Chapter 5: More Than a Friend

It's fun to be hopelessly in love. It's dangerous, but it's fun.

- Keanu Reeves


Laura's Diary 12th of October 2016

The weekend so far has not been very kind to me, because I've been having arguments with Tyler. Him and I have been going out in the last few months and have moved in together, even though I don't always spend the night round his.

Tyler is a loving and compassionate boyfriend, but I can't deny that he does have a controlling and jealous side. Even when I see one of my male friends Kobe, who's also friends with Isabel's boyfriend, Gustavo; does Tyler get overly suspicious if there is anything going on between us. He doesn't accuse me of having an affair with Kobe, but he does suspect that Kobe is still interested in me.

Before I was officially dating Tyler, Kobe has tried asking me out, but I turned him down because he wasn't my type. Sooner or later Olivia and Isabel would hint that Kobe was attracted to me, and still is. Of course I don't want to lead him on, but I still want to maintain a friendship with him, for the sake of Gustavo joining in our social circle. At no point has he ever tried it on with me or even flirted with me, but he does eye me on many occasions.

Kobe's behavior and the way he acts around me would become suspicious to Tyler, who I suspected never liked Kobe from day one. Tyler would even try to turn me away from Kobe, and would only approve of me hanging out with him, when he was with my other friends.

Even though I love Tyler, and do appreciate how protective and caring he is, I do wish he would relax and stop worrying about what I do with my male friends. One of the attributes to a relationship is trust, and that is one that Tyler seems to lack. He should know that I will hug my friends, but kissing and other physical contact will only be entitled to him.

When it comes to Marina, Tyler does not seem to have much problem with me having my private meetings with her. I guess that it's normal for a boyfriend not to be jealous of his girlfriend hanging out with her female friends, but when it comes to male friends, that's when he becomes concerned.

Today is the day I arranged to meet up with Marina, who has been more patient and less forward. These are improvements from her that I'm proud of, and I am ready to trust her, and let her to become part of my life. Our meeting is going to involve a makeover, to help better her image, and do something about the bald patch on her head.

I do respect the style and choice of fashion Marina is comfortable with and wants to express herself, but I thought she would value my advice. However it turns out, I know she would appreciate what I'm trying to do for her, and I'm sure I can help her boost her confidence. Sooner or later she will no longer be wanting to dwell in the shadows and abode of her dorm, and she will want to become more social around campus.


The apartment was desolate and lonely, as Laura was in her room, packing her make up kit and getting ready to visit Marina. She had no time to double check what she had packed or what was missing, but was confident that she had all the required cosmetics and equipment. Without warning, Laura received a text from Tyler.

"Are we still meeting tonight?" read the message, and Laura swiftly typed in the response.

"Of course Tyler, see you soon," typed Laura, and she pocketed the phone. Having almost forgotten her other plans, and was hoping to fit both her meeting with Marina and with Tyler in her evening routine, she paced out of her apartment to be more punctual with her meeting with Marina.

Laura arrived at Marina's dormitory when the sun was setting and the campus area was quiet. She was aware that Kobe lived nearby Marina, and was expecting that she might encounter him after she had her meeting with Marina.

Laura approached the door that was shrouded by shadows, which she always identified it to be the right one. She knocked on the door rapidly and waited for a response, and without having to knock on the door again, the door opened and there stood Marina. Marina just stood at the open door fixing her eyes at Laura, elated to see her again.

„Hi Marina," greeted Laura.

Marina greeted Laura in response, „Hi Laura." After they both exchanged smiles, Marina stepped back and then stepped aside making space for Laura to enter. „Come in," said Marina cheerfully, as Laura proceeded to enter the lonesome abode for the second time. Once inside, the door was closed and the sounds of traffic and the wind abruptly halted, and the room was dominated in silence.

Laura walked to Marina's bed and placed her bag on the edge, and sat down with Marina sitting down next to her.

„So, are you ready for your make over Marina?" asked Laura, turning to look at the Marina shying away looking nervous.

„I guess so," responded Marina with her hands balled up and held up against her chin.

„You've got nothing to be nervous about, if I'm doing anything that you are not comfortable with, you can ask me to stop; okay?" asked Laura, looking and smiling at Marina, who in response looked at Laura.

„Okay," jittered Marina with nervousness and excitement.

„Okay, first I need you to put your feet on your bed and cross them, so you can face me," instructed Laura, slipping off her footwear so she doesn't get any dirt on Marina's bed. Once Marina had her legs crossed on her bed with Laura doing the same and facing her, Laura opened her bag.

„Okay, first I need you to take off your hood," commanded Laura in the friendliest way, hoping Marina would be willing to do so.

Marina slowly but obediently pulled off her hood with both hands, and tried to embellish a smile, still feeling embarrassed about the bald patch she tries to hide.

„What I think we need to do, is work on your face," suggested Laura, while fumbling in her bag and pulled out her foundation along with a brush. „Now I know this is going to feel wet and sort of weird, but trust me, this will make your face stand out more," heeded Laura.

„Okay Laura," shuddered Marina, sealing her lips together, waiting for the thick paint-like substance to be applied to her face.

Laura proceeded to paint Marina's youthful pale looking face with the peach colored foundation. Marina flinched with a smile as the brush stroked her face. She titillated, breathing out through her straight bridged nose.

Once the foundation had been applied, Laura pulled out an eyebrow pen, and popped off the pen with a hefty tug.

„Now it's time to shape your eyebrows," announced Laura as she leaned forward and bent her elbow to get a steadier hand. Marina looked down to view Laura's bare knees until she felt soft and gentle digits touch her chin. Her chin was gently raised by Laura who held the pen firmly in her hand. „Don't worry, this pencil is not sharp, it's soft like a crayon," allayed Laura, pressing the tip into the end that is parallel to the corner of her eye. When Laura begun to shape out the eyebrows with the pen, Marina could feel Laura's warm gentle breath burrow into her forehead, like an ice cold needle, which felt pleasant to the touch.

After both eyebrows were done, Laura got out her mascara and begun to do Marina's eye lashes, which made Marina worry that the mascara would get in her eyes. Laura then got out her eyeliner pen and started to draw an outline on Marina's bottom eyelid. „You've got such beautiful blue eyes, you know that don't you?" complimented Laura.

„Really, you think so?" responded Marina feeling really flattered.

„Yeah, sure you do, no wonder why your profile picture is a close up of your eye," further complimented Laura, moving to work on the next eye and clawing Marina's chin with her thumb and index finger.

„The eye is a window to the soul," quoted Marina, Laura leant back to place the lid back on the pen looking at Marina. „Peng Liyuan quote, she's a Chinese folk singer," revealed Marina.

„Oh, that's interesting," responded Laura sounding too occupied and focused to express real enthusiasm.

Placing the eyeliner pen back in the bag, Laura got out a lipstick that was in a brass tube, as she took off the top from the casing. Carefully and with full concentration, Laura brought the light red lipstick to Marina's lips and colored them in. With the lips now showing a redder tone, but the wax was still wet on Marina's lips. „Now go," commanded Laura, showing the lip movement to finish applying lipstick by tucking in her lips, and pressing both lips together, and then smack them open.

„There we are, I'm just going to get you the mirror," said Laura, turning her attention to her bag and pulled out a rectangular mirror, and held it in front of Marina. „What do you think?" asked Laura, eagerly anticipating Marina's reaction.

„Oh, oh my… Laura it's beautiful," said Marina, who was completely flabbergasted by the hard work Laura did on her face.

„No Marina, you are beautiful," praised Laura, which made Marina blush, flattered by Laura's compliment.

„Thank you Laura," said Marina expressing her gratitude.

„Don't mention it… oh I almost forgot," responded Laura with a proud smile on her face. Laura turned to her bag to grab a orange wooly hat with a red stripe.

„How long have you been with Tyler?" asked Marina, as Laura turned round with the hat in both hands.

„Hmm about a couple of months, that was when we were officially dating, before that we were only seeing each other," answered Laura.

„That's nice," rejoined Marina shying away, feeling embarrassed asking Laura the question.

„Have you ever had a boyfriend if I may ask?" asked Laura, waiting for Marina to answer as it looked like she was reluctant to answer.

„No, I've always been alone," answered Marina, rubbing her hands anxiously together.

„It's like what I said, you just need the courage to try and interact with people, you'll meet that one guy who will be interested in you," said Laura.

„You think so?" asked Marina looking into Laura's eyes.

„Of course you will, Tyler and I met and we instantly hit it off," said Laura.

„What's it like to kiss?" asked Marina, expressing curiosity with a broad smile on her face.

„You never kissed?" asked Laura acting as if she was surprised, but knew from judging her shyness that she never got the exhilarating moment of what it was like to kiss.

„No never, I've only seen it in movies, and have always wondered what it was like," jittered Marina, fixing her eyes on Laura's full lips.

„Well it's simply just an exchanging of saliva, but it's saliva from someone you want," explained Laura trying to add humor to her explanation. Marina gasped at the thought and she thought about the arousing thought to kiss Laura, and taste her saliva, but Laura interrupted that thought by manifesting the wooly hat in her hands.

„Anyway, this will cover up the bald patch you try to hide," said Laura, „I know it might not be hair tonic that will make your hair grow back, but it will do." Laura leant forward to place the wooly hat on Marina's head that fit perfectly, and she begun to do the hat string to hold the hat in place. Marina smiled with a mixed feeling of excitement and dither, as Laura tied a knot in the hat string. Laura's face was really close, trying to concentrate on tying the knot. After the knot was tied and the hat was firmly on Marina's head, Laura took time to view and appreciate the work she did on Marina's makeover. „There we are," said Laura, smiling with pride and glee.

Marina placed her hand on Laura's bare knee and whispered, „Laura… thank you." Marina tilted her head one side and was overcome with the closeness of Laura's face. Without hesitation or thought of the consequence of her action, she forced her lips onto Laura's. Both had their eyes closed and felt powerless with the awkwardness of the situation. Marina's lips were touching Laura's bottom lip and Laura's lips were touching Marina's top lip. Marina opened her lips wider apart, and Laura went along and tried to catch up with the movement of Marina's lips. The third kiss was done slowly and both lips were held together, before being separated with a string of thick saliva, which broke off and fell against Marina's chin.

Both distanced themselves from each other, reflecting on what just happened, Marina looked guilty while Laura looked shocked and appalled by Marina's action.

„I'm sorry Laura, I just…" apologized Marina, but her words were cut off by Laura's response.

„Marina, no just… that was weird," stuttered Laura, looking shocked. She assembled her make up kit frenetically, and was in a hurry to leave.

„Laura I didn't mean to do it," cried Marina, grabbing Laura's hand to stop her from leaving.

„Marina, please don't make this harder on yourself… I… I really got to go," lamented Laura, pulling herself away from Marina.

„Laura please stay," begged Marina, but Laura was at the door.

„Look Marina, I'll speak to you later okay," said Laura, still shook up by what had happened. She opened the door and slammed it behind her, leaving Marina to stare at the closed door, where Laura was no longer standing. Marina begun to sob uncontrollably, the mascara started to leak and she was left alone to regret what she had done.


Laura stormed past the doors that were on her left, trying to get away from Marina's dorm as quickly as possible. Without being aware who was ahead of her because she had her eyes down, she heard a male voice, which made her gaze up and see that the male voice was Kobe. „Laura, where did you come from?" asked Kobe curiously, and Laura halted position and looked up at Kobe blocking her way.

„Kobe… I… hi, I've just," stammered Laura, not in the mood to have a conversation. Kobe slanted forward to examine Laura's face, and Laura looked at him awkwardly, curious to know what it was Kobe was staring at.

„You've been kissing someone, and Tyler is at medical school," hinted Kobe, knowing that someone apart from Tyler has been kissing Laura.

„Kobe please, I don't want to talk about it right now," snapped Laura, being reluctant to reveal to Kobe what had happened, as she tried to walk past him.

„Come on, who kissed you?" demanded Kobe, being more persistent for an answer and grabbed Laura's arm.

„Let go Kobe," asserted Laura, yanking her arm away from his grasp and she stormed off in a panic.


On the way back to Tyler's apartment, Laura tried to wipe off the lipstick that came from Marina's lips on her bare arm. Upon reaching the door, she hoped that Tyler would not be home, unsure what time Tyler finished his lessons at medical school.

Laura opened the door and as she entered the hall, she looked up to see Tyler standing in the lounge with his arms folded, looking upset. „So Laura, where have you been today may I ask?" interrogated Tyler, looking suspicious.

„Nowhere in particular, just been visiting the library to do some extra studying," lied Laura, sounding sheepish.

„That's not what I heard from Kobe, he messaged me explaining that he saw you at the dorms," accosted Tyler, and Laura's mouth dropped open and she started to shake with fear.

„No Tyler, trust me, it isn't what you think," pleaded Laura, trying to placate Tyler.

„Oh yeah," responded Tyler firmly, angrily pacing towards Laura who flinched with nerves. „What is this?" questioned Tyler, pointing to the side of her mouth and catechized, „It's lipstick, you've been kissing someone haven't you?"

Laura stepped back fearing a slap from Tyler, and desperately explained while starting to cry, „No Tyler I haven't been kissing anyone, I was in a rush to put on lipstick."

„Oh yeah… what do we have here?" questioned Tyler, snatching Laura's right arm, his grip was enough to bruise her thin fragile arm. „Lipstick," confirmed Tyler, as he threw down her arm, which was smudged with the lipstick she tried to wipe off. „Been trying to cover it up have you?" accused Tyler rhetorically, knowing that Laura cannot make up an alibi. „Well you did a good job," deadpanned Tyler with a sarcastic smile. He impulsively turned in the opposite direction, and entered the bedroom with Laura following him.

„Tyler please wait," begged Laura, trying to explain everything.

„No Laura, I think we need a break, in the meantime... I want you out of here," ignored Tyler coldly, throwing Laura's suitcase on the bed.

„Tyler please can we talk about this?" persuaded Laura, advancing towards the bed.

„No Laura," responded Tyler, getting a heap of Laura's clothes and throwing them in the suitcase; unfolded and in one big pile.

„Tyler," whispered Laura, trying to look apologetic as she approached Tyler and tried to kiss him.

„NO," shouted Tyler, pushing her away, pointed his finger and growled, „I don't want whoever kissed you on my mouth, okay." Tyler slammed the suitcase shut, did the catches and dragged the suitcase off the bed, and took Laura by the bicep.

„Tyler, you're hurting me," weeped Laura, feeling Tyler's strong grip and his fingers dig in her flesh. Laura was dragged by Tyler all the way to the door as he opened up the door, and pushed her out. „TYLER PLEASE," wailed Laura, but Tyler wouldn't say anything, throwing the suitcase outside and slamming the door in her face.

To be continued...