“I’d be whining about it if it was bad. And I have ordered this before. Lemonade is my go to drink when I’m in a social situation.” Gwen raised to glass so the light hit it. “Behold, the lemonade! Legend has it that if you look closely into the glass, you’ll see an awkward 15 year old me sipping lemonade in the corner at my middle school dance.”
Marla cringed sympathetically, even daring to reach over the table and give Gwen a pat on the shoulder. “Yeah, I can definitely relate.”
Gwen almost dropped the glass when Marla’s hand patted her almlst bare shoulder. “I appreciate the support.” Gwen smiled a little too widely for it to just be from the supportive comments.
Marla cleared her throat anxiously, withdrew her hand. “That’s— uh- yeah.”
Gwen was unwilling to let them fall into an awkward silence. “So is there anything you wanted to know about me? I know I’ve been interrogating you about yourself.”
I want to know what your type is. Specifically if you like girls with blue eyes and ridiculously light hair. Of course, se didn’t voice the thought, instead going for a more normal answer. “Do you play any instruments? Or do you sing? Neither?”
Gwen laughed. “Unless you call screaming along to my car radio singing then I’m afraid it’s a no for both.”
Marla snorted, amusement dancing along the curve of her mouth. “Right, got it.”
“How about you? You seem like a creative type.” Gwen munched on a few fries, casually sipping her lemonade. She silently congratulated herself on going a full minute without severely embarrassing herself.
Marla suddenly realized that she’d completely forgotten about the fries, and reached forward, her hand accidentally brushing Gwen’s. Electricity immediately shot up her arm, fireworks going off in her rib cage, but she somehow managed to piece together an answer that wasn’t total gibberish. “No instrument for me. I don’t sing much, either.”
“Guess that means no karaoke then.” Gwen pretended to pout. She stole another sip of the milkshake, pretty sure her arm had gone numb after Marla touched it.
“Sorry,” she chuckled, but her voice was weak. “I’ll make up for it with my rambling about the stars.”
(G’morning)
“Friday! That’s right! I’m pathetically excited for that if I’m being honest.” Gwen looked out the window at the afternoon sky, watching the clouds.
“Me too,” she admitted, finishing up the last of the fries.
Gwen sat back, finishing her lemonade. “Thanks for meeting me here.”
“It was a lot of fun.” Marla brushed some crumbs into a pile, beaming at Gwen.
Gwen felt her heart warm at this. She set down some cash on the table, enough to pay and tip. “I’ll uh… see you Friday then? You can text me with the time later?”
Marla held up a hand and removed her wallet from her pocket. “That sounds great, but you paying for the meal doesn’t. Here, how much was it?”
“No way. This is my treat. Save up your money for when we go shopping together.” Gwen waved her off, rolling her eyes. “It’s okay, I promise.”
After a pause, Macha's hesitant hand returned her wallet to her pocket. "If you're sure… but I'll pay next time." She winced as soon as the words were out of her mouth, who was to say that Gwen would want a 'next time'?
“Fine, you can take it next time.” Gwen smiled, standing up the stretch.
Marla let out a breath she wasn't aware she'd been holding. "Great, it's settled." She rose to her feet after double-checking that she had everything. "See you soon, then?"
“Sounds good!” Gwen checked the time on her phone. “Oh gods, I’m gonna be late to class again!” She waved goodbye to Marla and bolted out the door.
Marla stood there for a few moments, rooted to the spot by a sudden yearning. You're being stupid, she told herself firmly before starting out the door. Focus on one thing at a time.
Gwen hated being late. But at least it was for a worthy cause. She felt the warm breeze on her exposed shoulders, pleased that Marla chose to keep it. She jogged into class just as it was about to start and crammed herself into the back of the room
(Do you want to do another time skip?)