marked.

Help Wanted

It was only about twenty minutes until the sun came up. I got up, threw my hoodie on, and jogged back to my apartment. It's amazing how silent it is in here, how easy it is for you to get lost in your thoughts... But I still open the door with silence and slumped to my room. This time, I threw on a black cross tank top, my black, ripped, skinny jeans, and my black high top Converses. It took me a minute to find my black and white flannel but soon enough, it was found and I tied it loosely around my waist. I left my hair in a high ponytail, choosing not to fix it up so much. What more can a lazy girl want? 

Instead of wasting any more time making breakfast, I decided to skip that part of the routine and head out. I decided to feel a little more relaxed today and grabbed my long board. I wasn't in the mood that much for walking, so why not have a little fun?

I skated up to Geo's. It was oddly quiet in Quinn's store, for sometimes he has Bachata and Merengue music blasting from his store. 

"Morning, Quinn. How you feel?" I asked as I scavenged for orange juice and a roll of fresh bread.

"Ah, Dani. Today is not a good day. Pain in my lower back. It's killing me." He said as he groaned softly when he picked up a piece of paper he dropped on the floor.

"Again, Quinn? What are you doing that's giving you all this pain?" I frown at his words. I always hated it when Quinn was not okay. He is the light of  day, and to see the infectious smile that he brings turn to a frown, it worries me.

"I don't know, Dani. Maybe it's the loading... Yo no se. I don't know." He said while rubbing his back. I watched him as he winced in pain, so I ran to the back of the counter and put my own money in the cash register. I scanned both my juice and bread, and placed my five dollars in the cash box. Quinn watched me silently. I guess he figured not to bother me so much when I was working. I just care about him a lot... As if he was my own old man.

I stepped away from the counter and grabbed my goods. "Looks like you need extra help. I'll be back at around 3 or 330."

"Oh, Dani. Tu no necessito ase eso. You don't need to do that."

"But I want to. And..." I cracked a smile. "Do you mind if I bring some extra help with me?"

Quinn's eyes widened at that. His infectious smile finally returned to its rightful place and he stood up straighter. "Yes, yes! I agree. Come at 330!" He said a little too eagerly. I laughed and looked down. 

"Goodbye, Quinn." And I rolled away.

***

As I skateboarded to school, I passed by Travis and his posse. They whistled and said their comments, but honestly, at that very moment, I could care less. I got to school at 745, still leaving a good thirty minutes to myself. I shoved my skateboard in my locker and grabbed my stuff for first period. I had planned on walking around the school for a while, just to clear my head before I had to deal with eight for hours of lectures. As I walked, I tried my best to make it to the quietest hallway, all the way in the south wing on the third floor. I quickened my speed as I made a couple turns and jogged up the stairs. But just as I reached the top step, I crashed into another figure.

"Yo, watch it!" I shouted, annoyed. I had only tripped about two steps, but my books went flying down the previous flight.

"I am so sorry, I-" Then the person stood quiet for a moment. "Dani?"

As I rubbed my head, trying to pull myself up with the railing, I notice it's Marco. He face was partially covered by his hair, and his bright eyes looked at me, worried. "Hey Marco. I guess I deserved that."

He looked at me, slightly chuckling as he helped me up. "You know, it wasn't all my fault." He whined playfully. He pushed his hair to the side and smiled. But as he looked down the stairs, he noticed my books scattered all across the floor. "Hold up, lemme get that for you." I watched Marco as he jogged down a few steps at a time, picking up my textbooks. I noticed his bare arms were out, showing both of his tattoo sleeves. His white tank revealed his inked skin.

"Woah," I whispered.

His head jerked back to face me. "What was that?"

I bit my the inside of my lip. Should I lie? How does the truth sound? "Um, didn't know you had so many tattoos. Just surprised me."

He laughed at that as he grabbed the last notebook. "Huh, I could say the same about you. I thought you were gonna be some rich kid who practically sucks up so much sun they think they're plants."

"No, no. Not that type at all. Quite the opposite, if you haven't noticed the pale skin that hasn't been marked... Yet." I jogged down the few steps that he took and grabbed my textbooks. 

He clicked his tongue twice and winked at me. "I like the way you think. An artist still needs to come up with ideas for the blank parts of the canvas."

An awkward smile grew on my face. How does he know that quote? "Exactly."

Marco walked next to me as we ventured throughout the silent hallway. "So... Glad I bumped into you on the stairs."

"Yeah, me too. I love having my books being thrown all over the place," I say sarcastically.

He lets out a light laugh. "Well, yeah. But I wanted to ask you something."

What the hell does he want? I arched my eyebrow. A few minutes passed by and there was silence. I saw him glance down at the floor and fiddle with his lip ring. Even though it's been a short time, I kind of grew restless. "Talk."

"You wanna hang out sometime?" He blurts out. His walk stiffens as he waits for my response, and he keeps a good eye on me.

I felt my stomach turn. He wants to hang out with me? Is this some sick game that's being played? Or is he for real? Obviously, I chose the second option. "Sure." But when I stop and think about it, it the memory reminds me. "Actually, you want to hang out today? I kind of need help doing something... It for an old friend."

His eyes widened, surprised, and you could practically feel his smile. "Yeah, sure. Where?"

"Don't worry about that," I respond vaguely. "Just meet me at the front of the school at dismissal. Okay?"

I watched his shoulders relax. "Yeah, yeah. I'll meet you there. At the end of the day, front of school. Got it."

"Good." And I walk away, finally noticing that my cheeks were flushed a bright pink.