Page 100 of All About You


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My lips part, and my mind fails its comprehension, unable to form words.

Marlon truly is taking me out on a real date. I’m realising, right now, he’s the only boy I want this first real thing to be with.

Our conversation falls into a steady rhythm as Marlon sets the car off on its trail.

He still won’t tell me what we’re doing today, or where we are going. I don’t recognise any routes that we go down, even as he pulls onto a longer highway.

As always, we queue up rounds of our favourite tunes, and soon we’re singing along.

It’s our own little routine, something I’d never change.

Eventually, suburban houses and buildings began to peel away, revealing mountainous views and forestry about an hour into the drive.

“Are you going to murder me in these woods?” I joke, to ease the rapid climbing of my heart.

“Stop spoiling my plans, Garcia,” he retorts.

We begin to weave through a desolate road, surrounded by towering mountains and trees, the sunlight filtering through and casting shadows in front of us. I wind down my window, inhaling the fresh air.

The last time I’d been on a trip was with my parents, just after my HSC exams, to celebrate the completion of my schooling.

I’ve only been on one trip with Marlon too, with his family of course, but that was back when I couldn’t stand him and he’d been set on tormenting me.

My family, along with the Salvadors, took a trip to the North Coast for a Christmas getaway, just before we both started high school. I tried to stick mostly with Ria, but because Marlon had no siblings, he was glued to us too.

I remember playing an array of board games with him, but being frustrated when he cheated or purposely sabotage me. To be fair though, there were times I sabotaged him unprovoked.

Yet, that’s all in the past. That was all children’s games too. The Marlon I knew now…

“Where are wegoing?” I prod again, after a few minutes, poking at his sides.

He swats my fingers away with his free hand, and through a chuckle says, “Don’t do that, it’s dangerous! And stop asking questions, just let the date unfold as it should.”

I shake my head, crossing my arms. Surprises had always been an enemy of mine.

I love surprises, but I hate them. I want to know, but I don’t want to.

Finally, we pass a sign.Welcome to the Blue Mountains.

“Blue Mountains?” I inquire, enthusiastically. I don’t think I’ve been to the Blue Mountains since I was 15 years old.

Marlon’s lips remain clasped, graced only by a pleased smile.

We continue to weave through the mountains and soon the towering trees peel away to the country suburban streets. We cross into the first suburb, Glenbrook.

Curiosity plagues me, as Marlon turns into a streetline of shops. Once parked, he leads me down the pathway, motioning for me to follow him. My heart is pounding, uncertain, until he leads me through an alley.

A lone shop lies down the path, and the floating sign reads Dragon Books.

Confetti shoots in my stomach as we approach the entrance. It’s a quaint shop, and through the window, I notice ceiling-high bookshelves filled with books. Even along the floor, there are stacks of books.

“A second hand bookstore?” I ask. Marlon nods, lips widening into a grin. From his pocket, he pulls out a folded piece of paper, and as he unravels it, reveals an illustrated map.

Blue Mountains Bookstore Trail.

The map details a selection of about seven bookstores, scattered all across the Blue Mountains. I never even knew there was a bookstore trail here in NSW. Elation climbs my body in rapid steps, sending shivers over my skin.

“You’re taking me on a bookstore trail?”