Oh. I hadn’t thought of that. Really, I hadn’t thought of many things that I should’ve before I sprung the idea on Marlon spontaneously. A headache begins to form between my eyes. I lower the takeaway container and sigh, rubbing the space between my brows.
“I haven’t … thought about it yet. Look, I’m going to talk to Marlon about it first. Work things out with him, and update you with it all. I promise.”
Ria seems pleased with that. Sister privileges, and all.
“Okay, but youbettertell me straight away,” she demands.
I shoot her a look, as if to sayduh.
That’s when Ria turns her phone to me, and a video of her favourite BTS member plays on screen.
“Anyways, look at this hot edit of Jimin I found.”
Almost as quickly as the topic was brought up, Ria has already moved on and for that I was glad.
I get the message on Instagram, just as I settle into bed. I have to double take on who it’s from, because Marlon and I havenevertexted each other before, from what I remember, so seeing his name pop up is a little shocking to my system.
Wow, Marlon replies fast, like within seconds. How fast is this guy at typing? Is he a chronic phone user, so much so that he’s mastered the art of rapid typing, ors something?
I quash down these thoughts quickly. If I want to make this work, I’ve got to stop thinking negatively toward Marlon. Or at least, less than before. It’s hard to stop a habit that’s been built over the years.
My bedroom door opens and I glance up. Mum saunters in, her eyes on my phone, curious.
“Who are you chatting with?” she asks, bending down to plant a kiss on my forehead. I inhale deeply.
“Marlon,” I respond, slowly. Almost instantly, her shoulders perk up.
“Marlon?”
“Yes, we’re um - we’re actually planning to hang out this week,” I continue, the words dripping from my lips before I know what I’m saying.
“Oh! What for?”
“Just,” I begin, trying to think of a believable response. I settle with, “for fun.”
Mum just stares at me, a twinkle in her eyes. Without a word, she leans back, her lips twitching.
“Oh, I see.”
She caresses my hair, lingering beside me for a second.
“Is something happening with the both of you, Lene? I know we joke a lot about the both of you, but…”
I wonder if she’ll finish her sentence, saying that all the jokes were just what they were.Justjokes. Even if so, I know there’ll always be that in between.
“We’ll see,” I simply say, hoping that the small smile on my face appears shy.
Mum holds my gaze a moment, before nodding, and planting one more kiss, on my hair this time.
If there was a way I could reach through the screen and strangle Marlon…Ugh, now I’m craving Japanese. I’ll give him this win,justthis once.
At that, I lock my phone and place it on my bedside table.
There’s really no backing out now, and I justpraythat it will all work out, that I will have the patience to deal with Marlon, for however long this will take.
Eleven
“I‘m sorry, you’rewhat?”
