We walk side by side "that's arrogant, don't you think?"

"I want to win" he stops turning to me "You voted for me, right?"


I shake my head "Catherine made some good points during her debate, did you hear she's gonna get donuts in the vending machines?"

"Are you kidding me, Chris?! You know that, and everything else she promised were just empty promises right?" I shrug "this is why I don't take you seriously, everything's just a joke to you" he walks away.

The day ends and as I'm walking to my car I spot Jerika one of Mark's helpers "hey" I run up to her as she's waiting to be picked up "Jerika right?"


"My friends call me Jerry" she smiles

"Ok, Jerry you're pretty close with Mark right?"


"I help with his campaign, when he wins I'll be treasurer"

"Good for you, is there anything you can tell me about him? Why he's so serious all the time?" "Mark's all about being student body president, it's all he's worked for and he says wasting his time

on someone like you would just distract him"

"I'm wasting both our time aren't I?" Mark really only cares about one thing

"I wouldn't say that Mark may not show it but he likes the chase and he likes messing with you knowing he's the one thing you can't have"

Smirking "is that so?" I knew he did, ok maybe not knew but I'm never wrong "when do they announce who wins the election again?"

"Tomorrow during morning announcements" "K thanks, Jerry"

"Yeah, you're welcome."

Next day I make a quick stop on my way to school, I get there before class starts "What's in the bag?" Charlie asks joining me in the hall as I look for Mark before they make the announcements

"None of your business" "Who's it for?"

"Mark for when he wins"

"You think he's gonna win? Heard a lot of people saying they voted for Catherine" "These idiots would be stupid not to vote for him, he's smart"

"You're very supportive of someone who doesn't want you?" "Right?"

As we turn the corner my eyes land on Mark but the intercoms come on stopping everyone in their

tracks "Good morning Elton High I know you're excited about morning announcements but first, after months of debates and campaigning we finally tallied all the votes for this year's student body president-" I look over at Mark excited to hear he won, he deserves it he's worked hard for it I mean rejecting me can't be easy so I know this is important. When he wins I'll give him his gift and he'll have to give me a chance. "It was a close call but you guys have decided This year's President is... Catherine Taflin" damn "congratulations Cat, now for the rest of the announcements..."

I can hear Cathrine and her team cheering but Mark's heart breaks as people pat him on the back, sad he walks away from everyone "that sucks" Charlie comments as my eyes follow Mark leaving.

I spend the rest of the day looking for him but no one's seen him anywhere, I'd leave too after working for something so hard and not getting it. Skipping class I walk to the courtyard where the benches are, walking towards them I see the back of Mark's head. Smiling I walk towards him he looks so down sitting alone "I like the hair" I comment on his messy hair which is usually perfectly parted and styled.

Sighing "leave me alone Chris"

"I'm sorry you lost"

"Probably your fault you voted for Catherine"

"I voted for you Mark" I sit down "I'm not into Catherine"

"Shocking." He continues to look forward "I can't believe I lost I worked so hard" "There's always next year"

"This would've been perfect on my college applications I didn't do any other activities because I was

so focused on this, I'm screwed Chris"

he finally looks at me. Not knowing how else to help I remember my gift, opening my backpack I take out the gift bag handing it to him

"What is it?" "Open it"

Taking the bag he reaches in and pulls out the box with a small card "congratulations" he reads the

note then opens the box seeing the watch "are you making fun of me?" He turns to me "What? No" I chuckle

"Then why'd you get me this?"

"Because I thought you were going to win I mean you deserved to you worked really hard" "Not hard enough" he shuts the box putting it back in the bag and handing it to me "I didn't win

so..."

"Keep it" I push his hand away.

We sit in silence for a bit as he stares into the distance and I try not to be a bother "why are you after me, Chris? I'm not your type"

"What are types anyway? Can't people just want someone just because?"

"I know you I know what you're into, I'm not like that you won't get that from me"

"Who says I want that from you? I get you think I'm a fuckboy because that's how I act but that's just because"

"Because what?"

"Because it's fun" I laugh shrugging.

"You play with people's emotions for fun?" "Everyone I hang with knows the deal"

"You don't do relationships I heard, so you just want to hang with me?"

"No, you're different"

"Why Chris? I don't have fun like you do, I don't do anything to interest you"

"You're strong Mark, you're smart and I know you don't believe this but behind those glasses, you're fucking hot." He shoots me a look "too much?" He nods

"I stopped dating for my campaign" "No distractions I know"

"That was dumb huh? Wasting my time just to lose"

"You didn't know you were going to lose and you ran a good campaign, Catherine promised donuts and nothing beats donuts"

"I can't believe I lost to freaking donuts!" His sadness turns to rage "she's not going to give anything she promised, why are they so stupid?

I had a clear plan!"

"I didn't pay any attention during the debates too lost staring at you but Cat's dumb pants suits are probably why she won"

He chuckles "her pants suits are dumb"

"I know right and her slogan Taflin for the win, it doesn't even rhyme" "That's what I said! I was better!"

"You were, completely."

Looking at me with a faint smile Mark says "you're only agreeing because-" "I like you" I finish his sentence

"You couldn't care less, could you?"

"I don't care about any of it, I just needed a reason to talk to you" "You're not so bad Chris"

"Would you go as far as saying I'm not a fuckboy?" He shakes his head no "Yeah I didn't think so but

I'll take not so bad."

"You know I heard a rumor" he inches closer "you're not a terrible kisser" "I've been told I'm pretty good"

"Don't boost your own ego it's not attractive"

"Stopping"

Moving closer he leans in tilting his head opposite of mine "I need a distraction" he whispers lips near mine

"Those are my specialty"

"I'm so tired of being a good guy" his eyes in mine still really close to my face "Then stop"

"Stopping" shutting his eyes he sets his lips on mine and we start to kiss, moving even closer we heat up on the bench. I never expected this from Mark but I'm not complaining I don't mind being his distraction

"Mark!" We hear behind us stopping turning around we see Jerry standing a distance away "we're taking down the posters come on!"

Turning to me Mark says "this means nothing" Smiling "whatever you say, Mr. President" "Don't mock me I'm not the president"

"You are in my book" I wink and he smiles standing up "I'll call you"

"No, you won't"

"You still doubt me?!" I yell asking

He turns around smiling "once a fuckboy always a fuckboy, Chris."