Marianne sat there, shocked as Mare left. Maybe.. maybe this relationship isn't a good idea… I've obviously done something wrong….. The bell rang, but she barely heard it. Something must have happened yesterday… but she won't tell me what it is. Maybe her dad said something?
Mare speed-walked to the bathroom. She already felt her stomah writhing at the assault of food. Shaking violently, she locked herself in a stall and sank to the floor. She pressed down on her stomach, hyperventilating. She felt the bile rising in her throat, welcomed it, held her breath and didn't swallow—
Once done, she rubbed away the tears and curled into a ball against the stall wall; she wasn't feeling better.
(Aww)):
Marianne walked back to her locker, head shrouded in deep fog. She barely registered each movement; doing the combination, opening the door, grabbing her binders. She was too busy trying to figure out what was going on.
The bell rang. Mare took a couple deep breaths and exited the bathroom. She rushed to her locker to get her Spanish things, unsure if Marianne would still be at their lockers.
Marianne closed her locker door just as Mare came back. She stood there, torn between running up to her and walking in the opposite direction. Mare evidently didn't want to talk to her right now…
Mare spotted Marianne. She nodded a greeting and quickly made her way to class, taking a seat far, far into the back of the roo.
Marianne waited a few seconds before following, taking the only empty seat left. The desk was diagonal to Mare's, a thought that made her heart twist– with what, she had no idea– and next to……. Ryan. Oh joy.
Mare followed Marianne's movement to a desk just diagonal from hers and next to Ryan. Ryan, of all people.
Mare shook her head at their luck and settled into her seat. After a while of Spanish chattering, Mare tore out of small piece of paper and strarted sribbling down a note.
Ryan's eyes shifted sideways to her, but she kept her gaze fixed firmly on her binder, determined not to give him attention. After another minute or so, he cleared his throat. "So, Marianne…" She ignored him.
Mare heard Ryan attempt to begin a conversation with Marianne. She hurriedly finished writing down her note and, accidentally dropping a pen near Marianne's table, she bent down to get it and dropped the note onto Marianne's table.
Marianne stared at the slip of paper for a split second before the realization dawned at her. She focused her eyes on Ryan— ugh— and brushed it into her lap with one hand, turning away for a second to read it.
Sorry about how unfortunately the seating. And sorry about the lunch.
Mare surreptitiously glanced up towards Marianne as she read the note.
Marianne covered the note with her hand so that Ryan wouldn't see it, flipping it over and quickly writing a reply on the back. Her heart soared.
It's fine, don't worry about it. I thought you were mad at me?
She stretched, dropping the note onto Mare's desk.
Mare grabbed the note and fumbled with it.
Never. It's most definitely not you.
She passed it back to Marianne around the side away from Ryan.
Marianne’s face broke into a smile when she read the note, though she quickly covered it up.
Then what is it? I’m worried about you.
She passed it back as discreetly as she could.
Mare paused above the paper. Should she be honest? Maybe it would be easier in this format.
It's hard to say. I don't know what you'll think.
Marianne's finger stalled for a moment, before she scribbled back a reply.
Why would I mind? Please, Mare, I want to help.
Mare toyed with her collar, unsure. That's what they all say.
Marianne felt hurt, but also extremely worried.
But I’m more than that to you, aren’t I? I would do that.
I… She paused. I guess so. I think I'm sick. She stared at her answer, fear heaving and swirling inside of her. She crumpled up the message and stuffed it into her pocket.
(Merry Christmas if you celebrate!)
Marianne glanced back at Mare, and her stomach dropped to the floor at the look on her face. She looked.. terrified, and wasn’t responding to the note.
(I do! Merry Christmas to you too 🤶)
(good haul of presents?)
Mare ignored Marianne's gaze. She felt herself tearing up and squeezed her eyes shut, breathing deeply. Her stomach knotted and she rolled the small piece of paper round her hands in a nervous movement.
(Yeah Lol, hbu?)
Marianne went into panic mode, turning around in her chair and leaning close to Mare. “Mare? What’s wrong??”
(Yeah quite good. I got the Doctor Who: Origins dvd :)
Mare silently set the paper onto Marianne's desk the second the bell rang.
(Whoah, sounds awesome! I got Hamilton merch XD)
Marianne opened the crumpled note almost desperately, staring at the scrawled lines of script for a moment before rising. “What do you mean?” she whispered anxiously, gathering her things.