I walk with Marcy to deliver the dogs, and we walk to her car that's parked nearby. I let her pick where to go since she's driving and just stare out the window. When we pull up at the bakery, I can't help but cringe a little.
"What, not in the mood for sandwiches?" she asks.
"it's not that, it's just that being here reminds me of Lily. She'd never seen the soda machines before and had like two helpings of the sprite strawberry. Sugary things always gets her hyped up. And then she got soup and bread, and I swear to God if they'd given her an entire life loaf she would have eaten the entire thing," I say. Marcy laughs and pats my head before getting out of the car.
"Just enjoy the good memories, then. It's not over yet, you may be able to bring her back to the bakery some day," she says.
"It just feels like it's over," I say.
"Milo, it's barely been a day, you have to relax. I know it's hard to give her space, but if that's what she needs, you have to be the better man and give it to her rather than bother her," Marcy says.
"Yeah, you're right. I'm just a whiny little boy," I say.
"Little boy? No. But whiner, you absolutely are," she says. I smirk and pat her head back. We head inside. I order my usual french dip and Marcy gets a tuna salad.
"So, how are you and Kolby?" I ask as we sit down with our food. "We haven't been alone to really talk about it."
"We're good. To be honest, I'd been wanting a relationship with him again for a long time, but he was still being stupid and I didn't know how to tell him. I was afraid he'd laugh at me. So I started pushing him away as a friend, which is why he was always following me around to bother me. He didn't get the hint that I was pissed off," Marcy says.
"It doesn't bother you that he's been with other girls?" I ask. She shakes her head.
"I've been with plenty of other guys, before and after we dated the first time, so of course it doesn't bother me. It's actually kind of nice. We both have experience, so we get to skip over the awkward phase and go back to how things were. We were really passionate for each other, it just fell apart," she says.
"Yeah, I've noticed. You guys are kind of PDA central," I say. She laughs.
"Sorry not sorry. But hey, maybe when you and Lily have been dating longer she'll be like that, you never know," Marcy says. The thought of Lily being all lovey with me makes me blush.
"I'm not sure if I can handle that," I say.
"If you can't handle it, or your dick?" she jokes.
"Both," I say. "We haven't been together long enough to, you know, so the sexual tension builds up more than I want sometimes," I admit.
"That's only because you're a virgin. Once you do it once it's not such a big deal anymore," she says.
"Gee, thanks Mars," I say.
"Sorry but it's true. But trust me, once Lily's had her time alone, she'll probably be missing you a lot which could lead to more affection. But I'm sure it'll take her some time, she's not anything like I am," Marcy says.
"That's for sure. I just hope she does come back," I say.
"She will, so stop hoping. Just know she will, when she's ready," she says.
"But the concert is in a few days," I say.
"And hopefully she'll be ready by then, but if not then you'll just have to wait till the next time a decent band rolls into town," she says.
"She was so excited about meeting them though," I say.
"I know, but if she misses out, it's no one's fault but hers," Marcy says.
"Hey Mars?" I ask.
"Yeah?"
"Kolby said something the other day about how you'd changed, but it wasn't something I'd notice. What did he mean by that? You're my best friend, I would think that I'd notice if something changed," I say.
"I've been meaning to tell you, I promise," she says. I frown.
"You're hiding something?" I say.
"Nothing bad, I swear. I just didn't know what would be the right time, it's big news," she says.
"Oh god, please tell me Kolby did not get you pregnant," I say.
"What? No! God no, I'd never be that stupid. The news is that I uh... I'm finally going to school," she says. My ears perk up.
"School? For what?" I ask.
"I finally decided to pursue my dreams of animation," she says.
"What was it that finally made you decide?" I ask. She shrugs.
"Kolby says a lot about taking chances and doing what your heart wants. His heart wanted to fix things and get back together with me, so he said that if my heart wants to go to school, that I should go," Marcy says.
"Where would you go? There's no animation programs at the schools here," I say.
"That's the news. I applied around to some of my top choices, and I got into the school of visual arts in New York," she says.
"New york? That's amazing, congrats!" I exclaim. She forces a smile.
"Thanks," she mumbles.
"Why don't you seem excited?" I ask.
"Well, it would mean leaving you and Kolby. But Kolby decided that he wants to get out of here and start fresh somewhere, so he's going to go with me, there's a mall in New York that is offering both of us transfers," she says.
"Oh, so both of my best friends are leaving," I say.
"But you'll have Lily, and we can facetime all the time," she says.
"Will I have Lily? What if she decides she doesn't want to be with me?" I say.
"She loves you Milo, I can feel it. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner, I just knew you'd be upset," she says.
"Well yeah, you two have been my friends for forever, I can't imagine life without you guys," I say.
"We'll visit on holidays since our parents are here. But think about it this way. Me and him are starting our new lives in New York, but you'll start a new life here, with Lily," she says.
"When will you leave?" I ask.
"Not until the spring, it's too late to apply for fall semester. So we'll still be able to have Christmas together, and a kick ass New Years Eve party, and plenty of double dates before we go," she says. We'd finished our food at this point, so I get up to hug her. I hold her for a long time, not wanting to let go. Because if she leaves and Lily never comes back, I'll have no one.
"Things are going to be okay Milo," she says.
"Promise?" I ask.
"I promise."
YOU ARE READING
A Library Romance
RomanceHe'd been watching her in the library for days. She'd noticed him, but said nothing. It was fun that way. It was their little game, hide and seek without ever acknowledging that they had been found. Until Milo gets a speeding ticket and ends up doin...
