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"Hey Marcy, can I tell you something?"
The girls were having their usual bi-weekly sleepover, Sasha having left for the bathroom and to go get some extra snacks. Marcy wasn't entirely focused on the other two, she'll admit. She was preoccupied playing the second edition of her favorite JRPG series since it got its Switch release a few days ago. She didn't bother looking up to answer Anne, instead shooting a quick "Yep! What's up?"
She felt the bed shift slightly as Anne scooted in closer, clutching a pillow in what seemed to be a nervous posture. She briefly contemplated continuing the game, deciding to pause it for now before setting it in her lap. Annes' eyes were hesitant, not meeting her gaze. Did I do something? Did I say something again? She couldn't help but feel a tinge of worry. "So... um. Theoretically speaking, how often do people who end up together start off as friends?" That's... an odd question. But not one she was unfamiliar with. She was actually rather interested in the theory of soulmates and destiny, albeit she knew how improbable that was. It just wasn't realistic.
"Hmmm... well, research is kinda sparse but many theorize in small sample-size studies that it could be around Sixty-Eight percent or roughly two-thirds. That is of couples maintaining a platonic relationship before entering into a romantic one. Why?" She glanced from Annes' fidgeting hands to her face, which was twisted in an expression that Marcy couldn't quite decipher. Anne leaned forward, checking to see if anyone was in the hall. "Well, I just... I don't know. I've been realizing some stuff recently." Marcy nodded, eagerly listening. Before she could reply, the other girl grabbed her arm to bring her into a whisper. "You can't tell anybody. Not a soul, okay?" Marcy nodded again, quirking a quizzical brow.
"Especially Sasha."
She pulled back a bit to look Anne in the eyes. "Huh? Why not?" Anne fidgeted, looking back out the door again before saying under a hushed breath, "Because-" She leaned in to whisper in her ear, "Because I think I have a crush on Sasha." Call it a knee-jerk reaction, but Marcy couldn't help but immediately pull away. Something about the caution in her tone made her feel absolutely dizzy. "Oh. I- um. Wow. Really?" Anne let out a small whine, throwing herself back into the pillows. "Please don't tell anyone." She covered her face with the pillow she had, holding it tightly. Marcy shifted uncomfortably. "When?"
"What do you mean?" The pillow was lifted up slightly so the Thai girl could get a good look at her friends' expression.
"When did you... figure it out?" She gestured vaguely. Marcy couldn't find her words as she began experiencing a strange unsettling feeling creeping up her back. Why was this upsetting her? Shouldn't she be happy for Anne? She's one of her best friends. This is ridiculous. "I don't know. Just been thinking about it recently but sometimes when we're hanging out alone I just..." She catches herself before groaning loudly, covering her face back up. Marcy just stared from a distance, almost feeling detached from the situation. "Sorry, sorry. I won't tell." She turned her game back on, trying to focus on something else. "Promise."
A soft muttered 'thanks' came from beside her, before she turned over, laying on her side. Feigning all interest in her game as Sasha re-entered the room, popcorn and drink cans in hand. She decided not to listen in on their conversations for the night, Annes' words replaying in her head like a movie. The soft smile she gave as she recounted how she felt around their mutual friend. The red that coated her face through the night any time Sasha made physical contact.
She watched them from the bed, a sinking feeling in her chest that she couldn't quite place. Like something was missing. A piece of a puzzle, discarded and lost ages ago. She should've known none of this would include her, after all for years it had always been Sasha and Anne. She was only ever in the background, a secondary choice. The person you'd talk to in class because you knew they'd give you all the answers. Normally it wouldn't bother her, but for some reason, the desperation of it all was eating at her. Was she being too needy? She didn't feel the need for control, and yet she wishes she could change their dynamic.
Hugging her knees, Marcy curled in on herself, only giving brief 'yes' or 'no' answers to questions. If she needed to elaborate, she'd keep it short, trying to ignore how Anne gave Sasha a fond look. It was something she hadn't noticed before. Her eyes were full of emotion like Sasha had created the Earth, the Moon & the Stars. Like she was a god among men. She couldn't even hold it against her, she was really cool. Head cheerleader, popular, everybody loved her. Whenever she entered the room, everybody paid attention. Her energy could be really overpowering.
Still, it still stung. Why couldn't it be me? Why won't she look at me like that?
She'd have to unpack that thought later.
-
The other two fell asleep halfway before the movie was over, again. She didn't give it much thought, turning to the screen. 'You'll never defeat us, Lich King! Not when we have the power of friendship!' She found herself quoting the movie in tandem. Looking back at the two sleeping, she couldn't help but feel like she needed to keep that true. They would all be friends no matter what, she'd do anything to keep them all together. Even if it hurt her. Even if they didn't see her the way that she saw them.
After all, Annes' birthday was in two weeks, and they were going to make it the best one yet.