~Mirrored~

Chapter 7

He looks at me nervously and doesn't say anything. "I'm sorry if that came on too strong" I say quickly and clearly very stressed. "I didn't mean to spring that on you, I was just curious but I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked". I continue rambling on about how I shouldn't have asked that but he cuts me off with "no, it's okay Mark. Y-yes, I am. That's why they pick on me" He says nervously and sadly while I look into his eyes. "Well, I think that I might be as well" I say quietly. He looks at me in shock and a bit nervously. I stare at him but then look down trying not to make him more nervous. "So, how did people find out about it?" I ask curiously. "They assumed it was because Zoë broke up with me. I don't have many friends and Zoë just wanted something to talk about". I could tell he was frustrated but I tried to keep my distance. I didn't want to accidentally pull something that I shouldn't. "That sucks" I say quietly not knowing what else to say. He stays quiet and continues looking down at the floor. I had been use to being bullied at this point honestly. Dan has never treated me like how people should and no matter what I do, he still bashes me in front of everyone, knowing it will hurt me. I twiddle my thumbs still thinking about the fact that we've both been bullied, just for different reasons. I never have really been the flirty type, nor have I ever really been the cuddly type but he made me feel like I wanted to do both. What am I even thinking? I can't be with another guy, I'll get in even more trouble with the group. I already saw how Dan reacted when he saw me just protecting Jack. Can you imagine what would happen if everyone else found out? I would be killed! They would shove me into the bathroom and mutilate me if I-. I get cut of with my thinking by hearing Jack ask "are you okay? You've been staring into space for a while". "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just thinking about stuff" I say trying not to sound alarming. He looks at me again and then looks down at the ground. My mind swims in all the past memories from Dan. He had forced me to be with Kate and there was nothing I could do about it. If I had told him no, he would have made me more miserable than I am. The only reason I became friends with him and that group was because I thought they were the cool kids. I always felt like an outcast and when they had accepted me in, I felt like I had control for the first time. That all changed quickly and it really ruined me. "Mark, I think I'm gonna go home. I'm tired and it's been a long day". I quickly snap out of my daze and look at him. "Oh, okay Jack. Have a good night!" I say nicely. He gets up off the couch and heads towards the door. "It's been fun. Also, thank you for protecting me from Dan" he says while smiling. He walks out the door and I just watch him go. I sit back on the couch and sigh. Man, he's so beautiful. I wish I could build up the courage to talk to him more. I have no idea what to say to him or if he's even comfortable around me. What if he actually doesn't like me? I wouldn't like me either considering I'm "friends" with that group. I get up and decide to wash the pile of dishes left in the sink from before my parents both left. I drop one and yell in anger. I pick it up and place it on the table to hopefully fix it later. I finish doing the dishes and walk up the stairs to my bedroom and collapse onto the bed. I sit up and grab the same sweatpants and t-shirt I had worn before the dance and change into them. I curl back up into bed even though I'm wide awake, drowning in my own thoughts.