Wanting some privacy, I suggest that we go back to my place, which Marley eagerly agrees to. Aiden has occupational therapy this afternoon, so the apartment is empty. With each creak of the old floorboards, my stomach seems to fill with more butterflies. Am I really going to do this? Do I even want to do this?
"You're gonna tell me something I don't want to hear, aren't you?" Marley asks, frowning.
I sigh. "Yeah."
"About Leo?" He asks.
"Yes."
"Figures," Marley shakes his head. "So, was I just a placeholder or something?"
"Of course not," I say.
Marley chews on his lip, choking back tears. The most heartbreaking part is that I didn't even need to give him any details other than Leo. It's not like I don't want Marley in my life, I'm just not sure how to go about repairing all the damage I've done.
"But you don't like me the way you like him, do you?"
I shut my eyes for a moment before meeting his gaze. "No, I don't."
"Bullshit." He says, moving closer to me.
Marley places his hand on my arm and I won't lie: I definitely feel something. Call it admiration or lust, but he's right--there's not nothing here. But I'm in love with Leo. Aren't I?
"Marley, stop," I say, scooting away from him. "Just--stop, okay?"
He purses his lips, nodding to himself as a couple tears spill down his cheeks. He has to remove his glasses to dry his eyes. Fuck. What am I doing?
"I do love you, by the way," I smile. "Just not the same way that I love Leo."
Marley inches closer to me again but doesn't make any physical contact. He just looks at me with his wide, hazel eyes, innocently. My heart starts to pound in my chest. Marley inches closer once more, so that our faces are only a few inches apart. He places his hand to my cheek and I don't stop him.
What are you doing? I think to myself.
"Bullshit." Marley repeats.
And this time, I'm the one that kisses him.
YOU ARE READING
Alterity
Teen Fiction15-year-old Erik Morris is beginning his freshman year of high school at The Ducharme School: a specialty school, following being held back the previous year due to struggles with learning disabilities. Despite initially feeling entirely alone, Erik...
