WestFiction- "Crash and Burn" by Kate

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Crash and Burn> chapters 20-21

When I woke up that morning, one look out of the window made me pull my blanket up to my chin and wish I would never have to get out of bed again. It was early March and the weather was awful: it was raining all the time, it was dark even in the afternoon and the wind was blowing so hard, I could even hear it howling inside the apartment.

I tried to fall asleep again, but one look at the framed photo standing on the cupboard opposite my bed brought my depressed mood back. Just a few days ago I was Mark’s best friend, sharing laughs and tears, until I was stupid enough to spoil everything. We haven’t spoken to each other since that unfortunate talk and I didn’t know what to do.

I was too stubborn to apologize and I wasn’t proud of that but still, I had no guts to contact him first.

The telephone rang, interrupting my thoughts, just as I was heading to the kitchen in my pyjamas. I picked up the receiver in the lobby and gave a sleepy “hello” to the person on the other end.

- Guess who’s number one again?!- I heard a familiar voice shouting with excitement and my heart skipped a beat.

- Mark..?- I was a little puzzled by his call and couldn’t think of anything smarter to say.

I just heard him laughing in response. – No, Westlife! But who’s that Mark guy? Any serious competition?

I smiled too. – Not really, it seems like you guys have taken hold of the first place forever. Congratulations!

I could hear him cheering like no tomorrow, but I couldn’t stop smiling myself. Mark sounded so happy!

- Thanks! Ah, it gives me such a buzz, you know? I just feel like hugging you now!

Oh, that lit fire inside of me. I wanted to control myself, but I failed. Again.

- Why don’t you just hug Melody instead, huh? – I had that sarcastic tone again, and just when I heard myself saying those words out loud, I regretted them instantly.

As I expected, Mark went silent for a few seconds.

- You shouldn’t have said that, Kate. – he said finally, slowly and seriously. I could sense he was ready to burst out with anger any minute, but he controlled himself.

- I’m sorry. – I said sincerely. – I really am. I didn’t mean it like that, honestly.

I felt so stupid! There he was, calling me after a fight that was all my fault and I almost blew it again. Sometimes I couldn’t believe how he was able to put up with me and my moods for all this time.

- It’s okay… - he sighed. – I know you didn’t mean it.

His voice softened, just when I was expecting another “don’t-make-it-worse-Kate” lecture.

- Besides, I have even better news for you!- he got that cheerful tone again and I couldn’t help but cheer along with him.

- Better then Westlife going number one again..? Naaaaaaah!- I teased him, but at the same time I was way too curious about what he wanted to tell me.

- You better believe it!- he laughed. – Cause you’ve just won three days to spend with your fave Westlifer in a location of your choice! How about that?!

- Oh! I get to spend the whole three days with Shane on Ibiza?! Cool!

- Oi, Kate!- Mark squealed and I started laughing uncontrollably. – I thought I was your fave Westlifer!

- Oh, okay… - I pretended to hesitate. – I can make a sacrifice… but only this once!

- Very funny, as always!- I could imagine Mark rolling his eyes and shaking his head at this very moment. – But seriously, I’m coming over to you! Tell me how excited you are about that!

- YAY! Are you serious!- I rather stated then asked and started jumping around the kitchen. –That’s SO great! When? Why? Where? How??

- Wow, slow down..!- Mark was obviously having a hard time trying to hold his laughter. – I never knew you’d be THAT happy!

- Oh , really..?

- Yeah, really!- he stated and then continued in the same, excited tone. - Okay, the thing is, we have a few days off next week and that’s when I’ll be coming to Warsaw to see you! For the whole three days! Give me a “hurray”!

- Hurray… - I stated, undecided.

- Uh huh… that definitely made me want to go and catch the first plane to Poland. What’s the matter? – he asked, a bit concerned.

- Are YOU coming..? Or are you AND Melody coming?- I was a bit afraid to bring this subject once again, but I had to know if I should look forward to that, or if it would be just another painful experience I had to pretend I enjoyed.

Mark sighed, as usual, but he was probably aware that I’d ask him that question.

- It’s just me, Katie. Just me.

My mom entered the kitchen and gave me a weird look.

- Wipe that smile off your face, you look silly!

I just laughed at her remark but then realised that Mark could have a slightly different idea as to what I was laughing about.

- Uh, sorry Mark. It’s just that my mom…

- It’s okay, I know you’re happy about that…- he let out a little laugh and my grin became even wider.

- Look… I have to go now and call… - Mark paused as if he was afraid to mention his girlfriend’s name, but nothing could spoil my mood right now.

- Melody. – I finished for him.

- Yeah, Melody. I have to tell her the news!- he cheered again at the mention of yet another Westlife’s number one.

But I was confused.

- You mean… you haven’t told her yet..?

Mark lost his grip for a second.

- No… I called you first… Why you’re asking?

I smiled to myself.

- Oh, no reason at all... You go and call her and I’ll see you in a week, okay?

- Yeah! Bye Kate!- he exclaimed happily and we hang up.

My mom was now pretty sure I was going insane. And for the rest of the day, nothing could wipe off that big smile off my face.

Chapter 21

A few steps forward to the arrivals’ hall and my smile grew bigger. I never knew why, but I always enjoyed watching Mark- when I was sure he wasn’t aware of me spying on him. And as I came from around the corner and spotted him straight away, I did just that.

He was standing there, tall, handsome and amazing. He was wearing black trousers, black shirt that fitted him perfectly and a leather jacket. His hair, shaved recently, has grown already a bit, just as much to let him have already this messy, boyish hairdo I always loved.

He had a huge, sports- bag on his right arm and a pair of shades covering his eyes. His wide, contagious smile was enlightening his face, making him look like a little kid and making everyone that spotted him, grinning along.

He was watching the happy couples exchanging hugs and passionate kisses. Since Agata made all the people at the airport stare at herself and Kian with her loud scream of joy, she was lost in Ki’s arms. Kian surely enjoyed every second of it: he was grinning like no tomorrow and hugging his girl even tighter. As to Bryan and Dorothy… you probably couldn’t find a more excited couple in the whole world at the very moment. I missed the sight of An and Shane tough: I never found out why they couldn’t come to Warsaw as well, ‘cause An’s emails and Mark’s explanations were kind of dim.

I watched Mark smiling along to the loving gestures for a few more seconds and then started walking up to him.

He spotted me when I was just a few steps away. And when he took off his shades and gave me his best, Hollywood grin, I almost came flying into his arms.

- Katie… - I heard him whispering into my ear just as I put my arms around his neck and held him tight. So tight, I finally made him almost beg for air…

When we pulled away, I couldn’t stop grinning.

- Say something..!- Mark laughed but I just watched him, taking it all in. He looked like a young god: smoothly shaved, slightly tanned, happiness glowing in his blue eyes and his wide smile uncovering two rows of perfectly white teeth…

I just shook my head with a shy, but huge smile, still not being able to say a word.

Mark laughed and took me in his arms again.

- I missed ya, silly!

- Yeah, me too…- I finally managed to whisper. – You don’t even know how much!

An hour later, about 8 p.m., the both of us were already at home. My mom and dad went away for a few days earlier that day, leaving me and Mark all by ourselves. I still couldn’t figure out why they set up this visit at my aunt’s so quickly: I knew they liked Mark just thanks to my endless talks about him, but…

- You have a nice apartment. – Mark stated from the living room and I smiled.

- Thanks. You want a cup of tea? Or coffee? Or hot chocolate? Or whatever else?- I called out from the kitchen, looking for some mugs in the cupboard.

- I’ll have whatever else. No sugar, please.- Mark was leaning on the door frame of the kitchen, smiling cheekily.

- Oh shoot, mom forgot to buy it. Fancy a cup of tea instead?- I smiled at him, placing the mugs on the kitchen table.

- Sure, why not. - he walked up to me and stood inches away for a while, watching the preparations.

- Can I help? – he finally asked, but I shook my head no.

- Why won’t you just go to my room and I’ll bring the tea when it’s ready, okay?

- Whatever you say. – he bowed and kissed me gently on the cheek on his way out. – I’m waiting. – he winked at me and disappeared in the hall.

- Behave, Kate, behave… - I mumbled to myself and placed two steaming cups on a tray.

I found him in my room, looking at the framed photographs placed on the cupboard.

- I can’t believe you still have this one! – he pointed at the picture that was by far my favourite. It was a photo taken at Warsaw’s Old City, a few months ago. I walked up to Mark and took the frame from him.

I smiled lightly at the sight of nine of us, cheering like no tomorrow.

- I love this pic…- I said silently.

- Me too - Mark nodded and smiled. Then he reached into his pocket and took out his wallet, still smiling.

I watched him taking out exactly the same pic, but not quite… complete.

- You cut out the two of us..?- I couldn’t believe my eyes, but at the same time I couldn’t hide my smile.

- Aha. – he nodded and grinned at me.

I watched him in amazement, sitting on the couch and taking a mug of tea.

- I had a huge fight with Mel over this one! – he seemed amused saying this, as if it was a kind of a joke.

- Oh, I’m sorry…- I said hesitantly, sitting beside him. I was looking at him in awe: I think I’ve never seen him like that. And I definitely haven’t seen him cheering when he was talking about a fight with his girlfriend.

- Oh, it’s nothing. I got used to fighting with Mel over a photo of you, or a phone call or a letter, e-mail or whatever else there was… - he lost his smile for a split second and stared into space, but then he snapped back to reality and gave me a wide grin.

I turned my head to him, looking straight into his eyes.

- What brings you here Mark? – I asked him just liked that and watched him almost spitting out his tea.

He looked at me in shock.

- Ex… excuse me..?

I shook my head in disbelief.

- Do you really think I’m so stupid, Mark? That I believed that Mel has let you fly here to me? To spend your three days’ holidays with me instead of sharing them with your girl? Oh please..!

Mark was still in shock. He sat back on the couch with the mug in his hands, avoiding my glance.

- I talked it over with her and she finally agreed…- he said hesitantly, obviously not really used to lying.

- Yeah, right. – I rolled my eyes. – THE Mel, THE sickly jealous Mel has agreed for your visit here.

I made him look into my eyes and asked:

- What’s the REAL reason, Mark?

He turned his head away, ashamed.

- She wanted me to talk things over with you. – he sighed finally, giving up. – “Go there and settle things with her, once and for all!”- he was mocking Melody, throwing his hands in the air and putting on a funny, girly voice.

I was devastated. And mad at the same time.

- What does it mean..?- I asked, my voice trembling. I didn’t really want to know the answer, but I asked anyway.

He was no longer avoiding my gaze. So our eyes met and he said seriously:

- Nothing. I’m only supposed to tell you to “keep your real feelings for me to yourself”. That’s by far all.

I lost the 20 pages long list. – he finally dropped the serious tone and gave me a grin. I couldn’t help but smile back and I felt relieved straight away.

- You know…- I started shyly, reaching for my mug. – I never planned to tell you about… you know… what I feel… - I felt my face going red and I turned my head instantly.

- I know. Bryan said that ‘it just slipped’…

We both laughed at the memory of embarrassed Bryan, after he accidentally let Mark know what I was feeling.

- He NEVER knew how to keep anything for himself! – I laughed and Mark joined me. Then I went serious again.

- But I’m glad it came out.

- Me too.

We both smiled at the same time and silence fell between us for a while. He knew what I wanted to say and I knew what his words would be so we were just grinning at each other, sipping our tea.

- Now that we talked it over… - Mark rolled his eyes at the memory of Mel’s orders. – …what do you want to do next?

I instantly had a few interesting ideas when he asked this question, but in the end I quickly pushed the kinky thoughts at the back of my mind and smiled at him widely.

- How about watching a video? – I offered and walked up to the shelf with my precious video collection.

- Good idea. – Mark clapped his hands and asked excitedly:

- What you’ve got there?

- Hmm… let’s see… - I flipped through the videos’ covers and started mumbling the titles.

- “Devil’s Advocate”, “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”, “My Own Private Idaho”, “Much Ado About Nothing”, “Speed” and… YES! You guessed it! - I shouted at Mark, who was at this pointing almost rolling on the floor, laughing - “The Matrix”!

- Kate…- Mark was already out of breath, with his eyes wide open and a smile wandering all over his face. - Don’t you know any actors beside Keanu Reeves?!

- I do!- I took a video from the shelf with triumph and put it in the VCR. – I know Sandra Bullock as well! And she’s starring in “Speed”… - I glanced with an evil smile at laughing Mark while sitting beside him.

- You’re not gonna get away with it this time! – Mark gave out a wild shout, grabbed a cushion from my couch and tried to strangle me with it.

- Does… that… mean… we’re… not… gonna… see… “Devil’s adv… advocate” afterwards..?- I said in between deep breaths and got the answer I expected.

- NO!

- I can’t believe they want us to help them!- Mark moaned as we stood outside Dorothy’s door the next morning and I rang the bell.

- Jeez, Mark, is your pop star ego too big to do some serious house work?- I rolled my eyes and pushed the bell again. I stepped in as Dorothy opened the door and I hugged her.

- Hey Markie!- Dorothy exclaimed and gave a bear hug to a very unhappy Mark, who only mumbled ‘hi’ and began taking off his jacket hesitantly, as if he was ready to put it back any minute and run away.

Dorothy was watching him, confused. - What’s wrong with him?- she asked me as quietly as she could, but Mark heard every word.

- Nothin’…- he mumbled again in response. He gave her a hurt and angry look and went to greet Bryan.

- What was that..?!- Dorothy looked at me, amused, when he was out of sight.

- Oh..! He hasn’t been exactly a happy bunny since you called me and asked us to help you paint your apartment..! -

I rolled my eyes again. – He probably wanted to spend the whole afternoon watching my KEANU REEVES videos!

I shouted the last three words in the direction of the room where Mark was with Bry. Seconds later his head popped out and he stated seriously: - I hate Keanu Reeves!

- Oh, shut it Mark, you and I both know you adore him!- I cut the discussion and turned to Dorothy. – What do you want us to do?

- I thought you two could paint the kitchen while me and Bry take care of the living room. How’s that?- She looked at me and Mark, who was now standing beside me and looking very uninterested in our conversation.

- Perfect!- I stated happily and glanced at the bored one. – Right Mark?

- Whatever…- he mumbled as usual, looking more interested in the floor.

- Hey Kate!

Bryan came out of the living room and gave me a big hug. – Have you seen the whole apartment yet?

- Yeah, I have actually.- I smiled at him. – Even before you have! But we can show it to Mark. Maybe that would cheer him up!

Even if Mark didn’t look into it at all, we dragged him along and showed him Dorothy’s new apartment. She was supposed to move in here in a couple of days, just when it was ready enough to bring in the furniture, and that’s why she needed our help. I envied her so much: it was big, spacious, bright and all for herself, while I still had to stay with my parents.

- …and this is the snogging room..! Sorry, the LIVING room!- Bryan corrected his ‘mistake’ quickly and both him and Mark burst out laughing.

- Oh, that’s so mature!- Dorothy shook her head and punched Bry playfully on his arm.

We all turned left and reached a smaller room.– The kitchen’s right here. How about painting it dark?

We all glanced in and looked around.

- Yeah, that seems like a good idea…- Mark stated like an expert and we looked at him with disbelief.

- I think he’s getting into it!- I laughed and pinched him playfully. – Aren’t ye, Irish boy?

Mark gave me a silly look and pinched me back. – Don’t call me that!- he cried and I started laughing.

- Ooookay KIDS!- Dorothy looked at us with sympathy and started giving orders. - The paint is right there and you can change your clothes in the other room. End of fun- let’s get to work!

- Sure thing!- I shouted a bit too loudly and saluted, just as Mark did.

- Wait a minute….- Mark started and we all sighed impatiently. – Who should I change my clothes with..?

I looked at both Bryan and Dorothy, apologetically.

- He’s being funny since yesterday’s evening. I think he’ll get over it. – I said like a high qualified psychiatrist and we all shook our heads, before minding our own work.

- Kate!!- Mark squealed for the hundredth time when I splashed some paint over his shirt. – Watch it!!

- Oh, excuse me, Mr. Posh!- I said sarcastically and ‘accidentally’ splashed some more paint on him.

- I thought I told you to wear something old, something you could dirty without moaning!

- It IS old!- Mark defended himself vigorously. – It’s the oldest Gucci shirt I have!

I started laughing loudly while Mark pretended to get angry. He finally glanced evilly at me and painted a huge, dark blue mark over my favourite jeans.

I looked at it for a few seconds with disbelief, and then moved my furious sight at the laughing, brown haired guy, standing right in front of me with a paint brush in his hand.

- I hate you!- I hissed into his laughing face. But when he carried on grinning like a fool, I decided to cut violently his fun. So I took some paint from my brush and put it along the left side of his face, making long, artistic, dark blue marks all over it.

His eyes opened wide at this every moment, disbelief shining in them.

- You… you just painted my face!- he exclaimed, terrified, and touched his left cheek.

- Yup!- I grinned widely, proud of myself. – And what are you going to do about it?! – I challenged him and waited for the revenge. But nothing came.

- Oh..- Mark shrugged his shoulders. – I guess I’ll just let you win this time.

I watched him astonished, but he did what he had promised: absolutely nothing. So I just waited a few more seconds, hoping he’d just want to surprise me and splash a bucket of paint all over me when I’ll be least expecting it, but he just turned his face to the wall and continued on painting.

With a heavy sigh, I took my paint brush and joined him. We were painting the wall for a few minutes in silence when I almost jumped at Mark’s wild scream:

- Watch out Kate, don’t lean on the wall!

Before I had the time to mumble a confused “Whaa..?”, I felt Mark’s hands on my arms, my back being pushed to the wall and dark, blue paint wetting my t-shirt…

For the first few seconds I was in such a shock, I was only able to stare with my eyes wide opened at Mark, who was doing his best to keep my back close to the wet wall. The grin that appeared on his face was probably the biggest I’ve ever seen and his eyes were literally shining with delight: he finally got his sweet revenge. Looking at his glowing face, with dark marks of paint on its one side, finally made me burst out laughing. Seconds later we were both laughing uncontrollably, like a pair of kids, looking each other in the eyes what only made us giggle even harder.

It probably took us a good few minutes to overcome this happy mood: when our laugh began to fade out, we were still staring in each other’s eyes. And when we got serious, none of us quit that looks.

What happened later was very natural in a way. Mark leaned closer to me, we both closed our eyes and our lips touched. The kiss was sweet and gentle, more than I could ever dream of. And this time, I was somehow sure he won’t let me down at the end and say that it was a ‘mistake’.

I can’t say how long we were standing there, holding each other as closely as possible and kissing like mad, sometimes pulling away for a few seconds just to exchange happy smiles and loving looks. I guess we somehow couldn’t believe what has just happened, how good it felt and finally- how long it took us to get there.

We pulled away from each other finally, surprised by someone clearing his throat. Bryan, Dorothy, Kian and Agata were all standing in the door, smiling at us happily, while we felt slightly embarrassed.

- Dorothy- Bryan started, not taking his eyes off of us.- Have you told Kate to ‘paint the kitchen dark’ or to ‘snog Mark’?

The four of them started laughing, while me and Mark blushed badly, still holding each other.

- How long have you been standing there anyway? – Mark asked, embarrassed by their sudden happiness and by the fact that we were its reason.

- Long enough to see you two wiping the paint off this poor wall!- Kian exclaimed and they all burst into fits of giggles again.

- You two were even too busy to hear the door bell when Ki and Agata came- Dorothy smiled at us cheekily and I had a sudden feeling like strangling her would be the best thing to do right now.

Mark was the first to finally face the four watchers.

- Would you mind…erm… leaving us alone?- he asked suggestively and a loud cheer answered him.

- Sure, yeah, of course!!- the four of them exclaimed, leaving the room noisily and leaving us all by ourselves. We could still hear them chatting happily in another room: they were so excited for us, you could think it was them who were just having the time of their lives…

As Mark and me were finally all by ourselves, we looked at each other and both smiled shyly.

- It feels… a little bit funny…- Mark whispered and I nodded.

- Yeah…

I bit my bottom lip, looking at the ground, but then I quickly glanced at Mark again.

- …but I like that feeling. – I confessed quickly and gave him a shy smile, hoping that this will be the moment when he confesses too.

He caressed my cheek reassuringly in response, no longer shy or embarrassed.

- Where were you everytime I needed a girlfriend, huh?- he smiled at me cheekily and I laughed.

- Always in the right place. You just never seemed to notice the ‘girl’ in me, just the ‘friend’. – I tried to avoid the bitterness in my voice while saying this, but it probably came out anyway.

- Right… - Mark stared at me intensively before smiling gently. – So I finally have. What’s my reward?

I pretended I haven’t heard the cheekiness in his voice and more asked than stated:

-… me being your girlfriend..?

When he hasn’t answered, just kept on looking into my eyes without a single expression on his face, I got a little bit scared and regretted my question. How could I ever be so confident to think I could be Mark’s girl..?!

- …’cause you know…- I started hesitantly, feeling like a complete idiot. – I’m a girl… and your friend… and… well, if we’d be…erm… together then… you’d have two in one! …yeah… that’s it… two in…

My blabbing finally got cut off by Mark’s lips, just as I reached the biggest embarrassment possible.

- Shut up…- he said gently in between kisses and I did what he had asked for, having a hard time kissing him back and grinning widely at the same time.

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