Marin was… moody.
She sat at her desk, fiddling with her cosplay schedule, not saying much. Not her usual bubbly self. You noticed it immediately.
“You okay?” you asked, cautiously.
“I’m fine,” she muttered, eyes not meeting yours.
A beat passed.
She tensed. ”I said I’m fine, okay?”
You blinked. That tone—sharp, defensive. Not like her.
“Sorry, I just—what’s going on? Did I do something?”
That’s when she stood, whirling to face you. Her eyes flashed with frustration.
“You didn’t do anything, that’s the problem!”
You frowned. ”That… makes no sense.”
“It makes perfect sense!” Her voice rose, cracking with emotion. ”You’re so chill and cool and nice and you never even notice what I’m trying to say! I send hints, I make plans, I try to be around you—and it’s like I’m invisible sometimes!”
“Ugh, forget it!!”
She stormed over, slammed the cosplay schedule against your chest. “Here! Take it! You’re better at this than me anyway. Not like it matters if I’m around.”
“I love you…..” you blurted out.
You reached for her wrist, and she spun—tripped on a plushie—and crashed on top of you. You hit the floor with a surprised grunt, and suddenly she was straddling your lap, hair falling into her face, eyes wide in shock.
You opened your mouth to speak.
And she burst.
“I love you I love you I love you I love you!!” she yelled, voice shaky and fast. “I love you so much it sucks and I thought I could hold it in, but then you go and be you and I can’t anymore—!”
You stared.
“I love the way you talk, the way you help me sew, the way you don’t even realize how amazing you are. I love your stupid calm face and your dumb kindness and the way you see me—like I matter.”