Stars at Dusk

But the words never came out his mouth.

7 Years Earlier: 

Marie questioned her discussion to leave without Mark. He was her first love, first kiss and recently, her first sexual experience. Fall was drawing near and Meadows was the last place Marie wanted to be after high school. She had dreams of being a fashion designer and remaining in Meadows would only lead to a career as a teacher or housewife.

Marie had big city dreams, while Mark was the former star athlete destined for stardom. He tore his ACL during the championship game of his junior year. After his injury, college recruits slowly began losing their interest in him. Fearful, that he could never live up to his former self; he never returned to the court. After receiving a rejection letter from USC, his father, Mark Sr. began his campaign for Mark following in his footsteps as mayor.

It was no secret that Marie planned to leave the first chance she got; but still Mark played with the idea that the love blossoming between them would be enough to make her stay. Since then, Mark seem to be uninterested in plans to travel to Los Angeles. As freshman in high school , they planned to go together. He would go USC to play basketball and she would use her grandmother's connections to start interning for a fashion magazine.

Marie knew how painful giving up his basketball dream was, but she thought traveling to Los Angeles would be good for Mark too. He could start fresh and be the support system she has been for him during his basketball days.

Marie finished packing and became anxious. She had two sets of bus tickets and plane tickets sitting on her dresser. Marie never discussed the possibility of Mark not accompanying  her to her grandmother because although she knew Mark was showing interest in politics, he has never officially canceled. Marie decided that even if Mark didn't go, she had to prove everyone who said she would never go wrong. Her grandmother had pulled too many strings to get her an internship with a magazine for her to back out now.

Mark and Marie did not discuss the trip to LA in recent days however they both knew the discussion was inevitable. Marie grabbed the tickets off the dresser and headed to Mark's house.

When Marie arrived at Mark's house, Amanda met her at the gate.

"Marie!" Amanda pulled Marie into a hug. " I see it's the end of the summer and you're still in good ol' Meadows, We are going to miss you around here when you finally leave ."

Marie forced a smile.

"Don't worry, I'll keep Mark company while you're away."  Amanda giggled.

Marie ignored Amanda and met Mark on the porch where he had been watching their exchange.

"I didn't know you were so close to Amanda."

" I'm not, she was here for my sister. You going to give me a hug or just stand there looking at me?" Mark stretched out his arms towards Marie. Marie pushed past Mark, he followed behind her to the pool house. She sat on the futon and waited for Mark to join her, clenching tickets in her coat pocket.

"You should of told me you were stopping by." 

"We can't keep dancing around LA." Marie looked into Mark's eyes hoping for a glimmer of hope that he would hear her out.

" I don't want to fight."

"I didn't come here to fight. I came here to give you these." Marie took the tickets out of her pocket and handed them to Mark.

Mark sighed. "Marie, I love you. But,"

Marie interrupted Mark. "Why does their have to be a but. You love me and I love you. We've dreamed of going to LA since we were 14 years old. That's always been the plan."

"Marie, this," Mark looked down at his knee, "was never the plan". 

There's nothing for us here Mark. I can't survive here and I can't survive LA without you." 

Marie was looking for reassurance in Marks eyes. He didn't speak. He pulled her closer to him and kissed her forehead and then her lips. She later her head on his chest and they did not speak. The silence between them spoke volumes.

Marie was awakened by her mothers ring tone. It was after 9:00 PM which meant she had been sleep for an hour of so. She ignored the call. Mark was not next to her but the tickets were. It angered her that Mark couldn't see how LA had more than basketball to offer. She  stood up and Mark was standing in the door way with a packed bag. Marie became overwhelmed with emotion.

"I know we made plans to go to LA together. I never intended to break my promise to you. I let myself entertain the idea that you would stay me and we would get married.  But I know you better than anyone else. All this time I thought that LA was meant to be. I packed this bag a week ago. I tried to ignore the pressure of my family to become my father and focus on us. The truth is, I  was so consumed with you and our plans that I didn't consider my own feelings. LA feels like a bad dream to me. LA is where my dream will never come true. It's a constant reminder of the pain I've been through and I never accepted the reality of my situation. I love you so much. I want you to know that. Then today you said that you couldn't survive here. How could I ask you to stay? And even if I could convince you to stay, The resentment you may feel towards me would suffocate us."

Marie's heart was beating fast. She waited for him to say lets go to LA but the words never came out his mouth.

Mark continued, "LA doesn't hold the same significance for me. I don't want to stay here but I don't know what I want anymore. I packed and today I finally realized that I need to get away and if you love me like I know you do, you'll come with me to New York. My brother agreed to let us stay there and you can still do fashion. "

A single tear rolled down Marie's face. "But I don't know anyone in New York, that's not the plan Mark."

"You know me, I'll be there. We can figure out things together. We can build a new dream together."

All this time, Marie did not consider the possibility of Mark leaving without. She tried to consider a life in New York with Mark but her mind was blank. Mark waited for her to respond. Marie's mother called again, this time she answered.

"Ma sorry, I'll be home soon. I know, I lost track of time. I promised I'll be home in 10 minutes. Okay, bye."

"I got to go Mark."  She walked towards him and kissed him passionately before heading home, with the tickets in hand.