Marigold had stopped counting the number of times that Henry had slept on her couch.
The librarian's daughter was Henry's best friend, so he often ended up on her sofa in the small apartment where Marigold and her father lived. Henry's parents ignored him, and his siblings were away at school, so there was no one for him to spend time with at home. Henry always talked about how Marigold's father was like a surrogate father for him, and everyone knew that Marigold was like a sister to him.
Currently, Henry and Marigold were sitting on the small couch, watching a campy horror movie, when Marigold's father brought them a bowl of popcorn.
"Thanks Dad!" Marigold said, grabbing it from him and handing it to Henry.
"Don't you want some?" he asked. Marigold shook her head.
"No. I'm not really hungry."
Henry nodded and shrugged, reaching into the bowl for a handful of popcorn. The friends sat in silence, watching the movie for a few more minutes, until Marigold paused the movie and turned to Henry.
"Henry?" She said. He turned to her, popcorn nearly spilling out of his mouth.
"Mmpf?" He mumbled, trying to swallow his mouthful of food.
"How do you feel about Bell?" Marigold asked. Henry motioned for more information. "Bell Frazier?"
Henry nodded. "She's cool. We have Psychology together."
"Good." Marigold said, picking up the TV remote and turning the movie back on. Henry was confused, but he didn't push his friend any further. Someone screamed on the screen, and Henry jumped, causing Marigold to laugh. She looked at him suddenly, and then, out of the blue, told him why she wanted his opinion about Bell.
"Bell and I are going out." She blurted.
Henry smiled, then started laughing. Marigold looked confused. "What?" She asked. He was still laughing. "What?!"
"I cannot believe-" Henry paused and took a breath in the midst of his laughing, "that you waited ten minutes to tell me you were half of the biggest lesbian power couple in the school!"
Marigold smacked him across the face with a pillow from the couch. "Shut up." She was trying her hardest not to laugh at the sight of her best friend, wrapped up in a blanket on the floor, laughing his ass off. Finally, she gave in and threw another pillow at Henry as she began to laugh. Neither of them noticed when the movie ended and Marigold's father snuck a photo of them rolling around on the living room carpet.
Eventually, their laughter died down. Marigold looked over at Henry.
"You're the best friend anyone could ever have." She said solemnly.
Henry smiled. "I know."
Marigold smacked him lightly, smiling. "I take that back." She said, giggling.
Henry laughed, then stared up at the ceiling. "You know I'll love you no matter who you decide to be with." he said.
"I know."
"Good. Now, tell me all about her."
