7 OPERATION: MARK & ALICE'S FIRST DATE!

Alice sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror, she is still wearing her usual casual outfit but this time she didn't tie her hair in a ponytail, since she just showered her hair is still slightly damp. She sighed once more before opening the door.

"Hi," Mark greeted, he was wearing his usual casual attire as well. "As expected you didn't even effort to dress up a bit." He grumbled.

"Let's just get this over with," she said grumpily.

The two of them began walking aimlessly at the halls. Neither of them wanted this, unbeknownst to them, their friends were watching them.

"Man this sucks, nothing interesting is happening," Alex groaned as he adjusted his position behind the wall.

"Just wait, I'm pretty sure Mark will follow my tips soon," Gerald told them.

"I'd rather go on a date with Jayne, I'm pretty sure that they'd be at each other's throats in a few moments," Josh grumbled.

As they were walking Mark grabbed Alice's hand. Alice slipped her hand away and she glared at Mark. "Why are you so nice today? You're supposed to be the grumpy one!"

Mark frowned "You know, as much as I hate spending this day with you I have no choice first it's the blackmail and second this is my first official date I want it to at least be memorable." He looked away from Alice in order to hide the heat building on his cheeks.

Alice huffed. "Then you don't have to force yourself, I know anyone would be disappointed if they had to go on a date with someone like me. Just go, I'll handle the guys," she then gave a bitter smile.

"Nah, let's finish this alright? A bet is a bet and I wouldn't want to back out of it," he shook his head then he gave her a reassuring smile. "Besides, I'm pretty sure that there could at least be a guy who'd like to go on a date with you."

Alice snorted. "Suit yourself, it's not like we have a choice," she ran her fingers through her hair. "And giving me a little compliment, is so not you." she rolled her eyes. Mark chuckled, he hesitated at first but he took hold of Alice's hand and this time, she didn't pull back.

Soon enough, they arrived at the arcade room "Let's play basketball, then we'll get something for the others for the prizes," she told Mark.

"You play basketball? And wait, did you just say get something for the others?! After they forced us into this bet you want to get something for them?" he asked.

"I play basketball with my brother sometimes and yes I did. See that stationary kit over there?" she pointed at the prize corner. "I'm planning on using the scissors to cut off their hair," she said with a serious face.

"There's no hiding the sadism she has," Mark thought in amusement.

"I knew this was a bad idea," Vincent gulped from the corner.

In the end, Mark was able to convince Alice that there's no point in doing whatever she's planning. He himself knows how important hair is to boys as it is to girls and he also has a tad concern left for his friends. They ended up playing basketball, Mark was surprised that Alice can match up to him even though he won Alice's scores were always just a point or two behind "I'm not in the mood to win," is what the female brunette would always say.

"Hey it's almost noon, wanna grab lunch?" Mark asked.

"I thought you'd never ask" she replied.

So they went to the restaurant where Alice treated them the previous day. "Hello there, we have the couple specials for today, please have a seat," one of the employees said as she led them to a table for two.

"We are not a couple," they said in unison.

The lady only smiled at them playfully and winked. "No need to hide it"

"That's so damn awkward," Matthew laughed as they all stayed in the table behind Alice and Mark. They were all fighting the urge to laugh at the two. After eating, they walked around the halls once again. It didn't take long before they came across a few familiar faces.

"Hi Mark," Tiffany greeted, she was together with Jenny and Miriam.

"Hi Alice," Tiffany said bitterly

"So why are you two alone?" Miriam asked.

Alice was about to make an excuse when Mark cuts her off. "We're in one of those friendly dates," he answered. Alice glared at Mark for casually blurting it out.

The three girls gasped "Why?" Tiffany asked.

"Well…we're talking about ah, having this trial date so Mark knows what to do on a date. I researched for this," Alice said nervously.

"I wasn't asking you," Tiffany brushed her off. "So can we hang-out with you? It's just a trial date anyway," she said as she latched onto Mark's arm. Mark looked at Alice for an answer, Alice's expression clearly says NO, Mark sighed.

"Sure you can go with us,"

"Fuck" Alice muttered in an inaudible sigh.

"Hey Tiffany, Miriam and I will be going," Jenny said as they left.

"Can we watch a movie?" Tiffany asked with pleading eyes.

Mark had no choice but to agree, much to Alice's dismay. So in an instant, it turned into Mark and Tiffany's date. Alice trailed behind them, even when they were watching the movie. Alice made sure to stay away from them since it was disturbing her, Tiffany was clinging to Mark like a leech.

It was already four when the movie finished. "Can we eat? This place looks good," Tiffany said as she pulled Mark towards the food court. Alice groaned inwardly as she followed them. They all took their seats and ordered some fried dumplings from a stand. "I'll go buy some refreshments," Mark said as he left leaving Alice and Tiffany alone in the table.

"Why are you still here?" Tiffany spat.

"Hey, you're the one who suddenly joined us so don't give me that crap," she replied bluntly.

"Haven't I told you to stay away from Mark?" Tiffany growled.

"Chill, we're only friends." Alice calmly replied.

"Stop acting so cool you bitch!" Tiffany roared as she slapped Alice, to her shock Mark just arrived and he saw and heard everything. Tiffany's eyes widened in shock.

"Oh Mark! Alice started it!" she stuttered. Alice only looked at Tiffany with complete disbelief. Mark walked pass Tiffany, dropped the drinks on the table, and grabbed Alice's hand.

"Tiffany as you can see this is Alice and my date so please leave us alone," he said as he walked away while pulling a shocked Alice with him.

"I think we should stop following them, I hope they could settle it," Lance said.

"Mark did the right thing, I feel bad for following them through," Alex groaned as they left.

"Why the heck did you let Tiffany slap you?!" Mark said in annoyance.

"I have no interest in fighting against her, she's shallow-minded and not interesting at all." Alice shrugged.

"But you would always make a remark or a hurtful comment if someone does that to you," Mark scoffed.

Alice faced him, her eyes narrowing "As I said, she doesn't interest me. I don't even like seeing her. She isn't worth stressing for. She clearly has issues." she said. Alice looked outside and it was raining. "Leave, the date is over." She said coldly.

"Are you okay?" Mark asked. Alice walked past him and went outside, he followed her.

Alice stayed by the railings as she looked at the wild waves. "Hey, it's too dangerous, you shouldn't be staying out here, it's raining." Mark informed.

"The same goes for you," she said softly.

"This is my first date, but you didn't have to make it obvious that you didn't want to go with me. Both you and Tiffany ruined it for me, there is nothing memorable about this," she looked down.

"So that's why she's acting weird." Mark's expression softened, he placed one hand on Alice's head and he ruffled her wet locks.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have agreed to Tiffany, it's my fault. I was too much of a pushover and I couldn't tell her to go away." Mark smiled. "And Alice, I honestly enjoyed this date,"

Alice's eyes widened in surprise. After that a loud crash of thunder was heard, Alice tensed, she went near Mark "Can we please go to my room first?" she tried her best to act calm.

Once Mark accompanied Alice to her room and took pictures as proof that they proceeded with the date, Alice told him to leave. Mark was about to head out when a loud crash of thunder was suddenly heard.

Alice ran to Mark she clutched onto the back of his shirt tightly. Mark chuckled as he closed the door and faced Alice once again. "Is this real, you're afraid of just some thunder?" Alice buried her face on Mark's chest in embarrassment, she was shaking as she clutched the boy's shirt.

"Shut up, just don't leave me��yet." she murmured. Mark grinned, he was amused who would have ever thought that the sadistic, brave, and annoying friend of his is only afraid of some thunder.

They heard more sets of thunder and this time Alice was really clinging onto Mark, her eyes shut tightly her mouth was tensed and she was shaking in fear, embarrassment, and coldness.

Mark sighed as he wrapped his arms around her "I'll stay with you, don't be too scared. I'll protect you even if there's really nothing to protect you from," he chuckled, he felt Alice relax into his arms, her head resting on his chest.

"Thank you," Alice whispered. Mark smiled as he re-wrapped his arms around Alice, he looked at her and she has drifted off to sleep. Mark gently rested his chin on top of her head and he too slowly closed his eyes and went to sleep.

Maybe it was a memorable first date after all.

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