If you like my art, sketches, stories, transformations you can find more like this on my Patreon page or in DeviatArt Premium Early Access folder for subscribers here. Every bit of support is truly appreciated, but just having you here means the most to me - without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you very much!
Check also my shop at DeviantArt for other works
— You done with the homework? — Dan asked as he approached them.
— Yeah, — Mark muttered, staring off somewhere. He still couldn’t figure out why he agreed to help Dan with algebra. Probably just to get him off his back, so those thoughts of gratitude for helping with Maddie would stop eating at him. He tried not to dwell on it. He just decided to help, that’s all. He’d always liked math anyway.
— Thanks, by the way, — Dan wouldn’t let it go, and his voice sounded so... warm. — Without you, I would’ve totally failed that test.
— Don’t mention it, — Mark snapped, quickly brushing a strand of hair from his face. He caught a few more glances. “Stupid situation.” Behind him, Jessica was nearly choking with laughter as she watched Emma and Dan.
— Alright, I’ll get going, — Mark said quickly, trying to end the conversation, but Dan suddenly leaned slightly toward him:
— Emma... You free after school today? Maybe we could hang out?
Mark froze. A thousand thoughts raced through his head, but not one of them was fit for an answer.
— What? I… uh… — he stammered, feeling the ground shift beneath him.
— Yep, she’s free, — Jessica chimed in immediately, grinning like the devil himself.
“Jessica, for fuck’s sake!” Mark shot a death glare at Jessica — his eyes narrowed, pure rage flashing in them like he was ready to incinerate her on the spot. If looks could talk, his would’ve growled, “You just decided to bury me alive, didn’t you?!”
— See you then, — Dan nodded with a light smile and turned toward the exit.
Mark watched him leave, feeling the blood rush to his face. Killing Jessica right here, right now wasn’t an option, but God, how he wanted to.
— Jessica, you… you’re a devil! — he hissed once Dan disappeared around the corner. — Do you even realize what you just did?!
— Oh, come on, — Jessica waved it off, still grinning wickedly. — I just sped up the inevitable! Besides, you’re the one who told me: “Life begins outside your comfort zone.” So here you go, step out!
— Stop quoting me! That’s not what I meant when I... — Mark stopped because Jessica was already walking ahead, giggling to herself and muttering something about romantic scenes.
— Just imagine it: wind in your hair, Dan in his jacket, and you... Mmm, classic! — she suddenly stopped, turning her head sharply toward Emma like she’d just said something genius. — You do know he has a motorcycle, right? A real Harley! I heard it’s a family heirloom.
— I know, — Mark grumbled, looking away. Of course he knew. He’d heard that roaring monster more than once. Dan always left school on his Harley, stirring awe among the guys and wild excitement among the girls. And every single time, it drove Mark insane. Ever since he was a kid, he couldn’t stand them. The noise, the exhaust, the tough-guy posing — all of it made him sick. — I hate motorcycles.
— Seriously? — Jessica smirked, raising an eyebrow. — Don’t you ever want to ride with him? Press up against his back, wind in your face, and all that…
Mark nearly choked on air, stopping dead in his tracks.
— WHAT?! — He turned to her with a look of pure horror, as if she’d just suggested he jump out of a plane without a parachute. — Are you out of your mind?
Jessica burst out laughing, theatrically covering her mouth with her hand.
— My God, Em, you’re so predictable! — she giggled as Mark’s face visibly reddened. — Just imagine: he’s all rugged and cool in his jacket, you’re holding onto him, the bike’s roaring… God, I’m jealous!
— You’re insane, — Mark muttered, feeling his cheeks burn hotter.
— And you’re totally normal, — Jessica teased, still laughing. — You’re just scared. Scared you won’t be able to resist and you’ll fall for him completely, — she winked.
— Shut up! — Mark quickened his pace toward the classroom, his face now entirely red as he desperately tried to ignore her laughter behind him and the curious glances of others. “Calm down. You’ll just tell Dan ‘no,’ and that’s it. It’s not hard… probably,” he reassured himself, pushing open the classroom door. On the way, he noticed a few girls whispering to each other, which only pissed him off more.
Jessica looked like she had something else to add, but at that moment, the bell rang for class, saving him from any more of her teasing.
“Scared you’ll fall for him?” — the phrase echoed in his head. — “God, that’s so freaking irritating...”