Troubled Sincerity | ✓

Ch.32 | Sincerity - Part 2

T R O U B L E D

S I N C E R I T Y

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"Mark, are you ready to go? We're going to be late."

I watch as Mark continues to look at the TV, completely ignoring me, and on purpose.

"Mark, I'm not going to ask you again, let's go!" I sigh, walking over to the TV and shutting it off.

Mark gapes at me, almost as if he can't believe that I would ever do such a thing. Clearly, he's got a thing or two to still learn about me.

"Thanks a lot." He mumbles, finally standing up from the couch.

"Oh boo-hoo, Mark has to get up and function in society, cry me a river." I roll my eyes, and for that, Mark slaps my ass.

I glare at him as I point to the front door, demanding that he walk outside, so we can leave.

We're meeting my parents for lunch this afternoon, their idea, not ours.

Mark wasn't thrilled about the date, but I assured him it would be over before he knew it. Obviously I lied, but I had to get him to agree to go somehow. Mark and my parents haven't always seen eye to eye, especially in the past whenever I first brought Mark around. To them, he was Connors delinquent best friend, and nothing more. To them, he had zero substance, and no motivation to accomplish anything in life.

Back then, I would've agreed, but now, I see him completely different. He's amazing and so focused on his future. He's excelling at school, which is something I never thought would happen. Yes, we both have to retake our semester, but it should be a breeze since we already know majority of the material.

We may be behind our friends, but they're supportive, so that's all that matters.

Who knows, maybe we can even catch up in time to graduate with everyone, just so long as we buckle down and focus. Mark and I have a goal, and I'm happy to say that it's currently in motion and thriving.

"Is it going to be just your mom, or will your dad be there too?" Mark suddenly asks as we cruise down the road.

"Yes Mark, my parents will be at lunch together, since they both asked to meet us." I deadpan, leaning forward to turn down the music currently blaring in my ears.

"No need to give me attitude woman, I was just clarifying details." Mark says as he glances over to me.

I point to the road ahead, and Mark only smirks as he brings his eyes to look in front of him.

I love our banter and petty arguments. We do it just for the fun, we're almost never serious. Even if we were, it wouldn't matter. I love this boy with everything inside of me, and I would rather argue with him every single day, than be ignorantly happy with someone else.

After half an hour, we make it to the restaurant my parents suggested. It looks to be a regular diner, but knowing my parents, there may be a twist.

As Mark and I walk inside, I reach over and straighten the collar of Mark's dress shirt. He playfully pouts and nudges my hand away, causing me to laugh.

I spot my parents inside, already sitting at a table.

"They could've waited for us." Mark mumbles beside me as we walk inside of the restaurant.