𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐑 - marcus baker

two

There weren't many rides here with seats for three people.   That left us with one person sitting out or riding by themself a lot.

"Look! The Ferris wheel!" Monroe squealed excitedly.

"Why don't we find a ride for three?  We can go on the Ferris wheel later," Sadie suggested, making Monroe frown.

"No, you guys can go.  I have to use the restroom anyway," I told them as Monroe smiles.

She grabbed Sadie's wrist and dragged her to the line.  The town was small, so the lines were short, which was a great plus to living here.

I turned around and started walking to the snack bar.  I didn't really have to go to the restroom, I just needed a little break. Sadie and Monroe can be a bit too much sometimes.

When I got to the window, I ordered a pretzel and a soda.  Just as I started to pull my money out of my pocket, a hand reached in front of me, handing the man money.

I looked at the hand and followed it to its attached face.  Marcus.

I was expecting to see him tonight, but not this close.

"Can we talk?"

I don't know why I was so surprised that he was talking to me.  Maybe it was the anxiousness. 

The man behind the window put my food through it and I quickly grabbed it.  Without answering Marcus, I walked away hoping he wouldn't pursue me.

"Come on, Lin."

I stopped in my tracks when he said that.  No way he just called me that.

"Don't call me that."

"What? Look we both messed up, but we should move on and be friends," he continued.

"What? Do you not remember what you did?"

"That wasn't just on me.  It went both ways, Lin."

"Stop calling me that, dick."

He seemed shocked that I called him that. 

"You weren't innocent.  Sure I was wrong, but so were you."

"Fuck you, Marcus."

How could he think that I did anything wrong?  He was wrong.

"Didn't you already?"

I don't know what his goal was with saying that, but it was definitely ill-intentioned, and I wanted to throw my drink at him.  I thought about it for a second. They don't give free refills.   The small side of cheese that came with my pretzel was the only thing I could think of.

"What the fuck, Lin?"  Marcus raised his arms as he looked at the cheese on his shirt.

"My name is Aylin, dick."

With that, I made my way to the benches near the Ferris wheel.  Sadie and Monroe were already on the ride and were nearing the top. I waved at the two, hoping they'd see me. They do and they waved back as they scream like they were on the scariest ride they've ever been on. It was kind of a running joke we had: scream when you're not supposed to.