In Between [Crankiplier]

13. Highs and Lows

I'm sitting on Mark's bed, my head resting on his lap. Soft music played on his phone a few feet away. I think it's alternative but I'm not sure.

"Let's go into my basement, I want to show you something." Mark soothingly speaks.

"Um sure." I reply. I get off his lap, already missing his warmth. He leads me out the door and down the stairs. I carefully tip toe down the carpeted stairs into the pitch black room. I start to feel slightly fearful, remembering what nightmares happen when the lights are off. Ones I never want to repeat.

Mark finishes his last step and walks around, searching for something. He eventually pulls on what looks like thin air, then a thin orange-yellow glow lowly brightens the darkness that once loomed. A tiny beige string of rope was gripped in his hand. He released the rope and held his hand out to me.

"Follow me." He says. I nod and place my hand in his. He pushes aside a large bookshelf, revealing a crawl space. I look up to him, and he nods, assuring me it's okay.

I walk in first and scrunch my body together as I quietly shuffle into the tiny room. The shifting of Mark moving back the shelf was slightly loud behind me. I looked around, and thankfully found a small nightlight in the corner. I flicked a switch and it illuminated. The shape was a box with a brown  glow. Mark came inside and he looked over to me. I pointed to the tiny box and he blushed.

"Just something I got a few years back." He says. I nod.

"So.. what is this place?"

"This," Mark starts. "Is the weed room."

"W-what now?" I stutter. What have I gotten myself into? I've never tried this shit!

"Hehah. Yeah I have a bit of ADD so I got medical weed."

"Wow... I didn't know you had it too." I said.

"You have ADD?" He asks. I nod again. "Cool."

"Sure Mark. It's such a blessing." I reply. We both giggle for a while. Some things only a few can understand.

"So.. want to take a hit?"

Oh god. Should I? I'm going to seem like a wimp if I say no. I'm such a fucking weirdo. I shouldn't be here. I should leave and never com-

"Ethan?"

I look up. "Yes."

Mark POV

We both take a couple of hits. I laugh as Ethan somehow chokes on it. I don't know how they do these things. Also I'm slightly worried. I never usually have a lot so I never get, like, high. But I think I kinda went overboard.

"I feel like jello." Ethan sighs. I giggle.

"Bloopy bloopy bloop." They laugh. I don't know why this is so funny to witness but it is.

"So.............. you like all genders right?" I slur a bit.

"Yepadeedooda," Ethan answers giggling. "You?"

"I think- I think I like all too." I hold up two fingers in their face.

"Welp we can like everyone together." They smile.

"I'd like that."

-

We lie down on the floor, side by side. We're just staring at each other. Inches apart and afraid to make any move.

"Hey Ethan?" I ask.

"Sahhh dude."

"Why'd you come here today..?"

They turn to the opposite side, making me frown slightly. "You don't want to know Mark."

"What could be so bad?"

"I won't tell you." They state.

"Well maybe I'll tickle it out!" I scream. I start tickling their armpits making them hysterical. They squirm and roll around. I tickle their feet and stomach and thighs making tears stream out of their eyes. I go into monster mode and my hands go crazy making them scream with laughter for me to stop.

"Now will you tell me?" I ask.

They turn to face me. Blood is dripping out of their nose. Or.. I think it's blood. It's almost.. black.

"Ethan.. what is that...?" Im trembling.

They look down. "Fuck," they wipe their nose with their sleeve. "Um I have to go. This was fun though. G-goodnight." They run over to the crawl space. They try to push the bookshelf aside but their arms are too weak. I pull them to face me. Tears are streaming down their face.

"P-please let me go.." Ethan pleads.

"I will never let you go." I respond calmly and lovingly. "I won't let you walk away from your problems. If you can't say them, that's okay. It takes time. But you still have to face them."

"Thank you." Their smile is shaken up and broken. But it's real.

I pull up a bean bag from the corner of the small room and I sit on it's surface. Ethan cradles into my arms and I wrap mine around their fragile body. I am their protector. I am their crying shoulder. I like being there for them. And I love the feeling of their body next to mine.

And I don't fucking care. And I won't fucking stop.