I never saw Arthur- Art in my biology lecture. I felt that itch in my spine that I made her tick. I sighed as I skateboarded my way back home. Clutching the paper with her address written on it I walked up the stairs to my room.

From the number of my books left scattered I knew Val had been in here and had borrowed a few books when I wasn't home just so she wouldn't have to face me.

I took off my clothes laying in my bed in just my cotton shorts and tank top. I left the paper on the top of my dresser under a thick ass book as I opened my laptop. But not before taking out my favourite vinyl and turning on my record player. It was an olive green colour and went very well with my entire room. The sun peeked in through my blinds and I sighed as the sweet smell of coffee that Val was probably carrying to her room travelled towards mine.

I opened my browser as I typed in the words that I hoped no one would ever see.

Ouroborus.

Bet your mind went to the gutter huh?

From just googling a simple ancient symbol I ended up reading all about Greek mythology and ended up at the story of Apollo and Hyacinthus.

What a tragedy.

"Mer, can I come in?" Val's voice was muffled due to the thick wooden door. I sighed contemplating whether I wanted to talk to her or not.

"Come in," I called back, my heart deflating as I sat on the soft bed hoping for an apology.

"Hi." She whispered walking in and sitting at the foot of my bed. I raised my eyebrows as she continued to look around like she had never been here.

I cleared my throat as she looked at me for a few seconds before sighing and spilling.

"Look, I know Arthur. And I am just warning you, I don't want you to waste away because of her. But at the end of the day, it's your choice of who you want to be with." She says placing her soft hand onto my arm and I pull away.

"Be with? She is just my friend." I say my eyes narrowed and Val raises an eyebrow.

"It sure doesn't seem like it." She mutters and I scoff before standing up and checking the time.

I have to be at Arthur's in an hour.

"Why do you suddenly care?" I ask before taking out my clothes.

I pick out a black skirt with a brown sweater vest and a black turtle neck layered underneath.

"Because I am your sister? Where are you going anyways? I'm not done with this conversation." She yells as I walk inside the bathroom and slam the door shut.

"Oh, but I am!" I yell back as I turn on the shower.

"Slamming the door and yelling isn't going to solve any problem," Val says softly and I sigh.

Yeah, but it makes me feel better for a mere second.

"I'll speak to you after my shower," I mutter and I hear a huff.

"Where are you going anyway?" She asks, her voice soft and I hear a thump meaning she is leaning against the door.

Fuck.

"I'm headed out to meet with my partner for the communications project," I mutter and for a moment I don't hear anything as I strip down. Not sparing a glance at my body through the mirror.

"Who's your partner?" She asks and I gulp before standing underneath the shower letting the water pour down my body.

Double fuck.

"Uh, just someone," I say and wince at my pathetic attempt to cover up the fact that Art is my partner.

"Marnie." She says in her best mom voice and I sigh.

"Don't get mad," I call out, I could feel her glare through the door.

"Who is it Mer?" She asks her voice low.

"Just don't get mad," I say again, she slams her hand on the door and I inwardly laugh.

"Just tell me it isn't her," Val mutters and I laugh loudly which just makes her go batshit crazy.

"You little shit." She yells before the bell rings and I know ma will save me.

I take my time showering, contemplating whether I should cancel on Arthur or not.

I shouldn't, that'd be rude.

My record player continues to play music as I shower. The muffled voice reached me and soothed me as I shower without the lights on. The skylight provided me with enough light and warmth to last me a lifetime.

I shaved, moisturised and did my normal routine. As I turned the shower off and walked out in just my towel I was surprised to see my room completely clean letting me know that mom cleaned it for me.

I smiled to myself as I got dressed. I carried my boots in my hands along with my black socks as I walked downstairs with my bag. I placed the shoes and socks near the door, walked into the kitchen I washed my hands in the sink as Ma glared at me.

She hates it when I wash my hands in the sink.

"Hi, ma! How was work?" I ask as I smell the plethora of perfume on her. She worked in the perfume section of YSL but was going to have it changed to another section.

"Fine fine. I saw Jack at the outlet today." She added as I poured myself a glass of water.

Val sat in the chair reading her book. Sorry, I meant my book. Her eyes wandered to us as she acted like she was reading but actually wanted the gossip.

That little shit.

"Yeah, what'd he say?" I ask sipping on my water as Ma turns around from the heat and towards me.

"Just that we are invited to his father's party. He dropped by personally to give the invitation." Ma said handing me the invitation card. I give it a quick read before finishing my water and kissing her cheek.

"Will you be going?" She asked as I looked at the date. It's in 2 days.

"No. I don't feel like it." I shrugged walking away.

"Wait, where are you going?" She asked and I stopped in my tracks offering Val a glare as she grinned at me.

"For a project," I answered and she nodded slowly before kissing my cheek. Val stared at us dumbfounded and it was my time to grin now.

•

I halted right outside a couple of steps and a typical Italian stone house. I walked up the stairs checking the paper to see that it was the right house. I looked at the time on my phone to see that I was about 5 minutes early.

I waited outside her door for the minutes to pass. I straightened my skirt running my clammy hands over them again and again.

My ears perked up like a dog when I heard a roar of laughter from the inside.

And when I say roar. I mean an actual roar. It was so loud I feared that the walls were shaking.

I checked my phone again to see that it was still 6:57. I sighed through my nose as I wiped at my face and fixed my clothes over and over again before leaning against the stone wall yet again and admiring the sky after the sunset.

The orange-gold stretches far and wide, the colour of fire hearths and Aunt Ash's tangerine jellies. It is but the reflection of the warm people that enjoyed music and books, the promise of the rising sun that comes after the velvety night has had its say and the land has rested once more.

I am suddenly snapped out of my thoughts as the door opens and two people stumble out. One of them is drunk as he eyes me while the other guy steadies him.

"Who the fuck are you?" He asks nearing me and I stumble back.

Um, what the actual fuck?

"I was here to meet Art," I say bit it sounds more like a question.

"Did I ask who you were here to meet? I asked who the fuck are you?" He says his voice louder this time. My eyes widen as I shake my head to his question.

"I'm Marnie," I answer my voice shaky and he grins at his friend who is eyeing me cautiously.

"Did you hear that? Ya, fucking hear that mate? Her name's fucking Marine." He laughs and I narrow my eyes.

"Okay, Ro enough. Art is inside darling." The other guy answers before slapping Ro on his head as he whines. The guy leans his head inside the house.

"Art! Some chick is here waiting for you!" He yells and I cringe as they walk away. He offers me a smile that looks more like a wince before waving.

"I'm Elias by the way! It was great to meet you, Marnie!" He calls out and I can't say the same for him so I simply wave back with a smile. Ro walks down the steps tripling and falling and I cringe when he stubs his toe on one of the pots.

Deserved.

When I turn back around Arthur is leaning against the door frame studying me. Her lip is pulled between her thumb and forefinger as she lets her eyes rake down my outfit and settle on my skateboard.

"Cute outfit." She says and I look down at my outfit before grinning sheepishly at her.

"Thank you, you look great too." I answer my voice almost inaudible due to the loud laughs coming from inside her house.

"Come in." She mutters offering me a hand and I eye it. She groans before leaning forward and intertwining it with my hand and pulling me inside. Her skin is rough and calloused from using the guitar.

I stifle a gasp as she takes my skateboard and places it on the rack with plenty more skateboards. Her scent is intoxicating. Something like an earthy scent mixed with a delicate touch of musk. Mild and soft.

On entering I see two girls and another guy sitting on a maroon leather couch. The girl and guy are the same as the ones I had met in the nightclub.

"Just ignore them." Art mutters in my ear. I fight the shiver that threatens to travel down my spine as I nod and walk with her up the stairs and to what I am assuming is her room.

The house is decorated with many art pieces, cool vinyl, record players in every room, plants and rugs making the small house look very homey.

We walk down the hallway to her room and she opens it for me to walk in. I walk on cautiously, only to see a normal room.

What'd I expect? Guns? Knives?

Art's room was so, so pretty. She had handpainted paintings on her walls. Posters of rock bands and fictional characters. Her covers were a soft sage colour with a Louis blue duvet. She had vines hanging, but when I paid close attention I realised they were real. Hanging from hooks and growing from the potted plant by her bed. Her bedframe was metal painted in black. Her walls were a off white.

Vinyls scattered around her entire room, just like books scattered around mine. Her room was small but so, so cosy.

"Why were you standing outside?" She asks raising an eyebrow as she closes the door. I flinch at the loud noise and she chuckles flatly.

"I was early," I mutter and she raises an eyebrow leaning down to hear me well. Her hands were tucked inside her hoodie.

"Sorry, what?" She mutters her breath hitting my neck and goosebumps appearing on my body. I gulp before answering her.

"I was early," I say a little louder this time but my voice comes out squeaky.

Dumb bitch. What are you a fucking see-saw?

"Hmm, I don't mind you coming early." She answers before plopping down on her bed and patting it gesturing me to sit down.

I do so, but not before taking off my shoes.

"Why'd you take them off?" She asked and I looked at her with a 'are you serious look?'.

"I don't wear shoes inside a house," I murmur before sitting down as she eyes me while I not so subtly pull my skirt down when it rides up my thighs.

"But you're inside my house and in my room right now?" She states but it ends up sounding more like a question.

"Yeah, cause you had your friends over. And you dragged me all the way up here. Besides shoes on the bed is gross." I answer scrunching my nose. She glances at her shoes and then nods before slowly taking them off.

I smile internally at her, she takes out her pen and book which was set on the side table as the door slams downstairs but by the nonchalant look on her face, it signals me that her friends left.

She prepared questions?

"Do you live alone?" I ask quietly and she looks up at me her dark eyes lined with kohl and thick winged eyeliner.

"Yeah." She murmurs and from her tone, I understand that it is not a topic she wants to discuss.

"Shit, where are my manners? Would you like tea or coffee?" She asks and I shake my head smiling up at her as she stands abruptly.

"Water is fine," I answer and she nods before exiting the room. I take the time to study my surroundings. But before I can do that someone attacks me.

A kitten actually.

She jumps up to the foot of her bed and walks towards me. I can tell that she might be about a couple of months old from her size. She yawns before plopping down on my lap and starting up at me with her big brown eyes.

"Oh hi baby." I whisper softly scratching behind her ear and she purrs.

Oh my God, I can't take it.

Her fur is grey and white. She closes her eyes as the door opens, playing as if she's asleep. Art enters the room with a glass of water in her hand along with a pitcher filled with more water.

She hands it to me before plopping down on the bed loudly that the cat wakes up and stares at her with her big brown eyes.

"I see you've met Lenon." She murmurs before kissing her head and placing her inside a ceramic bowl which had a pink cloth inside where Arthur stroked her nose softly placing a brown small blanket on her as Lenon's eyes closed slowly and she fell asleep immediately.

"She's so cute," I whispered leaning closer to her, Art's body heat hitting mine as I looked at Lenon sleeping inside the blue ceramic bowl.

"So who's asking questions first?" I asked taking out my book and pen as I made no move to scoot away from her. Her body pressed into mine on her small single bed.

"I'll ask." Art answers and I nod setting my book down suddenly nervous.

"When have you felt your biggest adrenaline rush?" She asks ticking down the question on her page before looking at me awaiting my answer.

I bit my lip as I contemplated her question racking my brain to find out when was the time which stood out to me the most.

"Uh, probably the time I skateboarded through traffic," I answer nodding to myself and she raises an eyebrow. Leaning back to rest her head on the wall behind her. Her body spread out, she outstretches one of her legs behind me.

"You skateboarded through traffic?" She asks making it sound like it was a lie.

"I was running from the cops," I murmur ashamed and her eyes widen as she pushes herself off the wall and leans forward.

"You, the good little angel was running from the cops?" She asks and I nod at her question wondering why it sounded so impossible to her.

Angel.

"Yeah, Val was caught underage drinking. I was not drinking but had some molly on me. It was my friends. So I just...ran." I mutter and her eyes widen as she looks me over. Examining me, her eyes stayed far too long on my thighs. I instinctively pull down my skirt which had rid up.

"You naughty girl." She whispers grinning and I fight the shiver that runs up my spine.

"Okay well, here it says, what is something you've never told anyone?" She asks looking at the paper with 36 printed questions and I ponder for a moment.

"Well, if I tell you it wouldn't be a secret anymore so I'm just going to skip that question." I say smiling and she raises an eyebrow.

"Hmm, I don't think so. I need that answer." She licks her lips. Her dark eyes roam my entire body and I tense up.

"I am going to have to make you work for it," I mutter smiling softly as her eyes meet mine and I see a devious glint in her eyes.

"Oh, will you now?" She whispers leaning close to me. Her body even though sitting still towers over mine. I angle my head and peer up at her grinning.

"You have a week, make it count Art," I whisper and her grin widens.

"Alright, then Marnie." She whispers, she is so close to me that I can smell her minty breath. I can count on my hands how many times she has said my name and it makes my skin crawl everytime I think about it. In a good way of course.

"What do you do in your free time?" She asks and I don't even have to think twice about her question.

"I read, or listen to music. I also like to spend a lot of time in the bookstore. Or library. I like to go on walks too." I answer nodding to myself as I do so.

"What is your best memory?" She asks and my mind goes to the summer of 19'.

"In the summer of 19' me and Val drove all the way to the beach, stayed for a couple of days. Did crazy shit. That was the first time I ever got drunk actually, we met new people, made friends. Hung out with their families. Crashed fancy dinners. I love the sun so it was fun laying underneath it actually." I answer smiling to myself at the memory that seems so golden I almost think I thought it up. She looks at me with a small smile and I immediately look down at the paper in my hand.

"I'll ask now," I say quietly and she nods, never leaning back. Still staying close to me.

I pick up my pen and look at my sheet of printed questions for a moment deciding which one I wanted her to answer. I never once meet her eyes fearing that I might stare a little too long giving away every little detail of my life.

"Uh, okay," I say to myself as I take a sip from the glass of water she had fetched for me previously.

"How do you want to be remembered in life?" I ask, finally meeting her eyes to see them on mine instantly.

"Wild. Reckless. A human version of adrenaline rush." She answers and I nod noting it down.

"What makes you come alive?" I ask looking up at her and she looked dazed for a second before her face contorts again to emotionless.

"Music, Lenon, taking photos, sunsets, fields, good food. Pasta too, actually." She answers and I imagine her taking photos of the sunset music playing in the background. Lenon on her lap and pasta in her mouth. Maybe even me beside her?

"Tell me about you, what makes you come alive Marnie?" She asks and this time I don't have to think. The words flow out of me like I am being controlled.

"Books, music, good food like you said, art, museums, Greek mythology." I grin sheepishly and she smiles back. A genuine smile. Not teasing, not cruel, not cold just- just genuine.

"Who do you envy the most?" I ask her ticking down the question and she stares at Lenon.

"Len probably, like cats in general. They're just- living their best life you know, not burdened by... Anything." She answers and then regret passes her features. Like she regrets even telling me one teeny tiny detail.

"Best movie you've ever seen?" I ask a lighter question to make the tense environment that was created a little better.

"Call me by your name, pride and prejudice 2005 one, uhh any marvel movie actually, suspiria is a great movie too." She answers and I nod.

"I've never watched call me by your name actually," I answer softly noting down her answers and she gapes at me.

"You should actually. It's a great movie. What's your favourite movie?" She asks and I rack my brain for any movie that is not animated.

"Uh, is animated alorght?" I ask and she nods, amusement lighting up her eyes.

"Luca, Ferdinand, angry birds, tangled. And non animated would be like you said marvel movies, all the fast and furious movies, hangover movies, I also really like a walk to remember. It's a great movie actually I cried for hours when I first watched it. I also really like-" I stop myself when I realise it was only me talking and nobody else.

"No no, keep going. I'm listening." She says softly, she somehow was even closer to me now. Just one inch and her body would be pressing into mine completely. Just one inch.