TIME: Mark Tuan edition

Chapter 1

"Hey, come on, wake up."

"Mmmm," I groaned, "give me like five minutes, yeah?"

"Five minutes." I sighed as I heard the door shut. I stretched out and opened one eye to peak around the room. I reached under my pillow for my phone. I rubbed my eyes awake as I unlocked it. I checked my notifications, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. After, I slid it back under my pillow and stretched one more releasing nonhuman sounds. A knock came from the door as I just laid there waiting for them to open the door. "Morning!"

I smiled lazily as I waved and released a yawn. "Sorry, and morning. Is it time already?"

"No not yet. I just finished packing everything. C'mon go get ready so we can go out before I leave later tonight." I nodded and shooed him away as I got up from bed and grabbed my towel and underwear going to the bathroom. I took a quick shower and walked out to my room and strolled to my closet. I pulled out a white tank top and a crotchet top that fell off the the shoulders. I slipped those on and went to my drawers. I pulled out light washed denim shorts and pulled those on. I then grabbed my phone and wallet and walked downstairs to the kitchen.

"Good morning," my parents and brother said as I entered. I smiled and nodded and sat next to my dad.

"Here, fresh pancakes," my mom said as she placed the plate on the table in between all five of us.

"Yum," I said digging in first, "where's the-"

"Here." I smiled and grabbed the syrup and poured it all over the pancakes.

"You're just asking for diabetes," my brother said. I just waved him off as I fill my mouth with pancakes.

"See with you, you don't really go for sweets but when you do it's beyond the level of sweetness I eat," I say as I munch on my food.

"Hey! Swallow before you eat," my dad scolds me glancing at the guest. He usually doesn't say anything but since it's not just us he wants me to be all proper.

I swallow and then say, "Sorry."

"You're such a dork."

"Hey!" Slapping his arm

"Well you are," everyone said in sync. I scrunched my nose making a face at them as I angrily eat my pancakes.

"Anyway, where are you guys going today this early?" My mom asked. I looked over wondering also.

"I was thinking of heading to the carts. I know it's a bit far but since it's a weekday and it's still 6:30 in the morning I'm sure we will have enough time to have fun. You are all welcome to join us," he said wiping his mouth as he explained to them.

"No, no. You guys have fun. I'm sure you want to spend today together," my mom tells us smiling.

"Yeah, and as much as I'd enjoy going carting, I'd rather not be a third wheel," my brother said emphasizing the word 'not'.

"It'd be fun. You can join us," I tell my brother as he hands me orange juice.

"Nah. You two have fun. Just make sure to watch her," my brother says pointing at me.

"Haha. Yeah I know. But as much as I watch her you know she's gonna hurt herself," he states patting my head. I blush knowing it's true.

"Okay you guys. Go now so you can have a lot of fun. Here," my dad tells us standing up as he opens his wallet handing me a debit card.

"Thanks, daddy!" I say hugging him and kissing his cheek.

"Thank you for breakfast. It was delicious. We will be back around 5 so we can gather together before I leave," he tells my parents. My mom hugs him goodbye and my dad clasps his hand on his shoulder as he shakes his hand. My brother nods to him before heading to his room.

"Come on, Mark, let's go." I say as I head to the door and grab a jacket before slipping on my shoes.

"Okay," he said following grabbing his jacket and putting on his shoes. We say bye once more before walking towards his car.

"I can't believe you're going. Like I'm happy for you and everything but it's just..I'm going to miss you, Mark," I tell him as he enters the freeway.

"Yeah I know. I wish you could go with me and be my strength but I guess you'll just have to be it from here. I'll talk to you when I can. Thank you for being so understanding. When I told the others they went ballistic," he tells me. If only he knew that this is all an act for him.

"Mhm. As long as you promise me you'll go big and you will be happy I'll support you all the way." I smile to him and he glances at me smiling back.

For the rest of the ride we drove listening to our playlist of our favorite songs we've burned onto a CD. Moments like these, even if it was so simple were my favorites.

'Uh, Use to be valentines
Together all the time
Thought it was true love, but you know women lie
It's like I sent my love with a text two times
Call cause I care but I ain't get no reply
Tryna see eye to eye but it's like we both blind'

I listened as he rapped along with Chris Brown and just watched him as he got into it. This made me believe that he can go far as long as he's determined. I smiled and faced forward seeing that we were getting close to our destination.

"What do you want for lunch later?" He asks me as he switched lanes towards the right as we near our exit.

"Probably just have what they have there. Like chicken tenders or something. No need to go anywhere extra," I tell him as I look over my shoulder and check the mirror on my side to make sure he's free. I know I don't have too but it's become a habit of mine since I've taken lessons.

"No, I guess not. But if you want to it's fine. I want to go places today," he tells me as we exit the freeway.

"Mmm. Okay, let's get In-N-Out. I know for sure that you'll miss that over there," I smile as he hums in delight.

"Oh god, yes! I forget that I will have to give that up going there," he pouts thinking about losing the taste of the burgers only here in SoCal. We finally park and get out of the car heading to the front.

"Good Morning. What will you be doing today?" The man asks us.

"Uhm, two for go-carts," I tell him checking with Mark if he had anything else planned and he just nodded.

"How many sessions?" The man asked us again tapping the screen in front of him.

"How long do you think we'll need?" I ask Mark.

"Each session is two hours," the man tells us waiting for our decision.

"Two sessions?" Mark suggests and I nod turning to the man. He nods and presses the screen again before he looks up at us saying, "That will be $36.47. Debit or credit?"

"Debit," I answer him as I hand my dads card. The man swipes the card and a receipt is printed out and he hands it to me along with the card. "Thank you."

"Enjoy your day."

"I'm paying for lunch," Mark says as we put on our bracelets of admission.

"No, save your money. You'll need it for when you go. It's my treat today-"

"You mean your dads," he chuckles. I slap his arm before jogging away towards the track. We grab helmets and are given a contract for rules and precautions. We both sign and we choose our carts. "I bet I can win one."

"I doubt that," Mark smirks and revs the engine as we wait for a signal by one of the members.

"Oh it's on," I smirk back and rev mine back at him and the signal was made and I sped off. I laughed as I felt the speed. I heard his laugh and it made me smile even more. He soon came next to me but we reached a curve and I pressed the break a bit before hitting the gas speeding ahead of him. "WOOHOO!"

"YAH! BE CAREFUL!" I faintly heard him shout out to me. I knew I had to be careful but the speed made my heart race. It made me feel amazing and I just wanted to release the tension and encased emotions I've had since he told me he was leaving.

"Let me be free," I whispered. I zoomed faster yet cautious when entering turns. "I need to let you free."