54 EPILOGUE

It was the start of classes. Many students flooded the halls and a lot of unfamiliar faces of the new younger years can be seen. "Don't let go of my hand or we'll be separated."

"I won't, but if the teachers see us you're dead." Mark held Alice's hand tightly as they walked through the halls, making their way to the school gate to meet up with their friends.

"Hey, you're both late." Josh grunted. "Sorry, we had to check our classroom first to reserve seats." Alice explained. Mark and Alice were separated from the group, the same as Vincent and Matthew. Unlike last school year, this time it was only Josh and Lance who didn't have their girlfriend as their classmate.

"You're lucky to be in the same class as your girlfriend," Lance pointed out.

"No way that's good," Vincent shook his head. They looked at him questioningly. "Well it is awkward since Angela and I broke up during vacation time. She said I wasn't as dedicated to her as I used to be." he grumbled.

"Why are you okay with it?" Josh asked in confusion.

"At first I wasn't but I moved on. Angela is right, we were losing interest with each other but anyway Alice, thanks. Because of you I had a chance to make the girl of my dreams my girlfriend." Vincent gave her a cheerful smile.

Alice smiled sadly. "That's the problem with relationships, time will come and the couple loses interest or one of them becomes unfaithful, that's why I was afraid of it back then." she said softly.

Mark placed his hand on Alice's head and he gently ruffled her hair "There's nothing for you to worry about. I'll never be unfaithful to you and I most certainly am sure that I'd never lose interest. It took me forever to have you and I'm not planning on letting you go." he chuckled and Alice laughed.

"You're so corny,"

"You're close as always," Gerald teased them.

"By the way do Alice's parents know yet?" Matthew asked.

"They do, Alice told them the very day that we started dating it was such a pain." Mark grimaced at the thought.

----

Alice introduced Mark to her parents as her boyfriend and as Mark had anticipated Alice's father was the first to react. "Why are you dating pretty boy?! He should've asked for our permission first." Alice's father exclaimed.

"Dad, I'm pretty sure that it's legal for me to have a boyfriend now, I mean didn't you began courting mom when she's only fourteen?" Alice pointed out but her father kept on rambling about ravaging teenage hormones and how perverted teenage boys are. Meanwhile, Mark just stood there with his mouth hung open.

"Mom," Alice whined as she looked at her mother for help. Her mother made her father shut up with one striking glare then she smiled at Mark.

"Congratulations, what if you bring your family over tomorrow? We could all have a celebratory dinner." she said. Mark just nodded, too shocked to even talk.

------

"What happened at the dinner?" Alex asked. Mark only shook his head in disbelief but this only intrigued the guys even more.

"It didn't turn out like a family dinner at all. Her dad told my parents about me calling him pops and that I slept in Alice's room… twice. Her mother gave me a list of rules and regulations regarding about me and Alice's relationship and her brother kept teasing me." Mark narrated.

"But that's still cool, at least they approve of your relationship," Alex commented.

Suddenly someone wrapped an arm around Alice's shoulders. "You're as beautiful as ever Al," Grant smiled

"Oh Grant, hi."

"Out of the way Grant," Mark shoved him.

"No need to be that rude Mark, everyone knows that you and Alice are dating now anyway." Grant chuckled as he went behind Alice and snaked his arms around her neck.

"And don't push your luck Grant," Alice said as she elbowed his ribs.

"Don't push your luck," Mark smirked.

"Either way you're both idiots," Alice giggled.

The other guys thought of how amazing Alice was, she's fully aware that she's stuck in a love triangle yet she still acts normal. Then again, Alice is Alice, she could just be her dense, ignorant self again.

"Alice!" someone ran towards Alice and gave her a warm embrace.

"J-justin? Why are you here?" Alice gasped.

"Get away from her!" Mark and Grant pushed him away.

"I was scheduled to do a photoshoot here for the back to school issue of a magazine," he answered.

"Wow, that's cool!" Vincent cooed.

"By the way Alice, I heard you're dating Mister Scowls-a-Lot over here," Justin said as he pointed Mark who was currently scowling at him.

"Shut up lady killer!" he sneered.

Alice sighed. "Yeah, I'm dating him." she told him.

"Why are you so casual? You could have at least blushed or be a bit embarrassed." Mark exclaimed.

"Why Mark, are you an embarrassment to me?" Alice asked.

"Ouch," the others resisted the urge to burst our laughing, especially Grant who had to turn his back from the rest to hide his laughter.

"Sometimes I wonder why I asked you out," Mark said in a childish tone.

"Don't worry, I'm not sure why I said yes to you." she stated bluntly. Mark felt like a ton of boulders fell on him and he looked like he just swallowed a whole lemon. This time the others broke into laughter.

"Your face looks so sour," Alex laughed.

"Alice hasn't changed at all, I'm so glad." Justin smiled as he patted Alice's shoulder.

"Alice, my mother told me that your mom gave your boyfriend a list of rules regarding your relationship," Grant said as he went near the female brunette much to Mark's chagrin.

"Yeah, her mother gave me rules, so what?" Mark interrupted.

"I'm curious about them," Grant grinned. The others also said that they were curious too so Mark had no choice but to bring out a crumpled piece of paper from his wallet. The rest huddled up around him.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

No kissing, hugging, or any signs of affection around us.

Whenever you're staying at Alice's room, leave the door wide open.

If you're taking Alice out on a date, inform us first.

After the date, show pictures of what you were doing.

During a monthsary or anniversary, you're supposed to take the whole family on a dinner together with yours.

PS. Hurt my daughter and I'll burn you alive <3

Everyone stared at the paper in shock, "Alice's mother wrote it, everytime I visit I have to read it before I enter their house." Mark said as he returned the paper in his wallet.

"Alice's family is scary." Gerald managed to say.

"No wonder you've never dated before, I guess only Mark had the guts." Josh chuckled.

"If only I never made a bad first impression," Grant huffed.

"It's okay Grant. There are lots of girls out there." Justin comforted his brother who only rolled his eyes at him.

"Easy for you to say, you get chased by girls all the time sometimes even guys." Grant laughed.

"It's a price I must pay for being so good looking," Justin dramatically sighed.

Alice giggled. "It's good to see you two getting along," she smiled.

"No we aren't!" they protested.

Suddenly the school bell rang signaling that classes were starting. "Let's hurry to our classrooms," Matthew said.

"Bye Justin!" Alice waved before all of them ran to their own classrooms, to Alice's surprise, Mark dragged her to the school rooftop. "Why are we here?" she asked.

"Let's skip class for now," he smiled.

Alice looked at him as if he was an escapee from a mental institute. "We'll be in so much trouble," she groaned. Then Mark went near her and he wrapped his arms around her neck affectionately, he leaned down until his forehead touched hers.

It kind of irritated Alice that Mark had to lean down because of their height difference, but other than that, she doesn't hate the situation.

"You know this is the place where I realized that I'm in love with you," Mark recalled the time when he officially ended his friendship with Mia because he chose Alice. "This is also the place where you confessed to me," he said.

"Feels nostalgic, doesn't it? I'm really glad, I never thought that being in love is such a fun thing." she smiled sweetly.

"Being with you, it's the best thing that has ever happened in my life, call me cheesy but I just think that all of this is just… perfect." Mark grinned.

"That's because we're perfect for each other," Alice giggled. Then she stood on her toes and their lips met.

It didn't take long before Alice broke the kiss, much to Mark's disappointment. She stepped away from him with a cheeky grin on her face. "Race you to the classroom?" she asked.

"Bring it!" Mark chuckled then they both ran towards their classroom.

It wasn't surprising for their class that the two were late. Everyone knew about their relationship and they're pretty much happy about it. "FINALLY!" that was the reaction of almost every student who found out.

For Mark, it was very ironic that Alice, who was supposed to be the first to know about his feelings, turned out to be the last to know. But still, he's grateful that everything turned out as what they're supposed to be.

It was just like what most people thought, they're the perfect match.

If only Alice wasn't that clueless, then they would've begun dating since a long time ago. Then again, where would the thrill in that be? Alice being the clueless girl that she is, only made it Mark try even harder to prove his love for her.

And now look where he is… He's now dating Miss Clueless.