Chapter Text
Mari was never a patient person. Well, she seemed to be one. If you asked any of her friends - Star, Janna, Jack - they’d all tell you the same thing - Mari was kindhearted. But she never felt that way. And this all culminated in her weird, friend/enemies thing she had cooking up with Tom, Star’s irritating ex-boyfriend.
He had come earlier in the day promising Mari that they could watch a Mackie Hand movie together, as friends, to somehow fix the mess that their relationship was- but it didn’t really work. The tickets were burned, And Mari’s now sitting in a movie theater watching her favorite karate star fight security as a zombie.
It certainly was… interesting.
“You were right. This guy’s for real.”
“Shut up, Tom. You’re too attractive to be pulling shit like this.”
“What?”
Mari’s face burned with embarrassment as she realized how that sentence would be interpreted.
“You think I’m handsome?”
She quickly hid her face with her hands, sighing, but leaving space between her fingers to still watch the enthralling battle occurring before them.
“Yeah, you’re good looking, okay?”
Tom grinned, a smug look that Mari wished she could wipe off his face permanently.
“Well… thanks. And I’m sorry today was so terrible. I was trying to get better, but I guess I didn’t stop to think about how my intentions could hurt you.”
Mari turned and looked at him fully as Tom’s magic faded and Mackie Hand fell to the ground.
“I forgive you, I guess.”
“Do you want to… get ice cream sometime? Together?”
Mari looked at Tom quizzically. When she had first been asked to go to the movie theater with Tom, she had assumed that it would be a date, and got maybe a little bit too nervous for someone who is supposed to be her enemy- before Tom splashed cold water on her, saying it was just to make up for the Mr Candle debacle.
“Tom, you mean… with just me? I thought you only had eyes for Star. It seems like you see me as just a nuisance to your relationship with her.”
Tom cringed slightly, clearly impacted by Mari’s words.
“I didn’t know that’s how I came across to you- but yes. I did mean with you.” Tom sighed.
Mari gasped quietly.
“Yes… I do want to, then.”
Mari caught herself, realizing she might’ve agreed too quickly, turning her head away as it burned slightly due to embarrassment.
“Or something, I don’t know.”
Tom smiled, an actual smile, rather than some sort of cocky smirk, and responded lightly-
“Wow. Can I have your cell number, then? We can meet up for ice cream next week sometime.”
Mari smiled back softly.
“You know, I still don’t like you, Tom.”
Tom stared for a moment.
“I still don’t like you too, Mari.”
That night, Mari turned in her sleep. She wasn’t quite sure if going on a date with Tom was the right idea, considering her odd history with him and the indisputable fact that he was her friend’s ex-boyfriend. She’d have to talk with Star about it tomorrow.
Star seemed to have quite the negative perception of Tom, which seeped a bit into Mari’s thoughts on him, but he was clearly trying to become a better person- and though today was a bust when it came to him apologizing to Mari, it seemed he wanted to work on his anger issues for Star, which made Mari a little sentimental.
Maybe she’s given him too much of the benefit of the doubt, but Mari really wanted to believe he changed. And even if the date doesn’t go anywhere- which it probably won’t, considering Star- she can gain intel on him as a potential love interest for her. Or at least, that’s how she’ll justify it. She doesn’t want to admit anything else. Yeah.
The next day, Mari got up, threw on a comfortable red sweater and black leggings, tying her hair in her usual ponytail, before sighing- preparing to talk about her date with Tom to Star.
Mari psyched herself up, and knocked on Star’s door.
“Hey, Star? Are you up?”
Star immediately opened the door, half-scaring Mari to death, and responded with boundless optimism:
“Heyy, Mari! Good morning! You are looking amazing, by the way. Love that color on you.”
“Thanks, I’ve got a lot of shirts in this… color.”
Star stopped and looked at Mari quizzically for a second.
“How did your little thing with Tom go yesterday? You know, he told me he’d been meaning to apologize to you.”
“Oh, yeah. It went… alright.”
Mari cursed herself internally for being so wishy-washy, but admitting the date to Star was giving her anxiety in droves.
”Don’t worry, I know exactly what’s worrying you, Mari. I can tell. You didn’t wake up to enough excitement. It’s why I think you should hold this.”
Star handed Mari a puppy, which began shooting lasers, that Mari began dodging.
“Eek! Wow, uh, thank you, Star.”
Mari set the puppy down softly, and turned her attention back to Star.
“Star, sorry, but I’m only worried because I kind of scheduled another outing with Tom.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Well, I’m worried.. that you won’t like me getting close with your ex-boyfriend.”
Star laughed halfheartedly, feeling slightly conflicted, but not enough to openly express her discomfort, patting Mari on the shoulder.
“It’s fiiiiiine.”
“And I was thinking… you don’t like him very much, but maybe I can see if he’s really changed, and then report back to you on whether or not he’d be a good boyfriend. I don’t think he’s that into me.”
“That sounds like a fun mission, Mari, but I don’t need you to do that for me. Just have fun. I won’t be mad.”
Mari blushed slightly, feeling sort of awkward.
“Alright, that’s fine. I’ll just take the day as it comes.”
“But Mari… I wouldn’t trust Tom too easily. Remember how he used you? I don’t think it’s a good idea. But I won’t stop you if you’re set.”
Mari nodded.