GIDDY ✓

TRE

[ 1983 ]
the start of summer & the start of love

TRE

Marco takes an vacuous seat on the silent bus, besides the window.

he watches the landscape that passes his eyes- the clouds in the sky blocking the rays of golden sunshine, the active groups of people strolling along the streets much more than a few months ago .. now that it's finally summer, bowler hats and denim shorts, radiant ice cream trucks and their songs- indicating to children and adults that they are here to fulfil their delight on a perky day.

however, Marco feels the wind as well as the heat which is why he pulled on a flannel this morning, to cover his arms. also, the mauve material brings colour to his tedious outfit of shorts and a shirt. he leans his head against the bumpy window, trying not to dance to the music through his earphones as the lengthy wires tangle together, without him realising.

another thing he doesn't realise due to him thinking too much of visiting the library and travelling back, is the presence of a young boy arriving on the bus.

Marco's attention only snaps away from the window when he hears an electronic device drop to the floor. he looks up, meeting the gaze of Kyong.

and that's when he feels the speedy beat of his heart in his chest.

Kyong hurries to pick up his item from the bus floor, walking quietly as his cheeks flush light cherry. he's restless, embarrassed and staggered- making Marco stare at him even more.

Marco lifts his hand, his bracelets sliding down as he smiles. warm gestures can go a long way- he thinks.

the song on his device changes to one full of energy, fondness and rapture but unfortunately, it doesn't match his mood when Kyong smiles in response- a close lipped one where he barely acknowledges him, before sitting far away from him.

even Vega got a better smile from him!

//

Marco spends the initial afternoon with his mother on their front porch, seated on a swing with books.

his trip to the library was success and all thoughts about the dim haired boy next door disappeared. he came home with books related to his degree, movies, theatre, actors, directing-

so a hard working mother and her towering son sit beside each other, reading in their free time, in a silence that gleams solace, as the kids study hard at school, giggle in the playgrounds and her husband works persistently at work, two jobs a day.

Marco reads useful tips about movie directing and his mother is reading a thriller filled novel. they're opposites in terms of genres- Marco liking comedy, romance .. things that are light and his mother preferring horror, thriller and the need to be highly stunned.

Marco tells his mother everything .. except for very personal things. "i saw one of the boys today- Kyong." he mentions, holding his page.

"oh yeah?"

"he was so stuck up mom! he didn't even come sit with me after i waved at him with a smile and everything."

Marco sighs, his shoulders slumping unintentionally as he thinks about how Kyong didn't even react to him. he's not giving him a great first impression and a wanting to hang out with him- the only thing Marco seems to like is his sweet looks, his apprehensive attitude, his smile even when he's closed off and-

stop.

"he's just a bit shy." his mother focuses on the pages of her novel. "not everyone's like you." she chuckles.

and it's true. Marco can tell him and Kyong are polar opposites- one being sociable, gracious and the other wanting to be left alone, humble. could they really be drawn to each other? would Kyong open up to Marco?

Marco hopes so.

"i swear you called me shy a few weeks ago."

Marco's mother shrugs. "give him some time .. he'll open up!"

and Marco laughs, not believing in his hopes coming true. he tries to convince himself that he wants to be friends with the stranger, nothing else.

"look at this quote." his mother tugs at his arm, lifting up her book. "don't give up. if not now then when?"

"then what happens?"

"well the character dies, Marc .. you know i'm reading a thriller book."

Marco and his mother laugh. "but yeah i guess we'll see." he refers to Kyong and doesn't mention his firmness to befriend him.

Marco is about to open his book again, unfolding his legs but spots Juwon- the older boy from next door, appearing in the front garden and trying to figure out how to work the garden hose.

"i'll go talk to him, help him out." Marco remarks to his mother, placing his book on the still swing. "he seems more welcoming than the other guy!"

"don't jump to conclusions!" she calls.

and Marco waves his hand in reply before walking a few steps in unidentified confidence, his arms swinging on either side of him as he approaches the blonde. "let me help you with that." he suggests with a charitable smile on his lips.

"oh man hey!" Juwon's eyes widen, patting his back in a friendly manner. "thanks. i've been trying to figure it out for so long but i'm scared of it popping or the water spraying all over me like shit-"

and a surprised Marco was too busy concentrating on the fact that Juwon was completely different than Kyong, that he opened the hose accidentally, making the cold, so cold, water spray out onto both of the tall boys and the lawn that is now moist, muddy on a torrid day.

Juwon's laugh pierces through Marco's ears and he laughs too. he throws the hose to the floor, switching the water off and flaps his damp shirt- not even annoyed with the very wet situation. "i'm Marco, it's so nice to meet you man."

Juwon shakes his hand, wet palms against each other as they laugh. "you too. you made a mess i would've made anyway so thank you, you absolute legend."

//

hi hi hi

my book BY THE SEA will be posted soon :") keep a lookout yay

also i loved my old theme of van gogh paintings but i couldn't resist the concept photos what a look

what are your favourite genres of books? what do you like to read?

pray for sri lanka
have a good week <3
— A