Love Grows ♡ Kenjorine

Chapter 16 ♡

Marjorine's point of view ♡ 

Shortly after the three of us arrive at college, Wendy is quick to banish herself to Bebe, supposedly about to rave about Stan. I take this as an opportunity to have a conversation with Heidi. We barely talked on the walk to college, and I simply cannot bare the tension.

"Heidi?" I ask, stopping her before she walks inside. "We still have half an hour before either of our lectures start. Do you want to sit down?"

Heidi shrugs and for the first time this morning, she smiles.

"Sure, I don't see why not."

I lead her to a secluded bench a little further away from the smoking area, so she won't feel uncomfortable confiding in me. "I wish I could spark a joint here," she mumbles. "It's kind of pretty."

She's right. We're around the corner, and unlike the main smoking area, which is constantly full to the brim with angsty young adults, where the ground is typically littered with crisp wrappers and dead vapes - here is peace and quiet. The grass is freshly cut and has that smell about it, whilst daisies are sprouting from under it. . maybe we could make this a new little hiding spot.

Heidi and I sit across from each other and chatter a little bit, which reassures me completely. Even so, I cannot let myself beat around the bush. I brought her here for clarity.

"I noticed you haven't been yourself since I got home last night, Heidi," I say shyly. "Is there something up?"

Heidi sighs, looking startled. I don't know why she's so surprised that I'm on to her, it's not like we've been joint at the hip for the past couple of years.

"Can you guess what it is?" she asks, seeming defeated.

"You. . you're mad at Stan, right?"

"I'm just disillusioned," Heidi blurts out, a little bit embarrassed. "I don't understand why Wendy falls for him, over and over again. . I know they had a great relationship at some points, but the bad must outweigh the good, right? When they were together, especially in their later years, he barely even appreciated her. Never complimented her, never taken her on a date, nothing. Not to mention he literally cheated on her. Whose to say he wouldn't do it again?"

"I know, I know," I console Heidi, completely understanding of everything she's saying. I know that it is true, Stan did cheat on Wendy. But she never once told us with who. In fact, nobody really knows, I'm sure if it was wide-spread Bebe or somebody would've bitched about it by now. Heidi and I were obviously too busy consoling Wendy to focus on who he cheated with, but it does slip in to my head sometimes.

"But Heidi, don't you think the best thing we can do for Wendy's mental health is support her?" I ask nicely. "Her brain must be completely fried right now. She asked me herself for our support."

"I just can't support the mistreatment of such a caring, beautiful girl," Heidi says, her head lowering. "Wendy and I have been so close. Even before we came around to you, Marjorine. I'm not jealous, I promise, but I wish she had the time for somebody who actually cared for her instead of somebody as aloof as Stan."

I think it's about time I ask the question. It's getting all a bit too real now - and I don't know when I'd have another chance.

"Heidi. . do you like Wendy?"

I gasp quietly at myself, unable to believe what I'd just asked. Heidi's eyes widen generously. We sit in silence for a couple of seconds, and just stare at each other.

"You can't let anybody know," she mumbles, as I watch her lips quaver. I fear I may have made her well up.

"It was much, much easier to conceal when Stan was out of the picture. But now, I'm at a complete loss. I could force myself to fall for Kyle, I could distract myself with studies, or getting high, but nothing compares to her. You know what we're like, Marj. She's been my best friend since Elementary School."