[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/W7aNDbo.png[/img]
[sup][color=FDF5E6]A [@GhostMami] & [@Hey Im Jordan] Collab
Featuring: Marshall & Ophelia
Location: Hello Bistro
Time: Saturday Afternoon[/color][/sup][/center]
[hr][hr]
[indent][color=F8F8FF]Early morning sunlight peered through the sheer silver curtains in Marshall’s room. He blinked open his eyes and rolled over, his cheek brushing against fabric that was most certainly not the same thread count as his bedding. Realizing what it was — his jacket from date night — he smiled and bunched it up against his face just as he did last night. The scent of Jamie’s cologne was gone, but the memories were still there to brighten up his morning. Yawning, he sat up and reach for his phone — which was no longer on the end table, but in his bed… having gone the whole night without charging. The battery was low, but he could just bring his charger to dance. Which reminded him…

Marshall let out a deep sigh, seemingly coming all the way up from his toes, and stared down at his phone. He had let himself enjoy his perfect date, but now it was time to face facts. Facts that his now-boyfriend had carelessly written for the entire school to read. Facts that broke Marshall’s heart after already having broken his friendship with Owen. With another begrudging sigh, Marsh tapped out a quick text his best friend, his Candyland Queen. If she could still be those things which, despite his heartbreak, he hoped she could be. He wasn’t ready to lose another friend over this shit.

[quote][b]To: [color=eda946]Feels[/color]
[color=997fdb]hey
can we meet up for lunch?[/color][/b][/quote]

It was still pretty early for a Saturday morning, but whatever. Marshall was an early bird and he had dance practice to get ready for. Having sent the text, he chucked the phone on his bed and started to do his morning routine.

The reply took a moment to show up in Marshall’s phone — and it was certainly expected. It was [i]early[/i], and the Candyland Queen had a long Friday. Between meeting with Trixie, and going to the Lyon house to talk to Kylie… She had been emotionally exhausted, and beyond tired when she went to sleep, but she wasn’t up late.

She was just scared to respond. She was scared of what Marshall would have to say, scared of how he would say it, and even scared of how she’d reply. A meeting for lunch was [i]terrifying[/i] to say the least, but she knew she had to say yes. She had to face it one way or the other… 

[quote][b]To: [color=997fdb]Gumdrop[/color]
[color=eda946]uhm…
yeah, sure. where and when?[/color][/b][/quote]

Wow, even sending that text was stressful.

All washed up and ready to go, Marsh picked up his phone and glanced at the screen. There were a few notifications, one of which appeared to be a text. He felt a nervous ball form in his stomach as he looked down at the screen and clicked the button to read it. Well… that seemed like a fine enough response, he guessed.

[quote][b]To: [color=eda946]Feels[/color]
[color=997fdb]i have dance soon so…
how about noon at the Hello Bistro near the mall?[/color][/b][/quote]

With that sent, he headed off to the dance studio in his little purple Mini.

Ophelia had been to the Hello Bistro before; it would not have been out of line to say that it was the most popular lunch destination for her and her little group, but never before had it seemed so [i]big[/i]. Maybe Ophelia just felt small? Facing her problems, her mistakes, and her bad decisions with Trixie and Cassandra had been easy, but with Marshall? Ophelia’s actions had hit him worst of all. She’d taken away his best friend, and left one of his others heartbroken.

Yikes.

Ophelia lifted up the glass of water in front of her, and took a sip of it. Geeze, was the water colder than she remembered? She should have taken the time to do her hair. She looked out of place, and ever so slightly [i]undone[/i], so to speak. Ophelia hadn’t taken the time to put herself completely together, because the truth was she’d had trouble willing herself out of bed. She was scared to face Marshall! It was scary, she’d have to tell him that, yes, his boyfriend was in fact right. Ophelia had indeed done it all, like some kind of [i]wormtongue[/i].

Maybe Mom had a point, maybe she should have been a comic nerd this whole time. At least there was no drama and no temptations in [i]that[/i] group. Ophelia sat the water down and waved the waitress away. [color=eda946][b]“I’m still waiting for someone.”[/b][/color]

[b]“Honey, you’ve been sitting here for forty minutes now —”[/b]

[color=eda946][b]“I was early!”[/b][/color]

Marshall, however, was not early. He wasn’t late, just on time, which was basically late. Especially now that he was sitting in the driver’s seat of his parked car staring at the [i]Hello Bistro[/i] logo as if it had just insulted him. His hair was wet from his post-workout shower, his legs were cramping from dancing, and his stomach was doing somersaults because this conversation already sucked and it hadn’t even started yet. Unless the texts to plan this counted…

After taking a deep breath and exiting the vehicle, the drama king made his way into one of his favorite restaurants. Maybe the tastiness of a Quinoavocado salad would make this whole thing easier to face. If he even had the stomach to eat right now. He spotted his blonde bestie and sat down quietly at the table. Nervously, he toyed with his damp hair in an attempt to get it out of his face. [color=997fdb][b]“Hey…”[/b][/color] He started simply.

Well, there he was. Now came the hard part, of talking about things. What was she supposed to say? How was she supposed to open here? Marshall already had the story, or at least parts of the story that Jamie had told. Ophelia certainly wasn’t going to lie, she’d lied enough in the past, and she was done with that, but where did she even begin? [i]How[/i] did she begin? Why was this even so hard?

[color=eda946][b]“Hi.”[/b][/color] She said finally, before looking down at the table again. Part of her wished that the waitress would come back so that Ophelia could show that she hadn’t been stood up, but she did her best to push the thought away. That inherent pettiness was Hailey’s training, not Ophelia herself. [color=eda946][b]“Uhm… it’s good to see you.”[/b][/color] Ophelia was starting out slow, carefully.

She couldn’t possibly mean that. They both knew how awkward this was, it didn’t feel good for either of them. This wasn’t [i]good[/i]. But… might as well get right to it. Quick like a band-aid. [color=997fdb][b]“I don’t really like beating around the bush, so I just wanna know…”[/b][/color] What did he want to know? Marshall scratched at his chin. [color=997fdb][b]“...why?”[/b][/color] There were a lot of why’s. Why did she do what she did? Why choose cheating, when she knew how much that triggered him because of his dad? Why not tell him? Why let him believe the lie and sever the bond of his only healthy male friendship? So many why’s… he wondered briefly which one she would answer, if any.

That was a loaded question, and Ophelia had to think about how to ask it. She lifted up the glass of water and pulled it up to her lips. [color=eda946][b]“Well… let me just start at the top, the very top. The root of the issue.”[/b][/color] Ophelia figured that was as good as any. [color=eda946][b]“Before I go too hard, just know that I accept full responsibility for my actions, absolutely. I’m a big girl, I made choices. [i]But[/i], Hailey Green is insane. Like, really and truly psychopathic. She never really liked Owen, because she thought that Owen ‘threatened the balance,’ like she was a Jedi and he was a Sith or something… I don’t know, she’s crazy. Anyway, after Owen butted heads with her during the whole thing with Quincy, who just went by her regular name back then — Jennifer Hart, remember? — Hailey decided that Owen needed to be done away with, and that he didn’t fit in with the group.”[/b][/color]

Ophelia shrugged. Hailey was right, at least on one point. Owen never really [i]did[/i] fit in with the group that he was hanging with back then. He was… different, and he fought Hailey on almost everything. [color=eda946][b]“So, she came to me to do it, because I’m… you know, I’m good with people, and figuring out the best way to… make them happy, or make them not happy. I knew what I had to do to get Owen out, and the fact of the matter is, I could either agree with Hailey, or I, myself, could get declared ‘excommunicado,’ like fucking John Wick. Only for me? There wouldn’t be a little dog following me around and making me happy. I’d just be… sad and lonely. Because she would alienate and ostracize me, because that’s [i]what she does[/i], Marshall. So I did what I told her I was going to do. I didn’t tell anyone, because I couldn’t tell anyone. It was delicate, it was scary, it was dangerous. It was a ticking time bomb, and it was stupid and idiotic of me to do it, but I just… I didn’t feel like I had a choice.”[/b][/color] She took another drink from the glass of water. Ophelia was making more references to the ‘secret side’ of herself, the nerdier side was coming out a little bit. If nothing else, the situation had made her more comfortable with who she was.

[color=eda946][b]“Anyway, I did it the way that I did it because I knew that was easiest. It was reliable, it worked. It worked really well, it worked too well. It set off a snowball of reactions, and now that the time bomb has went off, I’m just waiting for the dust to settle so I can see what’s left. It’s scary. It’s not fun. I wouldn’t do it again if I had the chance, but I don’t, and all I can do now is accept the consequences of my actions and decisions. I wish you figured it out some other way, I told Trixie myself. I would have liked to tell you too.”[/b][/color]

[color=997fdb][b]“But… you didn’t. And I think that hurts the most, Feels.”[/b][/color] Marsh sighed and shook his head in disappointment. He took a sip of the water sitting in front of him, which had a hell of a lot of condensation. How long had she been here for? [color=997fdb][b]“You said you’re taking responsibility, but following it up with all those excuses doesn’t sound like it. Hailey is just a person, Ophelia. A regular, mortal, high school girl. Just like you. Sure, she’s scary, but that’s no excuse for it. You would absolutely not have been sad and lonely, you would always have me. She doesn’t control everyone’s opinions, at least not your best friends. Those of us that matter, the Candies, we would always be there for you.”[/b][/color]

He sighed again. Once the words started flowing, they wouldn’t stop. Marshall had a lot of emotions bottled up concerning this. Months worth of emotions. [color=997fdb][b]“You know who is fucking [i]scary[/i]? In an [i]actual[/i] lethal way? Owen Lyon. He almost beat the shit out of me, Feels. Because of this, because of what you made all of us believe. I saw it in his eyes, he wanted me fucking dead. And he [i]did[/i] beat the shit out of Jamie — granted, he kinda had that coming given his big mouth. I had dinner at his house the other night and I honestly kind of wish he had killed me at that point, because it went terribly. His family hates me, he hates me, [i]I[/i] hate me for believing any of this shit.”[/b][/color] He groaned into the palms of his hands and rubbed his face.

Well, Marshall had a point. Owen Lyon was pretty violently scary. The lethal kind of scary, and he [i]had[/i] almost killed Marshall.. and he [i]did[/i] come pretty close to obliterating Jamie. But that wasn’t [i]necessarily[/i] Ophelia’s fault! Owen just had anger issues, and that wasn’t her fault, but she [i]did[/i] trigger him… maybe this was on her. She sighed and shook her head. [color=eda946][b]“You’re right, I fucked up. I did! That’s on me. Owen lost his mind, and he’s crazy and dangerous, but he’s fine now. I’m fine with everyone but you, and there’s not even anything I can do other than to apologize over and over and over. I’m sorry, I am. I’m at a wall, though, I don’t know what else to do.”[/b][/color] Ophelia muttered, picking up the cup of water once more. She didn’t drink it though, she just lifted it up and looked at it, averting her eyes from Marshall.  [color=eda946][b]“I hurt… everyone I loved. I messed the fuck up, I did everyone dirty. I just want everything to be okay.”[/b][/color] She sat the glass down, and then looked up, trying to brighten.

[color=eda946][b]“There is some good news, though.”[/b][/color]

[color=997fdb][b]“It’s… fine.”[/b][/color] Marshall said, picking up his water again as well. [color=997fdb][b]“Just don’t do something like that again, you bitch.”[/b][/color] He said, smirking over the rim of his glass. A little bit of his normal self shining through. Setting the glass down and swallowing, he asked: [color=997fdb][b]“What’s the good news? I could use some. Well, I have some of my own too, but you first.”[/b][/color]

[color=eda946][b]“Cassie and I… are a thing now.”[/b][/color] Ophelia said, looking up with a little smile. At least there was that to take from this that wasn’t a bad thing! Even if she and Marshall were arguing — although it seemed like they had made up! — the important thing was that she had someone in her life now. It was a new feeling, a fresh one… something she hadn’t felt before, despite all the preaching she did about love, and how pure of a feeling it was. [color=eda946][b]“What’s your good news?”[/b][/color] She asked, leaning forward. Gossip! They were on the right track.

[color=997fdb][b]“No shitttt. Two candies dating, huh?”[/b][/color] Marshall mused at the thought. Cute, Cassie was a sweet girl. Hopefully this would keep Ophelia feeling confident and happy despite this misstep. When she didn’t know what his news was, he tisked. [color=997fdb][b]“Did you even check your socials today?”[/b][/color] Marsh asked, rolling his eyes. [color=997fdb][b]“I made it official last night. I now have a boyfriend and had the best date of my life last night.”[/b][/color] The theater star beamed a smile.

[color=eda946][b]“I wouldn’t say [i]dating[/i], but we like… kissed and had a heart to heart! It was really nice and I really want it to work out.”[/b][/color] Ophelia explained, before she gasped and put her hand over her mouth. He went on his first date with Jamie! That was exciting. [color=eda946][b]“That’s great! I haven’t checked my social in like… almost three days, Marshall. I’ve been…. a little stressed out.”[/b][/color] She explained, before something clicked in her mind. [color=eda946][b]“Oh… have you worked things out with Owen? From what I’ve heard… Jamie made it a little bit worse with him, and I don’t know how you’re gonna manage to balance [i]that[/i] one.”[/b][/color]

At that, Marshall’s smile fell away. Yeah… Jamie’s article was… something. [color=997fdb][b]“I gave Jamie a lot of shit for that. Like a lot, a lot. I don’t think he’ll be doing anything like that ever again. But, Owen…”[/b][/color] He sighed and shrugged sadly. [color=997fdb][b]“Even before the article, things were really bad. I think that bridge is totally burned now. He hates me and he’s really not the forgiving type. Unless you’re Trixie, I guess. Oh… the power of love, or at least sex. I loved him too, not like [i]love[/i] love but you know, he was my only guy friend. One of my best friends. So it sucks…”[/b][/color]

[color=eda946][b]“Maybe you should try talking to him again? It’s worth a shot, isn’t it? Trixie and I are good now… Oh! That reminds me, she’s gonna join Candyland! I helped her work things out with Kylie, too so I think that helped out a lot.”[/b][/color] Ophelia shrugged, and looked down at her phone. Then, she looked up, as if something had dawned on her. [color=eda946][b]“Oh, man, Trixie. She’s totally at my house… Do you want to come over? Either way, I should get back… She was REALLY high last night.”[/b][/color]

[color=997fdb][b]“Really?!”[/b][/color] Marshall responded, his smile returning. [color=997fdb][b]“That’s awesome, I love Trix. Hmmm, we’ll have to think of a good candy name for her. Oh! That reminds [i]me[/i]. The Candies have a new ship to help set sail! My dance partner Josie has some mystery crush, more info to be announced once I get it out of her.”[/b][/color] He grinned impishly. [color=997fdb][b]“But sure, I’ll come along. We can just get our salads to go. Let’s get Trix her fave too. Wait — she got [i]high[/i]?”[/b][/color] Not like he was one to judge, given his recent encounters with Kit.

[color=eda946][b]“She didn’t really have much of a choice, Kylie sort of forced her to take it, and then she was supposed to go back to the gym to fuck Owen, but Owen was gonna go to Jamie’s house, so he forced Trixie to come to my house and then Owen [i]did[/i] go to Jamie’s house and… oh man, we have so much to talk about…”[/b][/color]

[color=997fdb][b]“OWEN WENT TO JAMIE’S HOUSE?!”[/b][/color] Oh shit, how did he not know that? Was he a bad boyfriend for not checking in? With this whole lunch thing taking up his thoughts, he'd hardly sent more than a good morning text. They certainly [i]did[/i] have a lot to talk about.[/color][/indent]