OUT OF THE PICTURE

Chapter Twenty-One || Marlin

The front door flew opened as Marlin marched inside, annoyingly putting down her purse on the rarely used dining table.

"So we're keeping secrets now? Is that what we're doing?" Sarah uttered behind her as she followed inside.

Marlin let out a long deep sigh before facing her. She turned around and not a single word came out of her mouth. The truth was, she didn't know what to tell her. She was tired, and didn't feel like arguing.

She could see Ivan entering the room as quietly as possible as if he didn't want to interrupt something.

"If I never figured out what the hell was going on in there, you'll never tell me, will you?"

"Tell you what, huh? That Ryan is being a jerk? Again? That's not really a news, is it?"

"Oh my God he could've done something terrible! That guy is an asshole you know that." Sarah crossed her arms. "I just don't understand why you have to hide it from me."

"Because! I'll know you react this way, okay?" Marlin threw her hands up in irritation. "That's what you do. You overreact."

Sarah scoffed unbelievably. "Seriously?"

Marlin didn't respond. It would only make the conversation longer. Instead, her eyes couldn't help but to notice the figure behind Sarah.

Ivan was dead silent as he stood there at one corner of the room, his face seemed troubled.

"Hello? So I'm the only one who's not supposed to know with what's going on around here?" The blonde was at it again. "That's funny because I tell you everything. Everything and--"

"Sarah could you just please for once, not make it about you?"

And right after those words, She witnessed how her bestfriend's expression changed. It was in disbelief. Marlin had snapped. Usually, she would feel bad and quickly regret it, and end up apologizing.

But at that moment, she didn't. She didn't want to...

Instead, she grabbed her stuff and walked out of the kitchen. She may had sensed Sarah was about to do the same thing so she sped up her march competitively. She didn't know why she had the urge to not let Sarah win this time.

The girls raced to each of their rooms, both slamming the door almost at the same time.

Marlin stared at her empty bed. The stillness of the room reminded her how loud the outside was. Not bothering to turn on the lights, she dropped her stuff on the floor on her way to bed. She reached the switch on her bedside lamp and began taking her boots and clothes off. She threw it all on the ground and finally lay down.

Loneliness rushed through her as she stared up the ceiling. Her thoughts about her family and friends from back home suddenly popped up to her. It had been almost three years since the lasttime she had seen them. Memories started sneaking out of her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.

Marlin had recalled the day when she was seven years old. She remembered it clearly because it was her mom's birthday and she helped decorating the living room and even baked cookies.

She was very proud of herself that day and couldn't wait for her mom's reaction. But before the birthday celebrant arrived from work, their cat 'Millie' started scratching the banner and ripped most of the streamers. After yelling at the cat, she stomped her way up to her room and locked herself. Yes, she was a little bit dramatic, but who seven year old isn't? She was so upset that she refused to get out of her room until there was a knock on her door.

"Honey what's wrong?" It was her mom's gentle voice.

Little Marlin was too busy sobbing to answer.