Snow, Snow Is Here To Stay

Two Broken Hearts + One New Friend?

"Hi, you wanted to talk to me?" Ben came up to me the morning after I sent the messsage.

"Yeah...I don't want to do this but, I can't...I can't go to the dance with you," I said quickly.

Ben's smile evaporated. "What? Why not?"

"I...Marco asked me too, and I really want to go with him. After everything, I think I owe him,"

Ben displayed a forced smile. "Oh, I get it. I've always been the second choice for you. I'm hurt, but I know there's nothing I can do. So, have fun with Marco. I hope you have a good time, Anna."

I nodded, "Thank you, Ben. I'm really sorry." This went better than I thought. But I spoke too soon because Marco stepped out from behind me.

"You said yes to me when you already had plans with Ben? I can't believe you, I really can't," he scoffed. He eyed Ben and then shook his head, walking away.

I grabbed his arm, stopping him. "No, Marco, please," I pleaded.

"Please what? Please go to the dance with me, Marco!" Marco mimicked. "Well, no. Not anymore."

Marisa was standing there, watching, from the entrance of our homeroom. She had a smirk written all over her face. I couldn't take it anymore. I ran past them, heading into homeroom, with tears in my eyes.

"Wait, Anna!" Marisa called after me, running behind me. When I sat down at a completely new desk, on the opposite side of Ben and Marco, Marisa did too.

She faced me with determination on her face. "Listen, this isn't a truce between us, but the way Marco acted is giving me second thoughts about him. What he did wasn't cool. It was actually pretty rude."

"Why are you telling me this?" I grumbled. Ben and Marco entered the room, both looking at Marisa and me. They turned away quickly and walked in opposite directions.

Marisa rolled her eyes, like this conversation was so obvious. "I'm on your side. For now. I'm going to talk to Marco and with Ben, we're going to figure something out. We are going to have an awesome time at the dance."

"Why are you helping me?" I questioned, still suspicious about Marisa's intentions.

"Cause we're dreamers." Marisa smiled sadly. "Who are going to have an epic time at the school Valentine's Day Dance."

I beamed, "Thanks Marisa. You're not too shabby."

She laughed and turned around to listen to Mr. Garber. At lunch, Marisa led me to her table. Marco was there. Marisa whispered a few words into Marco's ear, and he looked at me with forgiving eyes. Then, she walked over to me and dragged me to sit beside her and Marco.

"So, who wants my pudding?" Marisa asked the group, like it was the most normal thing for me to be at her table. What was going on? I still didn't fully trust her. Marco grabbed the pudding and gobbled it up in half a minute.

"Hey, can I sit here?" Ben asked, halfway through lunch. Marisa looked at me, like she wanted me to answer. There was one more seat which I said he could take. This was so awkward. I felt so out of place, so I decided to text Mei for help.

Anna: Hi! U there?

Mei: Yup. Hi An.

Anna: Hey, so I'm sitting at a table with Marisa, Marco, and Ben for lunch. Idk what to do. It's so awkward!

Mei: Um...just pretend to be interested in something on your phone. Sorry we can't keep talking. I'm going to class. Bye!

Anna: It's ok, bye. Have a good day!

Mei: U 2! Miss u!😗

Anna: Miss u 2!

Lunch rolled by quickly and I didn't say more than five words. Marisa told me her friends really like me, but I was still unsure what her motive was. After the way she acted around me before, I had to be a bit suspicious, right?

On my way to the library after school, I bumped into Ben.

"Ben, I'm really sorry and I understand if you're going to hate me for the rest of my life," I told him.

"That's a bit dramatic. I don't hate you, Anna. I just need time to process this, and so does Marco." Ben replied.

I laughed, "Since when are you and Marco all buddy-buddy?"

"Since you broke both of our hearts," Ben stated simply.

I gulped and said goodbye, heading into the library, embarrassed.

Why do I always make such a mess of things?