𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐞 || A Mafia Love Story

vii

The bell rang signaling the end of third period. Marlee and Roman grabbed their bags and made their way towards the door. Roman walked ahead of Marlee holding the door open for her. As Marlee walked past him she realized how Roman towered over her, the idea making her nervous. Marlee didn't care much for being around taller people. It made her feel small compared to them and insecure about her height.

Eventually lunch came around and Marley found her seat in the library today, opening a book to read. A loud crash sounded from the front of the library making Marlee's heart jolt. The girl placed her book down marking the chapter and peaked her head around the bookshelf she was sat behind. The sight before her nearly made her laugh out loud. Her new friend Roman had knocked an entire display over and was getting reprimanded by the librarian. Roman caught sight of Marlee's small form and waved wildly with a goofy smile plastered on his face. Roman looked away and busied himself with cleaning the mess he made.

Marlee recognized the sound of his footsteps approaching and looked up to meet his gaze. "Hi." Marlee peeped bouncing her leg under the table. "Sorry I took so long, I couldn't find you!" Roman chuckled while he sat down. "Whatcha reading?" Marlee glanced away bashfully not liking to share her books with others. "Oh well it's just a f-fantasy book." The girl began to ramble in defense of herself and her book but was cut short.

"Hey, there's no need to be embarrassed I like reading too!" Roman smiled. Marlee's eyes lit up and she almost jumped out of her seat with the questions she wanted to ask. "Really?! What kind? What's your favorite?" Marlee fumbled over her word's thoughts racing through her mind.

"Well, I've been reading-" The bell cut Roman short, making Marlee's gaze drop to her shoes. "Oh, well I guess we can talk about it another time maybe... if you want to." Roman chuckled at the girl's nervousness. "Of course I want to goof." He laughed as he tapped her forehead with his finger. Marlee scowled and rubbed her forehead before looking up at him with a smile. "Really?!"

"Well, yah, were friends now we can talk about it on the way to class." He mused.

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"And then they went to this big forest and-" Marlee's words quieted as they approached their class and Roman felt Marlee tug on the side of his shirt. The girl didn't say anything like Roman thought she would and just kept her hand there. Roman looked up his eyes falling on an average blonde girl with nice hair and an obnoxious laugh. She was standing with a group of guys laughing her head off at something they said while placing her hand on one of their arms. Roman looked down at Marlee, their height difference making him smirk. She was gnawing on her cuticles and looked nervous.

"Hey what's wrong Marlee?" Roman questioned nudging her with his shoulder. Marlee hummed and shook her head and walked into the class dragging Roman with her as her hand was still gripping his shirt. Roman knew someone in that group was probably one of the people being mean to his new friend. So, he sent each one of them a deadly glare which fell from his face as soon as he looked away. Marlee and Roman conversed about their favorite books for the rest of class before going their separate ways for their last period of the day.

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"Marlee!" Roman yelled jogging to catch up with the girls retreating form. Marlee turned a smile on her face. "Do you need a ride home?" Marlee furrowed her brows in thought and looked away from him. The small girl hummed before nodding her head excitedly.

Roman opened the door to his grey truck for the girl and offered her a hand up as the passenger seat sat far above her height. Roman shut the door for the girl and got in asking for directions.

Once they arrived Roman looked over to Marlee who looked to be deep in thought. Roman figured she was going to ask him something, so he waited patiently for Marlee to finish thinking. "Do you want to come in? I'm making cookies for my grandpa. You can help if you want." She beamed. "I'd love too, I haven't made cookies in ages." Marlee hopped down out of the truck before walking up the gravel drive with her friend in tow. The pair spent the next few hours baking cookies and the house filled with the smell of warm chocolate and sweet flour.

"Stop eating them all." Marlee giggled sweetly. "Says you!" Roman laughed a shocked expression on his face. Roman reached his hand towards her face swiping his finger on her cheek before shoving the chocolate covered finger back in her face. "Look! You ate as many as I did!" Roman accused. Marlee laughed, this being one of the happiest moments of her life. She hadn't had a real friend since middle school.

A while later once the cookies cooled Marlee packed them into a bag and tied a pink ribbon around it in a bow. "Where's your grandpa at anyways?" Roman questioned. "Well, he's working so I was going to walk there!" Roman furrowed his eyebrows and checked his phone. "It's almost dark Marlee, I'll drive you there." "But I do it all the time!" Marlee scowled and crossed her arms. Roman nearly laughed at the cute look on her face. Roman reached his arm passed her without breaking eye contact and grabbed the bag of cookies from the counter. He quickly turned and walked out the front door. "Hey! I said I'm gonna walk!" Marlee yelled out the door. Roman ignored her and got in his truck down the driveway.

Roman heard the truck door open and close and a small sigh come from the girl next to him. "Where to?" Roman chuckled. "Down the street." She mumbled begrudgingly.