It makes him look endearing. Almost…cute.
I blink once, twice, wishing the thought away.
I feel his knuckles brush softly against the middle of my spine, as he completes the braid. Then, lifting the plait, he carefully places it over my shoulder, his fingers grazing my neck. Involuntarily, my shoulders twitch, and he meets my eyes through the mirror.
“It’s your cold hands,” I state, a little loudly.
“Sorry again.”
I tear my eyes away from his reflection, and focus it on my own, instead.
“Ta-da! One of my best works yet,” he enthuses.
He definitely did a good job, I’ll give him that.
“Thanks Marlon,” I profess, “You really didn’t need to do this, but I appreciate it.”
Marlon smirks.
“Are youthankingme?”
“Don’t push it.”
Marlon just laughs.
“So, are you going to visit your boyfriend today?” he ponders, as we exit my room.
That’s when I realise he’s holding my tote bag. He must’ve picked it up from my study chair. The photocard I’ve chosen of TWICE member, Jihyo, dangles at his side.
“Maybe, yes, I want to,” I tell him.
We’ve reached the bottom of the stairs, and he’s still not giving me my bag. I reach for the strap, but realising my intentions, he leans back, motioning me back with his palm.
“Hey, don’t worry, I’ve got it. So, do you have a game plan?” Marlon asks, “Surely, he’ll be giving you his number today. I mean look at you with your pretty braid and cute top and all.”
He thinks I’m pretty?I ignore the thought as it drifts across my mind, and focus instead on locking up the house.
“I’m just going to see how it goes,” I respond, on the way to his car, “But that’s obviously what I’m hoping for.”
“Just be yourself, Garcia,” he says. Once inside, he places my tote bag on my lap and starts up the engine, before turning to me with a smile. “You may be a little insane, but it’s your charm. If he doesn’t ask for your number sooner or later, someone else is going to swoop in and take you away, I guarantee it.”
I scoff.
“Sure, because my history of failed crushes paints a very positive future of suitors for me.”
“Have some faith in yourself Garcia. All those failed crushes don’t know what they’re missing,” Marlon says, shaking his head. “And besides, if this were a movie, you’d be the type of person that everyone would root for. Remember that.”
The type of person everyone would root for.
The words embed themselves as the crux of my brain. All my life I’d been the mastermind. Laying the groundwork, being the one confessing to my crushes. Through letters, through stammered words at locker bays. And while I’d been laughed at,been rejected, I never wavered on being the one who approached first.
Isn’t that how the best romances start?
With a perfect foundation, the best script?
Yet, a part of me is beginning to shift in that thought. To realise that maybe, the best things can unravel on its own.
I glance over toward Marlon. The wind caresses his hair through the open window, and a hint of a permanent smile rests on his lips.
