Run

Part One | 7

Chapter 7

"When Marie slept over for the first time, it was the start of everything. She became a constant in my life at Middleborough. It's weird how things changed like that. I don't know, maybe it was me missing my old girlfriend or me just wanting someone to be with again. I wasn't sure what it was, but it became the start of a cycle. A bad one."

...

Marie and I didn't leave her neighborhood. Instead, we walked down to the edge of the road and sat on the curb. The only light source we had was a flickering lamp post just above our heads. We sat in silence.

"Why'd you do that?" I finally asked. "Why'd you say I was your boyfriend?"

Marie hugged her legs to her chest. "Cause I felt like it."

"I don't... Really believe that," I admitted hesitantly.

She only shrugged. "You don't have to."

I rubbed the back of my neck and considered leaving her there. It was hard to make conversation with her. I wondered if people felt this way about me.

When she could tell I wanted more than what she said, she rolled her eyes. "My mom's a bitch and my dad's a dick. What else is there to say?"

I laughed. "I guess it's the same for me."

Another minute of silence went back. And then she asked the question that I had never answered due to her parents' arrival.

"Why's your dad in prison?" 

I drew in a deep breath. "We got in a fight and my dumbass neighbor called the cops."

She lowered her head on her knee. "He's in prison for that? Is he abusive or something?"

I shook my head. "We just didn't get along."

"Is he going to be there for a long time?"

"I dunno." I leaned back and stared at the leaves on a tree across the street. "I don't really care to be honest with you."

Marie nodded, as if she completely understood what I meant. "And your mom?"

"I told you, she left."

"Does that piss you off?"

"If she doesn't want to be in my life, why would I want her in mine?"

Marie lifted her head. "I like the way you think."

We sat in silence for a while again. And then I got up.

"Where're you going?"

"To my stepmom's." I looked across the street. "She's probably shitting her pants."

Gale probably wasn't. She probably expected this of me, but it was what got Marie to let out a short laugh. 

"What are you gonna do?" I asked.

Marie didn't look at me, but instead kept her eyes on the road. "I'll go home when I want to."

I turned my back to her, but I was reluctant to keep walking. I shouldn't leave her, should I? 

"You can come to my place," I suggested awkwardly, turning halfway to show her I was serious. I glanced at her house down the road. "It's better than going home."

Marie nodded after thinking about it for a long moment. Slowly she got to her feet and followed me.

... 

It was three in the morning by the time we got to Gale's house. No lights were on, giving me the impression that Gale was still asleep. She was by the time I left earlier. 

"Is your stepmom home?"

"Probably."

Marie and I climbed the porch steps and I reached behind the light for the key. After opening it, I let her go in first. I closed the door quietly as Marie walked around, looking at all the furniture. 

"My room's downstairs," I told her, pointing past her.

"You don't have much," she pointed out when I turned on the light.

I gave her a flat look. "I just moved here."

She looked at my desk and found numerous school papers. She touched them as if looking at the work repulsed her. "You're smart."

"Believe it or not," I sighed, kicking off my shoes and laying down on my bed as I stared at the cieling.

"Do you ever cheat?"

I shrugged. "Not really."

Marie turned and looked at me. "My parents get on my case all the time for my grades."

"Sounds annoying."

"My sister's real smart so they expect me to be just like her."

I turned to my side. 

"Sorry." It didn't sound apologetic at all, but it was genuine.

Marie sat down on my bed and began to untie her shoes. I didn't object to it.

"You can sleep here if you want," I told her. She didn't reply so I laid on my back. "This girl back home always came over when she was having a rough time at her place."

Marie glanced at me as she finished untying her left shoe, pulling it off from her foot. "Ex?"

I let out a fake chuckle. "I guess you could say that."

"What's her name?"

I squinted at the cieling and pressed my lips together, desperately wanting to talk about something else. After a long minute, I got up.

"I've got some clothes you can sleep in."

I walked over to my dresser and took out a new t-shirt Gale bought me. I tossed it to Marie. "I haven't worn it yet."

"Doesn't matter much to me."

I kept my back turned as she undressed herself. 

"Do you need pants?" I asked.

Marie didn't respond, but I could hear her foosteps approach behind. She leaned against my dresser and looked up at me.

"If you're uncomfortable."

I chuckled. "Are you trying to seduce me?"

"Is it working?"

I watched her, trying to figure out what she was possibly thinking. This girl... Though I thought it at first, she's nothing like Jade. 

"Like I said, this isn't exactly a new situation to me."

Marie looked away, crossing her arms. Her hair fell in front of the left side of her face, and I couldn't help but think that she was probably one of the prettiest girls I've ever seen. "I'll be leaving early in the morning."

"So you're going to treat this like a typical one-night stand?" I asked, a little irritated at that.

Marie smirked. "How else should I treat it?"

"You can leave whenever you want. Gale never comes in here."

Marie nodded and smiled. It was the first time I've ever seen her smile. I wondered if it was real, and then I wondered how often she smiles for real. Confidently, Marie sauntered to my bed and slipped under the covers. I followed suit.

...

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