Falsettos College AU

Trina and Marvin's Story

Mendel

I'm sitting at a table in the library, wringing my hands nervously. I'm meeting Trina here today, and I'm starting to have doubts that she's coming. We've only spoken a couple of times before. Maybe she doesn't think I'll be useful to talk to even thought I'm a psychology major.

"There you are," she tells me, sitting down. I turn to her, startled, but glad she showed up. "Sorry I'm late. I was looking for a place to get lunch."

"That's fine," I reply. Maybe we should have some small talk before getting down to business, whatever that's going to be.

"So." Trina rests her arm against the table. "Are you seeing anybody?"

I can feel myself blushing. Is she hitting on me or just trying to make conversation? "Uh, no. I've never really had time for a relationship. Work is my passion."

She gives me a weird look. "Do you even have a job?"

"No." I decide to change the subject. "Anyway. Trina. When we met, I found out that you used to date Marvin. What was that like?"

"Well, I don't know what you've heard from him, but my experience was awful." She sighs. "I mean, of course I loved him. Or maybe I thought I did. And when we started dating, in the middle of our junior year, everything seemed to be going fine. He took my virginity."

"He— oh," I reply, not knowing what else to say. I nod awkwardly. "All right. Continue."

"So it was going fine, right? And then all of a sudden he stopped returning my calls. He left me on read if I tried to text him, and we stopped hanging out after class. I thought he was just getting busy with college things, you know? I mean, clearly I was doing the same thing."

"Right."

"And then late March he tells me he doesn't think it's working out. Like, no shit, Marvin, but why? I was confused, and I was hurt, but I told myself that this could be my chance to have a new start. You know? So I tried to forget about Marvin, and then all of a sudden I find out he goes here, and he's had a boyfriend all this time?"

"That must be tough," I agree, ignoring the fact that it was my fault she found out in the first place. "If it makes you feel any better, I don't think they started dating for real until after you two broke up. And it's not like he was attracted to you anyway."

Trina rubs her temple exasperatedly. "It doesn't."

"Sorry." I really don't know what I'm supposed to do now. Is this what being a psychiatrist is like? At least I still have twelve or so more years to prepare. Because, if I'm being honest, I'm a first-year psychology student in September, and I have no idea what I'm talking about.

"Thank you, Mendel," she says finally, which catches me off guard, because I just admitted to myself that I'm an idiot. "This has been pretty rough on me now that it's all coming back in these last few weeks, and it really helps to talk to you?"

"Really? I mean, thanks. I mean, you're welcome. Glad I could help."

"Of course." She reaches out to pat me on the arm, but lingers a moment. I glance at her hand, which is now going up and down over my sleeve, as if she forgot what other people felt like.

"Uh... Trina?"

"Damn it! I'm sorry." She pulls her hand away, looking embarrassed. "Look, it's a whole thing. I guess I've just been really lonely lately. Like, really, really lonely."

"It's okay," I assure her. Honestly? I feel lonely every once in a while. Especially since Trina is my only friend after a month of college (although Marvin could also be counted. And his boyfriend and his roommate, because I've heard about them).

We're still sitting there a while later, neither of us knowing what to say. Trina clears her throat. "Do you want to get something to eat?" she offers.

"I thought you just had lunch."

"No, I was just looking for a place to have lunch. I didn't eat yet because... I didn't really want to."

"Fair. Well, that would be lovely," I tell her. "Just let me get my backpack and we can go."

So we go. We talk a bit more over lunch, and it's surprisingly easier to talk to her now. Maybe we both just needed some food to loosen us up. I hear more details about her relationship with Marvin, and honestly it's sad. She didn't deserve that. She's a lovely girl. Very, very...

What am I doing? I'm supposed to be this girl's psychiatrist. True, I haven't had all my training, or even two months of classes, but still. She trusts me, and I can't develop any kind of feelings but professional. That said, I at least want to be friends outside of our little therapy sessions.

After lunch, we head back to campus and go our separate ways. I don't know what to do this afternoon, so I decide to call Marvin.

"Hey, Marv! How's it going?" I exclaim when he picks up.

"Mendel, how the fuck did you get my number?"

"I looked it up in the Dean's main office. Just let me talk to you for a bit, please."

"No. I'm hanging up."

"MARVIN!" I shout. "I have things to talk to you about! Don't you dare hang up!"

He sighs. "All right, drama queen. What do you want to talk about."

"So I was talking with your ex-girlfriend earlier..."

"Ugh. Mendel." He groans. "It's creepy that you and Trina are friends."

"At least I didn't leave her for another man," I say simply. "Look. I needed to ask you some questions about her, and I want you to answer them honestly."

"Fine. What are they?"

I pause. "What's her favourite flower?"

I can hear Marvin cry out on the other end, "What the hell, Mendel?!" at the same time as I add, "it's not what you think! Our relationship is completely platonic! Platonic flowers!"

"No! I'm not telling you what type of flowers to get her!"

"Marvin—" I begin, but he hangs up before I can finish. I look at my phone and sigh. "He really did it."

Was that a weird question? I just want to get her flowers to help her cope with the stress of finding out she goes to the same college as her ex and his new boyfriend. Is that so wrong?

Maybe all she needs is someone to listen. And like I said before, I'm willing to be that, if nothing more.