The Menace

The Mark: Part 2

𝐆𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘

Georgie and my grandfather drove Nocturno and I to meet Aimahn at her house and they left to get Nocturno canvases and other art supplies, but she didn't know that yet. We trudged through the snow and got to the doorstep. Nocutrno seemed distant. "Hey, you good?" I asked as I nudged her. She just nodded. Her right leg was shaking and I knew something wasn't right. "Are you gonna have another-"

"No. I'm just nervous." she interrupted.

"Why?"

"Why do you think? Siempre estoy ansiosa. I can't control this."

I opened the door and we stepped in. "Aimahn?" I called. "You home?" Nocturno was scared to move away from the door.
"I'm gonna stay here..." she said while nervously stroking her left arm.

"Nocturno, it's okay." I replied.

"No, it's not. And I don't mean to sound like a dick, but I don't know if I can trust your friend. I don't know if I can trust anybody."
____

--𝐍𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐎--

Gally looked down at me held my hands. "You can trust Aimhan." he whispered. I ripped my hands out of his.

"You don't know that." I stated. "I don't know that."

"Just trust me, Nocturno. Please."

He gently took my hands again continued to stare into my eyes. It's like he knew how to get to me. Like he knew to get to my internal soft spot. It was hard for me to say a word or even try to make a sound. My heart slowed down and I stopped shaking. And it was all because of that look in his eye. Was this me calming down?

"It's not that I don't want to, Gally, I swear. I just-"

And then a girl walked up from behind us and asked, "Is everything okay?" Her hair was long and brown. Her skin was a pale beige and her brown eyes glowed, tucked behind her monolids. This girl is the complete embodiment of bisexuality and I can feel it in my bones. Gio would love this girl...

"Uh, Aimahn..." Gally stammered. "This is Nocturno. Nocturno... This is Aimahn."

I looked at her and she smiled at me. She had strange metal things on her teeth that really stood out. "Nice to meet you." she said. Aimahn stuck out her hand for me to shake, and I did so.

I sighed. "¿Qué estaba pensando?" I muttered.

"Wh- what?" they both questioned.

"I was just talking to myself..."

"Oh... Well, I hope you two get along, heh." Gally chuckled.

"Me too." Aimahn and I said simultaneously.

That was weird... I thought. Too weird...

Aimahn inhaled and continued to speak. "Anyway, what's up, Gally? You need new clothes again?" she teased.

"No," Gally replied with a chuckle. "but she does." He pointed to me.

And then the feeling of embarrassment comes rushing in. "Okay." Aimahn said. "You come with me." The sweat beads start rolling down my face. I do not want to be alone with this girl.
Aimahn began to walk off, and then stopped and turned around. "I mean... I can't help you if you're just gonna stand at my front door." I couldn't get any words out of me to justify why I was acting the way I was.

"I- I, umm..."

"She has anxiety problems..." Gally said.

Music to my ears at that moment. "Gracias a Dios..." I whispered under my breath.