parallel lines | ✓

13

"WELL, WELL, WELL, if this isn't the most awkward moment ever." Marven blurted as we exited our class. Among the three of us, I felt the most uncomfortable because a scene could be caused at any second and I wouldn't know which side to be on. In addition to that, the thought of being dragged to the principal's office for the third time that week terrified me. The first two times were regarding my failed language assignment, and I was aware how our principal's impression of me has already dropped.

"Marven-" Ramona began, ready to repent for her decision but he cut her off.

"Before you say anything, not that you have anything to say, I'm breaking up with you." Marven declared without a delay in his words. It wasn't unexpected, considering what he asked me in class but to hear him spit those words like she didn't matter still shocked me. Perhaps because I was afraid if anything were to happen between the two of us, one day he'd love me and the next he would leave. I continued trailing behind the two of them, as they walked down the stairs.

"You have already made it clear that you're not interested in me, and as much as I would like to try and be a better person for you, I believe your heart was never with me to start. I respect your choice, and someday when the sight of you and him no longer disgust me, we can try rekindling our friendship." Marven began, sending her a shock of numbness.

"Marven, I just want you to know that it wasn't because you weren't enough for me that I found love in Daelan. You were amazing to me; you were everything I could ask for and that's why I can't be with you. I'll always feel like I'm in debt to you, and the more I owe you, the more I'll force myself to be with you but you don't deserve that. You deserve to be with a girl who reciprocates your love, and I hope you find that girl soon." Ramona alleged.

"Yeah, whatever. You can leave us now Ramona. We can send ourselves to detention."

Sitting idly by the window of our abandoned classroom, heeding the whispers of Mother Nature, communicating through stolen glances and sincere smiles have never appeared so divine. It was then I realized silence can be comforting, if spent with the right person.

I lifted my head, taking a quick glance at the enormous clock above our heads. Ten fifteen, it read. That's ten more minutes till detention got over, albeit, I rather it not as that would indicate a separation between Marven and I.

Headmistress Meredith, with honey brown pixie cut and her wire rimmed glasses, stood behind, hovering over my apology essay. Her expression remained firm as she pointed out my spelling errors. I made sure to appear as though I cared, hoping the last bits of the good girl image I've created over the years stick with the school faculty. I found myself contradictory; I loathed the school system and want to rebel against it with every fiber in my being, but I also desired to be a member of the student council.

Mrs. Meredith was lenient to us on my behalf, (given that I always bring goods for her whenever I visited a new country during summer break) and thus permitted me and Marven to communicate. With her head buried in her student's assignment, and rest of the children attended to never – ending rants on topics useless in our day to day life, Marven and I did seem like the only people in this world.

And so, I allowed my shadow to be brought out into the openness.

I spoke about my father's alcoholic habits.

Perhaps it was peer pressure, or the liability of his work that he had no intentions to share with us but whatever the reason, it forced him to fall back into his old habits. Night after night, our house would be filled with the aroma of alcohol and echo of our door from being slammed too hard. I'd sleep to the sound of gibberish struggling against an ugly feminine cry, and wake up to the snore of a heavy sleeper lying next to a pair of weary eyes.

Marven didn't respond; he hugged me. His silence consoled me in ways which the peak of all words has failed to. Albeit I had always been one to treasure sweet talks and verbal intimacy, with him, I found luxuries in silence.