An Arranged Marriage, To Mr. Cocky Over There? [COMPLETED]

A New Start?

One week of being back to school and I was dying. Figuratively, not literally of course. Even though at that moment I wished it was the latter. I thought I use to miss my old school while I spent my time in Boston but boy was I wrong.

"How much would you pay me if I forced myself not to fall asleep in this class?" I jokingly asked Mark, who was sitting beside me. He chuckled and leaned towards me ever so slightly that Mr. Manu couldn't notice.

"I'll probably fall asleep before I even have the chance to," he teased, showing off his pearly whites. I couldn't help but reciprocate a smile back. I turned my attention again towards Mr Manu who was now going through the male reproductive system which was not how I would have chosen to spend my morning. The man was as boring as watching my grandmother knit.

Thirty minutes into the lecture, a piece of paper flew in front of me, folded into an airplane. I opened it, reading the contents of the pen that left them.

I grinned at Mark and nodded hoping Mr Manu wouldn't see.  Excitement filled me as I counted down the minutes of the clock till it struck the hour. The bell took me out of my misery just then as it chimed throughout the room. Students shuffled to get up from their seats and collect their belongings while making their way out of class. Mr Manu was trying to say something but the poor man was trying in vain. Nobody was taking him on.

"So," Mark began, mischievousness looming in his eyes, "ready to do this?"

I rolled my eyes, knowing he was being overdramatic at the crime we were about to commit, "Never." I said as I laughed and pulled his hand, leading him through the mass of students and out the double doors, towards the exit. We hopped into his Jimmy, the windows rolled down as he reversed out of the parking spot and towards the main road. Yes, ditching school the first day back was probably not the best idea but anything to distract me and give me a false sense of happiness was better value in my books.

I ruffled through his glove compartment until I found the shades I knew he kept there and slid them onto my face. 

"So, where you taking me captor?" I teased, as I turned towards him. The wind was tumbling through his honey nut coloured hair in which the sun was causing his natural highlights to stand out even more.

"C'mon Kacey you know me better than that to not know it's a surprise."

"Yea but a girl could only try." I stuck out my tongue at him, knowing he saw my childish antics from his periphery.

He laughed as we continued driving. I watched from the window as houses began to fade and were replaced by forestry. We then ascended up a steep mountain, Mark's car groaning in protest. I shot him a curious look but he ignored it as he continued to focus on driving up the hill.

Before I knew it we had reached the top and were parked in front of a small cabin like looking building. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled my nostrils from the open windows and suddenly my stomach growled in protest.

"Good, you're hungry." Mark stated a matter-of-factly as he turned off the engine and got out the car. I followed suit and stopped in awe as I took in the breathtaking view of the city that was laid in front of us. It was panoramic and beautiful and I wanted to capture the picture in my memory forever. How had I never heard of this place before?

"It's gorgeous right?" Mark commented more like a statement rather than a question, "I stumbled on this place about a year ago. I thought of you every time I looked at this view. I know how much you love them."

I felt flattered but at the same time sick to my stomach. Here I was with Mark, knowing how much he cared about me but at the same time confused about everything going on in terms of my feelings.

"Can we go eat?" I asked, changing the topic a bit too obviously. He looked taken aback but quickly recovered and led the way through the door.

"Well isn't it my favourite customer," a lady not past her forties greeted us with the cutest pink flowered apron on her waist.

"Diana, how are you?" He enveloped the lady into a hug and then averted his attention back to me, "I'd like you to meet Kacey."

The lady grabbed my two forearms and surveyed me. I didn't expect the tight embrace that followed soon after, "Nice to meet you finally Kacey, Mark would not shut up about you since I first met him. You're a little thinner than I expected but no need to worry about that, just keep coming up here and let me feed you."

I blushed and glanced towards him, seeing his face turn red like mine probably already was.

"Y'all kiddos choose any seat you like." She motioned us towards the few empty, rustic tables scattered across the room. "As you can see it's a full house today." She winked and I couldn't help but chuckle at her sarcasm. We seemed to be her only customers for the moment.

"I'll make my husband whip up today's special for you two, hope y'all came with your bellies empty," She smiled and left us alone.

We took the seats nearest the window so we could still appreciate the view outside.

"So," Mark began, "is it time to tell me where you actually were for the past two months?"

I sighed audibly, annoyance rolling off my shoulders, "I told you when I'm ready Mark."

"You're killing me here Lacey, I have no idea where you were, what you were doing... heck I don't even know who you are anymore. I just miss the old you...I miss us."

There was a period of silence and I knew both of us were going through slight nostalgia about our past.

"Do you still think about him?" He probed, and I knew from the look that I was most likely projecting he knew the answer. I had the bad habit of wearing my feelings on my sleeve since I was young.

"It's not that I want to Mark, I just have so much built up anger towards him it's hard not to. I just... I wish I had some closure that's all." The truth was distance made the heart grow fonder and Rhys seemed to creep into my mind more and more lately. Not matter how much I hated him a small part of me missed him.

"Oh." Was his only response and until we got our food the view seemed to be more interesting to look at than me. 

Diana placed two piping hot trays of food in front of us and suddenly I was ravenous.

"Wow this is delicious," I commented as I finished chewing a piece of my honey glazed salmon. I hated small talk but I just needed something to diffuse the awkwardness between us.

"You should try the baked chicken next time we come up," Mark replied, shoving a forkful of rice into his mouth. He realised his mistake as he added, "that's if you want to."

I smile encouragingly at him, knowing that if I gave Mark a chance I would be able to see myself with him once again. It would probably take a while but I could replace the scar Rhys left with the potential Mark held. It was selfish of me but it was about time I learnt to put myself first. Besides I was sure that's what Rhys was doing. Putting himself first, or let's be real putting himself in someone else. I couldn't get that thought out of my mind for the rest of the meal but I still managed to say with as much enthusiasm as I could muster, "Sure, that'll be nice."