Five Years Without You (HIATUS)

Chapter Seven

~Marissa~

The next day, Joshua takes the twins and I to Claremont Memorial Park to chill. I know it's mostly for Ash and Matty, they love that place. I guess Josh wants some sibling time with us before he goes off to university.

Josh and I sit under a tree, watching Asher and Mateo chase each other under the still apparent but cloud-obscured sun, evidence of the coming September.

Josh turns to face me. "Riss, you're not usually this quiet," he says.

My older brother knows me too well. He knows when I'm quiet like I am right now, I'm thinking. I'll admit, I'm thinking about my day yesterday with Raelyn.

"I know," I reply, "I'm just watching."

"You are so bad at lying."

"That's 'cause I don't frequently lie."

"So you are lying to me," Josh says. "Damn, Marissa. That doesn't usually happen." He says this with pretend hurt beneath his voice.

A burst of wind shakes the tree's leaves and rumples our hair.

"Agh, that's annoying," Joshua complains, picking a few leaves out of his wavy, light brown hair.

I laugh, combing my own hair with my fingers. Luckily, I didn't get any leaves.

"So, tell me about this guy or girl," Josh says.

My considerate brother has made a habit of asking me whether my romantic interests are male or female since I'm bisexual. It's something small he does that I love.

I chuckle. "Josh, there's no one to tell about," I insist.

My brother completely disregards my comment. "Is it... what's her name? Raelyn?" he asks.

I look at him, attempting to wipe my expression blank.

"What? I'm just saying, like, you two would be cute together," he says, laughing.

I roll my eyes at him playfully. "Really, big brother?"

"Yeah. I mean, if you want," he says.

I shrug. "I don't know."

"You don't know what?"

"Feelings."

"You are being vague."

"I mean I don't know what to feel."

"Ah."

I watch Asher chase Mateo for a while, both boys screaming playfully.

"You only live so long, Marissa," Josh points out.

"I know," I reply quietly.

-

Later, at home, I am sprawled out on my bed, the fairy lights on the wall behind me radiating a small amount of heat on my hair.

My phone vibrates beside my head, making me jump slightly in surprise.

Conversation with Raelyn Arelais-Davis:

Raelyn: hey, it's raelyn. are you available right now? i want to take you somewhere.

It's probably just me being paranoid, but Raelyn's text kind of scares me. I decide to call her.

Calling Raelyn Arelais-Davis

"Raelyn?" I say.

"Hello, Marissa." Raelyn's voice is crisp and factual, even from the speaker of my phone.

I ask, "Where do you want to take me?"

"It's a surprise," Raelyn says simply.

I stay silent for a while, considering whether I want to go somewhere alone with this clever girl.