A/N: The song is Come Sail Away by Styx
I had no idea where in the hell I was running off to, but I ran into someone. "Careful, pretty lady, these streets can get kinda mean." I looked up at someone who looked just like Mark. "I...I'm sorry." "I don't mind when pretty ladies bump into me...but I prefer they do it from the front if you know what I mean." I made a face. "What's the matter, you're looking kinda abysmal." "It's nothing to discuss with a stranger." I said, turning to walk away. "We don't have to be strangers, you know, (y/n)." I froze. How the fuck did he know my name? I've never in my life met this dude before. "How do you know who I am?" "Let's just say we have a friend in common." he replied. "Well, you do look a bit like this guy..." "Mark." he said, cutting me off. "Mark, yeah...how do you know him?" He looked in thought. "Let's say we've got a history together. A long history." I raised my eyebrow. "Where are you running off to in such a hurry?" he asked. "Home." I replied. "No smooth sailing today?" he asked, almost tauntingly. "No." I replied. "Oh (y/n), what did he do?" I looked up at him as we walked. "Seriously, who are you? You're freaking me out." "Dark. Call me Dark." I wrinkled my nose. "Not cutting it for you?" he asked. "Not really. It's just a strange name is all." "Fine then, you can call me Ari since I like you." "Okay." I replied, clamming up, feeling a bit strange about talking to him. "Why are you walking with me?" "Like I said, these streets can get kinda mean. Trust me, you'll want my company on your walk." "I walked here by myself just fine, thanks." I replied. He snorted. "Look, trust me on this one." "Trust you? I don't know you. Look, if you're gonna insist on following me, I'm not going home." "Fine then. Let's go somewhere else...but let's get off these streets. I hate getting wet." he said, shaking a bit. "A real manly man you are." I muttered. "It's not that. It's the hair." he said, running a hand through his hair. I raised my eyebrow. "Alright, then." I said, walking through the park with him hot on my trail. Today is getting weird. "So did you drown Mark?" he asked after a long moment of silence. "No." I replied. "Why not?" he asked. "Why would I drown him? You're a real weirdo." "I've been told that (y/n). It's a compliment, really. Where is he though?" he asked. "I don't know. I kinda ditched him at the marina...do you think we should go back?" "He drove. He'll be fine." he chuckled. "Why'd you ditch him?" "He kissed me...and I just don't know." "Kissed you, eh? That's not really like him." "What do you mean?" "Mark isnt' really one for kissing people like that. He takes the slow approach in relationships..." "Relationships?" I asked. "He likes you, (y/n). He never shuts up about how great he thinks you are." Well that made me feel like shit. I had no idea. "Do you feel the same about him?" he asked. "He's a great guy, but I'm not one for forming bonds, you know? It's not that I don't want to, it's that I suck at it...so I don't. I drift around a lot. We were getting really close, so it was time for me to cut ties before I got hurt." Dark...er, Ari looked at me for awhile. "So you like the no strings attached approach?" "Yes! Exactly. I mean, I like spending time with people, but I don't like to stay in one place for long. I don't like people leaving my life, so I don't get too close." "I see." he replied. "Well, you like who you like." "I like Mark, but I'm worried he'll just fuck off someday...like everyone else." "I wouldn't worry about that. He's loyal. Like me." We kept walking. "Where the hell are we going?" I asked. "My place, if that's alright with you." I hesitated. "We just met." I said. "So?" he replied. "Soo...little soon to be taking me to your place, don't you think?" "Oh please, I've taken people home faster than this." he said, walking ahead of me. "What's that supposed to mean?" "Nothing." he replied. "Hurry up, it's raining harder." I followed him reluctantly. The rain picked up and before too long, we were in a downpour that showed no signs of letting up. "Fuck, (y/n). Come on." Dark said, dragging me indoors behind him. He shook his head, sending water droplets flying. His hair looked like an agitated porcupine, and I couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, really funny. I hate this shit." he said, finger combing through it. "You're a vain one." I said. "You would be too if you looked like me." he replied. "Vanity is a good look on you." I said. "Are you sizing me up?" he asked, winking. "No." I replied flatly. "Trust me, I'm not into the whole randomly fucking thing." "Too bad." he replied. "I am." I stopped. "Relax (y/n), if I wanted that to happen it would've already happened. I have a way with people." "Already happened, huh? You don't take long to finish." he stared at me, narrowing his eyes. "Touche, bitch." he replied. I laughed. "Come on, which one's yours?" I asked. "Top floor. I should make you walk for that little comment you just made, but I can be forgiving." he said, showing me to the elevator. I looked around. This place is nice as hell, Mark's little friend must have wealthy parents or something. "I guess you could say I do have wealthy parents...but they're not responsible for this, it was all me. It's always all me." "How'd you know what was on my mind?" "I'm a smart cookie, (y/n). In good time, you might just find out how smart I really am." I followed him into his condo and was taken aback by how amazing it is. "Wow." I said, swearing I heard my voice echo. "If it wasn't ten million degrees below zero, this would be great." "I'm a bit icy, what can I say? Now about Mark..." I took in the view of the city. "What about?" "Damn girl, that's cold. What are you going to do about him? He won't leave you hanging." "I don't believe you." "You should. I know him better than his own parents." I laughed. "I doubt that, but I do believe you two know each other well. It's just that I don't really know what I think of all of this. I like him...a lot...but..." "But what?" he asked, pouring himself a cup of tea. He offered me some. "No thanks. I just don't want to lose my friend." "He isn't going anywere. Trust me. You should talk to him...see if you can fix things. I have a little twinge...right behind my left eye that tells me he's a bit upset." I looked at him. "Oddly specific, but okay." I said. "We're bound together, okay?" "Alright, alright, I'll talk to him." "Good idea. Don't let that new phone go to waste." "How the fuck did you know about the phone? Do you two like...go out or something?" "As in date?" he asked. I nodded. "Good god, no. Eww...we just know each other well, and for now, that's all you need to know. Now get it together. Activate that dumb contraption...I'm sure he'll give you a shout eventually. He's probably feeling embarrassed...he'll apologize or something." I pulled the phone out of its box and looked at it. It was nicer than any phone I'd ever had. I activated it and put it in my pocket. "I think I might go out looking for him." I said. "Do as you wish." Dark replied. "Thanks for talking to me." I said, rising. "Of course. You needed it." he said. I guessed he was right. I was, after all, a bit more than a bit stressed. I walked back out into the rain and took in some street signs. I wasn't all that far from home, and a little walk might clear my head. I started my stroll down the sidewalk, when my phone began to ring. I recognized the number and picked up. "Hi Mark." I said.
