video games // h.s. au

chapter six

Marley

"Please Marley. I think you would look great with some color in your hair." Hadley had been begging me for about the last hour to put at least some color in my hair. I've never dyed my hair, nor have I thought of it.

"I'm not sure Hadley, I thought that was your thing?" I shrugged my shoulders and walked from the couch to the bed in our small temporary hotel room.

"I think you would look really good with some lilac hair. At least on the ends, come on," she kept pleading me. I wasn't too sure what to say so I agreed just to get her away from me.

"Um... I guess so?" I said with a unamused tone in my voice.

"This is great! Let's go and get some dye!"

Personally I was more scared of other people's reactions over mine. I knew Ben was not a fan of colored hair but instead of worrying what he would think of it my thoughts traveled to Harry. I wondered what he would think of it. He was into a lot of music right? And music guys like colored hair, right?
I don't know why I was caring so much about his opinion. I was more afraid of what Ben would do. He's been more and more distant these days.

Something has been pulling me to Game Buddy every day though.

Whether it was before or after my shift at the coffee shop or even if I was off, I would always try and make a stop in there when Harry was working.
He seemed like such a cool guy.

While I was off in my day dreams, Hadley had made it to the store and back. I guess there was a beauty supply store relatively close to our hotel, considering how fast she got there and back.
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"Ready?" she asked while she held up a grocery bag full of gloves, bleach, and the color of choice.

"Yeah!" I replied with more of an enthusiastic tone in my voice.

Who cares what people think of my hair? As long as I like it that's all that matters. And I knew Hadley would like it too, and that's who's opinion matters in my life.

Within another hour the ends of my long brown hair were bleached blonde. I did not like the blonde at all, and I hoped the light purple turned out way better.

"I'm so proud of you Marley." Hadley spoke as she slapped her hand against her heart.

"Uh, why?" I laughed with my curiosity as usual.

"You finally have color in your hair."

"Hadley Marie don't even go there with me." I laughed.

"Well then fine I wont. I will put this purple in and ignore you for a total of five days- watch me."

"Haha alright. I will just go hang out with Harry then." I stuck my tongue out at her.

We may be of legal age but we act as if we are five.

"You like him."

"What?! Hadley! No I do not. I'm dating Ben, why would I like Harry? He just seems like a really cool guy, that's all."

"I think Ben is an asshole anyway, so I'm totally fine with you choosing Harry over him because you're right. Harry is actually a cool guy who deserves you more than an asshole."

This conversation turned from annoying and aggravating to serious. I didn't know Hadley felt this way about Ben. Was it because of how distant he's been these past few days?

I ended up just dropping the conversation.

I loved Ben.

And then I just realized what I thought.

Loved.
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Another hour later and my hair was in its finished product. At the top was my natural brown hair but at the end was purple that went lighter as you went down.

Hadley and I didn't talk for the rest of the time she was dying my hair. There was still some tension in the air.

"I'm going on a walk to get some air." I didn't wait for her response before I left.

I wasn't just going on a walk, I was going to see Harry. I needed someone to vent to and the only people I knew here were Hadley, who started it all, and Ben, and I have no idea where he is anymore till he comes back to the hotel late smelling of alcohol.

My hair was down natural with a flower crown while I wore a tight white t-shirt with high waisted shorts and my galaxy vans. It felt hipster but it made me feel cute, so the labels didn't matter.

As I walked the familiar streets to Game Buddy I couldn't help but think what would happen if I were to break up with Ben.

While I was walking I received a text message from Hadley:

'Don't forget about bonfire night tonight ;)))))'

I completely forgot about bonfire night. But from what I've heard it's a bunch of fun to go.
My choice of clothing was not a wise decision as it was becoming fall and the weather was getting colder.

I finally made my way into the doors of Game Buddy and looked around. Harry must have been in the back, so I started looking around.

About five minutes later I heard someone clear their throat behind me, "Hi, how can I help you?"

I smirked and turned around, realizing he didn't recognize me. "Oh, no thank you I'm just looking," I said to him with a smile.

"Marley, oh my god, you dyed your hair!" he exclaimed, clearly excited.
"Do you like it?" I blushed as I put my head down, scared to know his answer.

"Of course! You could shave your whole head and I would still love you- ah I mean- yeah I like it," he stuttered a bit at the end.

"Well thank you Harry means a lot. Now I just have to see what Ben thinks of it..." I mumbled the last part, kind of hoping he wouldn't hear.

"Why wouldn't he like it?" Dammit.
"I'm not sure, he's just been really distant with me lately," I told him with a sigh.

I unlocked my phone to check the time and when I opened it, Hadley's message was still up.

"Hey Harry, I was wondering if you wanted to come to bonfire night tonight? With Hadley, Ben, and I? If you have plans I understand."

"Um... I don't think I have anything- oh! I promised my little brothers a game of Fifa. What if they came?" He suddenly became very excited about the idea he just came up with.

"Sure sounds great, meet you there?" I asked as I started to walk out of the building.

"Yeah sounds good see you then. Wait Marley take my jacket it's starting to get cold!"

"No Harry I can't take that. Keep it for yourself!"

"Please I insist just take my jacket, you can return it tonight. Just make sure to bring your own, alright?"

"Okay, fine, thank you. Bye Harry." I smiled and waved. He replied by just smiling and waving back at me.
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When I returned back to the hotel Hadley wasn't there- but Ben was. When I walked in and he noticed me he started freaking out.

"Marley, what the fuck did you do to your hair? And is that another guys jacket? I bet it's that fucking Henry's, am I right?" he started shouted, a million questions at once confusing me and scaring me.

"I'm sorry but first: I'm not here to please you every two seconds, and second; its Harry not Henry." I replied with a hint of annoyance in my voice.
And that's all it took him to snap and for me to be on the ground in a matter of two seconds. He then just stormed out of the room and slapped me.

I never imagined the day Ben would slap me and I was wishing I met Harry earlier in my life.

Ben had finally snapped and all I wanted was to crawl up and snuggle with Harry.

The usual now, I guess.