Chapter Twenty One

“So, what’d you want to talk about?” I ask Lee, who by the way is just sitting in the corner, not letting a word escape his lips. The dark is peaceful and quiet and it’s not what scaring me. The look on Lee’s face is. His eyes look blank, but it’s like I can feel how angry and mad he is at the same time.

            I can hear him walking closer to me.

            What I don’t get is how we couldn’t just act like civilized people and just talk in another, lighted room. But, no, Lee just loves to drag me into my mother’s dark studio to “talk” but doesn’t even end up talking.

            “Can I turn the lights on?” I say, getting slightly angry myself.

            “No.”

            That’s probably the first word I’ve heard from him.

            “Well, you can hurry up and talk now. We have dinner to eat and Madam Jin is probably waiting for me,” I say. “We don’t have all day.”

            Lee sighs. “Fine.” He lets out an aggravated noise. I can’t distinguish if it is a cough, laugh, or groan – maybe all together. “What’s going on between you and that douche, Mark?”

            “What?” I say immediately, like a reflex. Why does Lee want to know? He kicked me to the curb when I finally felt like I had him figured out. Oh, and just to let me down easy, he has a fiancé. Wondeful, isn’t it? Basically, he has no right to be asking me about my life. “It’s none of your damn business.”

            “So, are you two going out?” He ignores me completely.

            Frustrating is what Lee is. “So what if we’re going out?”

            “Are you?”

            “Why the hell do you care?” I bark out. I sound incredibly rude. I’ve changed. I wasn’t rude – okay, maybe not as rude – as I am now before I met Lee. But with him, my feelings are magnified. When I love him, I love him intensely. But when I hate him, I just want to punch him in the throat.

            “What was that back there?” Lee asks. “Why were you guys going all touchy in the kitchen? He shouldn’t even be touching you. You’re underage.”

            I scoff. Like he hasn’t touched me either and he’s over the legal age, too. Besides, the law won’t be useful soon. “No, I’m not! I’m almost nineteen. It doesn’t matter, my birthday’s soon.”

            “So,” Lee says, breathing through his nose, “you two… are together.”

            The way he says it breaks my heart. Like I just shot him in the foot or something – which I’d be happy to do someday – but he sounded so sad just now. Was he actually... jealous? Yeah, probably. I mean, it’s not like I’ve never touched a romance novel or watched romance movies. Obviously, he’s jealous.

             I can’t help the smirk that falls on my face.

            “Yeah,” I say slowly hoping he doesn’t break through my acting. “We’re dating. I mean, it’s not like we’re together, Lee. You have Penny, and I have Mark. He’s quite the bundle of…fun in the bedroom.”

            Big mistake.

            I’m slammed onto the back of the door and suddenly all I see are Lee’s burning blue eyes. “What did you say?” he whispers. His arms are at each side of my head. Should I be scared? Would people call his abusive?

            “L-Lee, I’m—” Well, I was going to say I’m just kidding but he slams his fist on the door.

            He places his hand on my chin and pulls it up to his face. Holy shit, are there tears in his eyes? They seem to be glistening or it could just be the reflection of moonlight. I wouldn’t know.

            “You…did it with him?”

            “Lee, no, I was just kidding!” I don’t know why but seeing him so vulnerable snaps something in me. I wrap my arms around his chest but he doesn’t place his arms around me. Is he really angry? “Mark still thinks we’re together! In fact, the whole world does until you announce your…fiancé.”

            Before I could do anything, a knock sounded through the door.

            “Ivory? Lee?” It’s Mark. He taps against the door again. “Could you please open the door?” Lee sighs, retreating and running a hand through his hair. He looks angry, sad, and just tired. I turn and open the locked door. Mark is standing there, dough and what else all over his face and arms. “Madam Jin is ready to eat.”

            Before I can say anything or explain why we took so long or what we were doing, Lee shoves – literally shoves – past me and out the door. He stops in front of Mark for a second, throwing a glare, before shoving past him too. Mark and I stare wide-eyed after Lee.

            “Did you guys have a couple’s fight or something?” he asks, pointing at Lee’s retreating figure. “Something’s up his ass.”

            I force a smile. “Isn’t there always?”

            Dinner goes by fast. I stuff down the food that Mark had made – pancakes – and throw in a couple of cued laughs and smiles at the right time. Madam Jin seems satisfied with everything and Lee ignores me during the entire meal and even after. It seems the only person making conversation and actually trying is Mark, who chirps on about funny stories of him drunk.

            Madam Jin is coming to visit Mom with me tomorrow. I am thankful for the support and excited to see Mom again. I haven’t actually visited her yet with doctors running tests to see any other hidden brain damages.

            That night, I fall asleep quickly, a lot on my mind but also so tired from everything. Lee, Mom, Brent – who’s been sleeping because of jet lag – and Mark run through my mind. And then I think about Mom; the possibilities, the chances about the situation.

            Lee and Mark can’t protect me forever.

The next morning, I wake up before anybody else. I’m in my bedroom and I try not to accidentally step on Madam Jin while I sneak out of my own room. She pulled out an air mattress from the supply closet that I never knew existed and slept on it. I had tried convincing her that she should take the bed. She said something about elderly discrimination and that it was her first time sleeping on an air mattress and I simply couldn’t say no.

            I brush my teeth and place my hair in a bun. The fridge is empty when I open it, with some random vegetables and an empty milk carton lingering. Mark used everything last night.

            I need to go shopping.

            Without Mom here, it’s my duty. For some reason, it makes me want to cry that she’s not here. At least I’m visiting her today. I should also pick something up for Mom – her favorite flowers or something.

            “What’re you doing up so early?”

            I turn to the source of the voice. Mark is there, his dark hair in all angles, and only in boxers. My face reddens and I quickly turn away. How rude of me to stare while he’s in his boxers.

            “Ivory? What’s wrong?” His voice is raspy and slow. He scratches his hair and shuffles past me to the fridge. Opening the fridge, he takes the empty carton of milk. I should tell him that there’s nothing in it, only some expired lumps left in it but I can’t think straight with him basically naked. “Ew,” he says, flinching from the milk carton.

            “I-it’s expired and mostly empty,” I stammer.

            “Thanks for telling me a second too soon,” Mark says sarcastically. I can almost feel his mouth press into a thin line. “Why aren’t you looking at me?” I feel a hand on my shoulder, turning me around.

            I squeeze my eyes. “Put some clothes on, Mark. I have virgin eyes.”

            He’s quiet and when I open my eyes, he’s smirking. “Virgin eyes?” He chuckles. “Why? Do I intimidate you?” Mark steps closer.

            Shoving his shoulder, I push past him without looking at him. “Shut up. Just put some clothes on. I’m going to Wal-Mart to get some breakfast. I’ll see you later. Tell everyone else why I’m gone when they awaken.”

            “I’ll come with you.” There’s still a smirk in his tone.

            “It’s fine.”

            “No, I insist, Ivory.”

            The way he says my name sends my heart into a frenzy. What the hell? I think. Mark’s just a friend, Ivory. Get yourself together. Just because you saw him half naked doesn’t affect anything. You’re Lee’s girlfriend to him.

            “Fine,” I say, not wanting to continue this discussion before I think anything else weird. “Be ready in five.” I go upstairs and slip into my room. Madam Jin is still sound asleep – probably the most sleep she’s gotten this week due to work. I grab some clothes and change in the bathroom.

            When I’m dressed in my dark jeans, long-sleeved white shirt, boots, and a thick coat, I step out of the bathroom. My make-up is minimal since we’re only going to get groceries. Slipping into my Doc Martens, I accompany Mark in the living room…only he’s not alone.

            Lee is there, arms crossed, and grumpy as ever. His blue eyes catch my green ones. “And where are you two sneaking off to?”

            Mark, who’s sucking a lollipop, sighs. “Lee, I’ve told you, like, ten times that we’re going grocery shopping.”

            “I don’t like associating with you.”

            “Well, guess what? You just did.”

            Lee doesn’t even turn to Mark. His eyes are only on me, which makes me crumble under my appearance by the second. I try hard to put on a poker face and continue to seem mad and uncaring. 

            “Well?” Lee says to me. “Where are you going?”

            “Ask Mark,” I say, knowing it’ll tick him off. I grab an apple from the counter – the few foods in the house – and take my scarf from the kitchen table. “Mark, let’s go if you’re ready.”

            He jumps from the couch. “Always am.” I didn’t even notice how quickly he got dressed. He’s wearing casual clothes. I’m surprised because I thought all businessmen – like Lee – always looked formal unless they were sleeping. Obviously not from his jeans and his brown coat and his boxers earlier.

            Lee doesn’t speak again as Mark and I leave.

            It’s freezing outside. It’s only 8 a.m. and it feels like the weather in Antarctica. For Pete’s sake, it’s almost May yet it feels like the beginning of winter. I remember how Candy and I joined the Spring Dance committee a couple weeks ago.

            Holy shit. Candy.

            How could I forget about her? Immediately, my hands reach for my phone, which is deep in my jacket pocket. How could I forget my best friend who’s stuck with me through thick and thin? My phone is off and I turn it on. There are about twenty-two missed calls and ten voicemails.

            I walk to the car but call Candy as I get in the driver’s seat. Mark looks over, a worried look on his voice but I nod to say it’s okay. He nods back. I listen to the ringing as I click my seat belt in.

            “Mark, hold on a minute, okay?” I ask him.

            “Yeah, it’s fine. I’m free all day.”

            Candy answers on the last ring. She usually answers on the middle ring. And then I remember it’s really early in the morning and she’s not the chirpiest person in the morning. When I hear her voice, first thing I say is, “I’m so sorry for waking you up, Candace.”

            “Ivory?” Her grumpiness is gone from her tone. “Ivory? Is that you?” She still sounds sleepy so she clears her voice. “Oh my God, are you okay? I’ve been worried sick since you left school abruptly after that overhead announcement? I thought you were in big trouble!”

            I let her get it all out before I say anything. “Candy, I’m so sorry. I should’ve called you as soon as possible as soon as I heard the news.”

            “What happened?”

            I took a deep breath, collecting myself. I will not cry on the phone with Mark next to me, and Lee who I swear is peeking at us through the window. “My mother,” I say, “…got into a car accident.”

            Candy gasps. “Oh my god. Is she okay?”

            My eyes tickle, a warning that tears are coming. I blink them back and try to make the lump in my throat disappear. “Unfortunately, no. She’s in a coma and I haven’t seen her since she got in the accident. I wasn’t allowed to. I’m seeing her today. Doctors don’t know what’s wrong with her yet.”

            “I can’t believe I wasn’t there for you,” she says.

            “What?” I say. “Candy! No, it’s my fault. You’re my best friend and you should’ve been the first person to know. Honestly, you should be the one mad.”

            “Me? No way. And yes, I am your best friend, which is exactly why I should’ve been there. I’m so sorry, Ivory. Forgive me. I had no idea what was going on. I thought you were getting in trouble for punching Peter.”

            “That’s what I thought, too.” I wipe my eyes, sad for my mother but thankful that I have Candy as support. “Thank you so much for the support, Candy. I really need best friend support right now.”

            Candy sounds like she’s crying. “I’m still sorry I couldn’t be there for you. But, if you need anything and I mean anything, I’m your girl, Ivory. I’ll visit you next time – or any time you want me to go visit Mrs. Flores with you. Doesn’t she like tulips? I’ll even bring those.”

            “Thank you so much,” I say again. Mark is staring at me with a warm look. “Listen, I have to go but I will call you as soon as I get an update. Sorry again for waking you up so early. I know you’re not the best in the morning.”

            I get a laugh out of Candy. “It’s fine. Call me, okay?”

            “Of course,” I promise. “Bye, Candy.” She bids goodbye as I hang up. In the car mirror, I see my face is a mascara-mess. “Oh god, I look like a monster.” I chuckle lightly.

            Mark hands me a handkerchief. He always seems to be carrying one. I smile thankfully and take it in my hand and wipe my face. I wince at my make-up free face. I look like a mess. “You look fine, Ivory,” Mark says.

            “Thanks,” I tell him, “for lying.”

            We both chuckle before someone taps against my window. I turn my head and jump, hitting my head on the car roof. I scream in pain. Lee is bending over my window in a suit and scarf, smirking slightly. I roll down the windows. “What the hell, Lee?”

            “Unlock the doors.”

            I rub my sore head. “No.”

            “Stop being immature for once, Ivory and just open the doors,” Lee says, crossing his arms. He has a smirk on his face. He’s not even trying. Winning arguments is so easy for him. Well, I’m tired of his antics. I’m not giving in this time.

            I start the engine and mirror his smirk. “I don’t think so.”

            Lee looks a bit shocked but it flickers past and his face is back to the cold, same marble expression he always wears. “Seriously, open the doors.”

            I put the car into reverse. “Not this time, Lee.”

Mark chuckles beside me. We’re a good team. I’m about to move the car when the engine suddenly dies. No, I think. Not now. Not when I’m finally showing Lee off for the first time. Lee starts to watch in amusement. I rev the engine up again. It dies quickly. I try again. And again.

“Shit,” I cuss under my breath. I look over to Mark, his smile fading. There is no way I’m going to look like a loser in front of Lee. The engine has completely died. Probably because of the dead battery or the stupid weather. I cuss under my breath again, knowing we’ve lost this round.

Irritated, I avoid Lee’s gleeful face and open my door, slamming it into Lee’s balls. He stutters before bending down and clutching his goods. Mark barks out in laughter, clapping his thighs. At least I got to do that.

Now what? I still need to go grocery shopping.

Mark steps out of the car, chuckling to himself still, and stands next to me. “That was quite the feisty move. You never cease to surprise me,” he says between chuckles. He wipes a tear away.

“Thanks,” I smile but it falters. “But, what do we do now? There’s basically no food in the house and Madam Jin is probably going to wake up and think I’m some broke poor girl that can’t even feed her breakfast. I promised her gourmet food if she slept over. She’s going to be so disappointed.”

His arm is around my shoulder. Mark grins, “It’ll be fine.”

“I hope so,” I say and we both walk back to my front door, leaving Lee in all his pain. I start unlocking the door but then Lee says to stop.

“Wait!” he cries, still bent over. His face is red and it lightens up my mood. Actually, him in pain always lightens up my mood. “We need food. We can use my car.”

            “Your car?” I repeat.

 I know. I haven't updated in two months. I haven't updated all summer. I haven't done this or that, blah blah. I mean it's sad. I don't even have a social life. But here's the next chapter. Kind of a filler for the next chapter where the drama starts. Hehe. I hope you all haven't deserted me yet. But ohmyharry, my boyfriend got a lip piercing and idk how to respond. You probably don't care and prolly not even reading this, but oh well. I hope you all had a good day and I somewhat made it 1% better. 

Please keep voting, fanning, sharing, & commenting. 

It means SO much. And my stupid neighbors are illegally setting off fireworks so I have so run. Thank you again. 

xoxo, 

Gossip girl. 

And just want to remind you how hot Mark is. Look to the side.