Started With a Lie

Chapter Twenty-Two

            “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.”