If I Fall In Love

Chapter Two

Over the last month, Brian became a constant in Marley's life. Marley was smart with this. She wasn't going to let a guy distract her from her final weeks of school, she had enough on her plate and Brian would not be an exception. Marley just began her trial exams which relieved a bit of stress off her shoulders. 

I finish work early today. I'll pick you up after your exam

Marley widened her eyes staring at the text from a persistent Brian. She reluctantly agreed since she always denied Brian's invitations, finally deciding to give him a chance. By the time school finished, Brian was out front waiting for her.

"Hey what are you doing here?" Bianca raised a brow talking to her cousin.

"Taking Marley for lunch... need a ride home?" Brian replied from the passengers seat. 

"No that's okay. Have fun" She smirked at Marley... walking away with a chuckle. Marley jumped into the passengers seat. Brian made sure she had her seatbelt on before speeding away. 

"Do you do this with a lot of girls?" Marley raised a brow, trying to break the silence as she turned down the music.

"Marley right now there is no other girl I intend of pursuing aside from you" He winked back. Marley made sure she was immune to his charm and didn't overthink his words. Men were clever when it came to wordplay, and could make women fall in love whilst they felt nothing. Marley hated that about the opposite race. 

If you didn't like a girl then why would you pursue her? Girls feel and fall too deeply. Love... the most overused word in this generation. 

Throughout the lunch, the two conversated very well. They spoke about the little things, work, school, post-school plans, family. It made the two acquainted quite quickly. Brian commented on the maturity that Marley had, and said that she would make an amazing nurse. 

Brian was left more on the mysterious side. Marley knew he had to have a greater story than the one he told, but it was still early in their friendship and she did not want to push him away. They continued talking about anything and everything all through until dessert arrived. 

This was the first time Marley ever let a guy take her out and she didn't regret it. Brian was kind. Brian was patient. Brian was able to hold a conversation about goals and aspirations in life and aspired a wonderful life of his own. 

He was definitely rare in this generation.

"I want to see you more" Brian confessed as Marley began eating her sundae. 

"Brian..."

"If you say no that's okay. But I like being around you Mar... hence why I'd like to be around you more."

No one had ever said this to Marley before and it surprised her. She didn't know she was capable of making someone feel like this. 

"Okay... we can work something out" Marley was speechless. 

"It's getting dark... do you want to go home?" Brian wanted Marley to feel safe and if she wasn't comfortable with being out with him at night then he understood that. 

"We can still hang out if that's okay" Marley replied.

Brian nodded and paid for the bill, much to Marley's dismay. He decided to take Marley to a lookout just to soak in the environment. Sydney was definitely beautiful when it chose to be and this was one of those nights. 

Truth be told this was really Marley's first time out with a guy. She was smart... taking notes from movies and books that she read and watched, trying to not scare him off in any way. She didn't mind forming a friendship with Brian and waited to see if they would ever become more. 

Would they ever become more?

The two sat on a bench and watched Sydney in its night-life. Brian wrapped an arm around Marley's shoulder as she made herself comfortable. 

"You haven't done this before, have you?" - Brian

"Not really... is it that obvious?" Maryley laughed tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"It not obvious but I can tell of your innocence Marley. If I make you uncomfortable or make you feel unsafe just let me know. I'm here to protect you"

Thank goodness for the dim lighting because Marley's cheeks were now a rose colour. She was taken back by his manners and respected him a lot.

"Thank you" She smiled before placing her head on his shoulder. 

"Why did your parents name you Marley?" Brian questioned staring at the stars.

"My mum refused to let my father give me a Tongan first name... and they both liked the name Marley I guess." Marley smiled back.

"It's nice out here" Marley felt the conversation slowly die so she tried to revive it. Brians phone began to rang, he excused himself to take the call. 

Brian returned a few minutes later with an agitated expression. Brian remained quiet which probably meant he was slightly annoyed. Marley did not want to agitate him even more. Her heart was finally at ease when she realised she was in front of Bianca's house.

"Chill with Irene and Biana for a bit... I'll be right back, I promise" Marley stared at Brian. She saw the sisters on the front porch, most likely surprised to see Brian's car.

"Okay, please be safe" Marley smiled opening the car door. Brian gave her a quick nod before driving away. 

"Hey sis... is everything okay?" Irene followed Bianca out to the front gate to greet Marley.

"Yeah... your cousin just said he'll be right back" Marley smiled, innocently. Bianca shared a serious look with Irene, which sent Irene inside to make a phone call.

"How was it?" Bianca questioned taking a seat on the front porch. This only got Marley to smile with all the little details about her afternoon. She complimented Brian, saying that he was quite the gentlemen and was very respectful. This made Bianca raise brow, she had never known her cousin to be such an affectionate human being. How exciting, a chase... someone finally able to break down the walls of a beast. 

Bianca watched Marleys eyes light up as every single detail left her mouth. This was also the first time Marley was accepting enough to allow a guy close to her heart, or somewhat. It was still early in this "situationship" so there was no judging. Irene finally returned half an hour later and joined the girls outside.

"Mar... I'll drop you home when your ready. Brian apologises but he's got something important he's been called to" Irene looked more unsure than confident with her reply.

"I can go now" Marley replied.

"B stay here... I'll take Marley" Irene send her younger sister inside as the two entered into her car.

"Marley... I'm saying this to you because I've known you since we were kids and you're basically my little sister. Are you in love with my cousin?"

Marley didn't expect Irene to ask a question like this. Was Brian secretly trouble? It was still early in the situationship so she didn't want to call this "love". Love shouldn't be thrown around, love is never unsure, and she was definitely unsure about Brian.

"It's too early to call anything love, Irene. Is there something I should know about him?" Marley raised her brow.

"It's up to him. I just don't want people jumping into relationships for the sake of not being lonely."

"I know this... I'm not trying to play games or act out of desperation... I'll be smart. " Marley wished she could disappear from the passengers seat. She hated interrogations and as much as she respected Irene, she wasn't ready to get into a heated conversation over Irene's cousin and her potential lover. 

Oh, Brian... I hope your okay.

Marley decided to shoot him a text.

 Hey, thank you for tonight ! I hope everything's okay. Please be safe.