“Well, that’s what couples do, isn’t it?” he asks. He nods toward my phone, “You should change yours too. I can’t have your ATEEZ boys being there in place of your boyfriend, especially when we’re at the family gatherings.”
“I guess that makes sense. I’m surprised my Mum hasn’t picked up on it, actually,” I say, hoping he doesn’t somehow hear the drumming against my chest. I unlock my phone and tap on the camera, bringing it to selfie mode. Marlon leans forward, as far as the seatbelt lets him.
“Come closer,” he whines, pulling me by the jacket, so my head practically falls against his shoulder.
As I hoist myself upward a little more, our cheeks almost brush against each other, and I pray he doesn’t feel the rapid thumping of my heart. We smile into the camera and once I takethe photo, I pry myself from him, pressing myself against the car door.
“Show me, loser,” he says. We look like a real couple, our eyes twinkling, like two love-struck teenagers. “Hmm, cute.”
Hesitantly, I set the photo as my wallpaper, whispering a quiet goodbye to the ATEEZ photo. There, gracing my phone, is a selfie of Marlon and I, looking all the parts of a healthy, happy couple.
Once we drive off, I finally ask, “So, you and Christine? How did it go yesterday?”
We reach a red light, and Marlon sits back, fingers still on the wheel.
“It’s been going well. She really appreciated me taking her to her favourite restaurant last night, we caught up a lot more, just over what we’ve been up to. She’s doing well at med school, not so intense so far. Still has her receptionist job, but she might move on…Sorry I’m babbling. Anyway, the point is, I think the ice was definitely broken, it’s less awkward,” he tells me, and I nod along, internally tiptoeing between being happy for Marlon and another strange emotion.
“And…yeah. That’s pretty much it.”
He blows out his cheeks, before exhaling, “I’m happy with where it’s at right now, I think. I’m just glad she’s accepted me back into her life, you know?”
I wait a beat, before asking, “Does she know you’re trying to pursue her again?”.
At that, Marlon scratches his earlobe.
“As I said, taking it slow. I’m going to just focus on being a good person in her life now. A good friend to hopefully a good boyfriend, if she lets me prove it to her again.”
We continue driving in a comfortable silence, and I let the news brew over me. So, Marlon and Christine are back on good terms. As for Rafayel and I, we are somewhat…on a path. Ourruse seems to definitely be falling into place. Then why doesn’t it feel much like a victory?
Eighteen
“Are you almost done up there?”
Marlon calls from downstairs, as I undo my braid to redo for the third time.
I groan in frustration, my fingers getting tangled again. That’sit, I’ve decided. I’m cutting my hair, eventually. I can’t do this anymore.
I hastily press pause on my morning playlist. BTS’Dionysusis just making me more stressed.
“ComeonGarcia, or we’ll be late.”
My Tuesday morning class got pushed back an extra two hours, which won me back some free time. I thought I’d spend it putting extra effort into my appearance, in case I run into Rafayel again.Notthat I don’t put effort in my looks already, but it doesn’t hurt to sprinkle a little more.
Remind me why, however, I decided to braid my hair when I’ve apparently forgotten how to.
Marlon’s footsteps echo as he ascends the stairs. He arrived half-an-hour ago, right when my family left the house, so we were free from our ruse for now.
“Umhello,invasion of space!” I call out, as his footsteps grow louder. He pauses, and I peer his shadow through the gap of my door.
“I’ll wait out here then. Just hurry.”
I roll my eyes, and open my bedroom door.
“I’ll be done soon, wait.”
Marlon peaks around the door, peering into my room.
“Wow, this placehasnot changed much since I was last here.”
