Down the Alleyway

Chapter 10

Viane

This is probably gonna sound weird but...

"I want you to be Marriane."

There's a beat and his demeanor changed. His smile faded into an irritated frown only Marriane could pull off beautifully. One of his hand went to his waist, hips slanting in a way any teenage girl would do.

It looks funny on him but the way he did it so flawlessy is scary.

"He-hey, Marriane." I waved at him (her?) rather stiffly. "Can I... ask you something?"

"Just get on with it!" he answered harshly. The new expression on his face is so foreign that it made me uncomfortable.

I took tiny steps forward.

"As your friend, I was just wondering--"

He backhanded me out of nowhere. It's force made me turn and I almost lost my balance.

"What's the big idea, bitch?!" I addressed Mr. Wae but he just rolled his eyes at me, still carrying on as Marriane.

"I want you to act friendly with me!" my voice came out wobbly.

What the fuck? My hand went up to my throbbing cheeks and my vision became blurred as tears started pouring out. Why can't anything go my way? All I wanted is for her to be my friend. Why can't he do that?

"Make Marriane my friend!"

"I hate to break it to you but..." his frown turned into his usual smile, "Miss Marriane had never been friendly with you, so I really have no basis."

My eyes grew wide.

Never been friendly with me? But--but she said she's my friend. She's just moody that's all--

"But this however," he pointed at my current state, "is heavily supported."

I bit my shaking lips, my eyes averted his gaze.

That can't be it. There might be something. Something that resembles friendship even a little spark of acknowledgement.

I held my breath and I searched my mind.

Just something. Give me something.

We were smiling but she wasn't looking at me, I was at the very end of the trio, tailing them.

Is that good enough?

"She was using you, Miss Viane."

"Shut up!"

I don't wanna hear that.

We were taking pictures. We all smiled. The camera flashed and they all came out fine but I was cut out of the photo.

They didn't do that on purpose, did they?

"She treated you badly."

Shut up. Shup up. Shut up!

"Marrinne, we're friends right?"

"What? Sorry I didnt hear you."

"Friends. We're friends right?"

"Uh-- yeah, sure. We're friends."

Is that it? Is that the best proof I've got?

I never remembered it sounding like this. Have I been so--

"She never considered you as a frien--"

"SHUP THE FUCK UP!"

He clammed up immediately.