Without Me

Spare

"Really? And what are you finding for?" He asked, stepping closer to him even as he stepped back. Jonathan could feel the taller boy towering over him slightly despite his smaller build.

"It's really nothing. I just forgot my suitcase so I thought I'll get.. uh... brush. Yeah. Toothpaste," he lied about what he was finding for but realized those were in his suitcase too.

"Oh. They do have it here. Over there," he replied while motioning Jonathan over to the shelf where the toothbrushes and toothpastes were aligned. He awkwardly took one of each and gave him a nervous smile, hoping that the other would leave but he didn't.

"Well? I think I know what your problem is and I have a spare if you'd like," the boy said after awhile. "Not disposables but you can give it back after you wash it."

Jonathan almost felt himself running away but he stayed rooted. He chuckled nervously and nodded but shook his head after.

"It's totally fine. I don't. I can. Um.. I can just keep this one on until tomorrow, you know. It's cool. Thanks for offering," he replied and walked over to the counter but was stopped by the boy with a hand gripping his shoulder.

"I insist. You've probably been wearing it the entire day and that's unhygienic," he replied with a rather stern look in his eyes. One that made Jonathan gulp and nod. The side smile returned after his nod. "Good. Go pay for your stuff and I'll bring you up to my room to get it."

He could only nod by now, still... no, definitely not infatuated or mesmerised. He sighed and tried to calm down, not even realising he had held his breath for a moment. He paid for the toothpaste and toothbrush before turning around to face the boy. Right. His name.

"You're Mark, right?" He asked, just in case to which the other nodded.

"Huh. Didn't think you would know. Someone told you about me?" He replied.

"Yeah. Someone also told me to stay away from you cause you busted Viktor's face before."

That earned him a short laugh but it was enough to make his knees suddenly want to give way. No. Keep steady. You're a man and so is he.

"I did, as a matter of fact. What's your name?"

"Jonathan."

"Mmm... I'm gonna call you Johnny. Three syllabus is a hassle," Mark replied to Jonathan's surprise. Isn't two about the same? Wouldn't Jon be shorter and easier? But he didn't question the other.

He just followed him up to his room. Which he regretted almost immediately after stepping in. The room had a distinct smell that seemed to carry around an aura much like Mark himself who was already going through his drawers for the spare that he mentioned.

Jonathan looked around the room that was quite neatly decorated. It didn't stand out as a male's room much but it definitely wasn't female either. It was like the perfect balance between everything. Which was odd.

"You don't have a roommate?" He asked Mark who let out an awkward noise.

"Nope. Last guy was afraid I'll punch his teeth in so he asked for a change. Haven't had one for 3 months now. How about you? How's your roommate?"

"Hmm? Oh. He's a little weird but I guess that's fine. He seems fine for now."

"Cool."

He noticed something at the corner of the table and gawked slightly.

"Is that..." He breathed in sharply and walked over to the picture, wanting to grab it but held back. "That really cool rapper? You got a picture with him??"

Mark raised a brow and turned back to look at the picture the other was staring at. He let out a chuckle and nodded.

"Sure did. Pretty neat, huh? I didn't think I would be lucky enough to get a V.I.P ticket that night."

Jonathan seemed a little stunned but let out a cough to regain his sanity for a bit. He turned to Mark and smiled.

"I really like his songs too even though I mostly listen to everything and anything," he replied. Mark whistled softly and held out the spare which was still in the box.

"Good to know. Well, you've got the spare now. Gonna head on back?"

Jonathan nodded, slightly unwilling to leave since he wanted to know the other better and also maybe, to be friends. Since he was new. But he thought of what Chuck had said and wasn't sure if it was a good idea. He didn't want trouble or be a trouble after all.

"Are you leaving or not?" He heard the other speak when he realized he had just stood there with the box in his hand.

"Um... Yeah. I wanted to but..." He turned to look at Mark. "I thought we could hang out for a while? Talk. Um... be friends?"

Mark seemed a little surprised but the smile stayed on his lips as he took a seat on the lower bunk bed.

"Even after what your friend told you?" He asked and Jonathan nodded unknowingly. "I don't mind at all but even I think it's best to stay away from me if you don't like trouble. And you, Johnny, don't seem like someone who likes to be in trouble. Especially when I saw you trying to block his punch instead of punching him back."

Jonathan let out a small groan, realizing he probably had the image of a sore loser now. He rubbed his neck and nodded.

"Okay then," he sighed a little. "I guess. Thanks for the spare. Saved me there. Well, twice. Thank you."

Mark waved.

"Remember to close the door behind you."

Jonathan nodded and quickly walked out, shutting the door behind him. He let out another sigh before he started walking back to his dorm. He couldn't believe he was acting like a wuss. It wouldn't be surprising if Mark wouldn't talk to him anymore but he guessed it just meant they weren't meant to be friends and that he should stay away. Cause that meant trouble.

And Jonathan didn't like trouble.

Except he hadn't noticed the slight lip lick that he did when he thought about how much trouble it would be if he got involved with Mark.