(Corridors) Out Past Curfew

[Mark Alméida]

Mark had purposly gone out past curfew, mainly to run into Maxi who he knew would be patrolling since Maxi didnt seem to do anything else these days. Walking round the corridors, making no attempt to be quiet, humming a tune too. If that didnt get him caught he didnt know what would. And of course you had the fact that the portraits were wailing at him to shut up, "Will you stop with your racket boy were trying to sleep" came another voice from yet another portrait. By now, Mark was probably hated by all the portraits in the school.

He had been walking loudly and humming for almost half an hour. Yet he hadnt come across Max, or any prefect for that matter, stopping he said into the distance, "Okay what is it? Prefect night off or something?"

[Max Hennerdale]

Max came up behind Mark, his rebellious best friend. It was a wonder no professors had come across him with the amount of noise he was making. "No its not Mark" he said bitterly. "You know you shouldnt be out past curfew, your lucky no professors have caught you" Looking sternly at his friend he carried on, "I dont want to take points from my own house and as much as i know you would love it i dont want to throw you in detention either, so why dont you get back to bed?"

[Mark Alméida]

"I could really care less if a professor caught me" Mark snipped back. "Im not going back to bed Max, not until ive had a word with you" he said, looking at him right in the eyes. "I dont care, throw in detention, take points. I dont really care Max, i came out here tonight looking for you and now ive found you dont think im walking away until ive spoken to you"

[Max Hennerdale]

"Yeah well that always has been your problem, hasnt it Mark?" Maxi spoke harshly, folding his arms and looking at his so called friend. "You never cared about anything other than your own amusement and your own fun" He narrowed his eyes and continued, "Fine, Friday Night, Detention, With Vance" Maxi told him, now making a mental note to tell the Professor he would be having a Gryffindor as company. "What is so important that it cant wait until tomorrow?"

[Mark Alméida]

"I cant believe you" Mark said, his voice was dripping with malace, hurt and slight anger. "How can you even say that!? You know full well i care about other things and you know something? It used to be me and you that used to have fun, you remember what fun means dont you?" Mark shrugged, he didnt really care he had just landed himself in detention, he assumed he would have done tonight anyway. "How about everything? What about you and Ashton? When was the last time you ever spent any time with the boy you supposidly love? Or has the phase grown old? What about your friends? When was the last time you ever spent any time with them?" Mark said, "You're changing, man. We dont even recognise you anymore"

[Max Hennerdale]

"Do i?" He asked, this conversation was getting heated between the two boys now and Maxi knew it wasnt going to end well. "Of course i remember what fun is Mark, but sometimes theres more important things than having fun!"

"What about me and Ashton?" Maxi said, listening to him, "I do love him, im just too busy to spend time with anyone and if he doesnt get that than thats his problem not mine" Maxi spat. How dare he, "You cant even possibly begin to know what its like to care for someone other than your family Mark so dont start pestering me about relationships because you know nothing about them!" He half yelled, "What about Ari?" he asked, "She seems like such a nice girl and for some unknown reason she seems to like you and you wont even entertain her, wont give her a second look because your too busy looking at her sister and taking notice of every other girl in the school. Yes im changing, im growing up, might want to try it yourself!"

[Mark Alméida]

"What? Your prefect duties take priority over your friends and the one you love?"

"Well you know, and im sure he'd tell you the same thing. You have a funny way of showing that boy you love him!" Mark sighed, "You know the things he's been through and he trusted you and you're going to let him down! Who do you think will pick up the pieces Maxi? If its not too late already!"

Mark stood there, open mouthed, he couldnt believe Maxi had said that to him, though in a way he supposed he'd been asking for it. "Ari is a nice girl!" He sighed back. He knew Maxi was right, he hadnt paid any attention to Ari and he hadnt seen her that much over the last few months, though to say he was looking at her sister, that was wrong. "Shows how much you know me dont it Max? To even think i was looking at Bri" He was sure Ari's sister was a nice enough person but if he had to have a choice between the two he knows he would have chosen Ari. "Well you carry on changing Maxi, because your going to lose everyone" he turned his back on Max and started to walk down the corridor, "You've already lost me"

[Max Hennerdale]

"Thats a sign of growing up Mark, taking priority"

Maxi nearlt spat out, Well maybe i dont love him anymore!. His feelings for Ashton were changing, but he knew he would always love that boy. But Max was still young and changing. Maybe Ash's would change too.

"Well thats the thing Mark, i dont know you anymore. We stopped being as close as we were a long time ago" Maxi told him, "Even before we both left Durmstrang we werent as close as we used to be, that happens" Maxi then turned around too, "Well maybe you should find Ari and talk to her, might not kill you, as for losing you. I lost you a long time ago mate"

So was this it? Was Maxi and Marks near of ten year friendship over in the blink of an eye? Certainly seemed that way, and as Maxi walked away from the guy he used to call his best friend, he felt a sudden emptiness. It was always Maxi and Mark, Mark and Maxi. Now he knew it was going to be, Maxi or Mark. Mark or Maxi.