The day had started out just like any other for Marley. Boring classes, dull lectures, and strong coffee filled most of the afternoon before she was finally released for the extended weekend. She happily sipped on her hot drink as she walked down the sidewalks of Lima, hoping to get back to her apartment before dusk. The air felt warm and breezy, just the way she liked it. It was the type of weather that allowed her to wear her favorite loose tops that fit her thin frame perfectly. It also told everyone that summer was drawing closer and closer, which many of the students at Lima University were more than thrilled about.
She dodged a few people who rushed by her, seemingly in a huge enough hurry to their destination that they couldn't look up from their phones or newspapers. Only another 15 minutes and she would be alone to enjoy her weekend alone and in peace. She finished her coffee just as she decided what movies she was going to watch in order to keep her entertained during another long break from the stress of college.
Marley walked into a local diner that she never had the time to try in order to throw her now empty Starbucks cup away. She didn't pay much attention to anyone, keeping her eyes shyly toward the ground and avoiding the curious looks of the people who were seated? Her eyes darted up for a short second to make sure she wasn't going to run into anyone on her way out. But in a corner booth of the small restaurant sat a tall man with a shirt that she could have sworn she had seen before. Could it be? "Probably not," She told herself as she stuffed her hands in her pockets, "Just a random guy that looks like him. It couldn't be."
Marley was extremely curious by nature, and that wonder started to build inside of her as she headed toward the door. She froze with her hand on the handle, stopping herself from pushing it open and leaving. She looked over at him again, catching a small glimpse of his profile before suddenly swallowing her pride and taking a few steps toward his direction. She had a slight feeling of assurance that it was him, but she'd been wrong so many times before. It had caused so much embarrassment and disappointment for her, but her curiosity got the best of her every single time. This moment was no exception.
"Excuse me," She said quietly after lightly clearing her throat as she stood awkwardly at the side of his table. She caught full view of his face now, and her stomach dropped. He looked exactly the same as the last time she saw him. Even the worry lines on his forehead were in the same place that they were when she was younger. It really was him, he was really here. Marley exhaled and smiled happily at him, "Finn," she murmured, "Y-You're really here." She sat down across from him, taking her hands out of her pockets and folding them on top of the table. "I can't..believe you're actually here, in front of me! It's been years since I've seen you, even though it's probably been different for you." She bit the inside of her cheek nervously while darting her eyes around the room. "You told me not to freak out, but I…can't help it!"
Marley didn't notice that as she rambled on the man's face was contorted with confusion and slight fear. He cautiously leaned forward as if to whisper something to her, Marley automatically getting closer also. "Are you okay, Miss?" Finn said slowly, sounding almost concerned for her sanity Marley couldn't help but furrow her brow at his question. She knew that Finn had a few nicknames for her, but calling her 'miss' was a brand new experience.
"Am…I okay?" She repeated the question back to him, hoping that saying it out loud would give her insight as to what he meant. She exhaled sharply, an anxious smile spreading across her face. "Of course I'm okay, I'm more than okay." She said as she leaned back a little bit, trying to figure out what angle he was working at. "W-why did you call me miss, Finn?" She asked, blinking her eyes and shaking her head in confusion. She looked around to a few people glancing their eyes in their direction, trying to seem preoccupied with their food or coffee. She would have figured that he would've been just as ecstatic as her when she approached him, but he seemed the opposite. His eyes seemed tired and stressed, and the stern line of his lips made him seem very grumpy that she was sitting there talking to him. He brought the coffee cup to his mouth, raising his eye brows as he thought about what to say to her.
"I don't know how you know my name," He said to her in a low harsh whisper, "but you must have the wrong person." He seemed very agitated now, nothing like the man that she knew since she was a child. Finn was always kind and sweet to her, giving them a special relationship that was unique to the two of them. Marley knew every secret of his, and he knew every secret of hers. The two of them were best friends, despite the years spent apart.
At least that was what she thought; she couldn't believe that he sat there across from her acting as if he'd never seen her in his life. That was when a realization struck Marley, making her let out a sigh of mixed emotions. "You don't recognize me." She said flatly, slumping back in the booth seat and running a hand through her long brown hair. He shook his head at her, giving her a forced and awkward smirk. All eagerness that was there a few moments ago was completely gone, leaving her disappointed and unsure of what to do next, but not surprised.
Finn was a time traveler, he was pushed and pulled through different decades without warning and was forced to stay there until he was forced again to travel. She wasn't sure how it worked, and doubted that anybody would ever figure out what his condition was. Marley believe him though, and was possibly the only person to ever know of his ability. The only time she ever doubted him was when she first met him on the empty property behind her mother's trailer, but when he completely vanished in front of her she couldn't help but trust his explanation. It was rare for him to ever visit a place more than twice, but every week or so Finn would appear just as he promised the visit before. This was different, this time he didn't know her. He didn't know their history together. "I'm..sorry." She said shaking her head in defeat, "I'll leave you alone. I just…" She trailed off, not wanting to explain any further. She grabbed her things and began to leave their corner, but couldn't help herself from commenting when she looked down at his coffee mug. "You know coffee triggers you. You shouldn't be drinking it." She muttered, almost walking away before she felt a hand catch her arm and pull her back.
