Work Text:
Marcy's POV
I sit across from Sasha and Anne at lunch. It’s a warm Friday, or maybe I’m just blushing, and they’re looking at something on Anne’s phone. A breeze blows across their faces, lightly tousling their hair. Their eyes shine in the sun, intently gazing at the screen. They’re so close, sitting beside each other, hands touching.
Those two have always been the closer pair. People say trios always end up with a third wheel, but I like to think we’re not like that. I’ve just got different interests…
The bell rings and I stand up to grab my bag. I don’t bother waiting for them, I’m in a different class.
“Bye, Sash. Bye Anne. Meet ya at the gate this afternoon?”
“Oh, that sleepover is tonight? I totally forgot to bring anything.” Anne groans.
“Anne, you can borrow my sweater. I’ve got two. We’re gonna be late to class, c’mon.” Sasha grabs her hand.
“Bye, Mar-Mar!” They both wave. A warm breeze brushes my cheeks.
I know I’m only fourteen, but sometimes I think about what I’m going to do with my life when we graduate. Four years can go by so quickly… so much can happen. But, no matter what, I always see Anne and Sasha in our future. I mean, they’ve always been there for me. That can’t just disappear the second we leave school, can it? We talk about renting an apartment together and adopting so many animals and having fun staying up late, and I always blush at the thought of living with the two of them. Then I lie awake at night and think. Is it normal to blush so much when looking at them? Or get dizzying butterflies in my stomach when our hands brush? Or sometimes imagine what maybe their lips would feel like pressed on mine?
At our sleepovers Sasha and Anne always want to talk about boys and crushes, I’ve never had a crush. They pine after the male actor in the latest movies we watch together and wish they were his love interest, I can’t relate with either. They fall asleep holding each other while the movie is playing. I end up watching their peaceful figures, ignoring the tv, and wishing I had what they have.
I catch up to Sasha and Anne at the gate. “Hey, guys! Ready for our movie tonight? You’ll love the one I’ve got picked out!”
“Is it gonna be that long boring one about wizards? You must’ve played it a million times.” Sasha whines.
“Yep, War of Warlocks! I’ve got it memorised.”
“C’mon, Sash. Let’s give it a chance this once? Three hours isn't that long.” Anne nudged her.
“I’ve got popcorn and my dad’s cooking dinner.” I try to convince her.
“Ok, fine. Just because I love your dad’s food.”
We walk along the footpath, I’m slightly stepping on the grass but that's ok. I let my hand hang loose from my hoodie pocket, willing for the courage to grab Anne’s hand. We’re friends, why is it so hard? She notices how close our hands are and grabs it, pulling me onto the concrete and forcing Sasha to take a step back. Anne’s hand is warm and soft. I glance at her face and her cheeks are slightly rosy, curls bouncing slightly with each step. Sasha catches my eye and gives me a look, the look she gives Anne when we walk past that boy she supposedly likes.
We set our bags down and take off our shoes in the doorway. My mum comes out from the home office and asks if any of us want juice, tea, food. I tell her we’re good for now, and we head up to my room to get changed. Sasha hands Anne her spare sweater and pants, as she heads into the bathroom first.
“So, Marcy. You and Anne huh?” She gives me that look again.
“What? You mean the hand holding? You do it all the time, haha?” My face is getting hot.
“So you know what I’m talking about?” (S)
“No…?” (M)
“I saw how you look at her… you like her don’t you?” I meet her eyes and she looks almost sad behind the playful smile. Do I like her?
“Ught, I don’t know! I’m so confused, Sasha. You two are close, right? I thought maybe I just wanted to be closer to you both too, but sometimes she makes me feel… funny. Like, I don’t want our time to end together. I never relate when you two talk about boys and stuff, like maybe I’m just weird. I really don’t wanna mess anything up between us, because you're my best friends.” I’m leaving out that I feel the same about Sasha, she caught me so off guard I think my heart might explode.
“Marcy, Marcy. I think you have got yourself a crush,” Sasha grins.
Now, Anne’s in the doorway, and I might’ve died a little inside. “Hey, Sash, bathroom’s free now.” Sasha stands up and winks at me as she leaves. I don’t feel quite so great. I admit, Anne looks adorable in Sasha’s oversized sweater, I want to be in her warm arms… is that weird? Is it weird for me to feel this way about a girl? Two girls? I don’t know, I don’t know.
We sit in silence for a while, I’m lost in thought and Anne is fixing her hair in the mirror. Sasha returns and I start the movie, unable to concentrate on anything that's on the screen. Sasha is painting her nails, Anne is scrolling on her phone. Both of them look perfect, dimly lit up by the old tv in my room. It seems none of us are watching. I turn it off. Anne doesn’t seem to notice, and Sasha looks at me quizzically. I raise my eyebrows slightly and she gets the message.
“Y’know I think it’s a little early for a movie.” I say, my voice shaking a little.
“Yeah, let’s play truth or dare!’ Sasha enthusiastically suggests. I know where this is going.
Anne looks up from her phone and blushes a little. “Uh, ok.”
“Great, I’ll ask you first, Marcy.” Sometimes I wonder where Sasha gets her courage, but it’s not her friendship on the line. “Who do you have a crush on?”
“What? I didn't even get to choose.”
“Wait, Sasha, let me go first then. Dare.” Anne interjects, and my heart sinks just a little.
“Dare? Ok, I dare you to… tell us who you have a crush on!”
“Hey! That’s not how it works!” Anne shouts over her.
“Is it that guy orrr…?” There’s an achingly long pause. My chest is going to explode, Sasha looks a little maniacal, Anne is going red.
I can’t handle the silence. “aaAAaHhH I like both of you!” I blurt out before burying my face in a pillow.
“Both…of us?” they say together. I can feel their hatred towards me building. Only a matter of time before they decide it's too uncomfortable.
“Marcy… we feel the same way. We’ve actually been talking about it a lot haha.” (A)
“To be honest, I like the both of you too,” Sasha admits.
I lift my head and the tears start flowing.
“Oh, Marcy, don't cry.” she says lovingly. They both come in for a hug and I hug them back.
“Anne and I, we knew we both liked you, but we didn’t want you to feel pressured or anything.” (S)
“And we’ll always be there for you, no matter what.” Anne wipes my tears and Sasha rubs my hand. “So we’ll do whatever you feel comfortable with.”
“I’m so happy, I really like you guys.” I choke out through sobs.
“Aww, we like you too,” Sasha whispers.
“I don’t want anything to ruin our trio…” I say quietly.
“Um, well, I was researching a little and there’s a thing called polyamory. Multiple people can date each other. But only if both of you would… like… that…” Anne says.
“Anne Boonchuy, are you asking us out?” Sasha feigns surprise. I laugh-cry.
“Oh, my gosh. Yes.” Anne says in a mix of exasperation and relief. “ Sasha Waybright, Marcy Wu, would you like to all go out together?”
I nod and Sasha laughs as she pulls us in. “Of course!”