Sydney's POV

Mark seemed frozen in place. The hand holding the lighter stayed poised at the tip of the cigarette still between his lips as he looked at me—or rather, gaped at me.

His hands fell to his sides. His words came thick with disbelief. "You're not joking."

I gave him a blank look. When did we become such friends that I'd be making a joke like this? I thought. He must have thought the same because he shook his head and we just stared at each other for a while.

Suddenly, Mark seemed to understand me. He quickly pocketed the cigarette and lighter.

He looked alarmed, slightly panicked, and...