A/N: ok, this is becoming ridiculous, I bloody well need reviews! So it's not a huge romance, get over it and start R/Ring! (Please) Even if you are reading, please review so I know.I'm getting discouraged.

Charlie was in complete shock. Her father, the man who had been mourning over the loss of her beloved mother for months, the man who was supposedly taking out all his remorse on her was already seeing another woman?!

Mark was slightly taken aback, he had known Charlie's father to be a prudent and traditional man, seeing a beautiful and noticeably younger woman was definitely out of his character.

Charlie was distractedly unbuckling her seatbelt and was ready to step out of the car when Mark stopped her. "Charlie, leave it. I suggest you confront your dad about it later, best not to attack him while you're ." Mark's advice was not taken well.

"Mark, I think you should mind your own damn business." Charlie shot at her friend.

"Charlie, listen to me! If you yell at him now, you're going to regret it; I know you too well; c'mon trust me a little, just a little?" He gave her a puppy dog eyes.

Charlie glared in his direction, but relented nonetheless, silently; she sat back in her seat and put on her seat buckle.

Mark smiled in satisfaction. He put the car in drive and slowly eased out of the parking lot.

Once they had driven a few blocks, Charlie broke the dead silence, "I can't believe this. How could he do this to mom? How could he do this to me?!" Charlie broke down into sobs, holding her face in her hands.

"Char, it will be ok, maybe there's a reasonable explanation for all this." Marks voice trailed off, knowing that what he said was false hope.

"That's bullshit Mark, and you know it." Charlie was still sniffling with her head down.

Mark gently stroked her hair, and began humming softly to her.

They sat like that, for what seemed like hours to Charlie; but in reality, it was only a few minutes. Letting out a deep sigh Charlie looked up at Mark, and to her surprise, he was staring intently at her. She carefully scanned his facial expression; all she could see was worry- for her. Charlie hated when she made Mark worry, which she did frequently. His pale, hazel eyes showed visible anguish, with his brow furrowed as if he was in deep thought. Charlie had also learned that whenever Mark was debating something within himself, he chewed on his lower lip.

"Stop worrying Mark. I overreacted, I don't care what my dad does with his life, and he's a fucking adult! I don't need to know everything that goes on in his life, nor do I want to know."

Mark pushed his hand through his slightly shaggy brown hair. "I know you're lying, Charlie you do care. Don't try and fool me, it has never worked before." Mark chuckled with this, remembering the time when she had tried convincing him that she did not have a crush on him. Charlie had rambled on for a good ten minutes before actually getting to her point.

With a small smile, Charlie nodded silently.

Mark kept staring at Charlie, taking in her beauty as if seeing her for the first time. She was a small girl, average height, and skinny. Although she looked frail, Charlie was anything but weak. She was known to get into numerous fights at school; they never ended well for her rival. Her slightly red hair was always pulled back, but Mark had been one of the privileged few that were able to see it down. He had to admit, if it was possible, she looked even more stunning.

"Stop staring at me Mark, it makes me uncomfortable. And I don't appreciate being looked at like a trophy." Charlie scolded.

"You know I don't think that of you Char. I was just taking in your beauty for the fourth time today." Mark smiled within himself. He had met Charlie at a Barnes & Noble; they were competing for the same job. It ended up that Mark had been hired, but only to be fired the next month. Apparently he couldn't decide when he took days off.

"Mark, you know I'm kidding. Now stop with that beauty shit, you and I both know I'm not gorgeous, and I'm perfectly fine with that."

"You really are blind, you know that?" Mark caught Charlie's eyes with his own.

They stared at each other for some time, when finally Mark started to lean in, and before he captured her lips with his own, Charlie let the feeling of Mark's lips on her own engulf her before reality hit her.

She tore her lips away from his, and looking like a deer caught in headlights she bolted out of the car.