As one of my reviewers pointed, it would be kind of interesting to see Marley go a little bit jealous over Ryder and Gina's relationship. I think this is how Marley would act or say if she was jealous of Ryder and Gina. It wouldn't be too obvious, and she wouldn't even admit to herself that she was jealous. I think.

CHAPTER EIGHT

"So," Marley plops down to the seat next to Gina. They are sitting in Marley's living room, watching TV and sipping tea. Gina likes the Roses' house – it's small and modest, but very cozy and warm. The cream-colored walls of the living room are filled with pictures of Marley and her mother. Gina can spot several pictures of Marley when she was younger – Marley in her diapers, Marley in a carnival ride, Marley singing on a stage, Marley in a Halloween costume, Marley in the arms of a tall, mustached man with bright, cerulean eyes…

"So what?" Gina takes her eyes off the pictures on the wall and returns her attention back to Marley. She is grinning widely.

"How are you liking McKinley so far?" she asks.

"Um," Gina stares down at her cup. Whenever someone asks her that question, her mind can't help but to think of Jake.

How are you liking McKinley so far?

Oh, great! I like McKinley, because there's this one dude that I really, really like, and he's the reason I come to school at all these days, but you see, his girlfriend is kind of my friend –

"It's great," she answers instead, still avoiding Marley's eyes. She's so sweet and nice, gosh, how could she do this to Marley? She feels like an absolute monster. "Um, I'm getting used to, you know, school in the US. And… and Glee club's been great."

"Yeah, I know the feeling," Marley agrees. "I was new when I tried out for Glee. They made me feel welcomed."

"Mmhm."

A moment of silence passes between them. Gina doesn't really know what to say. Should she ask questions? Should she strike a conversation about something random? The truth is, Gina can't face Marley without thinking of Jake. It's complicated – that's what she always says to herself about this situation. Marley and Jake are connected in her mind – she can't think of one without remembering the other. Whenever she sees Marley at school, she's happy; it's like seeing your best friend coming towards you, and you just have a thousand things to say to her. But then Gina's eyes would travel down, and she would see Marley holding hands with Jake. A couple of times she had seen them kissing outside the choir room. Whenever she sees them together, her stomach ties into a knot and she feels… jealous. Jealous, that it's Marley kissing Jake, and not her. Jealous that his eyes are reserved for Marley only. But at the same time, she likes Marley so much that she feels like an ugly, green monster for hating her in the first place.

Gosh, what is wrong with you, Gina? Get a grip on yourself, you weirdo!

"You really are a great singer," Marley says. There she goes again. Being all nice, making it impossible for Gina to resent her. "I think you should try to get a solo for Regionals. I mean, we'd probably be singing three or four songs, and I'm sure Mr. Schue would love to hear you sing us to victory."

Gina shrugs. "I'm new," she points out. "Besides, I hear that you're having the solos for Regionals. You should do it." I don't want to take something else you love from you. "You're going to sing with Blaine, aren't you? I think your voices go really great together. Mine doesn't."

"Maybe," Marley says thoughtfully. "But you sounded great with Ryder."

"Oh, thanks."

Marley is silent for a moment. Then, inching closer to Gina, she says, "So… Ryder."

"What about him?" Gina asks.

"You seem to be really close to him," Marley says.

"Yeah," Gina says, smiling to herself. "He's an awesome dude. I can just talk to him about anything."

"I see," Marley says quietly. "He's really nice, I agree."

Gina feels like there's something Marley wants to say to her, but she's holding herself back. Gina feels weird and awkward, but she keeps still and doesn't say anything.

"What do you think of Ryder?" Marley asks again.

"Um, I think he's… great? He's a wonderful friend, really talented, and a good dancer too." Gina thinks for a moment. "And he has really nice, big, muscular arms."

"You seem to like him," Marley says, a little too quickly.

"Yeah, of course I do, I –"

"I mean, like him, like him," Marley points out.

Gina goes blank. "Oh," she says then, returning to her senses. "Ohhh, you mean like him that way." Ohh-kay, now I know where this conversation is going. She clears her throat. "No, um, I mean, no, of course not, I don't see him that way. He's just, just… a friend, you know? A good friend. He's my best friend. I don't see him that way. Absolutely not!"

"Oh," Marley says, nodding to herself. Gina frowns. Is it just her imagination, or does Marley look… relieved? "I thought you… sorry about that. I feel kind of stupid for asking now."

Gina stares at Marley for a long moment, pondering questions in her head. "Marley," she says quietly. "Are you… jealous?"

"What?" Marley says, surprised.

"What? Nothing," Gina says quickly, looking away.

"No! No, I'm not jealous," Marley laughs it off. "Of course not, why should I be? I mean, I'm with Jake! And I love Jake! So no, of course I'm not jealous. Ryder's just… my best friend too, and I just wanted to make sure that things are going okay with you two."

"Uh-huh," Gina says, not buying her words at all. She can finally see it now – Marley is jealous with her relationship with Ryder. But she doesn't understand – didn't Marley turn Ryder down for Jake? Ryder had told Gina the whole story the night they practiced their song. Ryder bailed on the last minute because he had to meet with his special eds teacher, and Marley decided to ask Jake out instead. She had made her choice then. Why be jealous now…?

"He's… a really nice guy," Marley continues, rocking back and forth in her seat. "I just… he's one of the best guys around. You should… you should consider him."

Gina gives Marley a sideways glance. Marley is biting her lip and avoiding her eyes. Her cheeks are starting to turn pink. Gina watches her in silence for a moment, deciding what to do or say next. Marley looks like she might be expecting something from Gina. Slowly, Gina realizes that Marley is confused. She's confused about her feelings for Ryder. She chooses Jake over him, but a part of her convinces her that she should be with Ryder. She might not even realize that she feels jealous of Ryder's newly found relationship with Gina. She's in denial, denying herself that she still has feelings for Ryder.

What am I doing? Gina asks herself. Oh no, can hanging out with Ryder for too long grow me a psychic third eye on my forehead? Because I think I'm halfway to being the next Dr. Phil.

Gina thinks for a moment. It's no point demanding answers from Marley right now. What she needs is comfort and assurance. Gina needs to say something that Marley wants to hear.

So, Gina shrugs and says, "I'm too busy for boys right now." She puts her mug of tea on the coffee table in front of him. "Still settling in. No boys' drama for me."

Marley lets out a tiny smile then. A relieved and grateful smile.

"I think we should sing something," Marley suggests then, getting to her feet. "We can do some karaoke, or try and find instrumental songs online. Then you can teach me how to dance."

Gina forces a smile. The brightness in Marley's eyes seems to break her heart. "Bring it on, sister."

That is, I suppose, how one Marley Rose would act if she was ever jealous of Ryder with another girl. Should Gina be with Ryder, then? What would happen if they ever get together?