Just A Family Friend

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Journal Entry
Wednesday at 10:20am

Hello,  my parents have been fussing for almost a month now. Something really bad happened that they won't tell me. They try not to fuss around Mark because that's an inconvenience to our guest. Although, Mark is pretty smart and probably already knows that they have a feud. I really hope they fix things. I love both my mom and dad very much.

Closed at 10:30am

I closed my journal and tucked it into my dresser. My heart skipped a beat once I noticed Mark was at the door.
"Good morning. Uhm- you're breakfast is waiting in the microwave." He informed and I nodded my head before grudgingly  laying back down in bed. I was turned away but I could hear him turn to walk away and spin back around. He took a breath as if he was going to say something.

"Uh- I'm going to go and do some things real quick, would you like to join me? " he asked and raised an eyebrow at him, considering he never did ask me to run errands with him. He must've thought I might be lonely here all alone. To be honest, I was. My father usually always worked night shifts three times a week and morning shifts four times a week, but suddenly his night shifts become longer and longer. Mother and I didn't know why. My mother's 'errand runs' has increased. I didn't understand. All I knew was that Mark and I had a lot more alone time.

They weren't telling me anything, but I'm very smart, I figured that they would stay out of the house and away from each other due to their constant arguments. I sighed as I sat up and looked at him.
"It just seems so lonely here, and I don't think you should be here by yourself 24/7 at your age." He explained before clearing his throat.
I gave him a soft smile and Oreo hopped onto my bed, snuggling my knees. I pet her softly before giving a reply.
"S-sure. " I breathed and he sighed in relief. I placed Oreo on the floor and she skittered to snuggle Mark's legs while I stood onto my feet. I stretched, my short lace gown raising and showing my boy shorts. I quickly pulled at the hem of my gown when noticing he was still there.
"I-I'll let you get ready then. " he spoke as he left and close the door behind him. I grabbed a towel and dragged my feet to the restroom.

He must've saw how down I am about my mom and dad fighting. I've been laying in bed pass the time I'm supposed to get up and do chores. Since mother or father wasn't here, I didn't even have to hear them scold for not doing so. I just have to have them done before mom gets home in the afternoon.

The water from the showerhead was warm and inviting. I let the spraying of warm water drip down my face and chest then turned around and rinsed off my back. I sighed as I felt the stress melt away. Suddenly, I heard a soft knock on the door.
"Hey, uh- you done?  You've been in here for almost twenty minutes. " Mark's muffled voice shouted through the door.

Wow!  That long. I must really be worried.
"Yeah!  I'm coming out now! " I said and he was gone.

I stepped out and turned off the shower. I quickly dried off and walked to my room to get dressed. I put on a tight fitting blue sweater with skinny jeans and blue knee-high fur boots. I let my hair down today, curling the ends to make a perfect Bob. I placed a blue headband on before leaving to meet Mark.

He waited downstairs for me, holding my breakfast.
"I warmed it again for you. " his deep voice melted me with passion. That was so sweet of him.
"Th-thanks you. " I blushed and quickly devoured my food.

Before I knew it,  we were out in his car driving to wherever he needed to go. He first, stopped at the bank to pull some money from his account.
His car smelled of him, expensive cologne and something else that only he could smell like. I liked it. I took a deep whiff of his smell and relaxed.
That's creepy, never mind that.

We then drove to a grocery store and he said he wanted to pick up more butter and vinegar because my mother always forgets. We both stepped from the car and I followed him. We stopped at the road where cars drive pass right before you enter the building and Mark held his hand out to me. I glared at him confused and he rolled his eyes before grabbing my hand. I blushed hotly. Why does he want to hold my hand??

"I have to hold the baby girl's hand when crossing the street. " he mocked and I yanked my hand from his grip.
"Really!? " I laughed and he chuckled along.
"There's a little smile ~" he chuckled and I just shook my head, hiding my giggles.

We walked from aisle to aisle searching and collecting what he needed and throwing it in the basket. This moment with him was relaxing. I felt content. I gazed at his broad strong back as he bent over and grabbed items from the bottom shelves. He's so buff. What does he do, work out when he's angry??

He tossed the vinegar into the basket and smiled at me before moving on. I smiled back then pushed the basket. He reached up to get something from the top shelf and the hem of his shirt raised. I could see his lovely back dimples and a hint of his v-line. I liked it. I don't know why, but I did. Ew. He's like thirty! 

I followed him through the aisles a little longer and we finally reached the last item. Sugar.
I glanced at Mark's confused and puzzled expression. He couldn't find the sugar.
"Hey, do you see the sugar at all? " he asked me and I looked through the shelves. I couldn't find it either and shook my head. He sighed before his eyes landed on something that made him light up.

He moved behind me and I blushed, trying to figure out what he was doing.
"It's right there. " he chirped before placing his hand on my waist to gently scoot me over then reached down to retrieve the sugar. I didn't understand why, but that made me feel tingly. My side was now warm where he touched me.

He removed his hand and stood back. He wore a look of a champ as he raised the sugar in the air then tossed it into the basket. I chuckled and we finally made our way to the front to pay. After paying and bagging his items, we left the store and went home for the day.

"Do you want something to eat or snack on on the way home? " he asked and I shrugged. I didn't really feel up to talking at the moment.

The car ride continued in silence until Mark said something again. This time he was a bit serious.
"Look... Uh- I know what's going on between your parents is stressful to you because you've always known them to be together and happy, but I just want you to know that everything will be fine okay. I can tell that they both love you very much and that you have wonderful friends who also lobe you. Don't take it too hard, it isn't your fault." He spoke with a low voice and took what he said into consideration.

I nodded and he gave me a soft passionate smile then focussed on the road.

I kept quiet for a bit more before opening my mouth and letting my weak voice out.
"Th-thanks, Mark. " I replied and he just nodded.
"No problem. You also mean a lot to me because you really grew on to me while living I'm the same house together. So I want you to be okay." He chuckled and I smiled a genuine smile.
"Thanks, I appreciate it. " I rasped, hardly able to speak because I had a knot I'm my throat. He said I meant a lot to him?! Well, maybe in a friendly way. I played with my fingers before glancing at him once or twice. I cleared my throat awkwardly before speaking.

"You mean a lot to me, too."

Next chapter coming soon...
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