Chapter 5

                                    

                                          
Megan's POV:

                          


                          
I pause the video that i'm watching as I here my phone start to ring. i sigh and walk into the bedroom, expecting it to be James. Instead my phone screen reads Unknown Caller. I answer with a simple, "Hello?"
                          
"Hi, Megan, it's me, Mark."
                          
"Oh hey Mark, whats up?"
                          
"I was wondering if you were wanting to get that coffee and catch up?"
                          
"Sure, wanna meet up at that coffee house that's right across the street from the park?"
                          
"Yeah, id love to. See you in 10?"
                          
I smile into the phone, "See you in 10." I hangup the phone and quickly get dressed in jeans and a long sleeve shirt---to hide the bruises on my arms. I slip on my converse, grab my purse, and head out the door. I quickly realize that i'm running late so I walk a little bit faster that normal. I walk into the small coffee/bookshop and see that Mark has already snagged us a seat by the window in the back of the store. I smile as I take in what he looks like.

                          
He's changed a lot since the last time that I saw him. Instead of the baby faced,  semi-high pitched, and scrawny kid that i remember, here's a Mark with a small beard, muscles and a deep, soothing voice.  I walk over to him and fall into his waiting arms. After a long hug we finally part, instantly causing me to shiver at the absence of his warmth. I sit down across from him and smile happily. Now that I think about it its been a long time since I've smiled a genuine smile, not one of those fake, forced ones. 

                          
"I don't think i've seen you since the summer after we graduated. How have you been?" I ask.
                          
"I've been really busy. The channel really took off and then there was moving out here to be closer to other YouTubers and events. What about you? I think i remember you saying something about a husband? Who's the lucky guy?"
                          
I pause at the last couple of questions and look down at the table where my hands were, fidgeting with my sleeve. I keep my eyes on my hands as i speak, "His name is James, he's an engineer. How about you? Got any lucky girl to call your own?" I lift my eyes back up and force another smile onto my face. 

                          
"No, I've actually been trying to get a girl that i really love, but have never told her, for a while now but I don't think anything will come from it, honestly." 

                          
"Damn, i'm really sorry Mark."
                          
We sat there in that corner for hours just talking, drinking coffee and just enjoying each others company. The door opened, we ignored it like we had been doing all day, when all of a sudden I see Marks eyes flicker up behind my shoulder just as a tight hand painfully grips my shoulder.
                          
"And who is this, Megan?" I tense up at his touch and hear that his voice is dripping with a masked anger. I put on a masking smile and answer as evenly as possible.
                          
"James, this is Mark, a friend from back home." I see James stick out his hand for Marks and they shake. I can see the worry in Marks eyes as he looks between me and James hand on my shoulder. 

                          
"So you're the Mark i've gotten to hear so much about." I smile and stand up, knowing James will want me to leave with him. "Anyway, me and Megan have some work stuff we need to get done before Monday, i hope you'll excuse us." 

                          
I hug Mark goodbye before following James out the door and to his car. As soon as I shut my door i feel a sharp sting on my cheek as James slaps me.