“She’s not gonna respond! Why do I alaways do this?” Gwen paced the floor of her room. Her roommate gave her a disinterested look.
“I’m going out tonight, you coming?” Gwen looked over at them, sighing.
“No, I’m just gonna sit here and wallow.” She flopped onto her bed dramatically. Her roommate shrugged and got up to finish getting ready. Just as they walked out the door, a chime came from Gwen’s phone. She practically flew across the room to get it, pumping her fist in the air when she saw it was Marla.
“Okay, deep breaths. Cool and casual response. Don’t be weird.” She muttered to herself, starting to type.
GWEN: Roses apparently don’t like having negative energy fed into them. I’m all good now.
She hit send and paused for a moment, adding a second message.
GWEN: How were your classes?
(You have me so stressed for poor Marla right now!)
(Ah sorry ):
(Also your character. I’ve said it once, I’ll say it a million times. SO RELATABLE. HOW OMG)
It was important to pack up the Tarot when you were finished with it, leaving out potent dark magic was a terrible idea. But the harder Marla struggled to lift even a single card, the heavier it became, until it was practically nailed down to the floorboards.
She let out a huff of frustration, but was once again interrupted by a notification on her phone.
MARLA: They were pretty okay. You? And ouch, feel better soon
She settled on her bed, pulling her legs into a cross legged position.
(Aww thank you! I have a lot of experience being awkward, so I’m pretty good at writing it!)
Gwen stared at her phone while she waited for a response, switching through apps impatiently. But what if Marla saw her read it instantly? The cute girl would think she was creepy for just sitting there and waiting.
A smile appeared on Gwen’s face as her phone chimed again. She waited a few seconds before opening the conversation and replying.
GWEN: Boring at times, but not bad overall. Good to hear your day went well though.
She stared blankly at the screen, debating on asking about the observatory on Friday, but decided against it. “I’m already too close to creepy stalker territory.” She sighed, flopping unceremoniously down onto her bed and hitting send.
(Np!)
Marla immediately jumped to respond to the text, then realized how immensely creepy she would seem to Gwen. So she took a minute, attempting to lift her mother’s cards once more. She failed, unease rising, and checked her phone.
MARLA: Thanks. So, what were our plans for the observatory? I’m really forgetful at times, sorry. Friday, right?
Gwen gasped as she opened the message, blushing even though Marla wasn’t in the room. She took a minute to silently cheer before replying, a grin plastered onto her red cheeks.
GWEN: Yeah, Friday works for me. And it’s np! I’m forgetful too.
(Did we ever establish what day today was?)
(Tbh I don’t remember
Say…. Tuesday?)
MARLA: Fantastic, can’t wait :)
She hesitated before sending, knowing that the smiley face was a dangerous gamble.
GWEN: Same here! :) U busy tmrw around 12:45? We can have lunch?
Gwen knew she was taking a massive risk in asking her out for lunch again after today. She sat on her fingers and hoped for the best as she sent the message.
Marla’s heart stumbled over several beats, a ridiculous grin spreading over her pink face. Was— was Gwen asking her out? Impossible. Get your act together.
MARLA: I’d love to, where are we going?
Gwen smiled as she saw the response. She then started to panic because she had no idea.
GWEN: Tbh I didn’t think I’d get this far. Any places you like to eat?
MARLA: Lol how come? And it’s up to you, I like most things except for horse radishes and overly meaty stuff.
She tilted her head to the side, enjoying the small flutter in her rib cage.
GWEN: Just figured you’d be busy. How do you feel about that little diner just off campus? I think it’s called Sara’s Diner, but I could be wrong.
Gwen sighed in relief as she managed to dodge the question about her nerves.
MARLA: The cutesy 50’s one? Or am I thinking of something completely off?
Death hummed, dangerously enticing, but Marla stood her ground. “I drew you,” she growled at it. “I’ve done my job and you’ve done yours.”
GWEN: That’s the one! Figured we celebrate your vintage aesthetic a few more times before I turn you into a hipster.
Gwen smiled as she sent the text, relieved Marla recognized the place.
MARLA: Lol, thank you for your consideration ;)
She turned her full attention back to the screen, biting her tongue before sending the winky emoticon.
Gwen laughed as she saw the winking face.
GWEN: ;) is the only time I can actually wink. Can’t even do it irl.
Marla laughed quietly, promptly ignoring the way the room seemed to darken in response. It was a dangerous gamble, ignoring the cards, yet here she was.
MARLA: Really? Lol
GWEN: Hey! I’m trying my best here! :P
She rolled her eyes playfully as she read Marla’s last message over again. It was likely she hadn’t actually laughed, but the thought of there being a chance of it made Gwen’s heart swell.
MARLA: Sorry, sorry :P. Guess I’ve also got to work on my social skills ;)
She leaned back against the wall, grinning.
GWEN: Lol, me too! Guess we can pratice tomorrow, right? I’m deathly afraid of ordering at restaurants. I swear I’ll try not to cry this time.
Gwen hit send and silently prayed Marla would pick up on her sarcasm.
Once again, Marla burst out laughing, though the room went almost black. Was she being stupid? Absolutely. Endangering herself? Yup. Did she care? At the moment, not at all.
MARLA: Ouch, I hope not lol. Fear not, I’ll protect you
Gwen laughed out loud, causing the potted plants in the room to perk up.
GWEN: Ty, I am quite the damsel in distress!
MARLA: I have no doubt XD. Does this mean I get to see you in a ballgown?
She forced herself to set the phone aside and try to pick up the cards again. Surprisingly, they relented, though the side of Death cut a deep gouge into her palm. Marla bit back a cry of pain, replacing the cards into the satchel.
GWEN: Only if you’re paying for it!
She laughed reading Marla’s text, unable to imagine herself in a ballgown.
MARLA: Hey, I’m either paying for my new wardrobe or your ballgown. Your choice
She settled back onto the bed, light returning to the room.
GWEN: Hmm… paying for my fashion or your fashion? Hard choice. Does that mean you aren’t paying for our trip to Disney Land either?
MARLA: Hold up a second— Disney?
Just as she sent the message, the door opened and her roommate walked in, blowing a huge bubble with her gum. “Hey, Trinity.”
Trinity smiled, flopping down on her bed. “Hey, Marla. Looking a little pink there— who’s the lucky guy you’re texting?”
“Girl,” she corrected without missing her best, though her heart definitely did. Since when was she this confident? Trinity blinked, then smirked. “I guess my friend owes me five dollars.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Gwen laughed looking at the screen. She sent a gif of Mickey Mouse waving.
GWEN: Sorry, childhood dreams slipping through. You got me thinking about it with all this ballgown talk.
Marla was amused, she had to admit. Trinity was too, it was evident in the way her mismatched eyes seemed to glimmer. “My friend is, too put it plainly, a bit of a raging lesbian. Heard I had a cute roommate, thought you were straight. I bet her otherwise.”
Rolling her eyes, Marla glanced down at her screen. “Should I be flattered?”
MARLA: Confession time: I’ve never been. And I’ve never seen Mulan, The Lion King, or Beauty and the Beast
GWEN: Last time I went was when I was 8. You haven’t see three of the best movies in existence?! Hope you don’t have any plans this weekend cause it looks like we have to have a Disney sleepover too.
Gwen chewed her lip nervously upon sending the message. I sounded way too bossy, didn’t I?
Trinity chuckled. “Should you?” Marla held up a finger, seeing the new message. “One sec, minor crisis.”
MARLA: Damn, the one weekend I’m packed, I get invited to a sleepover? I’m sorry ):
Does next weekend work for you?
