NEIGHBORS.MARK

fourteen

It was spring now. Two months had passed since the boys had come to visit and not much had changed. Mark and Ava stayed with each other every night. They bounced around each other's apartments and were inseparable. No official title for what they were, but they were starting to fall in love, and neither one of them wanted to admit it.

A few days after the boys had left, Mark and Ava baked a cake for her neighbor as a way to apologize for the mess they had caused. Sungjae, the security guard thought the entire situation was rather funny, and asked that for future events, they just give him a signal to notify him that the boys were underage. They laughed and agreed. But that was a few months back. And now the boys came a few times a month so Chenle could perform.

The change of weather prompted a lot more dates than Mark had ever thought imaginable. Some days they'd go down to the river and have a picnic. Others, they'd just stay inside and watch series about space. Some nights, they would go to the rooftop of Mark's apartment and eat strawberries dipped in honey while watching the stars.

And those dates were always their favorites.

In fact, that's what they were doing tonight. Mark and Ava got comfy on the couch that Lucas and Mark had brought to the rooftop. Ava cut up the strawberries and got a small bowl of honey and Mark got a sufficient amount of blankets and pillows, as well as a speaker so they could listen to music. Then the two reconvened and began the stargazing.

The air was crisp and allowed for them to comfortably snuggle up to one another. They dipped their heads back on the back of the couch and watched as the stars twinkled and beamed brightly. The sky was a shade of blue that wasn't nearly as dark as you'd imagine. In fact, it was quite light. And the stars were visible, but they certainly appeared quite faint. The sight made Ava sigh.

"The fucking light pollution..." She mumbled as she tried to make out a few stars.

Mark looked at her and gave her a squeeze which brought a smile to her face. He then dipped a strawberry into the honey and munched on it before returning his attention to the night sky.

"What's your favorite part about stargazing?" He asked her as her face became brighter.

"There's something about staring into the face of oblivion that is a lot more comforting than one could imagine. Looking up and seeing a blue abyss that is so wide and wavering- much bigger than the ocean... it makes you think. It makes you realize how small you are and how small your problems are. It makes you realize how connected human life is. There are millions of people looking at the same stars with us, right now and I think that's beautiful. And I think it's funny how these stars are so complex and dynamic and yet they are so romanticized. Burning orbs of gases and all humans can think about are their dazzling and glimmering affects that light up the night sky. And silly enough, even with all my knowledge on these beautiful, shining stars, sometimes I imagine they shine and twinkle just for me."

Ava looked at Mark in the eyes and continued, "And sometimes I like to think that the stars are pockets of love seeping in through the sky. Trying to reach every soul on the surface of the earth. The love just seeps in through these tiny holes and that's why people become so enamored. Isn't that silly?"

Mark looked at Ava so intensely that her cheeks turned red. She popped a strawberry in her mouth and looked at him again. Mark gave a small chuckle and looked back up. Whenever Ava speaks so passionately, his stomach always does cartwheels. It was so unique for Mark to see someone so in love with what they do.

His attention shifted to the stars, "I like your theory about stars being pockets of love." Mark mumbled as he continued to look up, "If that's the case, I think the world needs more stars."

Ava agreed as she grabbed his face before leaving a trail of kisses along his jawline. As she pushed him away, he snuck a kiss on her lips which made her blush.

"Mark?" Ava spoke as they both looked at all the blue and speckles of silver, "What are we?"

Mark looked at the sky still and remained quiet for a minute or two. He wanted to grab her and tell her that he was madly in love with her and that he would never let her go. But instead he settled on something more comprehensible and in her language.

"I think the stars are starting to get to me..."

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Just a heads up that our journey with this book will be coming to an end soon!!

-Mames