

"I'll carry you." I blush at his words. I jump onto his back and he grips onto my thighs making me blush even more. "Wow you're light."

"Thanks." I say sarcastically. He laughs and I close my eyes, resting my head on his shoulder. I could almost fall asleep to the sound of the crinkling leaves and the warmth of his skin. We should do this more often.

"We're here." Mark tells me. I open my eyes. It's the ice skating place, the Rock Night one.

"What're we doing here?" I ask, excited.

"I um. I rented the rink for an hour. For us to skate together." He responds awkwardly. I grin. He's so sweet.

"Lets go in!" I yell. We share a laugh and enter the arena. He tells the guy who we are and we go rent two pairs of skates. Mark offers to tie my laces and I let him, just craving every second with him. We carefully get inside the rink and stand.

"So... want to learn some tricks?" He asks. I nod vigorously.

Mark takes my hands in his and guides me. We try new moves like spins and twirls and Chinese splits. We're both grinning like idiots. Marks hair always swoops into his face and he blows it away making me laugh even those it's happened a dozen times.

"Try one on your own." He tells me.

"Okay. Wish me luck." I reply.

"Luck has been wished." Mark says in a Morgan Freeman accent making me giggle. I start skating to the opposite side of the rink and go to do a twirl but slip, falling onto the cold floor. Mark rushes over to my aid.

"Oh my god are you okay Ethan?" He asks. He presses all over my body asking if anything hurts which makes me a tomato again. He cups my face in his hands. "You good?"

I just stare at him. His beautiful chocolate eyes. His tan skin. The faint lines next to his eyes from smiling so much. And his gorgeous lips that look soft and sweet. "I'm fantastic."

Third Person POV

Hours later

Ethan walked through the door of the doctors office, since being asked to appear the day before. They signed a few papers and met with their physician in her room.

"Hello Ethan." She smiles. Ethan suddenly felt scared.

"Uh-hey." They reply low.

"I need to talk to you- um about your blood sample from the physical." She states. They nod. "Well.. wow this is hard to say-"

Please don't say what I think you'll say Ethan sighs mentally.

"You're blood shows signs of- of c-" Tears prickle her eyes.

All take anything but what I think you'll say. I'll fucking take chlamydia.

"C-cancer." She finishes.

No. Nononononono.

"Uh-um I have to go. I-thank you for your time." Ethan stutters, practically out the door already.

"W-we need to talk about medica-" They're already out the door before she can finishes. They run. Run as fast as they can, their lungs burning from the lack of oxygen. They run past their school. Run past their house. Sprint past everything they can't stand.

Finally they reach the place they're looking for. They climb up to the upstairs window, not bothering with the front door. They knock on the glass, tears streaming down their face. The curtains shift then open completely, revealing a confused and surprised teenager.

"C-can I come in?"