M A R N I E

I was tired and exhausted but here I was, walking in the unforgiving cold towards the paint shop.

I had searched an array of colours, found the ones I liked the most and was on my way to see the colours in person.

Sometimes, what I see online doesn't really register in my brain as much as seeing things in real life would.

But do I still shop online? Yes.

Do I hate buying anything in real-life stores? Yes.

I pushed the glass door with the wooden frame open and the bell chimes above my head. The whole place smells of wood, paint and just- old. It smells old. The good kind of old. Like cracking open a crate that was stuffed with clothes from your grandmother's age.

I sighed as the warmth filled me up. I took off my scarf but kept my forest green coat on over my knitted green and off white sweater and my fleece-lined leather pants.

"Ciao!" I greeted the young women in overalls with a name tag. Willow.

"Ciao! Cosa posso fare per te?" She asked her blue eyes were bright and her skin was glowing. Her red hair was like a flame as the warmth radiating from her aura hit me like a storm.

Translation: Hello! What can I help you with?

"Volevo solo guardare la vernice, le sfumature e tutto il resto. Verde per l'esattezza." I add quickly and she nods before gesturing me to the left of the shop and I walk behind her. Clutching my scarf tightly in my hand.

Translation: I just wanted to look at paint, shades and stuff. Green to be exact.

"Toni smorzati? o luminoso?" She asked and I gave it a thought.

Translation: Muted tones? Or bright?

"Smorzatti," I answer and she nods before taking out a booklet with the colour samples and handing them to me.

Translation: muted.

I browsed through them for what felt like minutes but when I lifted my head to glance at the clock I realised that about 20 minutes had passed. Willow was still standing in front of me. Looking around aimlessly before her head snaps to mine and she offers me that same welcoming smile.

"Uh sorry, I think this one is perfect," I say pointing to the shade that is called Rivergrass.

Willow nods and notes it down before smiling at me. I notice her nails to see red cherries painted onto them.

She asks me a couple of questions and I answer them as she walks away to retrieve the paint and I look around the shop. I find a lot of cute stuff that I can keep on my bookshelves and around my room in general. I pick out a glass jar and a miniature car carved out of wood.

I go to the desk to see Willow bringing over a huge can of paint. She huff's and then smiles brightly at me as I hand her the stuff. We make small talk as she bills me, I pay and then walk out.

The sudden contrast between the warm shop and the freezing autumn cold is so much that my eyes water for a second before I pull myself together.

The can of paint is heavy and I huff as I walk back home. It is about a 10-minute walk but doing anything in the morning is so exhausting that even 10 minutes feel like hours.

Val is studying at a friends house. Yeah, a friend. Ma and Papa are off at work and I made an excuse of saying that my period cramps were very bad so I wouldn't have to go to school.

It's been 2 days. 2 days since I haven't shown up in school. 2 days since I have just sat round in my room having nothing to do. So it has just been me browsing through books and burning through them like a bullet train. 2 days of avoiding Art.

By the time I got near my block, my hands were shaking and numb from carrying everything. I should've thought this through.

I sigh as I fumble with my keys while I stand outside the door, so excited to be in the warmth of my home. I unlock it and pry it open as I sigh and walk up the stairs to my room after locking the door behind me.

I open the door and let out a blood-curdling scream as I see someone in my room. That someone holds a knife, playing with it while browsing through the array of books.

"Jesus, you've got quite a pitch." Her tone is flat as she closes her eyes continuing to play with the knife.

"You scared me. What the fuck are you doing here? How did you get in?" I ask as I place the paint on the wooden floor. I wring my hands and wipe them on my sweater.

"So many questions." She says unhurriedly and I force myself to stay calm. I look around my room to see the window still closed.

"Well, to answer your questions. I am here because you didn't show up at school, for 2 days. I got in with a Bobby pin." Art answers rolling the Bobby pin between her fingers. From the index finger to the pinky. She turns around, her ring clad fingers trailing on the spines of my books and I internally shudder.

"Anyways, why weren't you at school?" She asks nearing me and I take a cautious step back. She grins at that action.

"I was tired," I answer and she raises an eyebrow. She saw right through my bullshit.

"Of what?" She asks her hands clasped behind her. I gulped before looking back at her.

"Uh- just stuff. Exams are coming up. Lab practice is starting. I haven't started studying at all. I have like 15 projects due." I rambled stepping away from her, fiddling with my fingers as she grins coldly and steps near me.

"Mhmm, is that so little lamb? What about the project that we were working on?" She asks and I internally slap myself for even attempting to save myself.

"Uh, yeah that- I uh- I forgot about that. We should finish it soon." I smile sheepishly and she nods.

"We should." She says quietly and I nod slowly. Why is this so awkward?

I wanna die.

"I'll be at your place at 6?" I ask fiddling with my fingers and she nods grinning.

"Okay then." She mutters still nearing me and I internally panic.

"Goodbye, Marnie." She whispers before leaning down and placing a kiss on my temple.

And before I know it she is out of my room. And out of my home.

And I stand there processing what the hell had just happened.

I am so sorry I haven't posted in 10 days lol. Things came up and I haven't had the motivation. But don't worry, as soon as I get back to writing again the book will be finished before you know it.

Willow: (I don't know if I want her to be a serious character in the book but here she is for reference.)

River grass shade/ the shade of green: