Girlfriend On Mars

32. "The stages of affection"

Thirty Two.

"The stages of affection."

Jen moved around her bedroom in her black bra, cigarette held between her teeth, unlit, searching for the shirt she'd wanted to wear. The weeks following the time they were alone in Jen's house had proved Jen to be a more affectionate person than Marley had imagined. Marley had been in bliss, enjoying the attention she received from the girl she cared about, feeling like she was appreciated—ignoring the fact that Jen didn't feel the same way.

"Where's m' fuhkin' shirt?" Jen grumbled, cigarette clamped still between her teeth as she bent down, peering under the bed. "And m' lighter."

Marley was looking into the mirror, wearing a pair of blue jeans Jen had let her borrow. She was admiring the way her hips looked in the new material. "You don't need your lighter, we'll be getting in the car in a minute."

"Quick cig won't kill me." Jen grinned, slinking up behind Marley's figure.

"Debatable." Marley mumbled, smiling when Jen kissed her shoulder gently. She curled her arms around Marley's chest, holding her in and gazing on at their image in the mirror.

Jen hummed, pressing their cheeks together, "how's your back at the moment? This isn't too squashy, is it?"

"No! It's fine, yeah, good right now." Marley replied, her face warming at Jen's consideration. Her recent affection had set her in a constant state of happiness, she wished she could have remained forever in that state with Jen. She didn't think she'd know what to do without her. 

Jen's friends had invited the two out again, to a quiet bar in the next town over—Deaver. Marley was wearing Jen's jeans, which she kept rubbing her palms on, and a smart, crisp blouse.

In the car, Jen had said, "Fran will be there and Hamilton and Anthony. You haven't met Hamilton yet but he's a cool guy. He said Bea would be there."

Marley noticed the way Jen said 'Bea' and repeated it to herself internally a few times. She liked to be included in Jen's social life, to know her friends, to have them know her—like she was implementing herself so she could further depend on Jen.

Once they arrived, Jen was quick to curl her arm around Marley's shoulders, keeping her close and secure. There were two people stood out front, one smoking leisurely and the other smiling over at Jen.

"Fran, alright? Hamilton, this is Marley, my friend." Jen started, laughing as the girl ruffled the top of her head. "Fran, you've met Marley before, at Anthony's thing." And Marley remembered the fateful night.

"Hey, Marley, you good?" Hamilton smiled, flicking his cigarette to the curb.

Marley bowed her head faintly, "yes thank you, are you?"

Fran glanced at Jen with a raised eyebrow, but noticed Jen was gazing down endearingly at Marley and shook her head with a humorous exhale. She also said her greetings and lead the two girls and Hamilton through into the bar. A long table had been set up in the back corner with a party of people maturely chatting along it. Fairy lights were strung up around the wooden structure that enclosed that area of the bar, casting a yellowish glow down onto Jen's friends. There was an opening of two seats beside one another nearer to the wall, and Jen steered Marley towards them, hand still on her shoulder.

"I don't think we're eating here; we can pick something up when I take you home if you like." Jen said softly as they sat down.

"My clothes are still at yours, and my phone too. Don't let me forget." Marley said, glancing around at the faces of people she hadn't met before. She recognised a few from the party a few weeks before but many were unknown to her.