enigma | reus

18.

MARCO/ROMESSA | The L Word
—

ROMESSA

"When I was eighteen, I went on this same trip. Except we didn't go to Germany, we went to France." I stared at Mrs. Langford as she spoke to me, holding a wine glass. I hadn't expected her to ask me to dinner, but agreed nonetheless—she was my chaperone, and I didn't have much choice. "I snuck out of my room one night. Not for any particular reason; just because I wanted the thrill." She paused. "I ended up meeting a man. His name was Pierre, and he was the most gorgeous person I'd ever seen. He was so charming, I suppose all French men are. And I fell in love with him. I was so infatuated, I couldn't read between the lines. I wasn't being smart."

I blinked, attempting not to give way to my emotions or to appear afraid. Instead, I spoke. "What happened?"

"Well, it turned out that he had a wife. Two children. An entire life that I knew nothing about," Mrs. Langford paused with a small, slightly embarrassed smile. "But I kept seeing him. I knew it would be temporary, anyways, and that I was going home at the end of summer. And it was the happiest two months of my entire life, that summer that I spent with him. In the end, I got my heart broken. Not how I expected, though. He didn't do it. It was my chaperone, who discovered me coming back late one morning. She sent me home immediately, and I never heard from him again. It's not his fault. We didn't have the technology that you guys do, nowadays." Mrs. Langford smiled, sadly. "I still dream about him even now, you know. So I understand, Romessa, that you like this boy—this Julian. And I also understand that he's a popular figure around here. So I don't see the harm in you having fun. You've been one of my best students since sophomore year. I don't know your entire life, but I know you deserve a break. So I'm giving it to you, on one condition."

I felt myself blush profusely, despite my happiness and relief. "Okay, what is it?"

"I want you to be safe. And I want you to tell me if anything goes wrong, or if you're in trouble. Because if you get in trouble, and one of the other chaperones finds out, I'll get in trouble, too. Better to avoid that," Mrs. Langford took a sip of her wine. She leaned forward and smiled. "So, what's he like?"

I knew I was supposed to be talking about Julian, and I could've—but immediately, I began to describe Marco, my face warm with the comfort of having gained a sort of companion in my chaperone. "He's just amazing. He's so handsome and sweet. It's hard to explain," I paused. "I've never felt this way before."

"You mean you've never been in love," Mrs. Langford grinned. "The first time is always special."

I bit my lip. Did I love Marco? I'd never thought about it like that, I guess because I didn't think that Marco loved me. But it was clear how drawn we were to one another, and how the attraction between us was only growing stronger every waking moment of every day, whether we were together or apart. "There is something I think I need your help with," I blushed suddenly, gazing at Mrs. Langford.

"What is it?"

"Well," I paused. "I want—I mean, need—" another pause. "I need help figuring out—"

"Birth control," Mrs. Langford interrupted me, somehow reading the words in my mind. "I'm happy to help. Better safe than sorry."

"Right," I responded, finally beginning to eat the untouched salad that sat on the table in front of me. "Better safe than sorry."

//

MARCO

"Are you out of your mind, Marco? What were you thinking, getting yourself involved with her?" Mats stared at me as we sat in my living room—of course, after I'd gotten dressed and done my interview with Sports Illustrated. It turned out that he'd spent the entire three hours that I was gone waiting for me in my apartment—this was how badly he felt the need to chastise me.