Marc was not what anyone would call normal. He was also nothing unusual. As a young child he had been through a lot, but even his therapist said that he had adapted well to normal life.
He still had the odd trouble relating to other people, but that was to be expected. He had however managed to gather about him a few close friends during his time in this city. But that didn't mean he was never lonely. In fact, he was lonely a lot. Which was why he was so excited that Gale had invited him out tonight.
He looked at himself in the mirror for a minute. He was certainly not vain (He never had the opportunity or self esteem for that) but this was Gale, the only friend that he had ever made by himself, without someone pushing them together for his benefit. He couldn't say he was impressed with what he saw there: a medium build young man with a reasonable overall figure, but little else. Short brown hair and hazel eyes were not exactly uncommon, and though he was quite tall he was certainly not imposing or charismatic in appearance. He sighed, but tried a smile. There, better.
Just then, he heard a call over the intercom: "Marc, you have a visitor."
The smile stayed put. He wandered out of his room through the high hall and passed the many baroque doorways towards the large double doors of the entrance. The doorman opened up for Marc, who found himself looking across the large courtyard to Gale at the gate, talking to one of the guards. He waved to her as he began to cross the impressive lawn.
Gale looked as radiant as ever, laughing at some small quip that the guard had made, setting her dark hair waving about her. Marc never failed notice how her hair framed her face perfectly when she laughed. Gale noticed Marc at that moment, and broke off her conversation with the guard to climb back into her car. Marc greeted the guard with a nod as he passed, earning a "Have a good one" from the man, who returned to the gatehouse.
Marc decided to start the evening on a high note. he slid over the hood of the car and jumped into the passenger seat next to Gale, who immediately hugged him and exclaimed, "My god Marc, you couldn't dented it... Its been a while! I haven't heard a peep in weeks! How have you been? You missed such a party last Friday! I tried to phone, but I was told you were with one of the tutors. Anyway, John was there, trying to find a girl, it was so funny...!".
Marc laughed to himself as she continued the one sided conversation all the way down the drive to the main road. Finally, she paused and, looking over at Marc, she asked, " Are you gonna be quiet all night again? Am I gonna have to get you high?".
Not wanting repeat that experience, Marc shook his head and said, "Hi...um...Where are we going?"
His soft voice was not helped by the music rocking car at this point. Marc had organized that amp himself for Gale last year. Gale smiled, "Well, at least you can talk, that's all you need for tonight. Okay, now I know you don't like being set up with people, but its about time you met a friend of mine who isn't utterly insane, so we're going to Signa Square to meet my best girl-friend, San-Marie."
Marc gave her a questioning look.
Gale blushed and blurted, "Not like that! That was like, one time at college...and then that time in Germany, but that was totally different. San-Marie is just a good friend, like you."