It was already the second Saturday since Lee told her that he was leaving. She was counting the days and the weeks ’til the day. Six more Saturdays to spend with her soft and tender boy who have been her constant companion for over a year.
She was getting ready for Saturday night, Lee was going to pick her up for his practice at the studio and then dinner and probably a movie when her dad knocked on the door.
“Sweetheart, your friend is here,” he said.
She was tying her hair then paused, “You mean Lee?”
It was highly unlikely, because her dad would’ve said it was Lee.
“No, a friend from school, he’s talking to your mom downstairs … Marlon?”
There was a jolt in her chest, she never told Marlon where she lived. Though he could’ve easily get the information from someone at school. He didn’t say he was coming over, why would he? What could he possibly want?
“O … kay …” she replied and finished up tying her hair.
When she walked down the stairs, she could hear her mom was having a friendly conversation with … Marlon. Yup, it was him. She recognized his voice and the smell of his perfume.
“Marlon … what are you doing here?” she greeted him in bewilderment.
“Hey … I’m sorry to come unannounced … can I talk to you for a moment?” he looked up at her who was still standing on the steps of the stairs. His eyes were glassy, reddish and heavy.
Her heart beat faster, what if her mom noticed he was high? She glanced at her mom who seemed welcoming to the guest.
“Why don’t you go upstairs and talk privately, Hazel’s going out with her boyfriend soon, but I’m preparing dinner if you kids want to have a quick bite,” she offered.
“That sounds lovely,” Marlon said.
“I will be having dinner with Lee, mom, thanks,” she stared at her mom signaling at her that she didn’t want Marlon to stay that long.
Claire had an apologetic expression on her face, she was just being nice. She was always nice to Hazel’s friends, and not just because she knew who Marlon was.
They went upstairs to her room, Marlon closed the door behind him. She had never been so nervous being in her own bedroom. She looked at Marlon who’s checking out his surrounding, his demeanor was different than his usual cockiness.
“So … what’s up?” she broke the silence.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know where else to go,” he sat on the edge of her bed, his head down and he rubbed his face in frustration. He looked like he hadn’t slept and she noticed he was wearing the same clothes she saw him in the day before.
“Are you alright?”
He looked up at her and saw it on her face, she genuinely cared. He must’ve looked like a mess when he realized that.
“Uhmm … yeah, I just thought we can do some studying tonight,” he lied.
“You just said you didn’t know where else to go … it’s Saturday night, where are your friends?”
“Oh … yeah …” he seemed confused, “They went back to Goldstone … and … this town is pretty sleepy, you don’t happen to know a good club around here, do you?”
She folded her arms in front of her, “I’m not allowed to go clubbing yet … and that’s not my scene.”
He stared at her again, “Right,” he realized what a nice girl she was and judging from her parents, it was no wonder she was so sweet. So far from the kind of family he came from. “So … any chance you want to study tonight?” he tried.
“My boyfriend is coming in …” she glanced at her watch, “Half an hour … I have plans, and why on earth would you want to study on a Saturday night?” She walked over to her closet to find a jacket that would go well with her dress.
He laughed lightly, “Can I just stay here and have dinner with your family then?”
She glared at him, “You’re drunk … or high … I don’t know which one … and no, Marlon, you can’t stay here and have dinner with my parents, that’s weird, what about home? You can go home and have dinner with your family, can’t you?”
He didn’t respond, the smile on his face faded.
“You’re still wearing the same clothes as yesterday, have you been home since then?”
His heart tendered at the fact she noticed it, he shook his head, he pinched his nose. He was looking down, but Hazel could’ve sworn there was almost tears in his eyes. Her heart sank.
“Are you okay? Is there something I can help you with?” her voice softened.
He inhaled deeply as if to suck everything in, and when he opened his eyes, his whole facade changed again. “I’m fine … I just … you never told me you have a boyfriend … any chance you can cancel tonight?” he grinned.
She raised an eyebrow, “No … and if he knows you’re here like this, it may not go well for me tonight.”
“Why?” he pretended not to understand.
She looked at him. Because Marlon was handsome as hell, and because he was famous, he’s a guy who was in her bedroom, drunk and suspiciously looking like he’s in a lot of trouble. “It’s complicated,” she said.
“I wish I can help you tonight, but I can’t … what about girlfriends? I’m sure you can call them and take them out somewhere.”
He snorted, “What? Girlfriends? Where did you get that idea?”
She gave him a look, she wasn’t going to pretend like she didn’t know he has a girl everywhere.
He felt caught and adverted his gaze, “Okay … yeah … and no … no girlfriends,” he said simply. He was back to his gloomy demeanor.
Hazel picked out a jacket from her closet and put it on, “Okay, I’m sorry, but you have to go … Lee will be here soon and I have to get ready.”
“You look nice,” he commented. He was being truthful.
She smiled, “Thanks.”
Marlon stood and pointed to the cardboard cutout by her bed, “Harry Styles … I met him once at my dad’s party in Goldstone … cool guy.”
Just when she thought he couldn’t make her feel any geekier. This guy had actually met the love of her life in person and probably had a casual conversation with him. When Harry seemed to be so out of reach for her, another being from another world. “Awesome,” she murmured. She didn’t want to go all fangirl crazy and ask him the details.
“I wish you would give me the heads up next time,” she said as they were walking down the stairs. “If you need to talk or something,” she added.
He stopped and turned, he looked a little surprised. Hazel was a sensitive girl, she sensed that there was something weighing on his mind and he probably wanted to talk to someone. She was just surprised that he would look for her instead of his actual friends.
“Thanks,” he said. “Yeah … next time.”
“Where are you going now?” she worrisome.
He tucked his hands in his pocket, he looked lost, “Uhm … home … I guess.”
Now she felt sorry for him but his timing was really off. “You’ll be alright?”
He smiled and blushed a little bit, “Yeah … I’ll be fine.”