Chapter 5

“Five minutes til show time gents.” A crew member told the five men.

“COME ON LADS LETS DO THIS” Robbie bounced up and down.

“Woooh!” Jason raised his hands in the air and laughed.

“Wait, guys, wait.” Howard put of his hand flat. “Lets do it boy band style.” Howard winked. Jason put his hand on top of Howard's, Robbie put his hand on top of Jason's, Mark put his hand on Robbie's and Gary put his hand on top of Mark's. Mark felt Gary's beautiful soft,warm hand on top of his, it sent shivers down his spine (good shivers that is). Mark looked out the corner of his eye, he saw Gary staring at him. Mark liked it. He smiled, but without looking at Gary.

“3-2-1 ” Gary counted down. “Who are we?”

“Takeeeeeeeeee Thatttttt!” They all shouted while raising their hands.

“Oh Gaz” Mark giggled. It was as if Mark was flirting with Gary, but playing hard to get at the same time. Gary smiled at Mark and said nothing.

“Yaaay” Robbie was first out the room, Howard and Jason chatted down the corridor. That left Mark and Gary together it felt awkward, even though they were best friends Mark wanted more. “So you... excited?” Gary made conversation.

“...Yeah... you?” Mark wasn't his happy cheery self.

“Just nervous.” Gary smiled and put his arm on Mark's shoulder. They walked down to the other boys and was ready to start their gig.

The first night of Progress was over and Mark felt as if Gary was either teasing him or flirting with him, but either way Mark liked it and joined in. Mark sat in a limo with Howard. “You okay Mark.” Howard grinned looking at Mark from the facing seats of the limo. Mark didn't answer he was lost with thoughts, his thoughts of Gary, not just the thoughts about the “flirting” during the first night of the tour. “Mark!” Howard threw the towel which he used to wipe the sweat off him at Mark.

Mark shook his head. “Huh?”

“What's wrong Mark?” Howard tilted his head at Mark.

“What... what do you mean How?” Mark felt a baffled with his thoughts of Gary.

“I just threw my sweaty towel at you and you haven't even batted an eye lid..” Howard smiled.

Mark looked down at a sweating which lay on his arm and leg. “EW! Howard that's GROSS!” Mark threw the towel back at Howard. Mark giggled because the towel landed on Howard's head.

“Not even funny.” Howard chuckled from underneath the towel. Howard took the towel off his head and put it on the seat next to him. “Mark are you sure you're okay? You don't seem yourself.” Howard was always caring towards the others, and he always tried to help his friends out, Mark trusted him.

“Yeah... Yeah i'm fine mate.” Mark gave a nervous smile, but Howard didn't buy it.

“Mark, listen i know somethings not right... are you drinking again?” Howard moved to the seat next to Mark.

“Oh no no nothing like that... it's just...” Mark put his head down and sighed.

“Mark what is it?” Howard put his hand on Mark's back.

“It's...it's.... Gary...” Mark covered his face with his hands.

“G...Gary?” Howard looked confused. “What's happened Mark?”

Mark went to speak, but the limo driver interrupted him. “Mr. Owen... Mr. Donald... we've arrived at the hotel.” The driver got out and opened the door for Mark and Howard to get out.
“Thank you!” Howard and Mark got out. Mark walked up the steps to the hotel and Howard went after him. “Mark...! Wait! What was you gonna tell me?”
“It... it doesn't matter!” Mark seemed angry with himself and stormed off into his room.
A confused and worried Howard waited in reception for the others to arrive. He wanted and needed to talk to Gary, he thought that if he can't get anything out of Mark, he'd get something out of Gary.