S2/03. Convergence

3.6 Mariella Schnautz
Summer 1998, B-factory, San Myshuno

Damn!

Daaamn!!

Mariella needed to catch her breath, sort out her thoughts.

Alone.

She couldn't stay inside for the life of it. Not next to Mae, when –

What the heck was that, even?

Why did Mae cry?

It couldn't be, could it? 

Of course Mariella had heard the rumors about her stepmum, even though no one ever talked to her or explained anything about it.

"Sometimes adults don't get along anymore," was the only thing her dad had said when they got divorced, as if Mariella were a little kid. He'd refused to answer any of her questions about it.

But Mariella'd seen it too, when Mae'd talked to Fernandez' dad's band mate, at the wedding. They looked like they knew each other, though they didn't seem very close. And then she'd also seen when that blonde bimbo came to their house, to catfight Mae and accuse her of being a "man-stealing tramp".

She'd heard it when the adults said that Mae went up and left together with that prick.

But Mariella never believed it.

It just... it didn't fit quite right.

Yes, Mae was The Worst – dumping Mariella and her dad for a much more exciting life in San Myshuno; but not because of another man, right?

Mae wouldn't, and couldn't do that! She was always so busy! She cooked and baked a lot, cleaned a lot – Mariella had to admit, she and her dad didn't make it easy on Mae; and she felt a tiny bit guilty. And if Mae wasn't busy in the house, or with Mariella's school problems, or being nice to the neighbors – even to the Brandenburgs, because they were sort of Herbert's friends – then Mae and Mariella went to the movies, or shopping, or just to the park.

She didn't have the time, and also that's not someone who cheats on their husband, right? Mariella reasoned. Aside that the band was always on tour and barely ever in the Springs. She knew that from Fernandez. 

But now it seemed as if the adults had been right, all along.

Mae did have a thing with that sleazebag. She'd ran away with him, but then he'd dumped her quickly  and that's why no one saw them together anymore; and that's why she cried now when she saw him on the stage.

That was the only possible explanation.

Damn.

What a shitty, two-faced cheater Mae was!

How could Mariella go back now and stay at Mae's, after she'd learned the truth?

She desperately tried to hold back the tears. If she cried now, she'd have her Eyeliner all over her face.

"They're awesome."

The boy that'd just appeared in front of Mariella pointed at her t-shirt.

Tall, blonde, with a really fancy designer leather jacket and a cigarette in his mouth. He looked not much older than her, but he was way cooler than any boy she'd seen so far! 

For a brief moment, she'd been starstruck, but then she quickly pulled herself together.

She must've looked like a dumb smalltown girl, with her mouth open like that! The last thing she wanted!

"Oh," she cleared her throat, "totally. They're so metal."

Great, she couldn't have come up with anything blander. At least she remembered to close her mouth now.

He smirked and her knees got soft, and then he offered her a cigarette, too.

"You look like you need one," he said.

"Uh ah, I don't..." she stumbled over her words while she desperately tried to avoid making another smalltown girl-face. 

"Say when you change your mind." He stuffed the pack back in his jeans pocket.

His smile was so very cute and so very cool at the same time. He was probably the only one in the world who could do that.

Except for a movie-, or rockstar maybe.

"What's up?" He leaned next to her against the small stone wall. "You stand here like someone ditched you. What a shame. Can't appreciate a girl with great music taste, hm?"

Mariella held her breath.

Did he really think that of her?

"Ah, nooo! Of course I wasn't ditched." She finally exhaled, and tried to match his nonchalance. "It's just... I had to get out!" She burst out. "You know, I just found out that my stepmom really cheated on my dad –"

Ugh!

She couldn't have found anything else to say than whining about her parents?!

But to be honest, even with a cute boy like him around, it was hard to get her mind off of it.

"Sucks," he remarked casually.

"Yeah," Mariella said as casually as she could, too, to cover up her embarrassment.

"Adults are shit," he sneered. "And still they expect you to be better, while you have to deal with their crap."

"Exactly!" Mariella exclaimed, relieved that he didn't find her ridiculous, after all. "Only - my stepmum, she is... was... she was super cool, you know. She knew how to get around, and she never made dumb rules, or yelled. She was fair. I... I trusted her... but then she dumped us for some sleazy ass jerk!"

The boy raised an eyebrow.

Oh.

If not before, but now he'd definitely think that she was ridiculous, finding her mum cool. Like a little baby.

"Can.. uhm can I have one?" She tried to change the subject and simultaneously save face and look more mature again.

He grinned and took out the pack again. When he lightly tapped its bottom, a single cigarette popped out from the bunch.

"You've learned your lesson: Never trust adults. I'm Trevor, by the way."

"Thank you. I'm Mariella," she took it and tried to hide her awe over his little box trick.

"Beautiful name."

He held his zippo against the cigarette in her mouth.

Her hands shook a little of excitement – he found her name beautiful! – and nervosity, because she didn't know what she'd done wrong. The cigarette hadn't lit up.

But why?

It seemed as if the only thing she was good at today was looking stupid.

He smirked, as if he sensed her confusion.

"You need to drag on it. Try it again."

She did, and this time it worked. The tip of the cigarette glowed in a bright orange.

Ha!

She didn't even cough.

This was easier than she'd expected. Nothing like they were taught in school on drug abuse-prevention day. It didn't even taste that bad.

She leaned back and finally relaxed.

For a minute, they smoked in silence.

Mariella couldn't help herself; she kept stealing glances at the boy beside her.

He was soooo cool! She was so lucky being here. Not only for the most amazing concert ever – but nowhere else she could've ran into someone as exciting as him! 

Especially not in the Springs; where every boy was either a dull, bespeckled nerd or a pimple-faced, stinky jock with only sports on his mind.

She wondered if Trevor played the guitar, too.

Another glance, and this time her eyes met his. He had a wide grin spread across his perfectly fine face.

"W-what is it?" She stuttered, anxious that he'd caught her staring.

"You're just puffing," he chuckled. "Here, try and do it like this." He took a drag from his cigarette, then inhaled through his open mouth, face lifted upwards. He held his breath a few seconds, then exhaled rings of smoke.

How did he do that??

Quickly, Mariella closed her mouth and focussed on her cigarette.

Drag – then inhale – 

She didn't get any further. As soon as the smoke filled her lungs, she choked.

She'd gotten so much of it, she couldn't stop coughing.

Trevor burst out laughing.

Heck, no!

And as if that wasn't enough embarrassment already, her anger over being so clumsy amplified the coughs even more.

"You're really cute, you know?" Trevor still chuckled.

Mariella was unsure if he was mocking her or being serious at first. But since he didn't look like he was making fun of her, she decided with relief on the latter. 

Eventually, she got both her coughing and her composure back under control. Slowly, but steadily, she felt more comfortable around him.

Trevor didn't give her battered nerves a long break, though.

Just when she got herself back in check, he turned towards her and gently brushed her cheek. Immediately her heart went into a crossfire again. He was so close! Never had anyone – especially not a boy – been so close to her face! The smell of cold smoke mixed with his – was it after shave? Perfume? Tingled in her nose; a slightly stingy, but not unpleasant scent. The tingling tripped and trapped and spread down her spine and left a light and warm shudder all over her body.

Unable to think straight, she took another drag from her cigarette and inhaled – and instantly cursed herself.

Barely she could avoid coughing again, but she had to hold her breath so hardly that her eyes started to burn. To prevent them from tearing up, she forcefully stopped blinking, too – 

And then her stomach threw summersaults – again.

Damn it!!
If she wouldn't get herself under control quickly, she'd right out puke into his face!

Her thoughts raced, then she desperately jumped on the first idea that crossed her foggy mind: She slowly counted back from ten.

Slowly; ten, nine...

Trevor, apparently unaware of her inner turmoil, smiled a little more and came even closer.

And then, just when she couldn't hold her breath any longer and gasped for fresh air, Trevor closed her open mouth with his.

The surprise cured her nausea instantly, but –

Ohhhhhh crap!

What now??

She had no idea what to do now. 

Trevor, on the other hand, seemed to know that very well, and – good god!

Other people's mouths tasted weird!

Honestly, the whole act of kissing in itself was weird, to say at least; what in the world was the big hype about it?? 

Though... she couldn't say it was just horrible either... The proverbial butterflies in the stomach didn't feel that bad, after all – no – wait – was that the nausea returning? –

If from all the smoking, or the kissing, she couldn't say, only that she definitely had enough of both.

She yanked back, fiercer than necessary, so she wouldn't end up really puking in his mouth.

"I have to go," she uttered. She was a little out of breath, but at least not sick anymore. "My friends are waiting."

By now, Mae and Fernandez certainly must've noticed her absence. But then it hit Mariella again like a sucker punch: Mae's betrayal! No, Mariella didn't want to go back inside and face Mae again; not yet at least. She wavered around, unsure where to put her hands.

"Bummer. Can I have your number, before you run off?" Trevor smirked. It was obvious that she wasn't in a rush, though he'd probably read that not quite right.

Either way, Mariella was excited that he wanted to see her again. However, she struggled a little to give him her number. What if her dad would pick up the phone? But damn; she'd be the coolest girl in school if she could snatch a hot boyfriend like him! He'd probably never show up in the boring province where she lived, but she could maybe show off a few photos with him. She'd even get used to the kissing, if that's what it'd take!

Fine, it was definitely worth risking to be grounded. She always found a way to get around it, anyway. And before it came to that, she could always try and pick up the phone before her father could get to it.

She took the pen he reached her and ignored the paper scrap; then took his hand and scribbled her phone number on the back of it. Just like the cool people in the movies did.

"Like this you definitely won't lose it," she imitated the cool movie people's voices, as good as she could.

Trevor caught her writing hand and smirked. It was just a little different than before, almost a bit... Mariella couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it was somewhat more unsettling than before.

Before he could pull her close again, Mariella quickly flipped around and and left him flat.

He didn't follow.

Between her racing heartbeats she heard his zippo click from their growing distance. 

Would he call her?

She was a tiny little bit anxious that he would, though she couldn't pinpoint why. She could always bail out and never meet him again. But that wasn't what she wanted. Even though a little scared, Mariella was so thrilled! 

Trevor was on the same line as her. And he didn't treat her like a freak; or worse, like a little girl.

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Author's note:

Trevor Jeong is a character in story by Mercuryfoam, who she kindly let me use in mine. Sadly, she deactivated, but I'll always keep it in good memory, as our long times discussing sims stories and everything else.
Thank you very much🖤