Marcus

Two days have passed since I last saw Melanie, and the silence is deafening. No texts, no calls—just an empty void that leaves me questioning every interaction we've had. It's disconcerting, to say the least. I can't help but wonder if this has something to do with Karla. Talking about the wrong person at the wrong time. Fucking Karla, showing up out of nowhere. I truly hope Melanie believed me when I told her that I don't see Karla that way because it's the truth.

I really want to see Melanie again, but I'm at a loss on how to make that happen. Should I text her? Would that be too forward? Did she choose Daniel, and that's why she hasn't been in touch? Okay, Marcus, calm down. I need to focus on the road ahead, literally. The engine of my motorcycle roars to life as I navigate the streets to get home, the wind providing a fleeting distraction from the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind.

Parking my motorcycle, I step inside and make my way to the living room, hoping to find some semblance of normalcy. Natalie and Sophia are sitting on the couch, and Natalie looks up, a questioning expression on her face.

"How was work?" she asks.

"Okay," I reply, trying to sound nonchalant. I pause, then add, "Tell Karla to leave me the fuck alone."

Natalie and Sophia exchange puzzled glances. Natalie throws up her hands. "What happened?"

I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts before explaining, "I ran into Melanie the other day, and we were talking when suddenly, out of nowhere, Karla showed up."

Sophia, looking a bit lost, interjects, "Who's Melanie?"

"I'll talk to Karla," Natalie offers, shooting me a reassuring look. "What happened with Melanie?"

Sophia, undeterred, asks again, "Who is Melanie?"

I answer honestly, "Nothing happened. She hasn't reached out since."

Sophia, growing more exasperated, repeats her question, "Who is Melanie?"

I finally lose my patience, blurting out, "For god's sakes, Sophia, Melanie is a girl I like, okay?"

Natalie waggles her eyebrows at Sophia and announces, "Marcus is in love with Melanie."

Sophia's eyes widen, and she says, "Oooh," grinning at me mischievously.

I mutter, "Seriously, grow the fuck up," and turn on my heel, heading to my room. Closing my door behind me, I throw my jacket on the bed and sink down, falling back onto the mattress, I let out a deep breath, my phone fumbling in my hands. Maybe I should text her. Or, I could take a walk, casually pass through her street—maybe run into her again. I groan; that's pushing the boundaries, veering dangerously close to stalking.

Sitting up, I realize I can't spend another night cooped up indoors. I'll go insane. I could grab a beer with the guys from work. Or, I could go on a walk with Natalie. As much as she annoys me with her teasing about Melanie, the truth is, we've grown closer since I started confiding in her. Or, I could take a chance and text Melanie—maybe see her tonight. Would she want to see me tonight? She did mention being busy this week, preparing her apartment.

What the hell, I decide. I'll text her. My fingers hover over the keys as I type, "Hey, are you free tonight?" With a deep breath, I press send, and my heart starts racing as I await her response.

I try to keep my expectations low, as I said, she is busy this week. It makes sense that she'd want to spend her free time with Daniel. Damn Daniel. The thought of Melanie possibly spending her evening, maybe even her night, with him makes me bristle. A surge of jealousy takes over as I imagine Daniel's hands on her, his presence in her space. Cursing under my breath, I shake the image off, knowing I need to get a grip on my emotions.

A buzz from my phone snaps me out of my pacing. Melanie has texted back, asking, "What's on your mind?" The simple question sends waves of overwhelming happiness through me—she's interested. But that joy is quickly replaced by a surge of panic. What should I say? I didn't have anything specific in mind, and my mind is drawing blanks.

Jolting up, I start pacing again, racking my brain for something, anything. Then it hits me. I type back, suggesting a drive in the forest, just like our first dates. The memories of those moments flood back, and a faint smile plays on my lips as I anxiously wait for her response. The seconds stretch into eternity until finally, a notification pops up on my screen.

Melanie: "Sounds good. What time are you picking me up?"

My heart races with relief and excitement. She's on board. I reply, "Twenty minutes?" hoping it gives her enough time to get ready. The nerves settle in as I throw my phone on the bed and rush to my closet. I opt for a pair of well-worn jeans, a dark green hoodie to fend off the chilly air, and a leather jacket. My hands move hastily as I change clothes. The scent of leather envelops me as I slide into the jacket, and I glance at myself in the mirror, hoping I look at least somewhat put together.

Heading downstairs, I find Emily has joined Natalie and Sophia in the living room. They look at me curiously as I rush past them. Natalie raises an eyebrow, "Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

I don't stop, simply calling over my shoulder, "Going out with Melanie." I catch a glimpse of Sophia's mischievous grin, and I hear Emily's voice trailing after me, "Who's Melanie?" I roll my eyes, chuckling, and simply close the door behind me.

Outside, I jog to my motorcycle, the anticipation bubbling inside me. The engine roars to life as I start driving towards Melanie's house. The crisp air hits me as I speed through the streets, each passing moment bringing me closer to her.

I pull over outside Melanie's house, the engine of my motorcycle humming softly as I text her, "I'm outside." The anticipation is palpable, and after what feels like an eternity, the front door opens. My heart skips a beat as Melanie walks out. It's a scene so familiar, yet each time feels like the first, bringing a rush of excitement and nerves.

She approaches, and for a moment, I'm caught in the simple beauty of the situation. I never thought I'd experience this again, waiting for her outside her house, ready to take her on a ride. Melanie looks stunning in jeans and a beige puffer jacket. Her hair is pulled up in a ponytail, showcasing her beautiful face.

As she stops in front of me, she smiles sweetly and says, "Hey." I look into her eyes, feeling a warmth spreading through me, and reply, "Hey." Without missing a beat, I hand her a helmet. Melanie puts it on gracefully and mounts the motorcycle, a sense of déjà vu washing over us as the engine roars to life again.

The city lights fade behind us as we make our way towards the forest. Melanie's chest pressed against my back, her arms securely around my waist—it's a closeness that feels right, like a missing piece finally falling into place. The transition from the city to the forest is marked by a subtle shift in atmosphere. The air becomes crisper, the sounds more subdued, and the surroundings cloaked in shadows.

As we enter the forest, the moonlight filters through the branches, casting an enchanting glow on the winding path ahead. The thrill of the ride intensifies, the cool night air rushing past us. Melanie's delighted laughter mixes with the hum of the engine, creating a symphony of shared joy.

I navigate through the twisting trails, the motorcycle responding to my every command. The sensation of speed, the scent of pine in the air, and Melanie's infectious laughter create a perfect moment suspended in time. I steal a glance at Melanie, her eyes sparkling with exhilaration. It's a sight I've missed—a genuine, carefree happiness that sparks a warmth in my chest.

As we emerge from the forest into a clearing, I slow down, giving us a moment to catch our breath. The silence of the night is punctuated by the distant rustling of leaves. I turn to Melanie, a grin playing on my lips. "Enjoying the ride?"

Her eyes meet mine, reflecting a mix of exhilaration and pure joy. "Absolutely," she replies, a radiant smile lighting up her face. It makes me feel like a million bucks. If only I could bottle up that feeling.