Kings Dominion

Part 3

After the end of the day, Marcus invites you and Willie to hang out. Your group is walking down the street when Marcus suggests you go to the spot you two used to practice your roof jumping. You and Willie agree, and when you get there, Willie decides not to jump when he sees how big the gap is.

You and Marcus get ready to run and jump.

"Still time to turn around." He says with a smirk as you start running. You laugh.

"Never in a million years, Marcus." You say. You two jump. Marcus makes it with a foot to spare, but you were half a foot short. "Marcus!" You yell as you grab the ledge. He rushes over and grabs your wrists. He tries pulling you up, but he can't get a good enough grip on you. "Marcus please don't let me die." You say.

"Never in a million years." He says as he pulls with all of his strength. He pulls you over the ledge and you throw yourself into his arms. He backs away from the ledge and rubs your back. "It's okay. You're okay. I got you." He soothes as you cry into his chest. He sits down against the wall and pulls you onto his lap.

Willie runs out of the door on top of the roof and runs over.

"Is she okay?" He asks. Marcus looks for any scratches or broken bones.

"I think so. She's just shaken up. She's tough, she'll be alright." Marcus says. Soon after you start to calm down. You wipe your eyes and stand up. Marcus follows you.

"I'm sorry." You say. Willie laughs.

"You just almost died, and you're apologizing!" He says, laughing. You punch him in the shoulder.

"Apology taken back!" You say laughing.

"Wow, Marcus. Your girl sure is special!" Willie says. You blush and look at your feet.

"Oh, she's not-" Marcus says but is interrupted by Willie.

"I'm just messin' with you. You should've seen the looks on your guys' faces!" Willie says laughing.

Marcus shakes his head, laughing. The three of you make your way back to the ground and start walking down the street.

"Sorry. I was just trying to show off. I was just glad someone wanted to hang out with me." Marcus says.

"Hey!" You say, glaring at him.

"Someone other than Y/N." He corrects. "First day at that school was fucking awful for the most part." Marcus says.

"Yeah, I remember mine. Some real assholes in that place." Willie says.

"It's not even the other kids, because fuck them. It's me. My anxiety. I do this thing after I'm around people where I obsessively overanalyze every interaction to see where I went wrong or who I offended. Agonizing over everything I say, every choice I make." Marcus says. You put your hand on his arm and he smiles at you.

"Damn. For reals?" Willie asks.

"I sit up at night worrying I didn't catch the cues or I said the wrong things. Trying to figure out why I've never fit in anywhere." He continues. You grab his hand.

"Marcus. You do fit in. You're the best person I know. My best friend. You think I would be best friends with just anybody?" You say. He laughs.

"Thanks, Y/N." He says. Willie laughs.

"Damn. You guys are crazy." He says. You three walk in silence to the bus stop. Marcus puts on his headphones to his walkman and starts listening to music.

"Yo, what're you listening to?" Willie asks him.

"Probably The Smiths." You say. Marcus nods and Willie laughs.