Chapter 14

Mark and Gary set off to go clothes shopping for their first date with one another later on in the evening. Mark dragged Gary round all his favourite clothes shopping. It was clear that Gary didn't really care what he wore as long as it was comfy. Mark on the other hand was the stylish one fashion always comes before comfort. After a few shops Mark finally settled on an outfit maybe he was a little over dressed, but then again this is a date. A white and blue floral shirt was smart black trousers and a black trybl perched on his head followed by some brown boots. Mark was ready...now it's time for him to pick Gary's outfit!

Gary's POV

"Oh come on Mark.. i've got a shirt and trousers at home i'll just wear them." I slumped down in a chair.
Mark shook his head and looked through some of the shirts on a clothes rail. Those shirts wouldn't be my first choice when i'm out shopping alone, but then again Mark is like the fashion police and he knows what he's doing. "Ooooo this is nice." Mark grins holding out a pink and purple striped shirt.
"Bloody hell.. bit bright isn't it?" Cheekily i placed my hand over my eyes.
"Cheeky sod it's nice. " Mark continued looking through the clothes rail. After about half an hour and several 'No's' to me wanting a basic outfit we finally decided on one together. A sort of denim blue checkered shirt. "Can we go now...?" I gave him a boyish smile. We walked over to the pay desk and paid for ours things without Mark knowing i paid for both of our outfits. Tonight i wanted to treat him he needed it.
"Yes..yes..." He picked up the bag containing his outfit.

Mark had been in the bathroom for over an hour. I was already dressed he's worse than a woman! "Mark are you almost done? Times ticking i want to get there before next year." Cheekily laughed whilst swinging my legs sitting on the bed.
"What's the rush? Are you going to turn after midnight?" Mark chuckled.
A sounded of buzzing sounded on the nearby table in the bedroom. "Funny aren't you." I picked up Mark's phone. It was a few messages from Emma. Shit. No she isn't going to ruin our night. 3 new message from Emma. - You need to come and fetch your things otherwise they'll be on the fire. What a lovely message. The bathroom door locked snapped open. Quickly i put his phone in the drawer. "Ready?" I grinned waiting for him to come out. My jaw instantly dropped when he walked out the bathroom. "W..wow.." I mumbled.
"Is it too much?" Mark frowned. "I'll go get changed." Before Mark went back into the bathroom a grabbed his wrist.
"No..no.. don't.. you look stunning." Softly i smiled eyeing him up.
Mark's cheeks instantly started to change to a shade of red. "I haven't had that said about me before...thank you..."
How could Emma not compliment someone as beautiful as Mark?! Or anyone for that matter. "You're welcome.. should we go?"
"Yes." Mark smiled with excitement.

After a short drive we finally arrived at the restaurant. A little later than planned but oh well. The waiter walked us to our table it wasn't booked but that's what you get for being in a well known band. "Think i fancy a steak." I flicked through the menu.
"You don't have a stater?" Mark peered up from his menu.
"No not really just get stuck in."
Mark smiled sweetly at me. "I'll have the same then."
We order ours steaks and begin to engage in conversation. He was a little quiet which was understandable. "So... do you like it here?" I sip from my champagne.
"Erm.. yeah... it's great..."  He clears his throat a little.
I look at him. "Mark.. is there anything else bothering you..? I know what's happened is hard... but you can tell me anything you know that.."
"It's nothing.. honest..."
"Please talk to me..." Softly i brush the top of his hand.
A little sigh leaves his lips. "It's Luke's school play tomorrow...he's been talking about it non stop for the past 3weeks... i even helped him rehearse his parts...but..." Mark pauses and looks down.
"But Emma wont let you go now?" I ask.
He nods a little. "yeah..."
"She can't do that... you need to tell her Mark..." My hand covers his.
"I'll show you the texts.." He puts his hands in his pockets. Oh shit i hid it from him. "Where..is my..?" A confused look fills his face. Thankfully the waiter comes back with our food which saves me from confessing.

"Urgh.. i'm full!" I push away my empty plate. Mark looks like he's barely even started his.
"Yeah me too... rather filling."
I raise my eyebrow at him. "Have you even eaten any? You wont grow up to be a big boy."
"Quiet Barlow. I'm only little you know.. and not greedy like some." He chuckles.
"Cheeky sod." I roll my eyes playfully. "I've got some ice cream at home if you want some?"
Mark laughs. "We've only just eaten."
"Fine more for me then." I wink and pay the bill.
"Ay i never said i didn't want any!"

"I might go and get changed for bed Gaz." Mark smiles whilst hanging up his hat and coat.
"Ok. No problem i'll get the ice cream." I smile at him as he skips off upstairs. Tonight as has been great it's good to see him smile again. I mean seeing Mark Owen without a smile on his face is rather an usual thing. He's also partly famous for having that charming grin plastered on his face. I grab two bowls and add some scoops of ice cream along with a squirt of chocolate sauce on each. Carefully i walk upstairs with the two bowls. "Mark?" I knock and walk into the bedroom to find Mark just in his boxers.
"Oh...er... hiya." He blushes covering himself with his shirt.
I also blush trying my best to not look at the half naked man in my bedroom. I couldn't help it. He's gorgeous. "H...here.." Still looking at him i hand him the bowl and join him on the bed.
"Thank you..."

"Tonight has been really good... thank you." Mark smiles whilst eating his ice cream.
"You're more than welcome mate... glad to see you smiling again." I study the spoon which touches Mark's tongue. Nice and slow. Quickly i shake away certain thoughts. This isn't the time.
"It feels good too... you're great support..." He smiles looking into my eyes.
I feel like a teenager again. Flutters swirl around my stomach. "It's nothing..it's the least i can do..."
Mark shuffles a little closer towards me. His face almost touching mine. "It isn't just nothing to me.. it means a lot.." My stomach starts to do flips what i wouldn't do to feel my lips on his. Let my finger run through that soft brown floppy fringe. Breath hitched in the back of my throat i look down a little into my bowl. "Anytime..."
A finger touches underneath my chin causing me to raise my head. My eyes met Mark's again. "I mean it..." He moved closer to me until there was no longer a gap. Our lips finally met and stayed like that for a least a minute or two.