First Light

58 mr and mrs dubois

Friday 22nd of April 2022 (the following week)

Marlo:

Laila teases as I go to ask my dad if I look okay.

"You look terrified. Like you're being sent in as a gladiator to fight a lion or something."

I roll my eyes and ignore her.

"Be nice," My dad directs towards her, then turns his attention back to me. "You look great, son."

I nod, pulling the end of my T-shirt down instinctively even though it'll do nothing to alter my appearance whatsoever.

"When are you leaving?" He asks, and I check the time on my phone.

"In like, 10 minutes." I reply.

"You're completely ready, yes?"

"Yeah."

"Did you remember to put deodorant on?" Laila chips in from her place on the sofa. "Because you've already sweat through your top."

"What?" The speed at which I raise my arm to check almost makes me accidentally hit myself in the face, but Laila's laughing.

"That was a joke." She clarifies.

"Not funny," I snap, because now that she's brought it up makes me think that it's a bad idea to wear something light-coloured. "I'm going to change."

"Make sure you're not late!" Dad calls after me as I run up the stairs to my room.

I change out of my grey T-shirt and into a navy one, a colour I know will hide any kind of sweat or food and drink that I manage to spill on myself. I wonder if I should also change into darker trousers, out of the light-wash jeans I have on right now. The longer I stare at my clothes the drier my mouth gets.

Am I overthinking this too much? I'm not sure.

I change.

Laila raises an eyebrow at me as I rush back into the living room, grabbing my bag and slinging it over one shoulder.

"You've even changed your shoes." She says.

"Shut up," I mutter, turning to face my dad. "Does this look okay?"

"Yes, Marlo, you look fine. They won't care what colour your clothes are."

"I know, I just want it to go well." I answer.

"It will, don't worry," His head turns to the wall. "Shouldn't you be leaving now?"

My head whips towards the clock that he just looked at. It's 2 minutes after I was supposed to leave.

"Mars, you won't be late, don't worry," Dad says as I fast-walk out of the living-room. "Text me when you're there! And say hi to Faye for us!"

"I will!" I call out.

I've misjudged the weather as I open the door, expecting it to be warm like summer but instead I get clouds and a cold breeze. I rush back inside and pick up the first jacket of mine I see - a black zip-up hoodie.

"Good luck!" Laila shouts after me just as I'm about to close the door.

I don't have time to thank her.

I don't think I have ever walked to the bus-stop so fast in my life. The bus seems to be going painstakingly slowly, but I know that it's just my overthinking and that it is going at a regular pace. I texted Faye the moment I sat down to tell her I'm on my way.

I left a bit later than I was meant to
Gna have a mental breakdown if I'm late

Her reply comes in a couple minutes later.