OUR EXCHANGE PROGRAM

MARK

When no one is there to fix you, fix yourself.
:Anonymous

I wake up five minutes to midnight. I'm alone in bed, so it looks as if Matthews is downstairs doing what he knows best. My stomach can't stop grumbling and it just hits me, I haven't had anything to eat since lunch.

I walk to the kitchen where I prepare myself something to eat. Matthews is nowhere in sight and it looks like he went out. I sit myself on the couch and turn on to my favorite program, Fatal Attraction. Sometimes I wonder how people can't gauge when their spouses turn against them.
Is love really that blind?

The series is almost ending when I feel the door opening. A young man walks in and there is no doubt he looks like Matthews.

"Hey, you must be Natalia."

"And you are..."

"Seems Ash didn't mention me. Am, Mark, Ash's brother. Younger brother.What are you even doing? And where is Ash?"

Matthews, Mark, is there a Luke too?

He walks in and makes himself comfortable on the couch. I slam myself too on the coach and we resume with our watching.

"So, I heard you spilled hot coffee all over him and threw gigantic words. You nearly slapped him. You know what? Am sure he deserved it, he can be a jerk sometimes..."

"Douche bag" I corrected him.

He only shook his head and gave me an amused smile. "he can be that too. Man, I like you already. If you weren't his I would have taken you right underneath his nose."

"I'm not his."

"Keep telling yourself that.Btw where did you say Ash went?"

"I don't really know. When I woke up, he wasn't here."

Just then, the door opened and a bloodied face Matt showed up. His shirt was covered in blood and so was his face. One look at him sent cold shivers down my spine.

"Matt, what happened?"
I found myself rushing to him and cupping his face to study for any injuries. He held my hands trying to brush them away but I didn't bulge.

"Let's get you dressed up,"
He looked away from me and spotted  Mark.

"What are you doing here."

"I can see you never stopped your old habits. Poor Natalia was here all worried while you were busy having fun." Trust Mark to exaggerate. It's not like I was worried, or was I?

I follow Mark's look and it lands on the lady I spilled coffee on. I move slightly from Matt creating a distance between us.

" Ashton, what is this girl doing here? I thought you already fired her."

I take some steps back and stand beside Mark,an act that doesn't go unnoticed by Matt. Mark spares me a questioning look before starring at her.

"Mandy now is not the time." Matt walks up the stairs to his room while a makeup caked face Mandy follows him shouting.

"You know that thing?"

I pat Mark's shoulder  burying a laugh. "I think her name is Mandy. And yes, I once spilled lemonade over her £5000 dollar dress. That girl is a walking price tag."

"I know right! But what is it with you and pouring drinks all over people. I won't be surprised if you spill cold soda over me."

I slap his head playfully, I really like him. "Maybe yours will be hot tea,"

He gives me a scowl and I just laugh.

"But seriously, I really hate that girl. I know we grew up together but I just hate the way she pushes herself around Ash and he doesn't even see it."

The 'two couples' come down with a freshly freshened up Matt. Mandy is tagging behind him like his tail and I can't help but scoff.

" So what's up for dinner?"Mark breaks the tension between us.

" I ordered pizza, it will be here shortly. So what are you doing here Mark.? "

" I came to visit my older brother. Am not allowed to do that? "
He gives his best puppy face and pouts.
Matt rolls his eyes and crosses his arms over his chest.

"Just say what you really want."

Mark scratches the back of his head then shoves both his hands in his pockets.

"OK, you had me there. I want money. You know that business am starting needs more capital."

"How much?"

"Like the previous one?"

"OK, you'll get it tomorrow."

"Thanks man."

Just then our pizza arrives and we quickly devour it.

"So, Natasha, what are you doing here?"

"The name's Natalia." I try correcting politely but she only sneers.

"Whatever, just answer the question."

"I don't see how it's your business Mandy.This is Ash's house. "

Thank you Mark.

"All I'm trying to say is..."

"Your full, and you are going to bed right?"

I really love you Mark. Remind me not to spill the hot tea all over you.

"Why are you even defending her. You met her like, three hours ago or what!"

"And thank God she's nowhere close to you."

"Guys just shut up. Mark, you should man up."

Mark stands all of a sudden and I know he's angry.

"Man up? Really Ash, you should be the one manning up to defend your girl. But you choose to sit yourself pretending as if nothing is happening. You know what? Hope you have a good night!!"

He stomps to a room I presume is his before slamming his door.

"whoa" I find myself exhaling.
I also stand with the aim of going to my room but then I remembered this isn't my house,so I walk to the kitchen instead.

From the kitchen, I can spot Mandy also walking to her... room?

"Natalia, can I speak to you?"
I simply nod and follow him to his own room. I sit myself on the edge of the bed and he leans on the wall.

"I'm sorry about her, she's just..."

a bitch.. a jealous bitch.. a lunatic jealous bitch... a..

"Complicated? She has issues of her own.."

and I dont?

"She has had a rough past.."

And I have had a smooth one?

Matt, just stop defending her. There is no excuse for stupidity.

I really wanted to say all these but I simply smiled and said.

"It's OK, am used to it."
He walks towards me and sits beside me.

"I really need to talk to you."

"Well, spit it out."  This better be good.

"It's about Thomas,"

Oh, it's not good.

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bremisiko