Marianna pulled up in front of the Funai house, honking the horn once to alert Hikari of her arrival. Sitting back in her seat, Marianna adjusted the rearview mirror so she could double-check her appearance. Perhaps it was stupid, but Marianna found herself nervous about tonight. Which wasn’t an unusual emotion for her, but this time it felt different. It was one thing to go on a date with a girl she liked; taking her out with her friends accompanying them was an entirely different story. The fact that her three closest friends would finally meet the girl she was now dating was rather daunting, Marianna found.
Everything seemed to be in place, her newly curled hair and makeup no worse for wear. Satisfied, Marianna once again adjusted the mirror, putting it back in place. She looked toward the Funai house in time to see Hikari give her a little wave from the porch before bounding toward the truck.
“Hey,” Hikari greeted when she entered the vehicle, pulling the door closed behind her. She gave Marianna a reassuring grin. “You ready for this?”
“Yeah,” Marianna said as she started driving once more. And then, because the opportunity was too good to resist, she jested, “Cute outfit.”
Hikari was sporting a dark green leather jacket, along with a pair of jeans and blood-red high heels that must have been at least four inches high.
Hearing the teasing lilt in Marianna’s voice, Hikari pretended to shoot her friend an affronted look. “Marianna Whitlock,” she chastised as they stopped at a red light, “I’ll have you know I chose the perfect outfit for tonight––it’s just being covered at the moment. It’s too frickin’ cold outside to go waltzing around in nothing but a t-shirt.”
“Whatever you say,” Marianna said, pressing her foot against the accelerator once the light turned green. She heard Hikari let out a faux annoyed breath, causing her smile to widen.
“Are we picking anyone else up?” Hikari asked after a moment of comfortable silence. Out of the corner of her eye, Marianna saw Hikari turn toward her.
“No.” Marianna watched a young man skirting the side of the road, stepping between some parked cars with an air of purpose. Was he going to jaywalk? She slowed down, just in case. “Blaze is driving himself over, and I’m not sure about Sadie.” She moved her foot to the brake as the young man cut in front of her.
“Didn’t Sadie say her parents were driving her or something?” Hikari asked after a moment of silence, having allowed Marianna to focus on her driving.
“Oh, yeah,” Marianna realized. “Her mom, right?”
“Right,” Hikari replied. “What about this girlfriend of yours?”
Here, Hikari’s voice took on a curious edge. Ever since Marianna brought up this get-together, her friends had been quite interested in meeting Alna, who remained a bit of an enigma to them for the last little while. It wasn’t like Marianna never talked about Alna, but until tonight, Marianna’s friends had never seen or interacted with her new girlfriend. She didn’t exactly have any pictures of the other girl yet.
“She’s taking a cab,” Marianna answered. And then, suddenly remembering, she corrected, “Actually, she said the city bus.” She allowed a beat of silence to fall between them before adding, “Alna doesn’t drive.”
“Oh? Why?”
“Not sure yet.”
Minutes later, Marianna was in the theater’s parking lot, and she and Hikari stepped out. Shivering against the breeze, Marianna allowed her purse to hang off her shoulder as she wrapped her arms around herself.
“Doesn’t look like they’re here yet,” Hikari commented as she rounded the vehicle. “No, wait. Isn’t that Sadie’s mom’s car?”
Marianna followed the direction Hikari was pointing and spotted a red car that looked familiar.
“Looks like it,” she said. “Come on.”
The two girls headed off in the car’s direction, halting when it stopped next to them. Sadie hopped out.
“Yeah, I will, Mom,” they heard Sadie say before she slammed the door shut. She gave Hikari and Marianna an embarrassed smile. “Parents, right?”
Hikari laughed. “Totally.” She started to say something else, but cut herself off, and shot Marianna a worried look. Sadie’s expression soon mirrored Hikari’s, as if they had both remembered something. Marianna blinked, perplexed.
“What?” she asked, instinctively glancing down at herself to make sure nothing about her was amiss. Everything seemed fine. Sure, her light blue shirt and denim jacket weren’t much protection against the wind, but that hardly seemed to warrant the looks her friends were giving her. So why were they… Oh. She brought her gaze back up and gave them a reassuring smile.
“It’s okay. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. We’re here to have fun, right?” Marianna assured them. The two visibly relaxed.
“Right,” Hikari agreed in a cheerful voice. “So let’s get hoppin’.”
The three girls headed toward the theater. There was a pixelated sign right above the entryway, the entry itself consisting of four sets of glass doors. There were posters on each side of the entrance, each advertising a movie that would play shortly. To draw more attention, the posters were lit up from inside their plastic cases.
When the entryway came into sight, Marianna’s eyes flitted toward two familiar figures, who were standing inside the building’s entrance. Well, it looked like Alna had already met Blaze.
“Hey, there’s Blaze,” Sadie said, as if reading Marianna’s mind. “Who’s he talking to? Is that Alma?”
“Alna,” Marianna corrected, another smile appearing unbidden on her face. “And yes, it is.”
Just then, Blaze’s eyes hazel drifted over Alna’s shoulder, and he lifted his hand in greeting, causing Alna to turn around and spot them, a jacket folded over her arm. Her expression warmed when she caught sight of Marianna. Blaze opened the door for them.
He had dressed up a bit for the event, Marianna noted, eyeing Blaze’s long-sleeved green sweater. He’d combed his brown hair. It didn’t even look sweaty from basketball practice.
“Hello, ladies,” Blaze pretended to greet them formally, a glint in his eyes. “Lovely evening tonight, isn’t it?”
Sadie rolled her eyes and slapped his arm good-naturedly.
“Oh, the abuse,” Blaze whined, rubbing his arm and giving Sadie a wounded puppy-dog look.
This time it was Hikari’s turn to roll her eyes and, after removing her jacket, she used it to hit Blaze as well. Marianna heard Alna chuckle. She turned to face her. Just as she was about to voice a greeting, Hikari interrupted her.
“So, do we get an introduction?” she asked with clear amusement. When Marianna turned back to her, she saw the Hikari grinning at her in a teasing manner. Or was it suggestive?
Marianna tried not to appear flustered.
“Right,” she said, clearing her throat. “Um, well, I guess you’ve already met Blaze.” She gestured to the only boy in their little group.
“I have,” Alna agreed, casting Blaze an intrigued look. “Blaze Silvers.”
“Alna was showing me her guessing skills,” Blaze added as he moved away from the door, allowing an older couple to walk past him. Marianna noted the annoyed look that flashed across Alna’s face at the word “guessing.” “It’s cool. Kinda creepy, but cool.”
“Yes, I suppose that is one way of describing it,” Alna commented, her voice giving nothing away.
There was a beat of silence.
“Anyway,” Marianna continued awkwardly. “This is Hikari and Sadie.” She gestured to them both.
Tension broken, Sadie immediately stepped forward to shake Alna’s hand, giving her a sunny look. “It’s nice to meet someone who plays for my team.”
“Partially,” Alna said. “I’ve never felt the need to label myself.”
Sadie shrugged her bare shoulders, having arrived at the theater in an off-the-shoulder pink, long-sleeved shirt. “Well, even still.”
“And I’m Hikari, but I guess you already know that,” announced Hikari as she, too, shook Alna’s hand. “It’s nice to meet the girl Mary’s so interested in. You’ll have to show me your guessing skills sometime; they sound awesome. Is it true you’ve already graduated high school?”
“It is,” Alna confirmed. “And I just might show you my…guessing skills. But for now, it would be wise to proceed inside; the movie is starting soon.”
After everyone agreed, the group entered the theater, Alna taking Marianna’s hand. They slowed down, drifting behind the others. She gave Marianna a sideways smile. “Hello.”
“Hi,” Marianna replied as they got into line to buy tickets. “I’m sorry if they made you uncomfortable. They can be a bit…” Marianna trailed off, searching for the right word. She’d been planning to say “eccentric,” but that didn’t seem very accurate. She settled with “much.”
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They paused their discussion to buy tickets, which was when a playful argument ensued, as the salesperson watched on with annoyance.
Marianna won, and, feeling pleased, paid for both her and Alna’s ticket. Her friends each shot her smiles; Blaze’s suggestive, Sadie’s happy, and Hikari’s mischievous. Marianna blushed and rolled her eyes.
“I don’t mind your friends,” Alna said in a mild voice as they followed the three to the snacks. “Although,” she added, a tinge of annoyance entering her voice, “I wish they would stop referring to my deducing as ‘guessing.’”
“I’m not where they got that idea,” Marianna said apologetically.
“It’s no matter, I suppose.”
Nothing more was said on that topic.
***
Hikari sat in her seat in the theater, staring at the movie screen, wide-eyed. Sadie, ignoring the commercials for the moment, simply stared at Alna. “Wow,” she mouthed at Marinna before focusing her attention up front.
After grabbing their snacks and finally sitting down, the group realized they had some time before the movie started. And so, Hikari asked Alna to deduce her. Well, she continued to use “guess,” but oh well.
In response, Alna listed everything she could glean from their appearances, her observations coming out like a rapid fire. She’d listed that Sadie was gay, still mostly closeted, but seemed to be thinking about coming out to other people. When Sadie asked how she could know such a thing, Alna replied, “You keep looking at Marianna; not as if you’re attracted to her, but with respect. Her finally coming out––whether or not it was voluntary––has inspired you. Thus, it is my belief you are working up the courage to finally tell others; likely your parents or guardians.”
Alna hadn’t stopped there, either. She’d then commented that Sadie was a swimmer (something about her stature and muscle build) and played the piano. “Pianists rotate their hands in a certain fashion while playing. The habit seems to have carried over to your daily life. Not to mention that the muscles in your hands are more developed than the average person’s. You also spread your fingers at times; likely because you have to do so to play the piano.”
Marianna’s eyes had drifted to Sadie’s hand, which was spread along her knee, fingers splayed more widely than the average person's. She’d never noticed before.
At that point, the previews started, and someone shushed Alna, which earned them an impassive look. Settling back into her seat, Alna seemed content to wait for the movie to start. She’d even popped a piece of popcorn into her mouth. But Hikari, unwilling to be left out, leaned over Sadie, and demanded that Alna “do her next.” She complied with ease.
“You seem to be a fashionista; I’ve noticed you examining both mine and other people’s appearances. You’ve clearly put some effort into your appearance, and you adjust your clothing occasionally to make sure it’s always in prime condition. Not to mention the way you looked at the lady at the beverages section. Her outfit was rather bland, I suppose. I could almost see you designing her a new outfit in your mind.”
Alna had fallen silent after that, heeding to the angry shushing of yet another moviegoer, leaving Hikari, Sadie, and Blaze in awe. Her monologue had fascinated even Marianna, who’d heard Alna’s deductions on a few occasions. Alna’s words opened her eyes to Sadie’s situation in a new light, and she wondered if she should talk to her about coming out. Or let Sadie come to Marianna herself. She couldn't decide.
After Alna finished her deductions, Marianna took Alna’s hand with her free one, watching her friends’ reactions.
It took a minute for Hikari to snap out of it, but when she did, she peered at Alna with a disturbed yet awed look on her face. “I’m thinking of becoming a clothes or costume designer of some sort when I graduate,” she offered.
“Shut the fuck up!”
Casting one more intrigued look at Marianna’s girlfriend, Sadie and Hikari both turned to face the large screen. Marianna noticed Blaze flip off the annoyed woman before turning away, looking amused.
Shaking her head, Marianna opened her packet of mini chocolate bars, dumping them into her bag of popcorn. Alna gave her a curious look before turning toward the screen which was now displaying the movie’s title. Marianna grabbed a handful of popcorn, following suit.
***
After the movie, Marianna soon found herself kidnapped by Sadie and Hikari and whisked away to the ladies’ room for a “chat.” She followed her two friends with reluctance (she was certain Alna was about to give her an after-movie kiss), casting an apologetic smile over her shoulder.
The ladies’ room was, predictably, full when the three girls entered, but Sadie and Hikari seemed unperturbed by this. They pulled Marianna into the largest available stall.
“Gals,” Marianna grumbled once they were locked inside, “what’s this about?”
Forgive her if she was a little irritated about being deprived of a kiss from her gorgeous girlfriend. If such a thing was possible, Alna seemed to look especially good tonight. The spaghetti-strapped black shirt and jeans complimented her willowy figure, and her hair was nothing short of perfect.
Marianna was looking forward to kissing her. So it was understandable that having Sadie shush her got on her nerves. Marianna let out a quiet huff, crossing her arms.
During the next few minutes, Marianna’s mind wandered back to the movie, her lips quirking up as she remembered the main character’s sheer idiocy. More importantly, she wondered if she’d still be able to get that kiss from Alna.
Marianna was pulled out of her thoughts when the restroom appeared to have finally emptied. Hikari and Sadie were both peering at her with worried frowns.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, some anxiety leaking into her words. She tried to figure out what could have happened between the time they arrived at the theater and now to make her friends so worried, but drew a blank.
Hikari swallowed. “It’s just…” She looked over at Sadie for help.
Sadie bit her lip and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Alna seemed to know a lot about us,” she began, her voice cautious.
Marianna looked back and forth between her friends, unable to understand what their problem was. “Yes, I know. I told you about her, uh, talent.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t think it would be that specific,” Hikari hedged, reaching up to twist a lock of hair around her finger.
Her earlier annoyance returning, Marianna snapped, “If you have something to say, can you please just say it? We all have to go home sometime, you know.”
“Well…” Hikari said, hesitating.
“Are you sure Alna isn’t like a stalker or something?” Sadie finally blurted out, looking regretful afterward.
All thoughts in Marianna’s head came to a screeching halt at that, and she dropped her arms to her side. Her first instinct was to deny her friends’ assumption, to jump to her girlfriend’s defense, but, after a moment of consideration, she tamped down the urge. When she thought about it from Sadie and Hikari’s perspective, she had to admit she saw where they were coming from.
“Gals,” Marianna began, her voice soft, “I appreciate your concern, but Alna’s not a stalker. She’s been nothing but good to me. You saw that.” Seeing her friends’ continued skepticism, she added, “I’ve met her family; they told me it’s true Alna graduated high school, and I’ve even seen her diploma. Believe me, I’ve had some doubts, too, but she’s trustworthy. She is.”
Marianna looked between her friends’ faces anxiously, needing them to support her and Alna’s relationship. Two people Marianna once hoped against hope would support her unconditionally had proved her wrong weeks ago; she didn’t think she’d be able to handle it if she lost her friends’ support.
Both girls seemed to search Marianna’s face before Hikari (who’d known Marianna the longest) relaxed. “All right,” she said, nodding once. “I believe you.” Sadie, seeming unconvinced, gave her a sharp look. Seeing this, Hikari asked, “What? Mary’s smart. Do you think she’d go out with someone who might hurt her?”
Sadie looked down and muttered Cael’s name under breath, voice filled with spite. Not long after she’d come out to her friends, Marianna clued her friends in on the conditions of her and Cael’s break-up. Since then, Blaze, Sadie, and Hikari harbored a distinct dislike for her former boyfriend. Sadie, Marianna realized, must take it a bit personally, seeing as she had yet to come out to anyone but her close-knit group. That didn’t mean the jab, intentional or not, didn’t make her ache a bit.
“That’s different,” Hikari said with a dismissive wave of her hand. She shot Sadie a warning look.
Marianna swallowed the lump that appeared in her throat. It looked like Cael’s complete lack of acceptance still hadn’t healed completely. “I see your point, and I promise to be careful. But I think we should head back; we’ve left Alna and Blaze alone for long enough.”
It was with a much heavier heart that Marianna brushed past her friends, heading out of the ladies’ room. However, the moment Alna came into view, Marianna’s spirits lifted, and she approached her and Blaze, who were standing in front of a movie poster. Blaze seemed to be telling Alna about the movie. Marianna may or may not have taken the brief window of opportunity to admire Alna from behind.
“Do you like Star Wars, Alna?” Marianna asked, regarding the poster. Blaze jumped and spun around, startled. Alna seemed unruffled as she turned as well .
“It has its charms,” Alna acknowledged. “Although I wouldn’t call myself a fan.”
“I’ll have to watch it again sometime,” Marianna said, trying to diffuse the tension. Alna was, no doubt, picking up on it.
Before anyone else could get a word in, Blaze complained, “What took you three so long? You were in there for almost fifteen minutes.” Looking disgruntled, he shot them all a glare.
“Oh, you know.” Sadie waved a dismissive hand. “Just girl stuff.”
That was generally their go-to answer when they wanted to get boys to stop prying. Nine times out of ten, it seemed to be effective. Like now, as Blaze made a face and started to head for the exit of the theater, muttering something about needing to get more guy friends. Sadie, Hikari, and Marianna shared a laugh, Alna joining in with a soft chuckle of her own.
“Okay, people,” Hikari announced after she recovered, straightening her posture. “We should get going before Blaze spontaneously combusts.”
“That would be a darn shame,” Sadie agreed. As the group followed Blaze’s path, she added in a mysterious whisper, “Or would it?”
“Dun dun dun,” Hikari added.
Marianna pressed her face into Alna’s shoulder, trying failing to contain her laughter. The earlier discomfort was all but forgotten. Alna wrapped an arm around her.
After some brief goodbyes in the parking lot, Marianna, Hikari, and Alna (after Marianna talked her into accepting a ride) entered Marianna’s mother’s car. Hikari gave up her seat up front and decided to instead sit in the back, but not before throwing Marianna a wink. Her earlier concerns, it appeared, were alleviated. Marianna dropped Hikari off first, telling her she'd see her on Monday.
“We should go Halloween costume shopping soon,” Hikari suggested, lingering by the driver’s window. Eyes drifting over Marianna’s shoulder, she said to Alna, “You’re welcome to come if you’re interested.”
Alna gave her a smile somewhere between polite and serene. “Thank you; I shall consider it.”
Twenty minutes later found Marianna and Alna parked in front of the Holt house. When they pulled away from their goodbye kiss, Marianna noticed a contemplative yet torn look in Alna’s eyes.
“Marianna…” Alna said, then cut herself off. She glanced away from Marianna, her face becoming tense.
“Alna, is something wrong?” Marianna placed a hand on Alna’s arm.
Alna brought her gaze back to her girlfriend and parted her lips as if about to say something. Seeming to reconsider, she closed her mouth and swallowed, uncharacteristically nervous. “It’s nothing important at the moment,” she replied with forced nonchalance. Marianna wondered when she had gotten better at reading the generally impassive girl. “I will see you later.” She leaned in for another kiss.
“Definitely,” Marianna agreed with reluctance after they’d finished their kiss, still trying to figure out what Alna had been about to say. “Have a good evening.”
Alna gave her a soft smile. “You too,” she returned before exiting the truck. Marianna watched her walk up the brief pathway, stopping once she’d reached the top of the small deck. She turned and waved.
Marianna, in a sudden burst of cheekiness, blew a kiss at Alna, which she, playing along, pretended to catch. With one more small wave, Marianna backed out from where she had parked and drove off, beaming so hard her cheeks hurt.