The Accident

They spent the next school days of the week practicing together with the other students. Most of the production number was done by then and so was the Cotillion dance which was for selected students.

ONE WEEK BEFORE PROM:

The students assigned for venue decorating headed to the clubhouse to start decorating the area.

"I'm sorry to tell this but it looks like we have to clean the place again, but just a little bit," their teacher said.

"What? It's like we're back to step one!" Alice whined.

"Well, who would've thought that if we leave this isolated for a few days, this would happen." she sighed.

The place was dusty and a few cobwebs formed. Alice was about to complain once more when their teacher told them to do more cleaning rather than talking.

Once again, the students grabbed some rags and cleaned the area. However, this time, Alice and Mark got separated. Mark was assigned inside whilst Alice was assigned outside.

It didn't take long when they were done cleaning. They just readied all the things they'd need for decorating and they went back to school to practice. Soon it was already their dismissal time.

"So I'm heading home now, I'm going to meet Grant today so you don't have to walk with me." Alice told him.

"What? You're still meeting that guy?!" he exclaimed.

"We meet every week. He insists, don't know why though. Anyway, I'll be going." before Mark could protest, Alice already left.

"Why do you have to be so damn clueless?"

Mark went to the rooftop to talk with the guys except for Lance who was busy preparing for the production. "So how's it going with Alice?" Josh asked.

"Not good," Mark sighed.

"Why? You had her all to yourself for the past few days," Gerald wondered.

"I tried to tell her several times but she kept ruining the moment, one time she was even wearing earphones." Mark whined.

"Dude, keep trying, nothing can stop you now except if Grant and Alice end up together." Alex advised.

"Well it is Alice you're dealing with, we don't even know anything about her love life. Heck we don't even know if she knows how to love anyone besides her family," Matthew said.

"Don't worry you'll find the right time," Vincent chuckled.

"This is so damn difficult," Mark grumbled.

FIVE DAYS BEFORE PROM:

The students assigned for venue decoration have started arranging the venue together with some students assigned for cleaning and stage décor. Some boys were in charge of carrying and arranging the tables and chairs while most girls did the skirting and placing of tablecloths and the rest were assigned outside.

Alice was wiping the dust off a chandelier since she knew no one would bother to volunteer to do it. She was standing on a steel stepping ladder.

"Let's go," Mia whispered. "Just like we planned."

"Aaaaah!!!" they were startled by the loud shriek, Alice was surprised but she maintained her balance.

"What is it?" the others asked.

"A spider, sorry about that." Mia said sheepishly, much to Alice's annoyance.

"Plan B Tiffany," she whispered.

"Mark!" Alice called.

"What?" he asked as he handed Edward the chairs he was carrying, much to Edward's chagrin.

"I need your help, hold the ladder for me please, I need to clean the other side of the chandelier," Mark nodded as he held the ladder. Alice stood on her tiptoes so that she'd be able to reach the high areas.

To his surprise, "Mark!" Tiffany and Mia latched onto each of his arms and pulled him away.

"Wait! The ladder!" Mark exclaimed as he headed for the ladder.

It was all too late. Alice fell on the floor with a loud thud, she groaned in pain as she clutched her foot.

"Alice watch out!" Veronica shouted. Alice looked up and she saw that the ladder was about to hit her! All of a sudden it was kicked and it landed on the floor, Alice sighed in relief. She saw Mark in front of her.

"I'm glad you're okay," he breathed.

"Thanks," Alice muttered as she stood up. "Shit," she winced in pain as she held Mark's arm.

"Why?" Mark asked worriedly.

"I can't stand up properly, my foot." She looked down, "It hurts so much," she groaned. Without warning, Mark swept her off her feet and carried her on his arms.

"Oh dear, you made me worry, Mark here's a first aid kit. Please bring her home afterward," their teacher said with a sigh.

"Thanks ma'am, I'll be okay." Alice assured.

Mark took a bandage and wrapped it around Alice's foot. "I'll just carry you home," he said.

"What? I'll just walk there!" she protested.

"How will you do that? You can't even stand up."

"I can, I'll try," she said stubbornly as she tried to stand up.

"Alice if you keep on being stubborn I won't let you attend school until prom," her teacher threatened. Alice sat down and sighed. "What are you waiting for Mark? Didn't I tell you to carry me?" she grinned.

Mark chuckled as he turned his back on her. "Am I staying at your back?" she asked.

"Would you prefer it if I carry you in my arms like a newlywed bride?" Mark asked with a cool smile on his lips.

Alice hit him on the head. "Just shut up and carry me on your back you moron," she grunted as a light blush appeared on her cheeks.

"This sucks, I can't even move my foot." Alice grumbled as Mark carried her home.

"Sorry," Mark said softly.

"Huh? Why are you apologizing?" she asked.

"Well, it was partially my fault, if I hadn't let go of that ladder then—"

"Shut up," Alice interrupted with a laugh. "You're being dramatic and I don't like that,"

Mark let out a half-hearted chuckle. He stopped in front of Alice's house. "Should I ring the doorbell?"

"Nah, I'm alone tonight." Alice answered as she handed him the key. He brought Alice to the living room, "You can put me down now,"

Mark crouched down so that Alice could get off him. Alice kept holding onto his arm for support then she let go. "You're okay now?" Mark asked as he eyed her.

"See? Now I'm okay," Alice said proudly as she stepped forward and forgot about her sprain. She winced and she fell backward, she pulled Mark's shirt for support but instead he fell as well. Both of them landed on the floor in a very awkward position.

Alice groaned. "I knew you weren't okay, you have to stop being stubborn." Mark said as he used his arms to push himself up only to find Alice underneath him.

"It's Tiffany and Mia," Alice sighed. Mark tilted his head in confusion for two things; one, why did she mention those names and two, why Alice isn't telling him to get off her.

"They planned it, obviously. They wanted me out of the picture. They don't want me to attend prom so that I can't be with you. Geez, they could've just asked me personally then I'll stay away from you if that's what they want but the point is, it'd be better if I stay away from you for now. I can't always have my life in harm. I wanna fight them, I really do but I can't stain my school record anymore." She frowned.

Mark bit his lip in frustration. "I'll avoid you for now, it's for the bes—"

Alice's eyes widened in shock when Mark bent down and hugged her. "Don't think like that! You shouldn't care about any of them. Alice you don't have to avoid me or stay away from me. I can't take this anymore! I can't have you getting hurt because of me! Alice, you're important to me and if those two would keep on harming you then I'll face them myself if I have to."

Alice smiled, she placed her arms on Mark's back, she clutched his shirt and gave him a tight embrace. "Thanks, Mark." she whispered into his ear.

"Uhm... Mark," Alice said.

"What?" he asked.

"Get off, you're heavy."

"Uh huh, sorry about that." he chuckled as he pushed himself up again.

"Hey Alice, we heard about what happened, are you okay?" Josh said as she entered together with the other guys. They found a very awkward situation with Alice still lying down on the floor and Mark who was still on top of her. They all came to one conclusion.

"We'll see you later, sorry for the disturbance," they said as they turned around. Mark hurriedly stood up.

"Wait it's not what it looks like," he exclaimed.

"At least do it with decency! Have you ever heard of a bed?" Josh said in disgust.

They were surprised when a shoe landed on his face and he fell on the floor. Everyone turned around and they saw Alice who was now sitting on the floor, she was smiling but her eyebrows were twitching in annoyance.

"Before you all jump to conclusions, feel free to ask me questions, it isn't forbidden okay?" her aura was so scary that it could rival the god of death's ambiance.

"Let's all stay here in the living room," Lance squeaked nervously.

Alice explained everything that happened minus the detail that Mark had to hug her while convincing her, she also mentioned that her brother will be arriving soon.

A few moments later the guys already left, everyone except for one. "Why are you still here?" Alice glared at Mark.

"Nothing," of all the moments, Alice's brother decided to arrive. He looked confused upon seeing his little sister alone with a guy in the house.

"You didn't tell me you'd be busy tonight," her brother smirked.

"Hey!" Alice whined. "I just got sprained and he accompanied me home, that's all. He was just about to leave." Alice said as she leered at Mark.

Mark nodded and he left the house with a smug grin on his face. Meanwhile, Alice was left with her older brother. "Don't worry, I'm not telling dad." he chuckled.

"I said he's just a friend!" Alice shouted.