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Chapter 41: House Tour

Mark was stuck in the house. His main mode of transport out of his home, his car, was being used by his twin Jasmine. Technically, it was their car because their parents bought it for the both of them, but Mark used it more so he considered it his. Unfortunately, his considerations didn't matter when Jasmine had full authority to take his--their--car.

Mark probably wasn't going to do anything today anyway. He hadn't been invited out by any of his friends and didn't have a job to take up his time. Still, the knowledge that, unless he wanted to take the bus, he would have to stay felt restrictive.

Maybe Mark could have gone with Jasmine if she'd been hanging out with someone else. Unfortunately for Mark, she was going to lunch with Clark, Mason, and Gabe. Gabe's name had been coming up more often in the past couple of weeks. Jasmine never outright told Mark that Mason and Gabe were getting closer, but nearly every time she went to see Mason she also saw Gabe as well.

No matter how much he tried not to care, Mark could feel his chest growing tight whenever he thought about the two of them together. It was easier before when he and Mason were still close. Mark was often there to see what was going on and could reassure himself that he and Mason were closer. But after Mason admitted he wanted the freedom to date, Mark feared that Gabe would be the first Mason practiced his freedom with.

The timeline made sense. Mason got the greenlight to do whatever he wanted with other people and started inviting Gabe out for coffee, then lunch, then over to his house. Mark was supposed to be amusing himself on youtube, enjoying some videos from dance classes in LA. Yet, seated on the small couch in his bedroom, Mark wasn't even processing what he'd been watching on his phone. His brain continued to reel as he thought of Mason and Gabe and Mason with Gabe and Mason--

Mark stood up abruptly. This was a dangerous path he was heading down. He needed a distraction. Distraction. The perfect one came to mind as Mark's eyes fell on his computer. He was starting university in a few weeks so, in order to feel productive, Mark decided to do some more college prep. After taking a year off of school like several of his friends, Mark was going to university this fall. The combination of fear and excitement for the years to come affected him constantly as he imagined that new stage of his life. In a way, postponing it for a year made the emotions worse because he had to wait longer before he did it.

Checking the school's website, Mark read through the list of things he had to have done. Since Mark came back to this page regularly, all of the most important things were already completed, his classes were chosen, the semester was paid for, and all of his accounts were ready to go. However, he hadn't started shopping for anything he needed in his dorms. His school didn't require freshmen to stay on campus but Mark thought that doing so the first year would give him the full college experience.

But now that he had to go shopping for it and face the reality of dorm living, he was kind of regretting the decision. Mark had lived most of his life with his own room, never having to worry about sharing his space. Considering how much compromising he will have to do was a scary reality.

Mark got to work compiling a list of things he needed for the dorm.

Storage

Bedding

Toiletries

Cleaning Supplies

The more he wrote things down, the more overwhelmed Mark felt. He was essentially moving out. After living with his parents his entire life, Mark was terrified of having to suddenly take up so much responsibility. As Mark continued to think about it, item after item came to mind.

Mark realized that while he had a large list of items, there were probably things his parents purchased for the house that he wasn't even aware of. Mark noted that both of his parents were home. He could just go to them and ask them what he needed for the dorms.

Mark started to get up off of his chair, but hesitated. It should be a simple task, asking his parents about household items for school, a very easy request. But things had been really tense with his parents for a while. They'd been fine with the school Mark chose, it was well respected in Toronto, but they disagreed on what he would study.

The last time college was brought up in a conversation between him and his dad, Mark had grown so upset he raced to Mason's house to spend the night. Yet, the second Mark saw him, he ended up sleeping with him instead. Mark thought it would help him and while it distracted him, it did nothing to solve the actual problem. Mark and his parents just never seemed to agree.

Finally, Mark got up from the small couch and went downstairs. He knew he was just getting himself worked up for no reason. It was crazy to think that even such a simple conversation could turn into a fight. Ignoring his paranoia, Mark decided to talk to his parents anyway.

When he got downstairs, he found his dad in the kitchen putting together a snack while his mom was on her phone in the living room. In order to keep some distance between himself and his mother on the couch, Mark took the single sofa. While he tried to act brave, he still felt nervous that things would go wrong. So, just in case, he gave himself some room.

Mark looked expectantly at the woman across the room from him. She hadn't seemed to notice him yet by the way she stared silently at her phone. A pang of nerves hit Mark again before he cleared his throat.

"Hey mom?" He called hesitantly.

"Yeah?"

"I'm trying to get a list of things I need to buy for the dorms this fall. I thought that as parents you and dad would know more about those specific household items."

His mother nodded, humming noisily as she looked up to the ceiling.

"Okay, well, you need, uh, a toilet scrubber and, uh. Did I already say toilet scrubber?"

Mark laughed out a yes, chuckling at his mother's struggle. Tania glared at her laughing son and sighed deeply. She gave up.

"Why don't we go around the house so I can point out what you'll need?"

"Yeah, that seems like a good idea."

Tania quickly got up from the couch and made her way to the kitchen. Mark chuckled again under his breath. He'd expected her to give him a simple list, not take him on a tour of the house. He'd unknowingly signed up for a lot more than he realized.

Mrs. Tyler waltzed into the kitchen, bypassing her startled husband. She quickly began naming things that they used around the space: dish soap, bleach, baking soda. Matthew stared at his wife silently for a moment, waiting for her to catch his judgement and explain what she was doing. When his mom just ignored him and continued to name items off, Mark realized he needed to be writing this down. Mark was panicked as he tried to note all the things she'd already said while she still said more.

"Okay, now the bathroom."

Tania swiftly went to the guest bathroom and Mark and his father followed her. Although his mom was still the main person giving the presentation, Matthew often chimed in with products they bought. Yet, Mark knew that his mother would have listed it anyway since she always gave her tight patronizing smile when he mentioned something. She was a person who knew how to convince her husband that he was the smartest person in the room even when he rarely was.

They continued to travel around the house, making comments in every room. Although it had been for school, Mark somewhat enjoyed the tour. He was growing an appreciation for all the effort put into keeping their home pristine. Even though his dorm shopping list was growing irritatingly long, Mark found it nice to just spend time with his parents. There was no fighting, no tension, just being.

The last room they went to was Mark's. Since it was in the attic, it was separated from the rest of the house, giving him more privacy. Now, though, both of his parents were invading the space with him in it. Mark watched, jaw tense, as they looked over the room. He tried not to get in his own head; his parents seemed just as positive as before, nothing was going to go wrong.

"So this is the mancave, eh?" His father chuckled, eyeing the room. "I'm surprised you haven't added a pool table yet."

Mark rolled his eyes instinctively and his body relaxed.

"Just because I'm a guy here doesn't make this a man cave or a bachelor pad." Mark protested through a sigh. Even as he complained, Mark wore a fond smile as he faced his dad.

"It doesn't?"

For some reason, Matthew's question made him and his son laugh so hard. They found it endlessly amusing, laughing about how genuinely curious he sounded as he asked the question. It was just funny. Tania, who'd been smiling at the sound of her husband and youngest laughing together, felt her smile drop as she stared at a photo on Mark's desk.

"Mark, what is this from?" She asked him. When Mark walked up to where his mother stood, her arms had been crossed and a small frown painted her lips. Mark followed her line of sight to find a photo from his nursing intensive graduation ceremony. It wasn't a very formal event, which is why Mark hadn't felt the need to invite his parents. No outside family or friends had been invited, just the students. Mark had a smile on his face when he turned to his mother.

"It was from that nursive intensive I went to." He explained, warmth clear in his voice. "We took it after we finished the graduation ceremony."

The lighthearted feeling that had floated around the room dropped, suddenly replaced by a stifling tension. Mark glanced at his father who now wore a dark scowl. His mother's expression was similar but less angry and more tired. Tired of these arguments they continued to have, Mark assumed. Or maybe, tired of Mark's continued resistance.

"You're still serious about this nursing thing?" His father asked.

Mark's fists clenched at the way his father said nursing. As if it were below him or less than. A part of him wanted to stay silent. It was exhausting to fight and it seemed like he would never change his father's mind. However, the arrogant tone his father had as he said nursing continued to ring in Mark's mind. His parents couldn't keep insulting people that he respected and be left unaccountable. Mark's stare hardened.

"I'm as serious as I was the last time you asked, dad." Mark stated boldly. "My mind isn't going to change."

His mother was the first to notice his change in attitude. He wasn't looking at them, he stood behind her and next to her husband and was staring at his tiled floor silently. For strength, resolve, patience, she didn't know. But he looked stubborn. Tania sighed loudly as she turned to face him.

"Mark, how many times do we have to tell you this? Nurses don't make much money and they are so dispensable to their bosses. You may as well work at McDonalds."

"People don't deserve less respect because they work at McDonalds or as nurses, mom. They're doing their best just like everyone else." Mark shot back.

"But you can do better." His mother reasoned.

Mark was still gazing at the ground, his jaw clenched. To get his son's attention, Matthew stepped directly in front of him, drilling his son with his stare.

"We gave you every tool imaginable to do anything you want. You want to become a scientist, you can. You want to become a psychiatrist, go ahead. Money is no issue and we can pay for as much training and schooling as you need yet you settle. You could go and become a doctor but you want to be a nurse. Why?"

"Did it ever occur to you that I don't only care about the money?" Mark blurted. His parents visibly started at the volume of his voice. Later, Mark might feel bad for yelling but he was much too riled up to care. "You know, nurses often get paid less, but they are so much more involved. Doctors heal people, but if they work in a large hospital, they don't get to work closely with their patients. Nurses do. They're the ones who learn the names and the stories and care when the patients stay or go. I want to know who I'm helping. I want to know the lives that I save."

The air seeped out of Mark's parents in a single moment. The stubborn fight they'd used hadn't anticipated such words to come out of their son. Briefly, they shared a glance.

What should we do? Tania's eyes seemed to read. Matthew didn't look sure. Let me try, he silently replied back.

Slowly, Mark's father gestured for him to take a seat. Mark was hesitant to sit down, he wondered if he was trying to pull a power move on him by having Mark positioned below him since Mark was naturally taller than him. But, suddenly Mark's mother started easing herself onto his bed. As his mother adjusted herself to become comfortable on the soft material, Mark sat next to her and his father sat down on his opposite side.

Matthew Tyler put a hand on his son's shoulder, giving him a comforting squeeze.

"Mark, it's just that we don't want you to struggle. I worked so hard to get to this point so that none of my children would ever have to struggle like I did when I was younger."

His mother nodded softly, a pained expression on her face.

"I can tell you first hand how hard it is to work as hard as you can and still not make enough. I love my students, but sometimes when some bills or debts came up, I just felt helpless. If something went outside of our budget, there was no way to pay it unless we borrowed more and got ourselves in more debt. We don't want you to go through that. Ever."

Mark was a bit surprised by the vulnerability his parents were expressing. He knew his father's story of rags to riches like the back of his hand. At one point, his mother was handling all of their finances on her teacher salary because his father got fired. But that had been so many years ago, Mark had forgotten all about that lifestyle. Now, however, Mark really saw how much their past still affected them. For the first time, he saw the fear they felt that their kids would face the same fate.

Even so, their fears wouldn't force him into a job he didn't want. Mark leapt off of his bed, leaving the warm cocoon his parents created to face them head on.

"I know you guys love me and don't want me to struggle, but I don't need to be a millionaire to be okay. We live in a mansion. We have multiple parking spaces for our multiple cars and vacations are as common as public holidays. Dad, you gave us more than enough. But I'm fine with enough. As long as I can pay the bills and have a place to sleep, I'm fine with that. I don't need to make millions, me and my family just need to be okay. Can you please accept that?"

Once again, his parents shared some silent looks. It was weird to watch them have a discussion right in front of him but Mark just had to hope that they decided to support him. Then, his father turned to him with a small smile.

"We'll try." He told Mark. It wasn't the most eager agreement but Mark took it happily. Seeing the wide beam on her son's face told Tania that she'd made the right decision in supporting him.

"And for the record, we respect those who do any sort of job." She added, her mind latching on to one of Mark's earlier comments. "You remember that, okay?"

"Okay."

Mark stood there, staring happily at his parents for a couple moments before Tania groaned.

"Oh, give me a hug." She said, standing up and pulling her taller boy into her arms. Even on the brink of being an adult, he was her adorable little baby. She had to hug him.

"Me too."

Matthew seemed to share the same sentiments and went around Mark's back, his hands reaching Tania's shoulders.

Half an hour later, when his parents went back downstairs, Mark sat alone in his bedroom. He was happy. Ecstatic even. After fighting with his parents over this for months, possibly even years, Mark didn't have to fight any more. They supported him.

Instinctively, Mark reached for his phone and went to call Mason. He desperately wanted to tell him the good news and hear his voice. But Mark hadn't called Mason in a month. They don't talk anymore.

Mark swallowed back some tears as he stared at Mason's name on his phone.

Mason Moore

Mason Moore was his close friend for years but they didn't talk about stuff. But when they started sleeping together, Mark learned so much about his life, his struggles, his fears. But oddly enough, Mark shared his as well. He opened up to Mason in ways he hadn't even opened up to Jasmine in the most natural ways.

And all Mark wanted to do was call him. He just wanted to hear his voice. He wanted to hear Mason's smile when he found out. Then he wanted to hear Mason's laugh after Mark made a random dick joke. He wanted to hear what Mason got up to today. Then he wanted to hear Mason breathe for a moment, their conversation finished but neither of them wanting to say goodbye. Then Mark would stare at Mason's name on his phone like he was now, amazed that he knew someone like him.

I love him

The phrase popped into Mark's mind with no warning. It just came, a fact that was certain, could not be debated. Mark wasn't shocked or surprised, he'd never thought it before but thinking it now, the words just made sense.

"I love him." Mark muttered. His tongue let out the words easily, naturally. It was as if he'd said it a thousand times before. Maybe Mark's body always knew, it was just his mind that struggled to catch up.

I love him

I miss him

I can't have him

All of these phrases bounced around in Mark's brain, one after the other, never ceasing in their insistent thrum. With a groan, Mark dropped his head into his palm. It was easier when he didn't know, at least then he could lie and say he didn't care that Mason was looking for someone else. But the truth is that Mark wants Mason and Mason wants anyone else.

Confused, Mark flips his phone in his hand. This new understanding put everything into context and made his situation so much harder. After the fourth flip Mark let's his hand stop and stares at Mason's name again. It was a terrible idea, Mark knew that. But he wanted to see him.

Without allowing himself to think about it any longer, Mark typed out a simple text.

Mason, I need you

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Did you get the reference of that text? Go back to chapter 38 if you're confused.

Also, who would have thought we'd finally see the day that Mark's in love. It's a Christmas miracle. But not really because Mason is everything. Now, Mark recognizes that.

Anywho,

Predictions for how their mess will get sorted out?

I really love the theories you guys have. I feel like a bunch of you guys could write your own books but you just don't take the time out of your day.

Btw, if any of you guys want some Wattpad themed advice, let me know. It's easy to get me to talk, I promise.

Anywhore,

Vote, Comment, Share, Follow, anything else you can do with this book and I will see you next week. Bye!!!

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