Girlfriend On Mars

24. "Have you ever cried?"

Twenty Four.

"Have you ever cried?"

For a while, Marley thought Jen would never let go. Her arms were linked tightly, and the blonde could feel Jen's steady breathing against her. Really, she didn't want Jen to let go, she was so content with her clinging to her, making Marley feel needed. She'd never seen Jen so weirdly desperate ever and it filled her with joy to know that neediness was aimed at her. She wanted to turn and fall into Jen's arm, for her to hug her properly, arms securing her and lips against her hair. But it was as if Jen was recovering, recharging, holding herself close to Marley, and the younger girl wasn't going to move her.

After five minutes, or maybe ten, Jen eased backwards, arms uncurling and returning to her sides. Marley didn't turn yet, though she really wanted to see what expression Jen was making. Was she sad? Had she cried too? She realised then that she couldn't picture Jen crying, not at all, not ever. It didn't seem right to picture. Even in anger, Jen's eyes didn't so much as water, there was no glossy shine to them when she yelled or got irritated.

Instead, she sighed, a heavy, burdened sigh. Marley knew she was the burden. "We can miss one day, right? We can just stay here."

Marley just nodded, then finally turned around and met Jen's eyes instantly. The blue in Jen's eyes was soft but not sad, neutral but caring, her lips were pursed. They held that eye contact for a few moments, neither deciding to break it, not knowing when or how to.

"I'm sorry." Marley said softly.

Jen flopped back onto the bed and let out an uncertain chuckle, squinting her eyes shut. "Me too, I didn't mean to get so angry, but you can see why, right?"

"Let's just not talk about it anymore." Marley said.

"Okay, okay, agreed," Jen exhaled, grinned and held out her arms—making a grabbing motion with her slender fingers.

Marley felt a weird sense of relief run through her. She'd really wanted a hug, she'd wanted to be held so terribly that it almost hurt and with Jen in front of her, gesturing for a hug, she felt nothing short of pure happiness.

Not wanting to seem too desperate, she first lay down against the bed and then wriggled up into Jen's embrace. It was blissful, Jen's long, thin arms curled around her body, holding her close enough for Marley to feel to flesh of Jen's lips against her hairline. She closed her eyes and held Jen back, hands resting either side of Jen's body.

"You know, I've never been much of a hugger but just within this hour, I've done enough hugging to satisfy me for the rest of my life." Jen teased, morning voice still raspy.

Marley giggled, feeling her stomach tense and flutter. "It's not that bad, right?"

"Hmm, I don't know."

The day was passing far too quickly for the both of them, the three lights of days bleeding fluidly through the windows at the far end of the bed. At one point, Marley fell back asleep—maybe from the crying or maybe because she was so comfy in Jen's bed, being close to Jen and smelling Jen's perfumed sheets.

She woke two hours later, eyes fluttering open and noticing Jen's shape across the room, hanging up some clothes. The older girl didn't notice her at first but then turned her head and smiled at Marley.

"I hope you didn't dribble too much." Jen grinned, closing the doors to her wardrobe.

Marley immediately pressed her hand to the bedding, to feel for any saliva, and then realised Jen was messing with her. She frowned jokingly up at the older girl. "Ha ha, how long was I asleep?"