Mark tried to keep his grasp tight, but his hand betrayed him. He slowly let go and Noah went on with no care. His feet wobbled, and he fell down one time too many.

His look was penetrating, as if it looked straight inside, deep, deep inside, and harshly.

The thought of being looked at that way again scared Mark off his skin. He spent the rest of his time like that on the floor as Noah took a look at Sally and Dennis. After he, partially, recovered, Mark looked again at Noah. He was examining Sally's head solemnly. After he finished, he dug into his sweatshirt pocket and took out a phone.

It perked Mark's attention. He spoke up hesitatingly, despite the slight shiver still lingering in his back, 'What's wrong?'

'She needs to be taken care of, really quick.'

Noah started tapping away on his phone. Mark didn't bother trying to stand up again. He was sick of falling down every time he did, and his butt started hurting him to boot.

Mark got startled when Noah finished tapping on his phone and faced him.

He smiled.

As if he was incapable of ever looking the way he did a few minuted ago at all.

It freaked out Mark even more.

'Since you could walk alone, why didn't you join us here?' he asked.

He didn't move.

Noah stood up and walked towards Mark.

'What...? Cat bit your ankle?' he asked...

...with that smirk...

Fumes could've steamed out of Mark's ear. He was surprised they didn't

'Just,' Mark breathed out, seething, 'who are you supposed to be?'

Noah stopped on his track again, startled, and then shook his head. He knelt down on his knees in front of Mark.

'I,' he pointed at Mark's chest, 'am your best buddy.'

Silence...

'Impossible,' Mark blurted out.

touché...

Noah's forehead twitched. 'Why is that so?'

'You're a jerk.'