Marked by Obsession

11.

I kept reading, falling in love with every word she had written about me.
I was right, she IS smart.
Marcy had noticed me, the way I wanted her to.
At least she was beginning to.

By the end of that description, I laid back on my bed while practically hugging the paper.
I just have to find a way of getting closer to her, become a part of her life like I want to.
My heart is beating fast, what if she actually falls for me?
What if I manage to make her love me?

3rd of November

I leaned back on the worn leather couch in Chester's living room, absently watching the muted TV as he flipped through some video game menus.
It was a lazy Saturday, no university, no obligations. A faint smell of popcorn drifted in from the kitchen where Erika was hanging out with a friend of hers, Rachel.
"Man, I haven't touched this game in months," Chester muttered, half to himself, scrolling through the options.
His short-cropped brown hair was messy, like he hadn't bothered much with it that morning.
He glanced over at me, I had barely said a word since coming over.
"You good? You seem quieter than usual. Still hung up on that girl from your class?"

I was brought back from my daze, and shrugged, leaning forward while running a hand over my buzzcut.
"Yeah, something like that."
He snorted, nudging me with his elbow.
"You've gotta chill back. She's just one girl."
Our conversation then was paused by the sound of giggling from the kitchen.
Erika appeared in the doorway, carrying a large bowl of popcorn. Behind her, Rachel followed, her eyes softly darting towards me before she quickly looked away when I glanced in her direction.
Rachel was petite with curly dark hair and a bright smile, the kind of smile that lingered after a laugh.

"We're stealing some of the popcorn," Erika announced, settling the bowl down on the coffee table and then tying her long, brown hair in a messy bun.
"You boys need anything else?"
I shook my head, my eyes flickered to Rachel who seemed to be trying not to stare at me.
She smiled awkwardly when our eyes met, I felt uncertain as to what I should have done.
"All good, thanks," Chester replied, clearly noticing the exchange and then winking at me.
He couldn't have made it more obvious.
He gave his sister a knowing look before she returned to the kitchen with her friend.

Once they were out of earshot, he leaned closer, raising an eyebrow.
"Rachel's into you. I can tell."
I frowned, glancing toward the kitchen where the girls were laughing again.
"What? No way."
"She was checking you out." He chuckled, tossing a controller on my lap.
"Maybe you should try talking to her."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help glancing toward the kitchen again.
I had only seen Rachel once before today, and she's just someone that hangs out with my friends, which are Erika and Chester in this case.

She is a nice girl, seems pretty cool.
But she is not Marcy, and I want to be faithful.
Kissing another while being drunk during Halloween, was already enough of a disaster.
I didn't need other girls to distract me, or move my attention away from Marceline.

I only want her, and I won't stop until I have her.

For the next two hours or so, we played video games continuously.
The sound of gunfire and explosions filled the space, but it had become quiet. Me and Chester both sat down on the worn-out couch, controllers abandoned on the coffee table near the empty bowl.
He stood up first, stretched his arms and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I need some air, wanna come outside?"
I soon followed him out onto the porch.
The night was cool, a light breeze whispering through the trees.
We leaned against the railing, staring out at the empty street. The silence was comfortable, marked by the occasional sound of distant traffic.

The tall, brown haired boy reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes.
"You want one?" He held the pack out towards me.
I hesitated, glancing at it and then shaking my head.
"Not my thing." Although, it was tempting.
Chester lit one for himself, the flick of the lighter illuminating his face.
He exhaled slowly, the smoke swirling into the night air.
"Suit yourself." He took another drag, his eyes squinting slightly as he watched the smoke drift away.
"You've been quiet all day."
I ran a hand through my buzzed hair, sighing.
"Just... stuff on my mind."
"Marcy?" My friend asked, and I shot him a sideways glance which was all the confirmation he needed.
He smirked and took another puff.
"You think too much."

"And you don't think enough." I scoffed, half-smirking.
"I'm just saying. You get stuck in your head too much. What's the worst that could happen? She says no? Big deal." He tapped the ash off at the end of his cigarette.
"Maybe." I muttered, though I know I didn't sound convinced and staring out at the street again, my mind wondered.
"I really want her."
"And I want money, what's your point here?" Chester made me laugh and I shoved him playfully.

The laughter slowly faded, replaced by smiles.
"Honestly, though... Bogdan told me you're fixated on her. So why not properly make a move? If you can't be her boyfriend, at least try to be her friend." He grew more serious, actually giving me good advice.
"I talked to her yesterday, in class. I'm going to try again, but I don't want to be her friend. I want her to love me, to look at me the way I look at her."
Chester was probably the only one I could get emotional with, show my passion for something without being judged.
He took another drag, the tip of the cigarette dimly glowing.
"What did you talk to her about?"
"We had this assignment— body language stuff. I was drawing a blank, so I asked her about her perfume." I said, remembering the scene in my head.

"Bold move." Chester smirked.
"I was nervous, just needed to say something. But then we ended up talking about how perfumes affect or tell on behaviour. She seemed into the conversation, like, actually curious." I explained, leaning forward with my arms on the railing.