marshall

11/ little thing

I woke up around five in the morning. Marshall wasn't next to me, but I've heard some noise coming from the living room. He had a morning shift probably, which starts at 7. That's still pretty early to be up, since he usually wakes up after six.
I seized the opportunity that it was only a little bit after five and Marshall had some time until he had to get off to work.
It was still dark and the only light was coming from the television in a living room.
I placed my feet on a cold floor and slowly made my way to the living room.
Marshall was there, sitting on a couch, watching some weird teleshopping thing.

I rested my back against the doorframe and watched him. He knew I was standing there, but his eyes were still glued to the television.

"Where were you?" Marshall said quietly, calmly, but I knew he was mad.
"I am sorry, I-" instead of answering his question, I started to apologize. That wasn't what Marshall wanted to hear. He stood up and approached me.
"Where were you?" he asked me once again, through gritted teeth making a pause after every word. Still in a low voice. That was even more frightening.
"Bar. In a bar"
"Oh, in a bar" he frowned, "with who?"
"Why does this matter? I came here to apologize"
"Answer my fucking question, Tanya" he raised his voice as he was staring me down.
"Evan. With Evan" I whispered, didn't know what reaction should I expect.
"This is fucking perfect. I exchanged my night shift so I could be with you," he pointed at me, "I made us a fucking dinner, and this is what I got in return?"
"How was I supposed to know? Why didn't you let me know?"
"Oh yeah, 'yo Tanya I ain't got no work tonight so Imma make you a surprise dinner. But you gotta act surprised, aight?' is this what you wanted to hear?" his sarcasm was thicker than his Detroit accent.
"You should've called me and let me know that you'll be home at least" I raised my voice at Marshall and he clenched his jaw.
"Your phone was dead. I was worried sick, god damn"
"I forgot, okay? I'm sorry. You often hang out with your guys after work, and I don't have a single problem with that" I crossed my arms.
"Yeah, I hang out with guys. With guys, Tanya. That's the difference. How would you feel if I'd spend the whole night with some other chick, huh?" Marshall was now only a few inches from me.
"So Evan is the problem now?" I chuckled sarcastically and shook my head.
"Fuck yeah he's the problem. I don't want him around you" he said matter of factly.
"Oh so I'll tell him that I can't talk to him anymore, which is going to be kinda tricky since I work with him"
"You are fucking unbelievable, Tanya. I don't need to hear that my girl is hanging around with some other prick, doing god knows what"

I just shook my head in disbelief.
"Sure, because I fuck with all the guys that are friendly to me. Exactly, yeah"
"I ain't gonna let another chick bring me down. So you better realize who your man is, or you can go bye bye" he yelled at me at this point, and I tried my best to hold back my tears.

Marshall slipped into his shoes and left. With a loud door slam, of course.

I grabbed my leather backpack and searched for my phone. I don't really spend much time on it, so I didn't turn my phone on after I came back home.

I turned my phone on, and notifications immediately popped on my lock screen.

5 missed calls from Marshall. 3 messages from Marshall, asking me where I am.
Yep, I fucked up big time.

It was 6 in the morning, and I didn't really want to sleep. Radiators were hot, which meant that water will be warm enough to take a morning shower.
And that's what I needed.
I've done my morning routine really quickly, and left Marshall's apartment.

The first thing I've done after I changed was that I checked if the betta fish is still there.
And she was, so I decided to buy her for me and Marshall. He can take this gesture as a part of my apology.

Evan was talking a lot. About last night, about some people, I don't even know. I didn't really pay attention. Just nods and "yeah" was all he heard today from me.

"Hey, do you even listen to what I'm saying?" Evan said after he asked me on what time it is and I answered "yes"

"Yeah, I'm just not psychically here today"
"What happened? Something with Marshall?" he asked.
"No, all good. I guess I'm just tired" I gave him a fake smile.
"Yeah, I felt like shit when I woke up this morning. But it was worth it tho. We should do it again sometime"

Marshall's words were running through my head again.

"Yeah, sure. Um, Could you give me a ride today? I decided to buy that betta fish and I don't really want to drag her home in this cold weather"
"I'm taking you home every day. Why you askin'? I'll take you" he chuckled nervously.
"Yeah, right"

I grabbed the fish with her little aquarium, some little rocks, and decorations, together with cleaning equipment for her aquarium, and headed to Evan's car.

The ride was awkwardly silent, but I didn't really care. I was thinking about Marshall's reaction to this little cute fish I've had with me.
I was thinking about the name for her, but even tho I tried I couldn't pick the right one.

I unlocked the door and made my way to the kitchen, where I placed the little aquarium on the table.

"Marshall? Could you please come to the kitchen?"
He appeared at the door, looking at me.
"What's up?"
I pointed down at her.
Marshall raised his brow and came closer.

"You bought us a fish?" he said and sat on a chair, observing that tiny little thing.
"I just want you to know that I'm serious with you, Marshall. She's ours now"
He grabbed my waist and pulled me onto his lap.

"I'm sorry for the morning, babe" he mumbled against my cheek.
"Don't be," I placed a gentle kiss on his soft lips, "let's think about her name instead"

All good...

__________________
an: I decided to be interactive with you, and put more of your ideas in this story.
So it's you who will decide about the name for their fish (:
Leave your suggestions in the comment section below. I'll pick up one name.
xx

I used to have a fish too. His name was Maylor- combination of Brian May and Roger Taylor😂 yes, a huge fan of Queen🤷🏻‍♀️