Marla sat down across from her, shaking her head. "You don't have to apologize. And it's fine, I'm not very good with people either," she answered quietly, pulling anxiously at the end of her navy blue skirt. "You don't have to worry. If this is stressing you out, feel free to ask me to leave. I wouldn't be offended."
Gwen’s head whipped up from the table, horrified. “I-I didn’t mean it like that.” She fumbled for the right words. “I don’t have a lot of friends, and I mean, you seem nice. It’s not your fault I’m nervous. I’m usually nervous to some extent.” Her leg bounced anxiously, shaking the table a bit without her noticing. “I’d really like you to stay.” She added softly.
She.. wants me to stay? That was a first, usually people wanted to be rid of her as soon as possible. Knowing that she was treading on thin ice, Marla swallowed. "Whatever you want, I guess. I– Sorry, I'm not the best at.. talking to people."
Gwen actually had to laugh at that. “That makes two of us then.” She went back to resting her head on the table with a yawn. “I almost crashed in history today.”
"Same," Marla admitted shyly, twirling a lock of platinum hair around her finger. "It's usually interesting but.. Guess I was just distracted today. What's your favourite course?"
“I like my Botanical Fieldwork class. It’s mostly hands on work in the greenhouse, or outside in the spring and summer.” Gwen smiled, turning her head lazily to look out the window. “How about you?” She asked absentmindedly, watching the people passing by through half lidded eyes.
"Sounds interesting." Marla gave another small smile. "Probably Theoretical Prophecy, to be honest. It's just so complex and interesting.. as much as it scares me, there's a lot of amazing stuff to learn."
Gwen nodded. “I think that’d be my favorite class too if I could handle it.” She looked up at Marla from where she was resting her head. “Did you see us having a major collision on campus in the cards? How’s your head doing anyways?”
Marla brought her fingers up to the spot where she’d been hit, giving a shrug. “I have a high pain tolerance— can’t feel a thing. And no, I had no visions with you in them.”
“Guess I’m not meant to stick around then, that’s totally uncool.” Gwen joked, sitting up as Ty called her name. “I’ll be right back, just gonna grab the drinks.”
“Sure.” Marla watched her go, fingers rapping an irregular rhythm out onto the table. It was strange— this was the most collected she’d been around actual people in a long time.
Gwen grabbed the drinks, ignoring the sly look Ty gave her as she passed the counter. She glanced back to the table, growing a bit flustered when she saw Marla’s eyes were already fixed on her. Deep breaths, Gwen. Don’t mess this up. She sat back down at the table, taking extra care not to spill anything when she set the drinks down. “I hope this is okay. I don’t mind taking you somewhere else.”
(Sly Ty XD)
“It’s mkre than okay,” Marla promised, taking the warm drink into her cold hands. “I haven’t actually been out for coffee— well, tea— in a long time. It’s nice.”
Gwen smiled in relief. “You should stop by sometime. I’m here a lot. Or the greenhouses, but unless you want to see me scold a plants for over an hour, that might not be the place to go.” She took a sip of her coffee, savoring the bitter taste. “Where do you hang out on campus? If you don’t mind me asking, that is. I won’t still your spot, I promise.”
(Sly Ty is my new favorite character)
(Eyy
Lol)
Marla laughed lightly, a surprisingly freeing sound. “I transition between hiding in my room, hiding in the library, and hiding in the Planetarium.” Realizing that Gwen has probably never been, she hastened to elaborate. “It’s a big tower near the dome with exhibitions on the history of the universe and star-gazing devices, plus a glass ceiling where you can see the stars at night. You’re allowed to sleep over, too.”
Gwen visibly perked up at the sound of Marla’s laughter, feeling soothed by the noise. “That sounds awesome! I can’t believe I never knew about that.” She shook her head, her eyes wide with wonder. “I’ll have to go sometime soon. I’m sure my roommate will be glad to have me out for a night anyways.”
“You should come with me sometime,” she blurted before she could stop herself, then immediately turned red.
(Omg they should sleep over in the planetarium together and cuddle under a blanket sometime)
(My thoughts exactly!)
Gwen hestitated for a moment before nodding. “I actually think that’d be nice. Maybe Friday night? If you’re free, of course. I know most people have better things to do on a Friday night.” She fidgeted with her coffee cup, avoiding eye contact. “We could like… make a night of it? Sometime?” Am I asking her out? This is going to end so badly. Why would she want to go out with me after the mess I’ve been today?
(yass)
Marla couldn't actually believe it– Gwen was agreeing. The cute girl she was on a sort-of coffee date with was agreeing to sleep over in a planetarium with her. Am I dreaming? Eyes widening slightly, she nodded rapidly. "Sounds– Sounds fantastic."
Gwen blinked in surprise. She was definitely not expecting that answer. She smiled brightly to make up for her silence. “Great! Yeah, that’ll be fun. I haven’t been to a sleepover since like 7th grade and that was my friend’s creepy basement, not a… what did you call it?”
"Planetarium." Marla felt something stir in her chest– or maybe it was just her weakly pattering heart– at the sight of Gwen's radiant smile. "And I.. haven't ever had a sleepover, so it'll be a first."
“You’re not missing too much. It’s mostly cards against humanity, gossiping, and some really bad karaoke.” Gwen rolled her eyes at the memory. “It’ll be better when it’s just two of us anyways. You seem cool.” She paused a took a sip of her coffee, ignoring the tips of her ears, which were burning red.
(omg cards against humanity
jesus Christ what a throw back to seventh grade
lmao we used to play on the afternoon school bus
and god, the boys had dirty minds)
Marla's pale cheeks flushed. She quickly raised her drink to her lips to mask it, eyes flickering briefly away. "Thanks, you seem cool too." She paused, a furrow appearing between her brows. "What's 'cards against humanity'?"
Gwen choked on her coffee, immediately, setting it down and coughing up a storm. “That’s—“ She coughed again, her face a bright red. “That’s not important.” She cleared her throat several times, flustered all over again.
(Ikr! I haven’t played that game in ages! It’s probably better that way though)
(lmao tru)
(lol Gwen is me)
"Are you okay?" Marla asked quickly, brows drawing together in concern. "I can go get you some water– what's so bad about 'cards against humanity'?"