First Light

37 caught

Friday 21st of January 2022 (the following week)

Faye:

It's way more difficult to not hold Marlo's hand when I'm tipsy.

I feel myself unconsciously moving closer to him, wanting to lean on him and link my fingers through his. I catch myself staring at him every time he talks, involuntarily smiling when he smiles.

Having to fold my arms so I don't accidentally reach out to him in front of everyone else here.

No one knows about Marlo and I, except Gia of course. It's not as if he's my boyfriend, so I can't hold his hand like I want to with everyone else here. I still don't know if he even wants people to know.

The only thing that's making me feel better is that I haven't seen any sign of Becca or Emily. It's actually funny how different the dynamic is when it's just us 5. It's a lot more relaxing, no tension.

After Jonah's birthday, they haven't really been hanging out with the rest of us. I've seen them at parties a couple times, but Marlo seems to find a different excuse every time to move away from them if they come over and talk to us for too long. Well, not "us". Him. And by "they", I mean Becca, of course.

I zone back in as someone nudges me, and I feel my face heat as I realise that everyone in the group is looking at me.

Gia laughs. "You okay, love?"

I laugh, too. "Sorry, yeah. Day-dreaming."

"I was just asking if you wanted to come with me to get another drink," Marlo says, pointing to my cup with his.

I look down into the empty contents of it, and then nod. "Okay, yeah. I'll come with you."

He smiles, placing his hand ever so slightly on the small of my back for a couple seconds to guide me in the right direction, which only worsens the heat in my cheeks. I follow him through the crowd, once again envious of how easily people move out of the way for him, my heart fluttering every time he looks back to check I'm still there. Only I'm so focused on him that I walk into someone else, sharply inhaling as their drink collides with my top.

I look down to inspect the damage, regaining composure as I realise that it's barely a spill, looking up to apologise to the boy for walking into him and going to step round him, but Marlo is in my way.

Pissed Marlo, might I add. But not at me.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" He barely needs to raise his voice to make his annoyance known.

"Me? What are you on about?" The boy says in response.

Marlo ignores him for a second to turn to me. "Are you okay?" The immediate tone-down of his voice nearly makes me laugh.

I nod a confused yes. "The drink barely spilt on me, it's fine."

He turns back to the boy. "I saw you walk into her. Watch where you're fucking going, especially with a cup that full."

Marlo doesn't wait for the boy's response before he takes me gently by the wrist, pulling me into walking again, only after he lets go I realise that we're not headed towards the kitchen, instead one of the bathrooms. It's a lot quieter here, no people.