Marley pulled out the tray out from the oven hastily.
"Hot! Hot! Hot!" she squealed as she placed the tray of hot cookies on the counter.
On weekends she loved to make her own snacks, lay back and read a book or binge watch anime. And looking at the rainy weather outside, it was the perfect time for some hot cookies and milk.
Her phone buzzed and it took her by surprise. She picked it up and looked at her screen. There was a message from an unknown number.
'Good morning Marley. Was wondering if you have any plans for today?'
Marley placed the phone down trying to figure out who the message could be from. Her thoughts were interrupted by another buzzing from her phone.
'Apollo'
Apollo? Marley wondered.
Her phone buzzed again.
'Sorry, it's Akira. Apollo is just a little embarrassing nickname I call myself sometimes. Please don't tell anyone.'
Marley chuckled and quickly typed out a reply.
'Cookies and a movie?'
Her heart started racing after sending the text. Why did she just invite him over? She was sure he'd be creeped out.
Her phone buzzed again.
'That would be amazing.'
Marley let out a relieved breath and sent Akira her location.
'I'll be there in 30.'
*
Apollo smiled at the phone in his hand. He couldn't believe Marley had invited him over to her house.
He pulled out a little box from underneath his bed, grabbed some car keys and a wallet and slid it back under the bed. He couldn't afford to let anyone find his little accessories from the mortal realm.
As he walked past his mirror he made a mental note to buy himself some earthly clothes. He wouldn't want Marley questioning his attire after the whole text incident that had just happened.
*
Marley walked up to her door to see who was knocking. She looked through the eye hole and saw a familiar pair of golden eyes peeping back. She opened the door and smiled at Akira.
"Hi Marley." Akira spoke nervously.
"Hi Akira. Come on in." She spoke as she stood aside to give him a way in.
Akira walked into the little apartment, following Marley to her living room.
"Sorry it's a bit messy. I didn't get the time to clean up." Marley apologized, as she picked some books and a fleece off her sofa, so that Akira could take a seat.
Akira watched the girl straighten out the place in ewe. She was wearing a baby pink oversized sweater and grey leggings. She had her hair up in a puffy bun and was wearing adorable baby pink and grey socks that put her whole cozy outfit together.
She gestured Akira to take a seat as she walked to her kitchen to grab a bowl of popcorn and a plate of cookies. She placed the food on the table and sat next to Akira.
"Make yourself at home." She spoke to the blonde haired man. "Would you like some milk? Juice? A glass of water maybe?"
"I'm okay for now thanks." Akira replied nervously. "I did however, get you some sparkling grape juice. Since I know you don't like alcohol."
Akira handed the paper bag containing the beverage to the girl who smiled as she peeked into it.
"Thank you Akira." She spoke with glee. "Let me get us some cups."
*
"Don't go down there." Marley squealed as she watched the woman on the television go into the basement where a shadowy figure had descended. She peeked at the tv from behind the fleece she was covering herself with.
The pair had chosen to watch a horror movie. Marley had been shrieking and covering her face the entire time, while Akira sat there downing popcorn and juice completely unphased. He had dealt with Hades so many times that nothing really scared him anymore. Marley on the other hand was scared shitless. The dimmed lights and pouring thunderstorm outside wasn't doing her any favors either.
The woman on the television screamed as the shadowy figure grabbed her and dragged her down the basement stairs. Marley screamed in response and instinctively grabbed onto Akira and buried her face in his arm. Akira froze and felt his heart skip a beat at the gesture. Marley realized what she had done and let go of Akira's arm hastily.
"Sorry." She spoke, sounding a little embarrassed.
Akira turned to the girl and smiled slyly. He slowly put his arm around her and pulled her closer to him. "Don't worry I'll protect you." He spoke in a nervous tone.
Marley's face lit up like a stop sign. She then giggled, eased herself into Akira's arms and continued watching the movie.
*
When the movie was over. The two spent their time talking and getting to know more of each other. Marley told Akira about her family, close friends and hobbies. Akira did the same, though very vaguely. He made sure not to mention names or specific places as he spoke.
"Wow, sounds like you've been all over the world." Marley spoke as she took a bite of her cookie. "That must be amazing. I hope I get to travel like that one day."
"Yeah I've had my fair share of adventures." Akira responded as he nibbled on his own cookie with one hand and had his other hand around Marley.
"Maybe one day we could go somewhere together." Akira spoke without thinking.
Marley looked up at Akira and blushed. Did he just ask her to travel the world with him?
Akira realized what he said and panicked. He pulled away from the girl and nervously scratched the back of his head. "I mean, only if you want." He added on.
Marley looked away and blushed. "That would be nice." She responded. "But you have to promise me you won't try to steal and sell my kidneys or anything like that."
"Oh no I'm off kidney selling right now." Akira responded. "I'm more into stealing hearts now."
The two laughed at their weird conversation. When the chuckling died down, and a moment of silence creeped up on them, they locked eyes in a moment that seemed like an eternity. Akira gazed at Marley's beautiful brown eyes and Marley looked back into his golden orbs. There seemed to be some form of magnetic force that was drawing them closer together.
Akira's eyed darted down to Marley's lips. They were a beautiful shade of pink and looked soft enough to eat. It seemed Marley had the same idea as Akira because she instinctively closed her eyes and begun leaning into him.
Their lips almost touched when Marley's phone buzzed wildly making the two pull apart. She picked the phone and saw that it was an incoming call from Cherlynn.
"Hey Cherlynn." She spoke into the phone. "Yeah I'm home, what's up? Okay sure I'll see you then."
Marley cut the line and looked down at her lap feeling a little awkward. "Umh. Cherlynn is coming over in a few minutes." She spoke to the blonde.
"Oh. Of course." Akira responded. "I should get going anyway."
He stood up, and Marley followed him behind to see him off.
At the doorway Akira turned to the girl who was avoiding making eye contact with him.
"Thank you for today Marley." He spoke, feeling his own heart still racing from the moment they almost had. "Can I see you again?"
"Yeah sure." Marley responded. Her eyes fixed to the floor.
Akira leaned in and kissed the girl on her cheek. "I'll call you." He then opened the door, waved her goodbye and left.
Marley stood there, her face burning with a mixture of embarrassment and joy. She brought her hand up to her face and touched the cheek Akira had just kissed, and instantly felt an explosion of butterflies in her stomach.