Days Gone By (Markiplier)

Day 17

"What are you thinking about?"

Ray was sitting in the office on the futon while Mark was at his desk. They were both working quietly on their computers but Mark noticed the typing ceased on her side of the room. She didn't look up from her laptop when he addressed her and he began to get concerned.

"Ray?"

"Hmm?" She looked up at him.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I was just reading over an email from my best friend."

Mark could tell she wasn't being honest by the somber look on her face and he opened his mouth to say something but then his doorbell went off.

"That's probably UPS with a package I ordered," He said, moving to get up.

"I got it," Ray closed her laptop and got up.

Mark watched her leave and hoped she was willing to talk to him when she came back. He finished up his work and stood up to stretch out, hearing voices in the front of the room. He sat down on the futon and fluffed Chica's head when he heard Ray come back into the room.

"Hi, Mark."

Mark jumped up from the futon, staring at his ex standing in the doorway. She looked a little thinner from the last time he saw her, wearing her hair in a high ponytail and dressed in a simple white dress. Her hands were clasped in front of her and she was nervously biting her lip.

"You look nice," Mark said truthfully.

"You look better," She responded.

"How was Hawaii?"

"Depressing," She said, moving closer to him. "You picked out a beautiful spot and I had to share it with my sister."

"Not my choice."

She looked down at her fingers and picked at her nails, "Can we talk?"

"Uh," Mark wasn't sure what to say, still surprised that she was here. "Where's..."

"Ray? She said she was on her way out when she let me in."

Mark walked past his ex and made his way to the kitchen, seeing that Ray's wallet and keys were missing from the island. He stared at the front door; debating if he should leave right away to catch up with her or let her go.

"Mark?"

"Yeah," He said, walking to the couch and sitting down. "What's up?"

"What's up?" She repeated as she sat down next to him. "I wanted to talk to you."

"Alright."

"We didn't really get to talk since you left so quickly last time I saw you."

"I didn't want to talk to you."

"I'm so sorry, Mark," She put her hand on his leg, tears in her eyes. "I made a mistake but we can work through it."

"Work through it?"

That's the same thing Ray said to him yesterday and maybe there was something to it. Is this what all couples did? Forgive each other even if they betrayed their loved one?

"Yes," She continued. "I really fucked up and I don't want to lose you. We've been together for so long, I can't imagine anyone else I would want to be with."

Mark put his hand on top of hers, "I couldn't imagine that either."

"I love you, Mark. Please forgive me."

Mark looked at her as tears fell down her cheeks. He hated seeing her so upset and really wanted to comfort her. They had so many happy years together; experiencing up and downs but that was normal in a relationship. People made mistakes all the time and even though Mark thought cheating was the worse thing a person could do, nobody was perfect.

Ray was perfect.

Suddenly his thoughts filled up with only Ray; her soft skin, her curly hair, her smile. They may have started out as friends with benefits but he wanted more than that. He's wanted much more for a while now but he suppressed it to protect his feelings. But all he wanted was to wake up next to her every morning, walk into the kitchen with her music playing as she cooked, and holding her close to him as he rubbed his hand on her body.

"I can't."

"What?" She asked.

"I can't take you back."

"Why?"

"Because as much as I loved you, as much as I could eventually forgive you, I would never forget. And that will eat me up every minute I'm with you."

She looked down at their hands as he pulled his own away from hers, "Why is she still here?"

"Huh?"

"Why is Ray still here?" She repeated loudly.

"What does it matter?"

"It seems convenient that right after I broke your heart, a smart and pretty girl came along to distract you."

"She's not..."

"Don't," She snapped. "I get it. I fucked up, Mark."

She stood up quickly and walked into the bedroom. Mark watched her as she pulled her clothes from the closet and drawers.

"Do you want some help?" Mark asked.

"No, I had packed most of my stuff for the trip."

After about five minutes, she carried her small duffel bag to the front door and gave Chica a pet on her head. Mark opened the door for her and she turned to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"Goodbye, Mark."

"Bye."

Mark stood at the closed door for a few minutes, feeling a barrage of emotions. He was truly in love with her and felt heart-broken all over again. When Chica licked at his hand, he shook out of his daze and rushed over to his phone. Ray didn't answer when he called so he immediately texted her, hoping to get a response. After about ten minutes of nothing, he called her again.

"Hey."

"Ray," Mark was thrilled to hear her voice. "Where are you?"

"Driving to Ventura."

"That's over an hour away."

"I'm going to visit my aunt."

"Alright," Mark paced around the kitchen. "Are you okay?"

"Yes."

Mark could hear her voice breaking, "I thought you weren't going to lie to me anymore."

No response.

"How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know."

"Raven..."

"Stop," She said quickly. "Please."

"Please come back, Raven," Mark begged.

"I..." Ray stopped as her voice cracked. "I have to go, Mark."

She hung up the phone before he could respond, leaving him hanging. He signed as he sat down on a stool, feeling lost and desperately alone. He wanted to call her back, he wanted to leave and drive to Ventura himself; but he knew it would make things worse. Mark hoped that she would come back soon so he could make everything right.