Love Is Complicated

Bully

~~trigger warning!~~

Marc!"

Marcus stopped in his tracks and sighed. That was the voice of one of his best friends, Stephanie. He turned around to see her and her bright pink curls bouncing as she ran down the hall to him.

Marcus couldn't help but chuckle at the state she was in. It looked like she came straight from her last class, which was Gym. Her hair was all over, her face was bright red, and she was panting hard.

"What, did P.E. kick your ass again?" He smiled.

She glared at him as she fixed her hair into a ponytail.

"I'll have you know..." She said in between breaths. "...that I just ran the mile." She smiled proudly and held up two fingers once she was done with her hair. "Twice."

His eyes widened at the news. "Why on Earth would you do that?! It's 85° outside! Are you insane?!"

"Apparently so. Now, I regret it, so spare me the lecture and give me your water bottle." She demanded.

Marcus scoffed playfully and protected the water bottle from her. "And what makes you think I'm your water bitch?"

Stephanie made several moves to get the water bottle, but Marcus dodged each one with a smile. Then he held it up above his head, just to be mean.

"Okay, that's just rude." She glared at the water bottle that was now out of her reach. Stephanie jumped, hoping it would help, but he just moved it from her. "So not fair."

Marcus smirked. He was much taller than her: towering over her 5'4" stature at 6'2".

Stephanie crossed her arms and gave a smug look. "You can just walk home. But that would really be a bummer cuz we were gonna go for ice cream at Sammy's." She shrugged and walked towards her locker. School was out for the day now. Stephanie almost never changed out of her gym clothes after class. She didn't want to get her day clothes all sweaty and she always showered as soon as she got home.

"That's so rude." Marcus shrieked as they walked. "How dare you."

The smirk remained on Stephanie's face as she turned around and held out her hand.

"So, water?" She smiled sweetly.

Marcus rolled his eyes. "I hate you." He joked.

"I love you, too." She said, then began chugging the water.

"And now I have to refill that." He said as she downed the entire container. "Again."

"You run the mile twice in one class, leisurely, because Ms. Kirkland is a cunt, and see how much water you need." She handed it back and turned into her locker to grab her bag. "Where's Andy meeting us?" She almost closed her door before remembering to change her shoes. "Damn."

Marcus snickered as he watched her. "Around back. But he's gotta talk to one of his teachers. I think." He furrowed his brow. "Y'know, I'm not really sure."

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Ah, Marcus. Marcus, Marcus, Marcus." She shook her head with a chuckle.

"What? I'm not his keeper."

"I know. I just like saying your name like that. Anyone's name like that, really. It's fun." She finished her shoes, stood up, and closed her locker. "Shall we?" She gestured to the door.

Marcus nodded and let her lead the way.

"I hope Andy figures it out soon. I wanna get there before the line gets too long."