The Hideaway

Chapter 3

,,Luna Wilson... I mean, it's creative." Norman said jokingly and turned his head to look at Marion.

She chuckled and nodded in agreement. ,,I thought of it when I saw the moon last night."

They sat outside at the front porch of his house. It was a nice day, quite warm for spring. Only the light breeze made Marion shiver a little.
Norman studied her closely. What caught his attention the most was her skin. Even though she was exhausted and tired, it had a beautiful glow and looked so soft.

,,So what's your real name?" he asked, pouring her some more tea.
,,It's Marion... Marion Crane. I'm from Mississippi, by the way." She answered and stared into the distance.

,,Oh. That's a very nice state, I've been told." He noted and played with the teabag in his hand. Marion stayed silent, her eyes locked on his warm smile for a brief moment before she continued to stare at seemingly nothing in front of her.

Norman's smile faded quickly when he noticed the lack of reaction. Hesitantly, he began to speak again.
,,Or... isn't it?"
Marion turned her head to him and blinked a few times, opening her mouth to say something.
,,Uhm... I mean, the people are nice and... very religious." She trailed off, running her fingers over her collarbone. ,,They're also the reason why I'm here.", she added, but more quietly.

,,Why? What did they do?" Norman blurted out, but his curiosity didn't bother Marion. At least she had someone to talk to.
She inhaled deeply, the smell of pine trees flooding her nose. Marion tried to sort out the rush of memories that hit her mind, attempting to find the right words.

,,They did a lot of bad things. Sometimes without even knowing that they were being hurtful." she said and absently scratched her hand while searching for a way to explain her situation.
,,Especially... my ex boyfriend, Sam. He's actually a good person, you know." She said and paused for a second. ,,At least he was before I..."
Marion looked to the ground and fell silent all of a sudden. Norman watched her attentively.
,, ...before what?" he asked. He genuinely wanted to know what happened to her, what caused her so much distress. But at the same time he didn't want to be intrusive. He could clearly sense that this must be a sensitive topic for her.

Marion bit her lip. ,,I... I fell in love with someone else. While I was in a relationship with him." She said and hesitantly glanced at Norman, waiting for his reaction.

,,Oh. I understand", he said. Marion raised an eyebrow.
,,You do?"
,,Yeah. Things like that happen sometimes." he stated, giving Marion a reassuring smile. That boy can't possibly be a teenager.

,,So... are you with the other man now?" he asked, but then quickly added ,,You don't have to tell me, by the way. It's completely fine if you don't."

,,No, it's alright. I really appreciate that you care." Marion reassured him.
,,I'm not with her right now. Since my ex boyfriend found out about it, it's basically impossible for us to be with each other. Especially after he told his family, my family, our friends... everybody." Marion explained, the hopelessness from last night already consuming her again. She sighed and continued.
,,They didn't take it well. Where I come from, nobody likes to see that kind of... thing."

Norman was confused for a second. Did he just mishear something? No... he knew what he'd heard.
,,So... you fell in love with another girl?" He asked in a slightly excited tone, again failing at hiding his curiosity. It made Marion blush a little. He obviously never came across a story like hers and his excitement about it was honestly cute.