They sat alone at their designated table, watching everyone dance, as she picked apart her napkin and he brooded to her left. They were sitting as far away from each other as possible, while still being seated next to one another. Ray, who had asked one of the girls seated at the table with them to dance, was on the floor with the pretty dark haired Val, leaving them alone.

As soon as they picked Ray up, he had noted the tension in the car. Marjorie had removed her hand from Gerard's leg and sat leaning against the window of the passenger side, ignoring him for the most part and trying to engage Ray. Who, had dutifully ignored the weird air in the car and bounced in, excited about this ridiculous party. He was basically the only one.

Ray had complimented them on their ingenious costumes and was pissed off that he wasn't invited to join them in their Rocky Horror perfection. He was dressed as Tyler Durden from Fight Club – which was pretty badass. He had really just applied some fake bruises to his face, and thrown on a brown leather jacket and an oddly patterned shirt and called it a day, but somehow he was pulling it off.

Marjorie sighed as she looked on at everyone on the dance floor, wondering when things between her and the boy sitting next to her had become strained. This was exactly what she had been worried about. She knew, just fucking knew, that he would retreat into himself. She didn't want to have to worry about him, about their friendship or relationship, or whatever the fuck they were now. She had just wanted to kiss him, really kiss him, and mean it and not have to be stuck in a bizarre place with her best friend.

Which is exactly where they were now. Stuck in some bizarre place where neither of them spoke and looked like they'd just broken up. She scoffed, how was it that they'd managed to jump from friends-who'd-kisssed to broken-up-lovers in an hour?

Her life was a joke.

What he was thinking about whilst he brooded to her left, she had no idea. It should've made her feel more paranoid, but for some reason, it didn't.

Was she worried about what he was thinking about? Yeah.

Kind of.

Maybe?

This was so strange to her, she was use to caring implicitly about Gerard and this feelings – especially towards her. But right now, she could just care less. And it was freaking her out.

It was a kiss. A good kiss. A kiss to remember. He was into it and responded and was genuinely annoyed when she pulled away. But now... now he was being an introverted little asshole and way more intense than he needed to be. Now he wasn't talking to her. Now he wasn't responding. She was a little bit afraid that she'd broke him.

She wanted to care more, she did, she was use to caring more, but she couldn't bring herself to do so. Not right now. She was mad that he had retreated, that he was ignoring her. She was mad that after she had kissed him, he now did what he said he wouldn't do. Dickhead.

She chanced a look over to him, he was sipping on something that most definitely wasn't soda, his brow furrowed, his jaw set as he looked out over the dance floor. He was thinking. She knew that look, she knew that demeanor. He was trying to figure something out. Probably his feelings. For her.

She let out a huff, knowing that he heard it and was choosing to ignore it. Ray gave her a look over the girl named Val's shoulder, a pointed look that showed off his interest in what was happening at the table. Or, lack of what was happening at the table. She just rolled her eyes at him, unsure of what to say about it. She had no idea what was going on here.

She had finally had enough, the odd look Gerard had given her before they left her house replaying over and over in her mind. She sat up in her chair and turned towards him, “Wanna go for a walk?”

He tossed her a look and a quirked brow, but nodded nonetheless. “Sure.”

Marjorie stood, not even waiting for him as she began to walk out of the ballroom that the party was taking place in and made her way down the hotel's hallway. She knew he was behind her, heard the ballroom door slam closed, felt his heavy gaze on her retreating form. She wasn't sure where she was headed, but, she knew that they needed to talk – and she needed a place to yell at him.

The stairwell door caught her eyes, veering right and entering, knowing Gerard was close behind. She leaned against the cool cement wall of the stairwell, the quiet silence was both a tad creepy and relaxing in oppose to the terrible Top Forty nightmare music being played in the ballroom. Clearly she had been around the guys too much, not all that music was terrible, but they certainly had her thinking so.

He pushed through the door right after her, letting it slam closed, disrupting the heavy silence of the unoccupied stairwell. He quirked a brow, but said nothing as he leaned against the door, waiting on her to make the first move. As fucking always.

She narrowed her ocean eyes at him, her jaw set, her arms crossed over her chest. He said nothing as he continued to lean casually and stare at her from his own narrowed eyes. God, he was so annoying. Why did he have to look so good when he was angry? Those deep olive eyes heated as they stared her way, his strong jaw set, those soft lips stretched into a thin line, just waiting for her to make them mold around her own.

Ugh, why did her thoughts always have to turn lusty? She was angry at him, annoyed, why couldn't she just stare at him and not notice all the attractive features he possessed? It was incredibly annoying.

“Why are you being a jackass?”

His brows furrowed, “I'm not being a jackass.”

“Um, yeah, you kinda are.” She sliced him with her glare, but when he said nothing she let out an aggravated sigh and kept going. “You're literally doing exactly what I was worried about you doing.”

He rolled his eyes, “I am not.”

“Yes you are!” She cried out in annoyance. “You're being all... broody and intense.” She gestured to all of him as he stood with his shoulders haunched and his arms crossed over his chest.

“I'm always broody and intense.” He replied sarcastically.

She leaned over and punched his arm. “Stop being an asshole. I'm being serious, what's your problem?”

He pinned her with his gaze, unsure of how to say the things he was thinking without running her off. She was his best friend, her presence was special to him and he didn't want to lose her. But, he wanted her. Fuck, did he want her. He was just... unsure of what all this meant. He wasn't experienced in the art of dating as she was, he didn't know if this spoke of her feelings for him or if she had just wanted to kiss him – as she had so simply put it earlier.

What did he say to her? How did he answer that question?

He settled on a shrug of his shoulders, his hard gaze unreadable. “I don't have a problem.”

Marjorie let out a little frustrated shriek before punching him again in the arm. She moved back to her original position against the wall, facing him on the little diagonal they had created, expecting his undivided attention as she was clearly giving him hers. Her eyes were determined and alight, her mouth set into that tight pout she managed when she was in serious mode and getting ready to lay down the law. He internally sighed, but waited for her righteous fury to begin.

What she said instead, took him off guard.

“Do you like me?”

It must've been clear on his face that he hadn't been expecting that question to tumble from her lips. No, he had been expecting yelling and the cold hard truth of his actions and how she felt about them. He hadn't expected that question to make it's way into the conversation – even if that's where this was headed since he arrived at her house hours earlier.

“What?”

She ignored his shocked expression and fumbled question, instead moving a little closer to him, hoping she looked half as threatening as she felt. “You heard me, Gerard. Answer the question. Do you like me.”

He seemed to quickly recover himself and once again she was met with the cool exterior of the Gerard the world had become accustomed to. His eyes rolled at the question, but she knew this was more of a mask for himself than anything. He never did like to be exposed. She wasn't sure why that little fact annoyed her.

“Of course I like you. If I didn't, I wouldn't spend all this damn time with you.”

“No.” She stepped further into his space, her eyes fiery as they held his. “You know what I'm asking. Do you have feelings for me. Do you like me more than a friend.”

His breathing had quickened just slightly, the only telltale sign that he was feeling something beneath his carefully crafted indifference. She wondered if she put her hand against his chest, would she feel how erratic his heart was beating? Would it match time with hers?

She knew that he liked her, he had to. There was just no way that she could've been reading the signals wrong for all these years. But, there was still that small shred of doubt that lingered in the depths of her mind.

Maybe she had read all the signs wrong. Maybe he didn't like her the way she liked him. Maybe it all boiled down to him being a teenage boy and trusting her with his inexperience. Maybe his attraction to her was all he had.

But, if that was the case, than why would he be all sulk-master over their kiss?

It was that unexplained thought that pushed all the doubts away for the moment. And the look on his stoic face. He was trying, oh man was he trying, to keep up his I feel nothing charade, she applauded his effort. But there was something lingering in his eyes, a tad of an undisclosed emotion on the edge of breaking through. It was that unrecognizable look that had her thoughts scattering.

She couldn't look away from his eyes, he seemed to be unable to either. His mouth was slightly open, seemingly about to say whatever was on the tip of his tongue, when she eyes dragged down to his mouth and then back up to his eyes. He leaned forward in an instant and kissed her.

She was shocked still for a moment, not expecting the abrupt kiss, but soon found herself kissing him back with just as much vigor. Her hands tangled themselves in the front of his button-down shirt, pushing him back against the wall. His hands found her hips as she molded herself to him, her hips pinning his, her teeth grazing his lower lip.

They continued to kiss, her hips pressing insistently into his, her hands leaving the front of his shirt and snaking up to the breadth of his shoulders. His hands were hot against her hips, moving down almost hesitantly towards her thighs, pulling her closer. Hips mouth was hot against hers, he was a quick study and began to take the lead from her quickly.

He slowly began walking her back towards the wall beside them that she had been leaning against earlier, pinning her to it, leaving him in control. Marjorie felt the sharp spike of arousal that hit her from his actions, the very tops of her inner thighs felt slicker than they already were, that low throb in her clit became almost unbearable as he hiked one of her legs around his waist and gently ground himself against her.

She leaned her head back, breaking the kiss, to let out a moan. Gerard wasted no time in kissing down her jaw, to her neck. The hot pressure of his wet kisses making her squirm against him – which, seemed to bring a small growl from him.

Her eyes, which had been shut tight, reopened to look at him. His head was in her neck, her arms about his shoulders, one hand on her hip to keep her in place, the other on the thigh that was wrapped around his waist, their breathing was labored and intense, as was the pulsing against her core that was the fault of the heavy erection pressed against her.

They both seemed to pause, breathing in and out, attempting to catch their breath, but neither of them moved. She was sure he could feel the the heat spreading from their connected hips, she wondered if he could feel her throbbing as she could feel him. But, she didn't want the his heavy pressure against her removed, on the contrary, she wanted it moving repeatedly inside of her. But, mostly, she knew that once they were disconnected, she'd be left in an agony she wouldn't be able to placate for a while and their little bubble of forgetfulness would be lost.

As soon as they separated, he'd have to answer her question, and this could only go either of two ways – they'd finish what they started, or, she'd be going home alone.

He was still pinning her to the wall, his face in her neck, as their breathing began to slow. His lips so close to her skin, they brushed her neck with every exhale. Her hands played idly with the back of his hair, still soft and untouched by the gel and hairspray she'd used to coif his hair earlier, his fake glasses pushing into her skin.

He eventually dropped her leg, but still remained with his hips connected to hers, leaning back a little to look at her, his free hand how bracing the wall beside her head. Their eyes met and she could see the small flush over his cheeks – whether from excursion or mild embarrassment, she couldn't be sure. She was sure that she looked the same.

His eyes roamed her face, taking in her reddened cheeks, her glazed eyes, and parted lips – swollen from his own mouth. He just gazed at her for a moment, really taking her in. She felt a little shy under his strong gaze, the rest of her tipped her chin back a little as she rested her head against the cold cement and let him look.

After a moment, he stepped back from her, and she couldn't help the small gasp she made as his hips left hers. The cool air descended on the heated flesh of her thighs, she felt the air creep up her dress and assess the overstimulated parts of her that had been connected to him. He ran a hand through his hair, effectively ruining it, and let out a staggering breath. She could still very clearly see how his body had reacted to her, so it seemed the space and cold air between them did little to quell his arousal either. She could make out the rather prominent bulge straining against those horrible khaki dress pants, she had felt it before, but, it was the first time he didn't move to cover himself or pretend it wasn't there.

She was sure she looked no better, leaning against the wall behind her, hips still pushed out from where they had bucked up to meet his, the skirt of her dress rumpled against her thighs, her nipples tight and pushing against the fabric of her dress, mouth open, breathing still a bit heavy. She probably looked wonton and ready – maybe that was why he couldn't seem to keep from staring at her.

Marjorie pushed herself up a bit against the wall, her legs still felt a tad wobbly under her, staring at him as he stared at her. It didn't take him long to turn and stalk out the door, leaving her alone in the quiet stairwell.

She watched him go and said nothing – mostly because she didn't know what to say. She leaned her head back against the wall, closing her eyes and letting out a deep breath.

After a moment, she opened her eyes and pushed off the wall. She smoothed out the skirt of her dress, rubbing her nipples with her palms through the fabric, willing them to go down. She patted down her hair and wished she had a mirror to check her face. She let out a breath before composing herself and walking out of the stairwell.

She didn't see him in the hallway, but that wasn't a surprise. She made her way back into the ballroom, the loud music could be heard from down the hall, she opened the heavy door and went straight towards the bar, asking for a water and a soda, before making her way back towards the table. Ray and Val – who was dressed simply as Little Red Riding Hood – were chatting as another boy from their school – Greg, if she remembered correctly – sat on the other side of the girl.

Ray's eyes shot up to meet her's when she descended to the table, taking her seat and setting down her drinks. The seat beside her was empty and a quick look around the room told her he wasn't there either. She leaned back in the chair and took a deep gulp of the water, attempting to ignore Ray's gaze.

“Hey.” He called over the loud music, she continued sipping her drink but looked at him. “Where's Gee?”

She just shrugged her shoulder, “I don't know, Toro. He just ran off.”

Ray's brows furrowed in confusion, as did the others who were wondering who Gee was. Marjorie's eyes turned towards the other girl, smiling and stretching out her hand. She had been so wrapped up in being annoyed at Gerard, she hadn't properly introduced herself to the other girl. “Hey, I'm Marjorie. You're Val, right?”

The dark haired girl smiled back and shook her hand across the table, “Yeah. You're in my Gym class, I think.”

Marjorie nodded, “I think so, yeah.”

They began talking about school and the other boy, Greg, who Marjorie was pretty sure was in her Gym class last year and was dressed quite obviously as a doctor, interrupted them by asking Marjorie to dance. Greg from Gym was cute, tall and dark haired with light eyes and a nice completion. He was pretty. And seemed nice.

She looked over at the empty chair beside her, the very noticeable presence that had yet to make a reappearance. He was being an asshole. He had left her. He had freaking left her after kissing her like that. Left her yearning and throbbing and alone because... because, what? He was scared of his own feelings? Because he didn't want to say them out loud? Didn't want to change their friendship? Well, what fucking ever, she was pissed off and that was never a good time.

Marjorie smiled at the cute Doctor Greg from Gym and accepted his offer to dance. Ray's eyes looked at her nervously, almost like he just knew this wasn't going to end up alright, but said nothing. Ray was not a meddler, he did not insert himself into other peoples' business, he did not get involved. It was something she both admired and hated about him.

But, that didn't mean he wasn't privy to the situations he chose not to get involved in. He knew that there had been something brewing between Gerard and Marjorie for years, she wasn't sure what Gerard told him, and she herself had been particularly good at keeping tightlipped about the whole thing. But, Ray knew. Because he always knew.

And, right now, he was looking at her like he knew this would blow up in their faces.

Marjorie pushed Ray's face out of her head and line of sight, instead smiling at Greg and letting him lead her in a dance. He was nice, they spoke about school and what classes they liked, the teachers they didn't. He had strong hands and a dimple when he smiled. But, he wasn't Gerard. That was his only major character flaw.

They danced for a while, her eyes every so often going back towards the table only to find the seat still empty. It didn't stop her from looking. And every time she did, Ray gave her that same look.

It wasn't until their fourth song that Greg had looked over at their table, he'd caught her looking some time ago, which had made her flush slightly and smile up at him as a way of distracting him from his questioning gaze. But, he looked over now and turned back towards the girl dancing with him.

“Hey, what's with Way?”

“Huh?” Her brows furrowed at his question, the two of them practically yelling over the loud dance music.

“Way.” He gestured towards their table. “He keeps looking over here like he plans to either drink himself to death or mass murder a family.”

Marjorie quickly looked behind her to find Gerard had returned to their table, his eyes narrowed, his jaw set. He turned away as she looked, instead taking a sip of his drink and talking to Ray and Val, who were now seated beside him, instead of across from him. He looked annoyed, well, he looked angry and annoyed. She could see the grip on his cup, which sparked the memory of those same strong hands holding her both tightly and gently. She felt her face heat at the though, the small throb of arousal return. God, she hoped it wasn't noticeable.

She turned back towards Greg, “He's just like that sometimes. He's... broody.”

Greg just nodded, accepting her answer, but looking at her like he was trying to figure something out. “How long have you two been friends?” He questioned. “I see you guys together all the time in school, but, surprisingly I don't know that much about him.”

“I'm not surprised. Everyone thinks he's weird, so, he doesn't have a ton of people in his social circle.” She smirked a bit, “He is weird. But, he's one of my closest friends, so, it doesn't matter. We've known each other since we were kids.”

Greg looked over at Gerard again, before looking back at her. “You know he likes you, right?” Her eyes shot up and gave him a look that clearly read she was going to deny it, so he kept speaking to beat her to it. “It's sorta obvious, actually. I think the real hot gossip would be if you liked him back or not.”

Marjorie just rolled her eyes, “God, why is everyone obsessed with gossip. It's stupid.”

He just smirked, “Did you know that Val has had a crush on Toro since sixth grade and sent him that anonymous valentine last year.”

Marjorie's head snapped over to the table, “Really?” She asked, intensely interested by the news about her close friend.

She looked up to find Greg smirking down at her and giving her a pointed look. “And that's why everyone is obsessed with gossip.”

Marjorie just rolled her eyes, “Yeah, yeah, I get your point. No need to gloat.”

“So, is it true?”

“What?” She asked, looking up at him.

“Do you like Way?”

She was silent for a moment. Yes, she liked Gerard. She wanted to say it out loud, to tell someone, but, she wasn't sure if that person was the boy standing before her. Sure, he was nice, and it was almost like telling a stranger, which was always less embarrassing than telling a friend. But, how did she know he wouldn't spread it around, that it wouldn't be Monday's hot gossip?

“We're just friends.”

For whatever reason, her stomach dropped as she said it.

Greg didn't push her any further about it, instead just nodding and spinning her around one last time as the song ended. They both seemed to sense the sift in the air, so they made their way back to the table as the music changed to a new song. As they got closer, Greg veered towards the bar and asked if she wanted anything to drink, letting her walk to the table alone. She internally thanked him for being so perceptive.

Val was talking about some comic she had read, which of course was grabbing the attention of Gerard. Ray sat between them, listening as he munched on the buffet food. Val was really very pretty, her dark hair and eyes gave her this sort of young Katie Holmes vibe, she seemed nice and sort of quiet, fitting in with the boys at their table fine.

Marjorie sat in her empty seat beside Gerard, who didn't even acknowledge her as she sat down. She glared at the side of his head for good measure, but didn't disrupt their conversation. Ray seemed content listening and eating, Greg was stuck on the long line of the bar, chatting with a group of boys who he was more than likely friends with, not looking like he'd be returning any time soon, which just left her. She picked at the snack food placed in the center of their table and listened to Gerard and Val's conversation.

It had went from comics, to art, to music. They seemed to have a lot in common and it was clear they got along. She wondered if he was better off with a girl like Val – uncomplicated by the entanglement of friendship, quiet, artsy, and interesting. Not to mention pretty.

She knew that Ray was sort of into her, and based off of what Greg had told her earlier, Val had been holding a torch for him for quite some time. But, if it wasn't Val, surely there'd be another girl like her, another girl more suited to be Gerard's girlfriend.

Her line of thinking turned her sour, it must've been obvious on her face because Ray intervened. “Jay.” She looked up from where she'd been glaring at her shredded napkin and over to him, Val's brows furrowed in confusion over the name, Gerard still ignoring her. “Wanna go scope out the food situ-aesh with me?”

It was obvious what he was attempting to do, but she stood with him anyway and walked over to the buffet table. Once they were over by the food and away from their table he turned towards her, “What's going on with you and Gerard?”

She rolled her eyes, “Nothing.”

He pinned her with a look that clearly said, I know you're lying. “Really?”

“He's being an asshole.”

“Oh, okay.” Ray said sarcastically, which prompted a glare from her. “You don't I don't get involved, but, he's monopolizing my date and I'd like to have her back.”

“That's not my problem, Ray.” She said as he made up a plate of food. If they were over here, they might as well. “You should've asked him to come over here with you.”

“Yeah, well, you pretty much looked like you were attempting to burn a hole in the table with your eyes.” He snorted.

Marjorie sighed, “Look, he's obviously in a pissy mood, he must've been chain-smoking when we couldn't find him because he fucking reeks of cigarettes, and he's pretty much hell-bent on ignoring me right now... so, I don't know what you want me to do about it.”

She turned and began walking back towards their table with the plate of food in hand, it didn't take long for Ray to catch up with her. “I'm not asking you to do anything. I was just asking what was going on between the two of you, seeing as you're both being so damn cranky.”

Marjorie sighed as she stopped to look at him, “If you want to know so badly, go ask him, see if he'll tell you anything.” She walked away, grumbling about Gerard never telling her shit.

Ray just sighed, following behind her. Meddling was exhausting an exhausting business and he was so not cut out for it.

Notes

Poor, Ray. Always caught up in everyone else's bullshit. Up next, some resolution. Finally.