like two birds on a wire; open!

I'm more than just a number, I doubt you'll find another
so every single summer, I'll be the one that you remember

The harvest season was already winding down, but they were still in the midst of the last big push. Marshelder had been in the orchards since sunrise, his dark flesh slick with sweat within minutes. He had taken a few breaks (necessary ones) throughout the day, but it had been long, and warm, and had required him to use every muscle in his body. A few ached as he wove through the trunks, slapping every other one. It felt good to have some soreness, to know that he would have more muscles in the morning. He was tired, to be sure, but he was also pumped. It was late afternoon and he had all night to do whatever he pleased, so long as he showed up for work at day break the next morning.

So, he took himself to the market, even though he didn't have any money. Being in the square was the best people-watching opportunity in the district. And Marsh loved to watch himself some people. He'd broken off from his regular posse as they went to wash up. He needed to, no doubt, but he wanted to get a read on the square first. Some days hardly anyone showed up after working the orchards, especially so late in the harvest. But, sometimes it was packed, and he wanted to have his pick of the litter, so to speak.

Usually his friends and Marsh divided up the eligible young ladies of the square into teams. They joke about the hottest one, tease each other about their choices. And then, theoretically, they were supposed to actually approach said targets... but that didn't usually happen. By the time they'd bantered and worked up enough courage, it was getting dark and the girls had other things to do. Marsh assumed. He'd never thought to ask what they did after their work. He just went home, ate and slept. But girls - he got the impression that they kept busy all the time.

Of the group of lost boys, Marsh was by far the most likely to strike up a conversation. He did in the orchards, at school, when opportunity struck. It was a different matter approaching a girl when he was solo than when he was with his boys. There was more pressure to perform, somehow, and he liked chilling with them enough not to worry about it. But girls, they were awesome. He liked that they were so mysterious. There weren't a lot of them milling around the square that evening, but a few were definitely pretty.

Marsh shoved his hands into his front jeans pockets, ducked his chin, and crossed the square. He was still formulating a plan when a girl popped up out of nowhere. He couldn't exactly stop his momentum, but seriously, where had she come from? Marsh smacked right into her, the aforementioned muscles making the impact a lot harsher than he would have liked. Usually when he had the opportunity to touch a girl, he would just barely graze her hand. This was like the wrestling ball game he played with his bros. It was just totally wrong.

"Oh shit," he breathed as soon as he untangled himself from her. Marsh was back on his feet in an instant, his dusty, sweaty palm held out. "You okay? I'm such an ass. I didn't even see you there."