His Birthday

Everyone's intuition was right, never let the daredevil duo take the lead during amusement park trips. "Alice, this is our fifth ride in the High Dive, I don't think I can take it!" Josh exclaimed.

"Oh come on, why don't you look at Mark? He's quiet." Alice told him.

"He's in a state of shock, he isn't good with rides." Gerald told her but Alice just shook it off. Then they heard a mechanical sound signalling that the ride was starting.

"Oh darn, not again!" Vincent yelped.

"Land oh sweet land!" Lance knelt on the ground once they got out of the ride.

"I can't take any more torture." Grant panted.

"Mark?" Alice said as she waved her hand in front of him.

"My head hurts," he groaned.

"Oh come on Mark, don't be such a sissy" Alice laughed.

"It's your fault," he grabbed Alice's arm.

"No way Mark, I told you that I won't let you touch me right?" Alice said as she slipped her arm away.

"But--" Mark protested when Alice cut him off with a glare.

"Let's continue having fun," she lilted.

For the rest of the day, Mark was quiet which really worried the guys. They knew Mark's reason for acting like that and if they were in his shoes, they'd really be bummed out. To top it all off, Alice is acting like an idiot with the whole don't touch me thing but alas, Alice was too dense to realize it.

"I guess that's enough rides, do you guys have any suggestions?" Alex asked.

"Good, I think we rode all the daredevil rides." Gerald sighed in relief.

"What if we do some karaoke? After all, it's getting late, we are leaving at seven and we still have about two more hours." Grant suggested and they all agreed.

"My treat, let's rent a while room. We could have dinner too." Mark told them and of course, no idiot would like to reject that offer.

So they all took turns singing, all sang except Alice and Mark. Mark was in no mood and Alice was too busy eating the food that Mark ordered for them. It was Gerald's turn to sing and he chose to sing the Happy Birthday Song.

"Whose birthday is it?" Alice asked curiously.

"The guy beside you," Grant laughed. Alice turned and her eyes widened in shock.

"Mark?! It's your birthday?!" she exclaimed causing her to stand up from her seat.

"I can't believe you had no idea," Mark groaned as he rested his head his hands.

"No-nobody told me," she stammered.

"We purposely did that, I thought you'd at least remember Alice." Lance sighed in disappointment.

----

"Happy Birthday Mark!" most of his classmates greeted him simultaneously as he arrived.

"Man, I'm so glad everyone actually remembered." Mark grinned.

"I wonder if Alice would." Alex wondered.

"Probably not," Josh snickered.

"Speaking of Alice, please don't tell her that it's my birthday. I want her to remember all by herself." Mark told everyone.

"Good luck Mark, that's a difficult one since the only birthdays Alice remembers are the birthdays of her favorite anime characters and singers," Matthew laughed.

"Just don't tell her," Mark sighed.

----

"Let's go," Mark said as he stood up. The others followed, he paid the bill and they left. As they were walking, no one dared to talk. They came across a playground and there were no people in the area.

"We should leave you two," Lance muttered, and then they all left.

Alice sat on the swing and Mark just remained standing in front of her. Mark had an expressionless face and Alice looked guilty. They've been friends for more than two years yet she forgot about his birthday? How idiotic.

"I-I'm sorry Mark," Alice spoke softly, her heart ached with guilt.

"You know..." Mark began. "I was pretty much fine with it, I really tried to be patient, but you were too focused on the rides. To be honest, I was jealous of Alex since he was having fun with you the most. Also, to add insult to injury, you won't even let me touch you. Isn't that too much? I was so bummed out today. I didn't have much fun, you forgot my birthday and you won't let me near you." He crouched down in front of her, he had a frown on his face.

"Honestly, I'm beginning to doubt if your feelings for me are real, tell me Alice, should I just give up? I feel like I'm just waiting for nothing." he said, Alice could tell that he was upset and a bit pissed.

"M-Mark... I'm sorry," Alice cried, tears flowing out of her eyes.

"I can't even make you say I love you," Mark looked down on the ground. Alice wiped her tears, she never saw Mark look this defeated.

"I'm so sorry that I forgot, but I can tell that my feelings are real! Don't doubt me Mark, and please don't give up, I didn't want you to touch me because I get too flustered and I couldn't think straight if you do." Alice placed her hand over her eyes to try and hide the tears.

"You're the only guy that could make me feel this way. Don't give up Mark, don't doubt me. I love you," she sniveled.

Mark stared at her in pure shock, he then smiled. "You finally said it," then he used his thumb to wipe off the tear stains on Alice's cheeks. "Don't cry, you look more beautiful when you smile." Mark said.

"Why did you have to tell me all those upsetting words anyway?" she sniffed.

"I'm sorry, my emotions got the best of me," he said softly.

"Hey Alice," Alice looked up to face him. "I know it isn't the best time but... will you be my girlfriend?" he smiled.

Alice blinked a couple of times before she nodded. "Yeah," she smiled back at him.

"If you weren't this dense this could've happened a long time ago," Mark chuckled.

"Mark," Alice murmured. He looked at her. "Happy Birthday," she whispered before she gently pulled him by his collar and kissing him on the lips. Mark's eyes widened in shock, but then he closed them and he kissed her back.

"There you are, the both of you must have been kind of intimate," Josh smirked once the two joined them.

"Don't be a perv, I just apologized." Alice scoffed.

All together they walked to the bus. "So Mark, everything that happened today is worth it right?" Grant smirked.

"Yeah, I guess it is. Wait, were you watching us?" he asked them.

The group whistled innocently and Mark and Alice only glared at them. "Is there something we should know?" Matthew asked as he watched the bus door automatically open.

"As if you guys don't know. Well, whatever, Alice and I are now boyfriend-girlfriend, we're dating." Mark groaned.

"You didn't have to announce it to the whole class!" Alice held him in an arm lock.

"Ouch! What do you mean the whole class?!" he whined.

Then Mark realized that the bus door was open and their classmates were peeking from the windows. "Crap," he cursed.

"Congratulations man!" Vincent laughed.

"Took you a lot of time." Grant snickered.

"Let's go!" Alice grunted as she stomped to the bus. Once she entered she saw everyone looking at her smugly. "Don't you people have anything important to do?" she snarled.

"Aaw Alice, you finally did it. The first step to being a fine lady," Veronica said in awe.

"You're both the perfect match," Miriam added.

"Leave me alone," Alice facepalmed. She hurriedly slumped in her seat.

On the other hand, when Mark entered the bus he was greeted by almost everyone. "Great job Mark, I thought you were gonna give up soon." Sarah giggled.

"As if, I knew Alice liked me from the very start it was difficult to make her say it though." Mark chuckled.

"Don't get too cocky and take your seat," Grant hit his head.

"You're just jealous," Mark taunted.

"Don't be an idiot or else your girlfriend will break up with you," Grant retorted. Mark harrumphed and he sat beside his girlfriend.

"She's asleep already?" he sighed.

"Can't you see it?" Josh rolled his eyes.

"Why you!" Mark stood up in annoyance but he was pulled back down by Alice.

"Stay there," she groaned in her sleep as she leaned her head on Mark's shoulder.

"See? Look who's sweet" Lance grinned.

"Let them be," Sarah smiled at him. Mark covered his face with his hand to hide the blush forming on his cheeks.

"Alice, hey Alice," Mark said softly. Alice yawned when she woke up. "We're here... you're parents are waiting for you outside the bus,"

Alice groaned and she took her stuff and she and Mark exited the bus together. "I'm going to my parents now," Alice said.

"Yeah... sure." Mark replied.

"So this is it? It's the last time we could meet since school's over," Alice grumbled.

"Don't worry Alice, I'll come by your house and we can go on dates just like what other couples do." Mark assured.

"Y-you're right, come on," Alice grinned and she took his hand and they began walking.

"Where are we going?" Mark asked.

"I'm introducing you to my parents," Alice answered.

"But they already know me," Mark nervously said.

"I know," she smiled knowingly. "I'm introducing you to them as my boyfriend," she said. Mark was nervous but he knew everything will be okay. He has Alice, and Alice has him.