[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180915/6b3a906ae3f9ca91aaa939b31e81e856.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/i3TqOdK.jpg[/img]
[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180915/ec811c44da0871b8f293401d8a6d6528.png[/img][/center][indent][indent][indent][indent][hr][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][center][sub][color=#E9D7C9][i]a [@Silence Sounds] & [@Ejected] collaboration[/i][/color][/sub]
[sub][color=#E9D7C9][i]Featuring [color=449529]Marcus Donaldson[/color] and [color=#D2652C]Chanel Martin[/color][/i][/color][/sub][/center][indent][indent][indent][indent][hr][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]
[indent][indent]Marcus looked at Penny as she ran off to go and chat with someone else. His eyes were still on her for a brief moment before he looked down at the ground and shook his head. It was now him and Chanel and the silence among them was very awkward as he twiddled with his thumbs for the moment. He chuckled a bit nervously as his eyes bounced over to stare at Chanel as he cleared his throat then finally spoke. [color=449529][b]”Uhm, so…”[/b][/color] He did not know what to say at this point except for going back to the college conversation.

[color=449529][b]”Why are you going to Florida A&M?”[/b][/color] He’d ask her then continue. [color=449529][b]”FAMU, I think it is called, right?”[/b][/color] Marcus asked with a raised brow as he has heard more about that university than any other university since he stepped foot in Florida. 

Shrugging her shoulders, Chanel eyed him curiously. Thanks to the twiddling of his fingers and nervous chuckles, it was obvious that the boy was slightly uncomfortable, a fact that Chanel found amusing. She was nervous as well, probably even more than Marcus was, but she tried her hardest not to let it show. [color=#D2652C][b]“Well, it’s sort of a long story,”[/b][/color] the young woman said after a moment. Although Chanel did have a crush on the boy, she still didn't know him as well as she'd like to think she did; she was hesitant to tell him anything about her past. 

When Chanel mentioned that it was a long story, he was a bit curious to hear it now. [color=449529][b]”Well, I got the time. If you want to share.”[/b][/color] He was still a bit unsure about being left alone with Chanel as his eyes went over towards the beach. [color=449529][b]”Want to go and sit in sand or walk on the beach?”[/b][/color] It was merely so they could be alone and not interrupted.

Before she could answer, he was already standing up with his hand out towards Chanel for her grab. His charming smile was beginning to form among the corner of his lips as he waited to see what she was going to do. With a small grin, Chanel gently placed her hand into his as she stood from the bench. [color=#D2652C][b]“Sure, let’s walk.”[/b][/color] Soon, the two were walking side by side along the beach; Chanel had taken off her heels, and held them in her free hand as they strolled.

Marcus smiled brightly whenever Chanel accepted his offer to walk along the beach and took his hand. He stopped in his tracks as Chanel was taking off her heels as he also took off his own footwear as they then continued their stroll. Marcus felt a little bit more comfortable now as light waves of water brushed up on their feet. He let out a little laugh then eyed Chanel again as their hands were still intact with one another. [color=449529][b]”So, what’s this long story, Chanel? Like I said before, I got the time.”[/b][/color] He asked and stated as he then walked in front of her and stopped, dropping his shoes so that he can grab onto her other hand along with part of her heels.

[color=449529][b]”I do not want to pressure you. We can certainly talk about something else.”[/b][/color] He mentioned to her as his eyes were locked onto hers. Marcus was quite curious but if she did not want to share, she did not have to, of course. He then dropped her other hand and went back beside her to continue their stroll. Marcus was quiet as he hoped that he didn’t make Chanel uncomfortable or offend her because neither of those were his intentions.

Truth be told, Chanel wasn’t uncomfortable or offended in the slightest. In fact, as she held Marcus’ hands, stared up into his dreamy brown eyes and listened to him speak, all of the nervousness and and unsureness she’d felt earlier on slowly but surely began to melt away. For some reason, Chanel felt [i]comfortable[/i] with Marcus, which was why she took a deep breath and began to speak. [color=#D2652C][b]“Well, my parents died when I was thirteen…”[/b][/color] the young woman said as she stared at the sand in front of her, [color=#D2652C][b]“My brother and I were away at this stupid Summer camp when they got into a car accident. That’s actually why I moved all the way here from New York. After they died, my brother and I found out that our dad had a whole brother he never spoke about, and he decided to take us into his custody since we didn’t have anywhere else to go…”[/b][/color] As Chanel delved into her past, she sneaked a few quick glances up at Marcus, trying to read his facial expressions. 

When Chanel mentioned that her parents has passed away, Marcus gasped softly and felt a bit of sadness come over him. He had no idea that her parents had passed away. When she continued the story, he did tear up a little bit but sniffled the tear back into his eyes as he wanted to seem strong for Chanel. [color=449529][b]”I am sorry to hear that, Chanel. If you need anything, I am here for you, always.”[/b][/color] Marcus told her as he raised his hand up to his eye to stop a tear from falling or rolling down his cheek.

[color=#D2652C][b]“So we get down here, and I start having all of these problems. Like, I was always so angry and emotional; I even almost got suspended from middle school, which is a story for another time,”[/b][/color] Chanel chuckled as she reminisced and Marcus chuckled along with her. [color=#D2652C][b]“But my uncle and brother helped me through it. They were always there for me. And now that my brother goes to FAMU I figured that maybe I should go there too, you know? There or somewhere close by. I think I'm just scared to go too far away from the only family I have left… and even more scared to revisit the place where I lost my parents.”[/b][/color] By the end of her spiel, Chanel had gotten slightly teary-eyed, but she hurriedly urged them away so that Marcus wouldn’t notice.

Once Chanel was done telling her story, Marcus walked in front of her again and held both of her hands, still sniffling to fight back tears. [color=449529][b]”I appreciate you being comfortable enough with me to share your story, Chanel. I can understand now why you want to stay here and go to FAMU. As I said before I am here for you. Whenever you need me.”[/b][/color] Marcus informed her again as he raised up his hands to cup her face as his thumbs and a soft, sincere smile. [color=449529][b]”I’ll even stay here and go to FAMU with you.”[/b][/color] Marcus said then continued. [color=449529][b]”Well, if they have a good Journalism program, that is.”[/b][/color] Marcus chuckled a little then dropped one of her hands and continued to walk beside her as they continued their strolled down the beach. 

Chanel quickly shook her head, simply laughing at the idea. [color=#D2652C][b]“Marcus, there’s no way in [i]hell[/i] I’m gonna let you pass up Columbia University for FAMU. That’s crazy.”[/b][/color]

[color=449529][b]”So, what? Oh, my parents already have me Columbia ready. But now, I guess it’s my turn to tell my story? I’d hate to bore you though.”[/b][/color] Marcus joked to Chanel as he looked at her, just to see what her expression was going to be in this moment. 

[color=#D2652C][b]“Oh, come on. I’m sure you won’t bore me,”[/b][/color] Chanel said with a small smile, [color=#D2652C][b]“Besides, I already told you my story, so let’s hear yours.”[/b][/color] The young woman was curious to find out more about Marcus and his upbringing.

[color=449529][b]”Alright but don’t say that I didn’t warn you.”[/b][/color] Again, Marcus joked as he sighed softly, thinking to himself on where to begin to tell his story. [color=449529][b]”If I was being honest with you, Chanel, I did live a pretty “get everything I wanted” type of life.”[/b][/color] Marcus used his free hand to do air quotations as he looked forward and shook his head. [color=449529][b]”My father’s a lawyer and I moved down here with my mother, who was a stay at home mother but now, she’s a nurse while my sister stayed in New York with our father. But my life was fairly easy going, Chanel. I went to elite schools, never had to worry about money or anything for that matter.”[/b][/color] 

Marcus spoke truthfully as he sighed lightly and looked down at the sand as they continued their stroll. [color=449529][b]”My parents are not divorced or anything, but me and my sister rarely got along so…”[/b][/color] He shrugged his shoulders before he continued on. [color=449529][b]”Here I am. Here in Florida.”[/b][/color] Marcus waved his free arm in the air as he spoke those words then looked down at Chanel. [color=449529][b]”Got to say that I am kind of glad to be here now.”[/b][/color] Marcus sort of threw a flirty saying at Chanel and hoped that she picked up on it. Chanel, of course, caught on to what Marcus was saying and simply looked down at their touching hands, warmth rushing to her cheeks.

[color=449529][b]”Oh! I also like books, video games and sports. Well, some sports.”[/b][/color] Marcus added at the last minute then nudged Chanel lightly with a small smile. [color=449529][b]”So, bored yet?”[/b][/color] He asked with a slight snicker then looked toward her to see her expression.

Chanel's expression was pretty neutral; she simply nodded her head and listened as Marcus spoke, taking in everything he had said. When he asked if she was bored yet, the woman let out the loudest yawn she could, stretching her free arm above her head before snickering and nudging the boy back. [color=#D2652C][b]"I'm just messing with you,"[/b][/color] the young woman said with a hearty laugh, [color=#D2652C][b]"But that does sound pretty nice, you know. Getting everything you wanted growing up."[/b][/color] Chanel didn't find anything about Marcus' story [i]boring[/i]; in fact, he had the exact kind of life that she wished she had been blessed with herself. 

[color=449529][b]”Yeah. I am not even going to lie to you, Chanel. It was nice to get whatever I pointed at and wanted.”[/b][/color] Marcus replied as he looked down at her again. [color=449529][b]”But hey, I might be able to get everything I want here but at least it’s nice here and has a beach.”[/b][/color] He had continued then pointed briefly at the beach water beside them.

[color=#D2652C][b]"I'm glad I ended up down here too. If I hadn't, I never would've met you."[/b][/color] As Chanel spoke, she took a quick glance up to see the boy's reaction; after just a few seconds, however, she quickly added on to her last statement. [color=#D2652C][b]"Or... everyone else down here at King's, you know?"[/b][/color]

When Chanel said that she was glad to be there and that she never would’ve met him, Marcus face blushed and he did smile brightly towards Chanel. [color=449529][b]”Awe, I am charmed by you.”[/b][/color] He spoke as he held his free hand over his heart then dropped it back down to his side. [color=449529][b]”Yeah, I know what you mean. Some people are cool here and others are just not cool.”[/b][/color] Chanel nodded her head in agreement; there were quite a few people she could name at King's who weren't her cup of tea.

Marcus muttered as he stopped them again and stood in front of Chanel, holding both of her hands again in the process. [color=449529][b]”You are not what I expected, Chanel. I like that though, because you are different.”[/b][/color] He mentioned to her then leaned in to give her a quick peck on the lips. His eyes shot open as he did not know if Chanel wanted that to happen or not. To say that Chanel was caught off guard would be an understatement; as soon as Marcus pulled away, the young woman stood frozen in place, her own eyes wide and her cheeks slowly turning a deep shade of red.

[color=449529][b]”I’m sorry,”[/b][/color] Marcus muttered. [color=449529][b]”I got caught up in the moment.”[/b][/color] He said then lowered his glance toward the sand on the beach. It was in that moment that Chanel snapped out of her state of shock; in an instant, she’d boldly grabbed his face with one of her hands and kissed him with everything she’d been holding in over the last couple of months. Marcus eyes were widened at first when Chanel gave him another kiss but then closed because of the enjoyment. When she pulled away, her face was flushed and her cheeks hurt from the width of her smile. He pulled away at the same time Chanel did and smiled just as wide as she did, trying his best to hide it slightly. He didn’t expect her to kiss back but glad that she did because that shows interest, at least.

[color=#D2652C][b]“Sorry,”[/b][/color] the young woman said breathlessly, [color=#D2652C][b]“Like you said, I just got caught up in the moment.”[/b][/color] Soon after saying that, Chanel took a quick glance back at where the two had been before deciding to walk along the beach. It was then that she saw a figure standing out on one of the balconies, staring down at the crowd below; squinting, Chanel could easily tell that this figure was April. Following the other woman’s gaze, Chanel’s eyes found two other figures who were engaged in a pretty intense kiss by the pool. It only took her a second to realize that one of them was none other than the host of the party. [color=#D2652C][b]"Oh no,"[/b][/color] Chanel said under her breath as she nudged Marcus and nodded her head towards the where she'd been looking, [color=#D2652C][b]"I think we should head back now. I gotta check on April..."[/b][/color]


[color=449529][b]”Seems like we both did.”[/b][/color] Marcus responded with a soft smile then nodded his head in agreement towards Chanel. [color=449529][b]”Uhm, sure. I was thinking the same thing. Not the April thing but the fact that we should head back.”[/b][/color] Marcus replied as he was still thinking about the peck he had given her on the lips. [color=449529][b]”So, I enjoyed this Chanel. I really did.”[/b][/color] He admitted truthfully as they started to walk back toward the party, still hand in hand. [color=449529][b]”How about we go out again? Just you and me. No party.”[/b][/color] Marcus asked Chanel as they neared closer to the party but he stopped them by the picnic table from earlier so that he could hear her response clearly.

Trying to mask her excitement, Chanel took a deep breath before nodding her head. [color=#D2652C][b]“Sure, Marcus. I’d like that.”[/b][/color] Chanel’s acceptance to another date, well their first date, made Marcus smile a bit wider than before. His eyes were locked on Chanel’s before he let go of her hand but did not really want to. 

[color=449529][b]”Well, I might jump into the pool so I hope your friend is okay though.”[/b][/color] Marcus muttered as he walked Chanel closer to her destination before parting ways with her and walking over toward the pool area.

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