The more we hang out, Mark seems to gain a lot of light every day and is getting better. I was right for his doctor said that he can go to school once the summer was over and can play all day without worrying what will happen to his body after.
***
I was outside as I watch the sun rays glint brightly over the blue sky—I can feel how the sweat rolled down my forehead and neck as I lay down the soft yet itchy grass. It was another peaceful day in our little town where everyone knows everything.
As I lay on the field, I can hear how some vehicles drive down the streets along with some group of teens walking while talking, having fun. A boy riding a bicycle rode by.
While I was lost in thoughts, a familiar voice called out my name—making me open my eyes and sat up to see who it was.
"Why are you laying on the grass? Do you rather lie down where there's full of different kinds of bugs crawling on your skin?"
The boy said with a soft french accent. I stared at his face full of freckles. I can see his wide smile as he looked down—it was Mark Louise.
"M-mark? Why are you outside? You're not better yet..."
I said with concern as I say up and faced him. The young boy shrugged as if it's normal.
"I just want to enjoy the air. Besides, nothing will go wrong if I go out a little bit."
"Your condition might get worse...-"
Before I can say another word, he stopped me in time,
"I'm all better now so don't treat me like a weakling! Boys were not born to be weak!"
I sighed as I looked at him.
"But you are..."
"No I'm not! It's just... I got it from my mum..!"
I raised an eyebrow at his words, I know that he is more of an carbon copy of his mom rather than his sister but I didn't expect that they have more similarities than that.
"Your life sure is tough huh?"
Mark Louise is a boy who is very weak. He used to live in France with his family but when his mother died due to leukemia—his father can't support his four children and work at the same time so they were left here, in this tiny rural town in Southern America to be taken care by their grandparents.
He was a father's boy but due to him being an exact copy of his mother, his father couldn't help but tried to avoid him. Living him craving for his father's attention that he will never receive.
He was only five when it all happened. Sometimes he can't help but feel hatred of his appearance.
He sat on the grass and enjoyed how the breeze touched him as his short curls where being blown by the wind. The sun hit him right making him looking like he was from a nostalgic movie.
"If I weren't like mum, I'm sure that my life would be easier..."
I raised an eyebrow at his words,
"Oh? And why is that?"
I asked.
"Then I wouldn't be sick and father won't avoid me. And I won't be homeschooled and I will have a lot of friends... But..."
He paused and stared at a flower he was absentmindedly touching gently.
"But what?"
He looked at me and smiled.
"If that didn't happen, we wouldn't meet so I'm still grateful that it all happened!"
I froze for a moment and we both stared at each other's eyes. After that, we laugh as if everything else didn't matter as long as we were together.
***
July 24, 1989. 1:30 pm
The heat was only getting worse, I wear my black tank top but it didn't help. Right now, I am outside drinking a lemon soda on the bench in front of the shop where an old man named Richard let me stay.
He was kind enough to me for he had a good connection with my parents. He said that they once helped him when he was in trouble.
But instead of being alone, Mark tag along and was also drinking a lemon soda.
"Hey! This is delicious! It's different from that bitter lemon tea grandma always make!"
He said before drinking the soda with delight.
"That's because it wasn't really that organic. It's a soda, not a tea."
"Well, it's really tasty!"
We silently sat on the bench for a while, refreshing from the heat of the sun that clings to our skin.
"Having fun, lads?"
The old man, Richard suddenly said while leaning against his door.
"Hi, old man."
I said while waving.
"It's rather hot, ain't it? I can feel myself getting soaked with sweat already even though I just showered!"
He was right, the heat was rather a little much for his bald head were glistening brighter than before.
He then turned at Mark, who was still silently sitting the whole time and enjoying the lemon soda.
"You must be one of the grandchild of those old couples huh? I must say, you have quite a handsome look."
He said while grinning. Mark stopped drinking his soda and turned to look at him with his cheeks dusted pink due to the hit and the compliment he had received.
"Really...?"
He said softly. The old man laughed and nodded.
"Hell yeah! You could pull off every girl in this small town with that look when you were older!"
I sighed at him. That old man...
"Thanks for the compliment but... I don't think I want a relationship with someone immediately..."
Mark said while looking around awkwardly.
"What a surprise. But are you sure? That good look would go to waste. Every girl wants to have a baby with a boy like you, y'know?"
I groaned and stood up, "Old man, don't teach him something like that..."
I said while I started to dragg Mark away from the shop.
"Come back later, James!"
He said jokingly while waving at us. That old man... He was once a player so I'm not surprised that he acted like this and encouraged every kid to be like him...