A Curly Mess Of Emotions✓

19

It has been five days since Russell's funeral. Things have been quiet at home recently, probably because I try and stay out of the house as much as I can.

"Come on,"

"No," I blandly replied.

"Oh don't be a spoil sport, you know you want to," Mark said.

Well I want to, but it's-
"Not appropriate, Mark," I replied.

"Screw appropriate and follow your heart, Stephanie Parker."

I sighed. This guy could be really persuasive if he wants to be.

"Fine. Just once. And if I don't like it-"

"We'll stop," he clarified with a cheeky grin.

It has been five days since the funeral. Mark has successfully completed his 'mission' of making me smile, if not necessarily happy, and to further 'implement' on this, he blindfolded me and dragged me to an arcade.

An arcade.

Taking me to a food festival would have been more effective, to be honest.

Honestly, the real reason why I did not want to go there was that I've never been to an arcade before. I really did not want to make a fool of myself in front of Mark.

Mark looked like a three year old kid gifted with chocolate. I just couldn't get myself to say no.

Here we go, I internally sighed.

//Three hours later//

It was the best thing I have ever experienced in my life.
What the hell did I do in my life in all these years?! Well, that's how Mark put it anyway.

Of course, Cooper beat me in every single game we played. Except bowling.
Because bowling is my gig.

As we stepped out for dinner, I asked Mark the question I was really curious about.

"Hey loose string," I started.
He hummed in response, smiling in oblivion.

"Why did you take me to an arcade?"

He snorted. "I don't know, 'cause I wanted to hunt for Easter eggs?"

I gave him a look worth remembering.

He gave up. "Well, I just thought that.. maybe...you might want to explore the childhood you..." never had. "Missed."

I stopped walking.

He turned around. "Look I didn't mean to-"

But what exactly did he mean, I couldn't find out because I had already engulfed him in a huge hug, before even I could contemplate my actions.
It was out of instinct.

It was out of heart.

Mark was equally surprised, but he wrapped his arms around me anyway.

"You have no idea how much I'm grateful for your existence, Mark Cooper."

He hugged me harder. I sensed a smile.

"Anything for you, short lime."

I broke away from him, and looked up to him (he is so tall). “Come on, we have to meet Carolyn for lunch.”

•

“Hello mere mortals. Finally, guys, y'all took forever.” Carolyn got up from the booth, kicked Mark in his calves, and hugged me. “Ow! If by forever you mean two minutes and let's see, forty-four seconds, the yes we are late.” Said Mark, checking his watch and evidently annoyed (and in pain, but he would never admit that).

We shuffled inside the booth and ordered two large pizzas. Mark and Carolyn got themselves a coke each while I ordered a Tiramisu smoothie.

“Questionable taste, shortcake.” Mark eyed the shake with suspicion. Carolyn smacked him. “Just because you have a penis Mark does not mean you have the right to question the culinary choices of others.” She burst.  Mark choked on his coke while I guffawed. Jesus, this girl. ‘Slow Hands’ by Niall Horan was playing at the diner and somehow it made me feel even more cheerful.

“Its okay,” I said, once the laughter was under control. “I ordered it in honour of Russo, it was his favourite.”

Carolyn nodded, followed by Mark who did the same, sheepishly so.

“Speaking of your family, love..” Carolyn began, glancing at Mark.

He nodded.

“Guys, what's going on?”

Carolyn bit her lip. She does that when she has something hard to say. “You've been spending a lot of time with us recently,” she trailed off.

My heart took a drop. “Is that an issue?”

“Whoa, no, dude,” Mark intervened. “Why would you think that?”

“I mean-”

“Your mother called yesterday. She wanted to know if everything is okay with you, as you barely stay at home anymore,” Carolyn said.

I thought about the last few days and what I've done. I realised I've been staying out a lot, without intentionally meaning to do so. I realised how that must have looked to my mother.

“Did something happen on the day of the funeral?”

“Not really.” I didn't want to open that chapter. I would tell them obviously, but eventually, now's not the time.

Mark cautiously eyed me and Carolyn's eyes held sympathy. I didn't like that feeling, the one you get when you're the one receiving pity but I knew she didn't mean it that way.

“Look, whatever is going on,” Carolyn leaned forward and said. “It sucks sometimes but they are still your family. I know times are hard right now, but you have to move on and get over them. You can't keep running away, it will catch on to you someday unless and until you face it and get over it.”

You can't keep running away.

You can't be in denial.

She's right. I have to go home.

“I hate it when you talk all smart to me,” I said, as our pizzas and drinks came which we dug into without wasting time.

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