The Mark of Love

Attraction

It was the weekend. I had gone a whole week without seeing him again. With the help of Hannah's magnificent instagram stalking skills, we were able to find the team having brunch at a local cafe.

As I walk into the, I see him. Him, I guess knowing who I am, approached me.

"Hi, did we meet at the game?" He asked.

"Yeah, I think we did." I quietly reply.

"Can we talk somewhere else?"

"Yeah, sure."

***

We discussed everything. Who we were. How old we were. Everything about us. He is so interesting. His name is Max. He's 19. He's room the city. His hair is a beautiful shade of brown. It's just above the lobe of us ear. His brown eyes. Those damn brown eyes. They just seem to draw everything in. They just catch your gaze.

"So, I'm kinda of in a team meeting right now, could we maybe hang out later tonight?"

"Sure. I'm looking forward to it."

***

Meeting my mark is just the way I expected it to be. My family is overjoyed. Now it's just Kodi and Freya left. Everyone is so supportive. I've only met him twice, but I think I'm already gone. I'm completely gone.

I've made sure to wear something casual, but cute. I've worn my light blue jean, adidas shoes and a pink crop top. It basically doesn't matter, because we're gonna end up together anyway. I've already started imaging our life together. I've imagined us settling down in a small town, just like my brother Luke and his wife. A few kids and endless love. I can't wait.

***

I arrive at the restaurant. Max is waiting for me, in some jeans and a grey top. Why are grey shirts so attractive? It's so frustrating.

"Hey, you look great!" Max says. I can tell he's nervous.

"Thank you....." I shyly reply.

"Shall we?"

***

We spend the evening talking to each other about what we want to do with our lives.

"I want to become a doctor, I've just always found medical stuff interesting."

"Yeah? Don't you have to be smart to become a doctor Gianna?"

"Excuse me!? Are you saying i'm dumb?"

"No no! I was just saying-"

"You think I'm dumb."

"No I don't!"

"Just because I'm blonde-"

"I DON'T THINK YOUR DUMB!" Max yelled, in front of the restaurant.

"......"

"...."

"I was just kidding. I know you don't think I'm dumb."

"You made me yell that in front of the restaurant!? Oh my god Gianna."

"Well I'm a bit of a shit stirrer as you can see."

"I can definitely tell."

***

Max decides to walk me home.

"So what do we do know? Are we dating?" He asks. 

"Together. We're together."

He grabs my hand. I look up into his eyes, perhaps my new favourite thing.

"Gianna, we've only just met, and I think I've already fallen for you."

"Well that's generally what's supposed to happened after all me are-"

I was cut off by my first kiss. His lips gently pressed against mine. Interlocking. Previous generations of my family have had this moment before me. The next leg of my family to have this would be my children. Our children.

"I had a lovely night, see you later."

"Goodbye, Gianna."

***

I look down at my phone.

@gphillips.02 has been tagged in a photo

It's a photo of me and Max at the game, the moment we met. A special moment. In this moment, we had no idea of the journey that was going to unfold. In the background, I see other couples. Mara and her boyfriend and a gay couple. I also see that sad boy. The dark mark. I am reminded again of the trouble and loss Hannah's cousin went through when he was unmarked. This cant happen to me tho, I am now marked

@max-williams tagged you in a photo - Marked 🌹

***

It's Sunday morning. There is some great news at breakfast.

"I just got off the phone with Kodi, and he found someone!" Mum screams.

"Mum no need to scream." Freya bluntly said.

"Freya don't be bitter coz your the last one left." Laughs Isabella.

"BELLA I SWEAR TO GOD!"

"Ladies please calm down, this is exciting! Kodi and Gianna in the same week! What are the odds!"

"Very slim." I reply "Very."

"It's almost too good." Says Bells.

"Nonsense, their perfect for each other." Mum replies.

"What does this person look like anyway, I want to know." Asks Freya

"Well it's a girl, her name is Alli, shes his age and from our home country, Australia!"

"That's great!" I yell. "That's so good that she's from here!"

"Yeah. At least some people can find someone." Weeps Freya.

"Freya honey don't cry!" Mum comforts, "The attraction process starts at 16 if you haven't been marked yet."

Those who are wondering what the attraction process is, it's the process that start when your 16, if you haven't met the one yet. Your marks let off a sort of "hormone" that unknowingly brings you together. What brought Fred to the small town of Pikes when he could have stayed in New York? Why couldn't he stay in America? Why Australia? Why did my dad go over to pretend to be my mothers boyfriend if they hadn't even met. The attraction process.