When the bell rang around three, Alma was nearly ecstatic to leave. Alma immediately snatched her bag from the floor and attempted to shove her way toward the door, though to some extent she was unsuccessful. Taller and more muscular students were able to go first, but Alma was short and lean enough to squeeze through. She grinned softly, for no true reason, and shoved her hands in her jean pockets as she meandered down the halls. When Alma made it to her locker, she found her friends waiting. Ethel- the blonde, polished, and wealthy leader of the Pick-a-Littles- stood by Maud and Jenny, texting as they waited for Alma. Alma knew the Pick-a-Littles only recruited Alma because the Harris family was wealthy, but to refuse Ethel Toffelmeir was a death sentence. As the favorite of Mrs. Shinn, anyone's life could easily become a living hell.
"Hey, Ethel." Alma coolly smiled as she approached them, opening the small blue locker. "What's up?" Alma paid no attention to the photos- of her and the Pick-a-Littles, of course, and a few of Alma and Oliver- lining the blue interior of the locker.
"Alma," Ethel's snakey voice slithered into Alma's ears, "any scoop on the new kid? Heard Shinn asked you to give him a tour."
"Oh, you mean Greg?" Alma asked as she transferred a couple books from her bag into the locker and replaced them with a few folders of homework, the exact pages she'd be working with Marian on. "He's alright. A little talkative." Alma shrugged. She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, and supposedly Ethel did too because she quirked an eyebrow and watched Alma levelly.
"Who's that from? Ollie?" Ethel wiggled her eyebrows and mockingly uttered the cutesy nickname Alma had given to the roughest, toughest boy at River City High. Alma's cheeks tinted red, but she knew it wasn't from Oliver. The ringtone had been Marian's. Alma didn't tell Ethel that, however. Marian was considered a freak to Ethel, and if Alma wanted to be an outcast she could tell Ethel about Marian.
"Yeah, probably." Alma lied with a small smile.
"Any plans later tonight?" Ethel grinned. "You know... alone? Together?" Her grin widened.
"Um, maybe." Alma shrugged. "I have a lot of homework to do, though, and I know Oliver's going with Ewart and Olin to go do something... but, uh, I gotta go." Alma shut her locker and hurriedly pushed her way by Ethel, Maud, and Jenny in order to find a safe distance away from them to check her phone.
From: Marian: I'm in the band room. Giving a piano lesson to my brother's classmate.
Alma smiled a bit. She hadn't known Maroan gave piano lessons, but she had known Marian played the piano. Marian was a beautiful piano player and an even more beautiful singer, but those two attributes had been overlooked the day Ethel had spread the rumor about Marian and Mr. Marison. Alma heavily regretted not speaking up for Marian, for allowing Marian to become an outcast. Abandoning Marian would be something which would haunt Alma for the rest of her life, and she was sure of it. Those were the thoughts which drifted through Alma's head as she headed toward the band room, her features set into a small frown. She hoped Greg wasn't in there, bothering Marian with his odd advances. Alma couldn't help but admit Greg made her jealous, but she didn't like to admit it too much. As soon as she pushed open the door Alma was greeted by the sweet sounds of a pianist clinking away at the piano keys. Alma instantly recognized the player to be Marian's and found Marian with a young girl Winthrop's age. Alma recognized her as Ethel's sister, Amaryllis. Alma, for a moment, wondered if Ethel knew Amaryllis was taking lessons from Marian. Alma supposed if Ethel truly knew, she wouldn't be a fan of it and certainly would've brought it up before... unless she already had, but usually Alma wasn't listening.
"Hey, Marian," Alma greeted once Marian's song had ended. Instantly, Marian's soft blue eyes met Alma's. Nearly immediately, or at least to Alma, a soft twinkle glinted in Marian's eyes and her lips twitched in an almost-smile... the famous 'Paroo Smirk' as some kids (namely the Pick-a-Littles) would say.
"Hey, Alma." Marian greeted, instantly getting to her feet. The flowery dress beneath her white cardigan swayed in a fluid motion, bringing out the red roses which matched the rosy lips of Marian Paroo.
"Nice dress," Alma said, and she meant it. Alma didn't particularly wear dresses- but she did occasionally wear a skirt- but tended to stick more to leggings and longer shirts. "Where's Amaryllis?"
"Oh, thanks," Marian grinned, then hesitated before adding: "Ethel picked her up."
"Did she do anything?" Alma asked hesitantly.
"No," Marian shook her head, "not this time."
"Alright.." Alma murmured, though she didn't truly believe Marian.
Alma didn't think that, up until this point, she'd ever been to Marian's house so many times. Of course, they'd been friends as children- but in middle school everything had changed. Marian buried herself in books, Alma had become more social. In some ways, they were total opposites- but still, in other ways they were still the same. While she couldn't truly admit it anymore, Alma still loved books. She read whenever she could, even if it wasn't very often. She still loved classical music too, a trait she and Marian had always shared... and, of course, Alma and Marian both loved dogs. Alma wasn't surprised to see Dino, Marian's faithful mutt, when they pulled into the driveway of the Paroo Farmhouse. Dino was arguably the oldest, ugliest dog in River City. His face was a mass of scars from dog fights, one eye was swollen shut, he only had three legs, and he didn't even have a tail anymore. Marian still loved Dino, however, and Alma couldn't blame her. Dino was the only living memoir Marian had of her father, as Dino had been Mr. Paroo's dog. As soon as Marian had gotten out of the car, Dino had clambered to his feet. Excited barks jumped from his scarred muzzle, his tiny stump tail wagging side to side- though it was mostly just his back end shaking uncontrollably.
"Dino's still alive," Alma whistled, shaking her head, "how old is he now?"
Marian paused in thought, pursing her lips slightly. "About sixteen, give or take a year." She admitted. Marian smiled and wandered toward the dog, kneeling before him to gently stroke his tattered ears. "Hey there, buddy boy." Marian chuckled before she stood. As soon as Alma appeared behind Marian, Dino strained against the lead that held him in place. Low growls escaped him, which made Alma a little nervous, but soon his stump tail began to wag again. "He probably remembers you." Marian said with a curt nod.
"You think?" Alma quirked an eyebrow. "He hasn't seen me in years."
"Yeah," Marian shrugged, "but he always liked you."
Alma paused, but nodded. She patted Dino's head as she passed, remembering all the times the dog had followed Marian and Alma around in his younger years. He'd had four legs back then, of course, but his mentality hadn't seemed to change. As soon as the duo had pushed beyond the screen door, Dino lay back down on the wooden porch and fell asleep promptly. "Is your mom home?"
"My mom?" Marian blinked. "No, no. She's probably still at work." Mrs. Paroo owned the local laundromat on Main Street. Most people didn't go there to wash their clothes but simply just to get them fixed. Alma had spent quite a few days in there with Marian after school- either playing or reading or just doing homework. "Winthrop isn't home, either, so he's probably at the creek."
"We used to go there," Alma recalled with a slight smile, "remember?"
Marian paused for a moment, wringing her hands together. Was she nervous? Marian only ever did that when she was nervous... or when she was slightly embarrassed. "I remember." Marian said with a nod. "Do you remember when I fell in? You know, after all that rain? I was about nine or ten, I think... we were at the bigger part of the creek, and we were playing by the water."
Alma grinned softly, "I pulled you out... with a fallen tree branch. I had splinters everywhere... but you kissed me."
"I didn't kiss you!" Marian said quickly. "I kissed your cheek. There's a difference." Her cheeks were tinted red, but Alma ignored it and simply shrugged.
"We didn't go down there after that." Alma recalled quietly. "You didn't like the water."
"I thought I'd drown." Marian shrugged. "I'm not afraid of the creek anymore... or of swimming. Besides, the foot bridge is down there now. I go there to read sometimes."
"It is a nice place." Alma admitted. "Too bad all the other teenagers have soiled it."
"Wait, what?" Marian looked mortified, which prompted Alma to explain the footbridge had become a popular place for teenaged couples to meet up. Marian, wide-eyed, ran a hand through her hair and shook her head. "I'm never going there again."
Alma laughed softly, shaking her head. "Well, on that note, shall we start with the book Miss Sharp gave us this week?"
Marian grinned softly and picked the book up. "Of Mice and Men?" She grinned. "Definitely." Both girls sat at the kitchen table after pulling their notebooks from their bags. They sat across from each other, silently reading on their own and occasionally sharing notes. Alma chewed on a pen cap, eyebrows knitted together in concentration as she hunched over. Marian sat relaxed, her lips slightly drawn up into the Paroo smirk. Alma was trying to read, but every now and then she'd glance up at Marian and watch for a while before Marian's blue eyes would lock onto Alma's and she'd look away. After about half an hour of attempted reading, there was a knock at the door.
"Didn't realize you were expecting company." Alma blinked.
"I wasn't." Marian frowned. She got up and trekked into the other room with Alma right behind her. Alma peered over Marian's shoulder, curious, as the taller girl opened the door. Alma was immediately dismayed when she saw Greg, looking suave as ever, behind the screen door. Dino was growling softly, but he seemed fine with Greg's appearance. Maybe Greg had bribed the dog or something.
"Hey, Marian," Greg smirked, "you busy?"
"Well.. no, but.." Marian looked a tad bit confused. "How'd you get my address?"
"I asked Ethel Toffelmeir." Greg said with a shrug and a chuckle. "Didn't think you'd mind if I dropped by. Can I come in?"
Marian was not the type of person to say no. Alma knew that. Alma didn't want to share her alone time with Marian, however, and didn't want Greg anywhere near Marian. Alma didn't trust Greg, he reminded her of a snake in a way... or a shark. Slowly, Marian pulled the screen door open and allowed Greg inside. "We're, uh, working on homework." Marian blinked.
"For what class?" Greg asked.
"Sharp's class." Alma muttered. "Look, Marian and I are having a nice time. Cantcha come back later?" Alma heard Marian chuckle softly, which caused her cheeks to redden just as Marian's had earlier. "Nevermind. I gotta go." Alma muttered, heading back to the kitchen to grab her stuff.
"Alma, c'mon. You know I wasn't laughing at you." Marian frowned. "Don't go." She followed Alma, who was hastily grabbing her things.
"I gotta go." Alma muttered as she shoved past Marian, still glaring at the ground. Marian pursed her lips and watched Alma go, but knew she couldn't really stop Alma. Marian personally didn't feel like she'd done anything, but Alma tended to get embarrassed easily.
"That was sudden." Greg grinned as Alma sped out of Marian's driveway. "Didn't know you were friends with the Hix girl."
"Look, Greg," Marian sighed, "I'd really appreciate it if you left."
"But I just got here."
"I know." Marian said. "But I'm kinda busy, so.. please. Leave."
"Will I see you tomorrow?"
Marian sighed and rubbed her temples. "Sure, sure. You'll see me tomorrow. Just go."
Alma's hands gripped the steering wheel of her car tightly as she drove, her teeth gritted. She didn't know why she left, but she hated Greg already. She didn't like how he was moving in on Marian, she didn't like that snakey grin of his or the way he looked at Marian. She bit her lip as she silently cursed Greg. At the moment, she was heading to the only place she really felt comfortable going- Oliver's house. She doubted he was busy since he'd just got out of practice. Alma knew his parents wouldn't be home since they were travelling, and Oliver was usually just good comfort. He cared for Alma, and Alma cared for him- she just didn't know if she truly liked him like she was supposed to. Alma pulled into Oliver's driveway and parked quickly. She didn't bother grabbing her things as she didn't think she'd stay there for too long and headed for the door. Oliver had always told Alma to just walk in since he didn't keep the doors locked and he was usually home at this time, so Alma just walked in. The living room lights were off, as were the lights in the walk-in, which confused Alma. "Ollie? You home?" She called out.
There wasn't really an answer, but there was an odd noise from upstairs- like something had toppled over. Curious, but also a little frightened, Alma headed toward the stairwell and began to head upstairs. "Ollie?!" She threw open the door to Oliver's room and instantly regretted it. "Shit-! I, uh.. Oliver?!" Alma instantly jumped back into the hallway, averting her eyes. She hadn't expected to see Oliver with Olin and Ewart, especially doing THAT. "I'll.. I'll go now," Alma hastily turned on her heels and darted down the stairs.
"Fuck," Alma heard Oliver say, and heard him climb to his feet. "Alma, hey-!" But it was too late, she'd already darted outside- feeling queasy and sick. What the hell had she just seen?! She hadn't known Oliver had liked guys in that way- then again, Oliver didn't know Alma liked Marian in that way. Alma didn't know if that made Oliver's actions right, though. He was basically cheating, wasn't he? Those were only a couple of the bagillion thoughts raging through Alma's skull as she pulled herself into her car, heart racing, and got the hell out of Oliver's driveway.