Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story, except for the ones I made up. They all belong to Disney, and any other company that owns 'In a Heartbeat.'
The Odd Man Out
No more running
Hank straightened himself out before slowly turning to face the owner of the voice. He knew that if he was ever going to tell her, this was the time to do it. He knows that his friendship with her was on the line. Yet as he came face to face with her, he was more determined than he has ever been in his entire life.
"Marianne…hi," Hank said.
"Hank, is there something you want to tell me?" Marianne asked, knowing all too well the answer to the question.
"Actually, I, uh, I…"
Hank couldn't force himself to say what he wanted to say. 'Why is this so hard? How hard is it to say a few little words?' Marianne on the other hand, continued to look on. She already knew what he was trying to say, but she wanted to hear it from him more than anything else.
"I have this certain, you know, like for you," Hank began to say.
"Oh, really?" Marianne said with a smile.
"Yea, you know, a little," Hank said, finally easing up after seeing that she wasn't upset.
"How little?"
"Just, you know, as little as Texas, you know, that little state," Hank said.
"That little, huh?" Marianne asked lightheartedly.
"Yea," Hank smiled but it soon faded away as realization started to sink in. "But it's just little. I mean, you must like your boyfriend 5 times the size of that."
"You mean Jake?"
"Yea, whatever his name is," Hank said with jealousy and bitterness in his voice.
"Well, I love Jake a lot," Marianne said. "I love him a hundred times the size of that. He's a brother to me. I can't bear to live without him."
By now, Hank felt like a fool. He knew that his chances were slim, but he took the risk despite the possible consequences. 'They're that close? I should have listened to Tyler. Then again, what would that give me? A lifetime of not knowing? I guess it wasn't meant to be. I'm partially glad that I did this. No more running from my problems. No more.
"Yea," Hank said as he slightly turned his head to the floor. "Marianne, I hope that what I said won't change things between us. I should have known better than that. But I just had to tell you or else I will drive myself crazy not knowing what you feel. Now I know. I hope we can still be friends…"
"Hank, shut up!" Marianne said.
Hank stopped talking and resumed staring at the floor.
"Hank, look at me."
Hank lifted his head and leveled his eyes to hers.
"Will you listen to me first? I haven't even said anything about what I think and feel about this. Maybe that's what your problem is. You're too caught up on your expectations that you miss what's really there."
"Look, I don't need a lecture from you. If you're trying to say something, just say it. If not, then just let me go on with my pathetic life."
"Jake is my brother!"
"I know…what? What are you talking about?"
"Hank, I don't have a boyfriend. Whatever you heard from Jamie, it's not true."
"What about the pict---?"
"The pictures were of my brother and I. I just told those other guys who were asking me out that he was my boyfriend so that they'll just leave me alone."
It took Hank a moment before everything made sense. 'Does this mean that she likes me?"
"Oh," was all Hank could say.
"Hank, I like you, too."
"You…you do?"
"Yea, you know, a little bit?" she said as she smiled at him.
"How little?"
"Just, you know, as little as the state of Texas, you know, that little state," Marianne replied in jest.
"That little, huh?"
"Yea."
There was a moment of silence and awkwardness, followed by a burst of laughter. Hank laughed his heart out, thinking about how foolish, stupid, and blind he was. Marianne was just as glad as he. A minute later, Marianne grew serious.
"Hank, can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Will you come to the dance with me this Friday?"
"You're asking me out?"
"I suppose I am. Is there a problem with that, Beecham?"
"Not at all, McLemore. Not at all. Wait what about the tickets? What about your dress?"
"Already taken care of. I got it last weekend."
"Why?"
"I was going to ask you anyway."
"You mean, you planned on asking me a while ago?"
"Just when we met and I tried to attack you with a pencil."
"Wow, I don't know what to say."
"How about a 'yes'?"
"Yes," Hank said with a smile.
The sound of the bell overflowed the halls.
"Well, I better get going now," Marianne said.
"I'll pick you up at 7?" Hank asked.
"No," she replied surprising Hank. "I'll pick you up at 7."
"Fine by me," Hank said with a small laugh. "Don't be late."
"And don't keep me waiting," she retorted before she gave him a peck on the cheek. "Bye Hank."
"Bye Marianne," he said as he watched her disappear from the corner.
Hank went to the opposite direction and was smiling on the way.
"Whose life is pathetic now?" he silently whispered to himself. 'Not mine. My life has just gotten better.'
I know it was a little bit short, but I hope you liked it anyway. I'll try to write the next one as soon as possible. I've been under a lot of pressure lately with school. My teachers give tons of work. Please don't forget to read and review. I'll be back! J ~ Scarlet182