Marlon and I both get off at the same train station since we live only two suburbs away from each other.
The night has already claimed the sky entirely, and as Marlon and I step out of the station, the only lights are from the platform.
We saunter up the stairs of the station, toward the exit. Only once we reach the top is when I linger backwards a little, placing some distance between Marlon and I. Sensing this, he glances back, confused.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“My parents are picking me up today,” I explain.
His expression twists in that infuriating mock-confusion. I know thatheknows exactly why I don’t want to walk side-by-side with him out of the station, where my parents are most likely already parked.
“Just, keep walking ahead.”
Amused, Marlon doesn’t say another word and continues forward. Once there’s reasonable distance between us, I follow after and get a text.
I head on over to the drop-off side of the station. I locate them immediately - even in the dark, it’s hard not to spot a bright yellow beetle. My pace quickens, my lips widening, and I’m waving in their direction, until I notice a figure beside the car. My smile rapidly fades.
It’s Marlon.
I lock my jaw, surging forward.
Once Mum spots me from the passenger side, she waves enthusiastically.
“Jas darling!” she exclaims.
“Marlon was just telling us that you both caught the train home together,” Dad says, leaning forward from the driver’s seat. I wince.
I can’t believe Marlon would tell them that when he knows they’re already crazy. I just hum in response, side eyeing Marlon, who doesn’t spare me a glance. I walk to my side of the car and hop in, trying my best to ignore him and end this conversation with my parents.
“Marlon, how are you getting home?” Mum asks and I pray to God that he has his own ride home so she doesn’t offer.
“Oh, I’m driving, I parked over at the train station car park,” Marlon says, pointing at the large multi-storey car park looming beside the station.
My first thought is wow,Marlon can drive and I’m still on my Ls, I’ve got to step it up.
“Wow, Marlon has his own car and licence! Did you hear that Lene?” Mum turns her body to look at me and I train my face to appear expressionless. “You know what Marlon, on days you and Lene go to uni, you should take her home!”
Panic rises in me, because when my Mum thinks she has a good idea she will make sure it happens. At that, Marlon’s eyes flicker toward me, and I glower through the car window.
“Maybe,” Marlon settles, “I’ll chat with Jas and figure out if our timetables even align. We were only on the same train because her class finished late and I was hanging out with some mates.”
Mum takes the bait, thank goodness, and we all say our goodbyes to Marlon as he heads over toward the car park.
“So, how was your first day of film school?” Mum asks.
I perk up, happy she doesn’t ask any further about the train ride home.
“It was really good,” I marvel, leaning in between the driver and passenger seat. “I have two good friends already, Kiara and Diane. And there’s a bookstore right across from film school that I can visit.”
I don’t tell them about bookstore boy obviously. It’s not that I haven’t told my parents about the crushes I’d had in high school or anything, but I could tell that the enthusiasm wasn’t entirely there, because it wasn’t Marlon. I practically stopped telling Mum about my crushes right about Year 10.
“I’m glad to hear you’re settling in well darling!” Dad chimes in, catching me through the sun visor.
I lean back, smiling, my mind lingering on the bookstore boy. Just remembering our meet-cute sends shivers through me once more.
I sigh, wondering what bookstore boy is like. I didn’t even get his name. I wonder if it would suit my ‘and’.Jasleneand…
I’m sure he will. Anyone with a face like that would have a beautiful name to match. I close my eyes, pressing the side of my head against the car window.
