| Marlee's POV |

#1homie

#1homie

omw there
Ready?

Marlee
Yah
I'm exciteddddddd

#1homie
good
me too.

Marlee
Oh I see ur car omw outtt

| IRL |

Marlee walked out her front door, seeing Dolan exit his car to meet her halfway. She saw the way his jaw kinda hung when he saw her. Marlee smiled at the corsage in his hand.

"That for me?" She asked as she stood before him.

Marlee looked him up and down. He was in a typical suit, but he did look nice. He looked very nice. 

Dolan snapped out of his trance and nodded, handing her the flowery bracelet.

"Yeah...You look...really good." He said as he repeatedly looked her over.

Marlee smiled wider and nodded. "You too, bro"

Dolan kind of winced at the name, Marlee didn't notice.

The boy turned to open the passenger door for her, holding out his hand to help her in. Marlee took his hand and slid into the car, smiling as he shut her door and climbed in through his own.

*Time skip cuz I'm lazy. To the dance!*

The dance was fun, people were dancing and laughing and having a good time. Dolan had gone to get drinks so Marlee pulled out her phone.

Free Willy🐋

Marlee
Sup

Free Willy🐋
supp

Marlee
'cha doing?

Free Willy🐋
nm
chillin
you?

Marlee
at that dance with Dolan.
pretty fun

Free Willy🐋
oh.
cool.

Marlee
You okay?

Free Willy🐋
Yeah.
Tired ig.

Marlee
you seem off.
idk you that well but still

Dolan came back, holding two solo cups in his hands. He sidled up to you, holding one cup out to you.

"Who you talking to?" He asked curiously, peering over her shoulder at her phone.

Marlee shrugged, taking a cup from him. "Just Will." She said nonchalantly.

Dolan's smile faded slightly. "Oh...The guy you just met?"

Marlee nodded, smiling softly. "Yeah. He's chill. I think you'd like him."

Dolan shook his head to disagree before correcting himself. "I mean, He can't be that cool."

Marlee shrugged again. "I like him well enough. we should do like a group chat or something."

Dolan's eyes darkened, shaking his head. "Can we not talk about him?"

Marlee tilted her head in confusion. "What's wrong, Dole?"

Dolan shook his head. " I just don't like how much you talk about him." 

Marlee eyed the boy curiously. "Why?"

Dolan sighed and looked at her. "Because I think you like him."

The young woman's brow furrowed as she thought for a moment. Did she like Will?

Marlee shrugged. "I dunno, maybe?" She said, confused at herself.

Dolan's face fell. "Oh..." he looked down at his feet.

Marlee stepped closer to the boy. "Why is that a problem?" She asked in pure confusion.

"Because I like you, Lee." Dolan confessed, not meeting her gaze.

Marlee's eyes widen and she froze. "You what?" Her jaw hung open.

"I've liked for forever." Dolan said again, finally looking at her.

Marlee blinked a few times. Dolan liked her? When did this happen? How did she not notice? 

What the hell?

Marlee shook her head. "I don't understand, Dole. I didn't-...." She trailed off, stepping back.

"I think I should go home." She said softly, looking up at him.

Dolan sighed and nodded. "I can take you."

Marlee quickly shook her head. "No. I'll get an Uber." She sighed through her nose. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Dolan nodded, though he looked distraught. "Okay...."

*Another time skip. To homeeeee!*

Marlee laid on her bed, staring at the ceiling numbly.

How could she not have noticed that her best friend liked her?

Feeling her phone vibrate, she pulled it out.

Free Willy🐋

Free Willy🐋
How is the dance?

Marlee
I ended up leaving early.

Free Willy🐋
Oh.
Why??

Marlee
My best friend told me he likes me.

Free Willy🐋
Oh.
What did you say?

Marlee
I just ended up coming home.
I didn't really say anything.

Free Willy🐋
You okay?

Marlee
idek.
I don't think I like him.
But I don't wanna hurt his feelings.

Free Willy🐋
Oh.
If you don't like him that's not your fault.
it's just how you feel.
He's your friend.
He should understand that.
I do.

Marlee
He accused me of liking you tho.
And I didn't have an answer

Free Willy🐋
Oh.

Marlee
I don't know how to respond to that

Free Willy🐋
Neither do I

Marlee
I'm pretty sure I do 

Free Willy🐋
"do" what?

Marlee
Like you.