Over overthinking you - (Marree)

I really do admire the sunrise. On the off chance that I see the hiding rays creep up over the hills to the north, I can at least appreciate the fact I've been able to do so. Getting up early is a rarity for me, but tonight I can't help it. There's an annoying group of birds outside, in the tree the hangs by my window. My little house is so small. The downstairs is literally one room whilst the top is my bedroom and bathroom. They cram us younger people into these houses until we are assigned the bigger ones. I have enough room for myself though. In reality there's enough room for two, except the bedroom. They'd have to share the bed. The kitchen takes up around a third of the small living room, which has a couch and a TV, a rug with a table on top and no dining table. The thick brown curtains are closed when I take the slightly squeaking steps down the stairs, in only the limitations of what I went to sleep in on my body.
I haven't got work today, thankfully. My body still aches a little from yesterday, all that hard labour. To think that somebody would be allowed to cart a wheelbarrow back and forth in a supervisor position. I'm not complaining, the extra money is appreciated.

Knowing exactly where I'll be spending that money is a good feeling though, despite the emptiness of my wallet afterwards. The family has decided to let me stand on my own two feet instead of venturing out with their money. I appreciate the gesture since it will help me in the long run. Apparently, I haven't missed the postman yet. A letter slips in through the door and I open the curtains quickly before going to get it.

Dear Max,

We've both been missing home quite a bit, and we can finally understand what you meant when you complained, living in that little house of yours whilst we all kept snoring sleeping in our own beds. We just wanted to let you know what the plan is since you might want to visit, or something, just in case. We know what you're like. Anyway; We start on the mondays and stay on campus until the saturday morning. They don't let us go on the friday. Hope to see you soon, cuz.

- Alex and Tyren

A smile lights my face dimly as I read through their words. The moment I seen 'we', I knew who it would be from. Nobody else needs to conjoin in a letter like they do. It'd be silly for only one to send it, and weird if they both sent an individual one saying the same thing with different names and handwriting. This is clearly Alex's writing though, which is strange since they're twins. You'd expect nothing but identicality. Alex has neat writing, whilst Tyren's is scruffy and poorly practiced. I'll definitely go visit them at some point. I need to keep my tabs on them now that they are moving on in life. I don't want to be left behind in anything they're doing. They might need help around any corner.

I sit on the couch with a newspaper to lean on, writing a note of my own. With my reading glasses on, I can at least make clear sense of what I'm writing. It isn't that reading is blurry, or difficult without them. It just hurts after a while and one usually tries to avoid that, right?

To Kya,

I just wanted to know whether you'd be interested in coming down to the cafe down in the center of town. It's called Molly's Place, and they do a great fry-up for the mornings. It'd be lovely to see you again. I'll be there at eleven. They stop serving breakfast at twelve so don't be too late!

- M

I hope she knows which 'M' it is. I didn't think before I'd already sealed the envelope. I've always thought that notes are much nicer than a ring on the phone or a knock on the door. That way nobody is rushing her to get ready. And even better for her, in this kind of situation, nobody is pulling her out of the door she might want to close. I hope she doesn't close it though, because I genuinely thought there was something for us in the future. Maybe I focus too much on that though.

I get myself ready. It is about ten o'clock now, I'd just heard the bell chime down the road as it does after nine o'clock until midnight. I'll never understand why nine o'clock was so special. I look in the dusty mirror in the small bathroom and I can see that my outfit is casual. I threw myself into my wardrobe, apparently, because the clothes I've come out with just aren't right. I switch them out, avoiding the laziness of a bad match. It shouldn't be so important at my age, not anymore, but it is. I can't just go out looking stupid, she deserves more. I brush my teeth and I see than the outfit I have on now is much better. Simplicity is always key, so I'm just in some dark blue khakis and a black t-shirt that will hopefully show her that I do go to the gym.

I pop by her house, only quickly because that's the point of writing the note beforehand. I slip the note into the letterbox and off I go. I know where she lives since I walked her home from my house when she came to help babysit Tyler after the party. From there, I guess I should go to the cafe now. I said eleven on the note though. Maybe I should stop by the shop and buy her something. But what if she doesn't turn up? My mind likes to fight against my nice nature. I blame the family for that one. I take a turn and walk into one of the many little stores that sell small things. "Hey," I say to the man behind the counter. "Mornin', what can I get you this time Max?" He knows me because I come here every time. Plus, I only recently helped deliver the order to the party. It was large and probably got him a lot of money. Hence why he'd remember me, I guess. "Something nice, for a girl." He smirks at me. "Oh ho-ho, I know exactly what she wants." I raise a brow at him, smiling at his attitude. Sure you do. "Here." He tells me, and out of all the small trinkets and cards in the shop I didn't expect to see something that looks this expensive come out of his hands and onto the desk.

It's perfect. A small emblem of a dolphin on an even smaller silver chain. "I'll take that." He laughs at me, and I eye him curiously. "No no no, this is $50." Shit. Well, I can always get a refund if she doesn't turn up. "I'll take it for thirty, because we both know it's only still here for one reason." I tell him, trying to haggle it out of his strict price. He squints his eyes at me. "...Done." I put the money on the counter and he slides over the jewelry in its little box. "Cheers." I smile and leave, happy with myself now. I'm probably going over the top, but I feel I should.

I enter Molly's Place and I can smell the food already. I go to the counter as to tell them I don't need served until later. They nod at me and agree to let me wait. I go to the table nearest to the window, so that we'll have plenty to talk about should anything get too quiet. It shouldn't though, not if I keep up the conversation. I can't help but find myself a little nervous actually. It's about ten to eleven now, so I take my seat with the sun flowing through the cafe, which has enough people in it for our later conversation to perhaps be unheard completely. It's a lovely little place, I was right in my note. I do hope she turns up though. I don't think I could stand the walk of shame that would lead me out of here, and my happiness for this time left in the seat I sit in now.

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