When the Tables are Turned

Chapter 20

Gun's POV

I was awakened by a clanging noise and the smell of vanilla pancakes wafting into my room.

I opened my eyes slowly, wondering how the smell of something cooking could reach my upstairs room. Then as I slowly looked around, I realized that I was not in my room.

I sat bolt upright and memories of last night came flooding through my brain.

What have I done? What have I done? I kept asking myself over and over, shaking my head while pounding my fist on my forehead.

"P'Gun! Are you okay?" Mark walked into the room, looking very concerned.

"Yes, I'm alright," I replied, "how did I get here from the couch in the living room?"

"I carried you here piggy back style," Mark replied.

I blushed knowing that he might have carried me stark naked on his back, unless he placed my clothes back on me while I was still on the couch.

"I hope I didn't break your back," I said with a guilty smile.

"I admit you were heavy, but I got a sturdy back, I can do it again anytime," Mark said with a smile.

"By the way, I fixed you some breakfast," he continued, "would you like to eat now or would you like to shower first? I brought out some clothes of mine that I figured might fit you. I laid them out on the bathroom rack with the fresh towels."

I could tell from his wet hair that he had showered already.

"Thank you," I said, "yeah, I would like to shower first."

"Very well," said Mark, "while you're doing that I will be frying some bacon strips to add to the scrambled eggs and pancakes."

As I showered, I was starting to feel inadequate.

Mark was younger than I was, and yet he knew how to cook and live independently, while I was very dependent on my grandmother for almost everything.

I must start asking my grandma to teach me how to cook.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" I asked Mark after I had showered and changed and walked into the kitchen.

"No, thanks," he said, "everything is ready. Come and join me at the table."

"Penny  for your thoughts," Mark said when I just sat drinking the orange juice without saying a word for the last ten minutes or so.

"I ... I was just thinking of asking my grandma to teach me how to cook," I answered, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Why would you ask her to teach you how to cook when I can do the cooking for you?" he asked with a smile.

"No, I can't let you do it," I said.

"Why, because I'm younger and shouldn't be the one doing the cooking?" there was an edge to his voice. He was starting to get defensive about his age again.

I sighed, not knowing what to say next. I had to admit that I was somehow still fixated with our age difference. If only it had been Title who had been paired with me instead.

Mark suddenly stood up and started clearing the table.

I stood up as well.

"Let me help you clean up," I said.

"No, P'Gun! I'm perfectly capable of taking care of things around the house, do you hear me???"

Shit, I had upset him to the point that he started to raise his voice.

"Mark," I said contritely, "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. Maybe you should give me time to think things through."

"So you have changed your mind about us?" he asked.

I saw him glance at the small gift bag on the coffee table in the living room, the gift bag that contained the couple rings that he had purchased for us to wear.

"What am I supposed to do with those rings now?" he asked almost in a whisper, his tears starting to fall on either side of his cheeks.