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Of all weather regions to move to, Marcy didn’t know why their parents had them move to the Midwest.
Weather in this region was extremely unpredictable. One day it was sunny, the warmth drawing people out to spend time outside with the mostly green grass, cool breeze, and dry sidewalks. The next, it’s snowing and absurdly far below zero temperature-wise, or so hot that many people turned into lizards upon contact with the sun, the humidity almost making them turn into fish.
People hung out outside anyways, of course. It’s the Midwest. Nobody in the Midwest has any sense of self preservation.
It was quite the contrast to Los Angeles, where the weather was highly predictable year-round. Usually the same temperature, same clouds, same humidity. If it were going to rain, you know a few days beforehand.
Nobody trusted the weather person in the Midwest, seeing as they’re never right. People just took the days as they came.
So Marcy took the days as they came, which meant doing her best to stay inside most days. She could never get her clothes to fit the weather, anyways.
mar_blez i’m almost there!!!!! see you soon!!
sashwaybright Mars get off your phone we know you’re driving
mar_blez yeah yeah whatever!! i’m at a red light. istg they take so longggg
mar_blez oops got beeped at BYE
sashwaybright Don’t die!!!!
The Minneapolis airport was an international airport, which meant it was a hub for people all over the world, not just the country. It would be amazing, aside from the fact that the huge number of people made traffic a gigantic waking nightmare, especially to a fairly new driver with mild sensory issues. It also didn’t help that the seemingly incoming storm was worsening everyone’s moods, which made the whole situation a gut-twisting concoction of yelling, beeping, and jaywalking.
Marcy drumed their fingers nervously on the wheel, foot firmly on the brake while traffic stood at a standstill. They glanced around, keeping an eye on the storm as well as watching for any jaywalkers that could come out of nowhere. A certain jaywalker stopped on the median, and they beeped their horn, startling themself for a second at how loud it was. Gathering their bearings, they beeped it a few more times to make sure the jaywalkers noticed.
“Sasha!” she yelled out the open window, and her friend quickly turned her head. Marcy got out of her car just in time for Sasha to finish winding his way through the cars, and the two embraced.
Sasha’s hair was different, just as always. He hadn’t settled on a style last year since he buzzed it and started to regrow it, so every time they saw each other it was something new. Today, she had a sort of “modern mullet,” as Marcy’s barber would say. They flicked it, causing Sasha to flinch with a smile and a giggle. “Swooshy! I like it,” Marcy said.
Sasha flicked Marcy’s bangs in return. “You’ve grown it out! I like it!” Sasha was right; Marcy’s hair was now shoulder length, currently down so it brushed the shoulders of her jacket.
Sasha was shivering, which Marcy wasn’t surprised at, considering he was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and basketball shorts in the middle of February in Minnesota. A car beeped at them and Marcy realized she’d been staring at a scar on Sasha’s right arm for a bit too long.
“Come on,” Marcy said, grabbing Sasha’s wrist, prompting him to grab his suitcase. “It’s warm in the car.”
“Thank god,” Sasha scoffed, “It’s freezing here.” She hefted her suitcase into the backseat of Marcy’s green compact car and went around to the passenger side. He met Marcy’s gaze. “Is it always like this here?”
Marcy chuckled. “No. Just wait until summer. It’s more humid than Frog Valley!” She got into the car, Sasha following suit. He immediately relaxed in the warm environment, and the traffic finally started moving.
“So, what do you do for fun around here?”
Marcy cringed. “Uh, there’s the Mall of America and a couple art museums. People only really come here for the mall.”
“Ah.”
The rest of the ride to Marcy’s house was filled with murmurs and giggles, the pair catching up on time missed. The clouds continued to roll overhead, and by the time they got to their destination it was pouring sheets of rain. Marcy rummaged around in the backseat and came up with a red hoodie. She handed it to Sasha.
“Put this on.”
Sasha scoffed. “Marce, it’s just a quick jog to safety. I’ll be fine.”
“Oh, we aren’t doing that just yet, but if you don’t want to put the hoodie on, fine.” She turned the engine off, letting the cold slowly seep in.
“Marcy, wh-”
“Shh! Listen!”
The car was silent, and they could hear the large raindrops hitting the roof. Marcy looked at Sasha with a grin, watching the blonde stare at the rain. “It doesn’t rain like this in LA.”
“It really doesn’t.”
Marcy had done this before. Every time it rained, she would sit in her car and watch and listen in silence. She would be alone on purpose. This time, though, she had one of her best friends with her. It was different.
“ This is what I do for fun.”
Sasha looked back at Marcy who had leaned closer, watching the rain through the windshield. He hadn’t put on the hoodie yet, and the cold was seeping into his clothes. He didn’t notice, though, because something in his core was warming up. She smiled at her friend’s wonder at something they had no doubt seen many times before. He leaned over the center console and nudged Marcy, who turned to face him.
Their faces were so close together.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“Do you, uh-” Sasha blushed. He awkwardly put his hand on her cheek and they both giggled. “Do you want to…”
Marcy put their hand over Sasha’s on their cheek and grinned. “I don’t think I’m the only dork in this car.”
Sasha leaned in, grinning back. “Shut up.”
They met in the middle.
Sasha’s nose was cold and his lips were chapped, and it grounded Marcy in a way they didn’t know they needed. They both pulled away smiling, resting their foreheads together. Suddenly, Marcy pulled her forehead away and leaned against her door.
“Put the hoodie on.”
“No, I can just run into the house. No biggie.”
“We’re not going to the house yet. I have one more thing I want to do.”
Sasha raised an eyebrow. “Another kiss?”
Marcy tapped their chin in teasing thought. “Maybe. Just not here. Put the hoodie on.”
Sasha pouted. “That’s lame, though.”
“So is getting a cold. Put it on.”
“Fine.”
Marcy got out of the car as Sasha put on the hoodie, and the next thing he knew he was getting pulled into the soaking rain.
“Marce! What the actual hell!” Sasha squealed, but he was laughing anyway.
Marcy splashed a puddle at him. “Welcome to Minnesota!”
She took both of Sasha’s hands and spun her around. Neither of them could see the other very well due to their hair plastered to their foreheads and the rainwater dripping into their eyes. Sasha shook his head, flicking water into Marcy’s already soaked face. Marcy watched the raindrops collect and drip off the ends of Sasha’s buzzed part of his hair. She reached up to touch it, and ended up running her fingers through the top of Sasha’s hair, slicking it back. They kept their hand there, on the back of his head, and his eyes widened. Marcy tugged him closer, and they kissed again, this time more passionate than awkward. Sasha hummed into the kiss and wrapped her arms around Marcy’s waist, lifting them for a second before putting them back down. Marcy giggled, pulling away.
“This is so much better than video calls,” Sasha mumbled.
“It really is,” Marcy agreed. “Now, let’s get inside before the rain soaks through our hoodies.”