19 Mark's Confusion

There are only a few more days left until their awaited Christmas party. They already have irregular classes since everyone is busy organizing the said event. It has also been two weeks since Alice came back from her suspension and a lot has changed since then, not only for her but also for the guys too.

Alice suddenly became really popular because of what she did. She was known as the girl who fought against a feared frat at their rival school. She's also gotten a fan club, some are girls and some are boys, much to Mark's chagrin.

Whenever they'd take a walk around the school, they're guaranteed to grab a lot of attention. At first, it was really awkward for them but they eventually got used to it.

"Whoa, Alice really looks cool right?"

"She's really pretty, it's rare to see a pretty girl with spunk."

"I think she's cute, I didn't know she's tough as well. What a catch."

Mark glared at the guys who were practically checking Alice out. On the other hand, Alice just smiled at them. They all headed to the rooftop since it was their lunchtime.

"Geez Alice, you've gotten really popular," Alex said as he ate.

"Yeah... it's really weird. Sometimes this whole thing is getting really annoying, especially when I could practically hear everyone talking about me. I'm not used to it," Alice chuckled as she scratched her head.

All of a sudden, the door heading towards the rooftop slammed open and they saw Mia crying. "Mark!" she cried as tears flowed continuously out of her eyes. She went towards Mark and she leaned on him, much to everyone's surprise.

"What's wrong Mia?" Mark worriedly asked.

"I-it's horrible! Jason dumped me for another girl! He never loved me!" she cried.

They all froze at what Mia said. "That jerk," Mark hissed as he protectively wrapped his arms around Mia. "It's his loss, Mia, forget about him," he added. On the other hand, Alice was trying to suppress the forming smile on her lips.

"He's an idiot," Mia sniveled.

"Don't cry anymore, he isn't worth crying for Mia." Mark smiled at her.

By that time Alice decided to leave the scene and the other guys besides Mark followed her. They went towards the other end of the rooftop where they could still see Mark and Mia.

"Why'd you leave Alice? Are you feeling uncomfortable?" Josh asked.

Alice only shook her head. "Not at all. I think this is cool," she smiled, much to their confusion. "Mia is single once again, that only means that I could fulfill my promise. Mark still likes Mia right? There's still hope that they'd end up together." she thought aloud.

"W-wait, are you really fine with this Alice? Isn't Mark special to you?" Josh asked.

"Special? He's a close friend if that's what you mean and of course I'm fine with this. Mark could finally get his prom date." Alice said cheerfully.

"No use, she's too dense. She won't realize it unless someone tells her straight or unless Mark decides to man up and admit it." Alex thought grimly.

Meanwhile, Mia told Mark everything that happened. "Ignore him then move on. It's the easiest thing to do Mia. He's an idiot, he's stupid for letting someone like you go."

"Thanks, Mark, you're the best." Mia smiled.

"There's the smile, it suits you more." He chuckled and Mia only giggled in response. All of a sudden Mia gave Mark a hug.

"Thanks, Mark, I wish I never dated Jason. I just realized this now, you've always been there for me, if only I noticed it earlier." Mark was taken aback by Mia's words.

"I think I like you, Mark."

Mark only looked away from her. "Don't you think you're rushing things, Mia? I mean you've just gone through a bad break-up." he reasoned out.

"I don't know, but give it some thought Mark. Isn't it about time that we take our relationship to the next level?" she gave him a mysterious smile before she left.

Once Mia was gone the others quickly went near Mark. "We heard that Mark!" Alice said cheerfully. Meanwhile, the others just gave him a worried and confused look.

"Of course you did, what am I supposed to do now?" he asked.

"Well duh, date her! We'll continue the plan during the retreat! Mark, this is your chance!" Alice said.

"But didn't she just have her heart broken? So why is she jumping onto the next guy suddenly?" Lance asked.

"Nobody cares about that shit. Mia is broken, Mark fixes her and they lived happily ever after," Alice said cheerfully.

"Alice hear me out first," Mark said.

"I'll finally fulfill my promise, Mark."

"Listen to me, Alice."

"You'll finally be able to date the girl you love! I'll start making preparations!"

"Alice wai—" Mark wasn't able to finish what he was supposed to say because Alice immediately ran out of the rooftop. Mark groaned in frustration. "Argh... I can't believe it! I was about to tell her something I'm not even sure about!"

"Dude you were too slow. I frickin' knew it, you were just about to confess to her weren't you?" Josh asked as he raised one eyebrow at Mark who only averted his gaze from him.

"Be honest with yourself Mark, man-up before everything gets way out of hand." Matthew said.

"Don't complicate shit. I'm still in love with Mia, it's just that... Alice is getting in my thoughts and is making everything confusing," he groaned.

"It's because you're in love with Alice," Gerald pointed out. "If you weren't then you shouldn't even be annoyed with Grant or the guys that check Alice out every now and then." he explained.

"It's because I think they should show respect for Alice. Besides, I don't like it when other guys give her a once-over. I mean even I don't check her out that long," Mark said.

"So basically, you're jealous," Alex chuckled.

"And you just admitted that you checked Alice out," Vincent said with a nod.

"Idiots! It's because I want to know why guys think she's attractive nowadays," he grunted.

"I'm not buying that excuse Mark, heck I've seen you stare at Alice a couple of times even before she's gotten this popular," Lance laughed.

Alice was walking through the halls when she came across Mia. "Hey Mia," she greeted.

"Oh, hi Alice!" she waved.

"Anyway Mia, feel free to hang-out with us now. I'm rooting for you!" she made her usual fist pump gesture before she continued walking.

"Oh look, it's the most popular girl in school," Alice grinned once she heard the familiar sarcastic voice.

"Hey there Tiffany," she grinned. "I like what you did with your make-up today, is that a hint of jealousy in your eyes? It glimmers." Alice teased.

Tiffany made an attempt to punch her but Alice grabbed her by the wrist. "Chill, if there's anything I'm avoiding, it's getting suspended again. If you want to compete against me then at least make it official, what's the purpose of the Christmas party right?" Alice smirked.

"For once you thought of something good Alice," Tiffany said. "I'll inform the seniors about it since they're in charge."

"Fine then. Good luck Tiffany," she shrugged. That was the most decent talk she had with Tiffany so far.

Since most of the students in the senior year are on good terms with the juniors, Tiffany was able to request the game to them, since they are the ones in charge of the events for the Christmas party. The competition is still kept a secret from the others though.

For the following days, Mia did continue to hang-out with Mark which worried the guys even more. They also had more free time since everyone is too busy preparing for the Christmas party.

"I'm worried about the costume for the Christmas party. Did you see the girl's costume? It's an elf costume! And it's a skirt!" Alice complained as they were leaving the campus.

"It'll suit you so relax. Every girl is wearing the same so you won't get too embarrassed," Gerald laughed.

When they got near the gates, their jaws nearly dropped upon seeing Grant right outside. He was with his fraternity who are the same people they nearly fought with, and even Tiffany was with them.

"Alice stay behind," Mark gulped.

They got even more shocked when Alice just continued walking and she gave Grant a high five. "What brings you here all of a sudden?" she asked.

"What the hell?" the guys gasped.

"Oh right," Alice chuckled as she clasped her hands. "Hey guys, you remember Grant. Well, we see each other very often, you see we made up after the whole fiasco." she explained.

"Then why are they here?" Vincent asked nervously as he pointed the other students with Grant.

"Alice and I talked about it and we both think that it would be best if everyone apologizes to each other properly," Grant told them.

"We're sorry," Grant's classmates said in unison.

"It's no big deal, it's done anyway." Mark spoke for everyone. After that, the heavy atmosphere was lifted.

"So that's it. You came all the way here for that?" Tiffany rolled her eyes.

"Anyway Alice, want to go with me? I think there's a newly opened ice cream parlor here," Grant said.

"Sure as long as it's your treat," Alice nodded. "Hey, I'll go on ahead okay? You guys can thank us later for this mini-reunion." Alice chuckled.

"Hey wait, why are you carelessly going around with that guy?" Mark asked worriedly.

"This is Grant. I know him well enough Mark, he's the guy who has my picture as his profile picture on Facebook." She giggled as she turned to Grant. "Seriously, what's that for? I mean, don't you have any pictures of yourself?"

Grant just smiled as he shook his head whilst the others looked at Alice as if she was the stupidest person on Earth. "She's too clueless," they all thought.

The other guys then slyly eyed Mark. "I'm not jealous if that's what you're thinking," he hissed.

"We didn't say anything," Josh shrugged.

"Come on! Let's go somewhere! I missed hanging out with these guys!" Mark said awkwardly as he went near Grant's classmates.

The guys looked at each other and laughed. "He's indeed jealous alright,"

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