Another Rainy Day [SEPTIPLIER] (COMPLETED)

Chapter 9

Mark's POV
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I remember the gang beating me again. I remember one of them picking me up. I remember... Jack screaming? Was Jack there? I thought I heard him, but I blacked out before I could make sure. Those were the last things I remember. What I don't remember is how I got in a bed, without my shirt on, and all my injuries were tended to. Blinking, I slowly woke up, and adjusted to my surroundings. Was this where the gang had taken me? I didn't think they'd fix me up like this. Wait, who do I have my arms around? I looked over to my left and saw Jack there, breathing steadily, and asleep. I started to panic a bit. Why was I cuddling him? Am I in his house? Why don't I have a shirt on? What happened to the gang men? WHY ARE JACK AND I SLEEPING IN THE SAME BED?!

I sat up, breathing heavily. I looked back over at Jack, who was still asleep. Looking down at my arms and chest, I saw the bandages again. I guess I was right. I did hear Jack before I passed out. He must have saved me. And he fixed me up. "W-Wow..." I murmured. A light blush tinted my face as I stared at him. I knew I should probably wake him up, but he looked so... peaceful. I never really saw him like that. He always seemed so energetic.

Mentally cursing myself, I looked away. Ugh! Why does he have to be so good-looking and likable?! I was so busy ranting in my head, that I didn't notice that Jack was stirring. "Mmh... Mark?" I turned to see Jack sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "Oh! You're awake!" He said, focusing and looking at me. "W-Why are we in the s-same bed?" I asked, nervous. Jack shrugged. "Well, last night as I was putting you to bed, you kinda, well, grabbed onto my shirt. So I sat down next to you, and I must've fallen asleep," he explained. I blushed, hiding my face in my hands. "W-Wait, why am I even here in the first place?" I questioned. That was one thing that was still fuzzy for me. Jack looked away and sighed.

"I was getting really worried about you Mark. No one had seen you or heard from you in days, almost a week! And then, when I was in town, I finally found you. I managed to scare that gang off with pepper spray. And well, I took you back to my place, since my parents won't be here for a while, and that pretty much sums up all that I know. What I want to know is where you've been, and why you haven't been in contact with anyone."

I gulped. "I-It's mostly a hazy blur. It was after school, around five days ago. I was in a bad spot. I had been feeling really out of it lately, and it affected me. I needed an escape. So I left a note for my parents, who probably wouldn't care, Dad was too busy getting drunk, and Mom, well, I don't know where she's been. Too bad my brother already moved out, he was the nicest in the family. Anyway, I left the note, packed a small bag, and was about to leave town for a few days. I didn't want to talk to anyone, I didn't even bring my phone. And afterwards, as I was coming back, I ran into that group. They jabbed a needle into my neck, everything went black, and next thing I knew, I woke up in the alley, and was beaten senseless. And then," I paused. "You came and saved me."

Jack sat there on the bed, looking into my eyes. "Mark," he said in a shaky tone. "What exactly did you do on that break?" I shrugged. "I camped a bit, hung out in a nearby town. Why?" His eyes slowly moved down to my wrists. I looked down. They were also covered in bandages. I tensed, a scared expression growing on my face. He saw them. He saw my scars. "J-Jack, I'm sor-" He cut me off by hugging me tightly. "Mark please. Don't do this, please. You're one of the first real friends I've made in a long time, I can't stand to see you do this!" I felt my shoulder grow wet. He... He was crying. I just sat there, letting him hug me. I didn't know what to do. I didn't think he'd find out. It was just a few times. Just a few... Why did he care so much? It made it almost impossible not to like him. "J-Jack..." I murmured. "Please stop crying..."

He pulled back, eyes red, and wiped his eyes. "Promise me you won't do it again." I hesitated, then nodded. "I-I promise," I said quietly. He smiled, and I couldn't help but smile back. His smile just made me happy. Blushing again, I looked away. He seemed confused. "Hey, why are you blushing?" He asked. "N-No reason! I-I'm not blushing!" I stammered. He shrugged and got up off the bed, stretching. "Alright then. I'm just gonna go see if your shirt's clean yet. Feel free to borrow one of mine." And he left the room. I managed to stand up, though my legs were shaky, and it was a bit hard. But I got over to the dresser, opened it, and pulled out a black shirt that had a green eyeball with a blue iris on it. Slipping it on, I noticed it was a little big for my small figure. Stumbling out of the room, he went downstairs to find Jack. Turning around the corner, being extremely clumsy, I tripped and fell over a bump in the carpet. "Oww..."

"Mark? Is that you?" Jack walked out of what I'm guessing was the laundry room, holding my shirt. He looked down, a blank stare on his face. Then he laughed a bit and stuck out his hand. "Come on, let me help you up there, ya doofus!" Gratefully, I grabbed his hand, and he pulled me to my feet. Stumbling again as I got up, I fell right into Jack's arms. He held me there for a while, both of us blushing. I was the first to pull away. "I-I'm sorry!" I apologized. He blinked, then smiled sheepishly. "It's fine," he said, handing me my shirt. "I guess you're just falling for me!" He smirked, flashing me a wink. My face grew vermillion as I buried it in my freshly washed shirt. I was laughing my head off. "Oh my god, are you serious?! That's the best thing I've ever heard!!" I couldn't stop laughing. he snickered. "Yeah. Like anyone would actually fall in love with me anyway," he muttered under his breath. He thought I didn't hear him, but I did. If only he knew...