I told Sasha where to go for our date. I took us to the restaurant my family and I always go for special occasions and thought this would be consider a special occasion. I was wearing a black suit with a white dress shirt and black dress shoes; hoping they wouldn't break on me; while Sasha was wearing a red dress with some glitter here and there and with red heels. We enter and it was a good luck that they had an open spot. So we walk over to it and did some small talk.
"So Sasha," I ask as I look down at my shoes, "how do you like the place so far?"
"It is really beautiful," she answers, "it's like one of those fancy expensive restaurants."
"Yeah, well Bennissimo's isn't too expensive but it isn't cheap either," I state quickly looking at my shoes again.
A waiter walks up to the table and clears his throat. "Excuse me for intruding, but what would you like to order?"
"Sorry," I quickly say as I look at the menu.
He smiles, "You don't have to apologize, signor. I understand how tough young love can be. Believe me."
He adds, "How about some drinks then?"
Sasha comments, "I would like to have a Pepsi."
I frown, "Don't you want some wine or something like that?"
"Marcus, I'm fine with a simple drink like Pepsi really." She states.
"Okay," I look at the menu again, "I would like to have Coke then."
The waiter writes it down and states, "You're drinks will come shortly."
We both smile as he leaves and I turn to her, "Sorry for that suggestion. Thought you wanted a special night and all, but I know I can't rush into things. That's how bad things normally happen."
She states kindly, "It's fine, but maybe next time we'll do drinks. I just want to know the real-Marcus tonight."
I comment, "Like I want to know the real-Sasha."
I take a small ball of garlic bread and ate it while we just enjoy the scene.
"Marcus," I turn to her and ask, "Yes?"
"Do you ever wonder what it would be like to just go to a place, any place?"
"You mean running away?" I ask her and she nods.
"Sometimes," I reply as I look down, "I just feel like I want to leave this town and go to a new place. Explore."
I frown, "But I know I can't because I've no money and also because I don't even know where to start."
"Well then what would the first place you want to go then?" she asks me.
"Huh…The first place I want to go…" I close my eyes as I ponder, "I guess the first place I want to go would be the beach. I always love the water and the beach is mostly a fun and great place."
We laugh and I ask her the same question.
"I would like to go to Italy," she states and I comment, "See, at least you've an idea of where you want to go. Yeah, unlike my boring decision; let's go to the beach."
"The beach is still a place," she replies.
"Yeah, but it is very general. I don't know the names of specific beaches," I tell her.
"And you think I know exactly where in Italy I want to go?" she states as I look at her.
We both laugh again as I look at her.
"What?" she asks.
"Oh, what?" I was in a daze but she snaps me out of it.
"You were looking at me kind of weird," she replies.
"Oh, wow, is that embarrassing. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for you to feel uncomfortable. I'm really sorry," I apologize as I advert my eyes away.
Sasha comments, "Marcus, it's fine. You don't have to apologize."
I smile, "Thanks for that."
She adds, "Man, you really are a cute and kind guy."
I remark, "I know."
I add jokingly, "I sometimes feel like I'm in the wrong time period because of my mannerisms."
"Hey," she retorts, "there's nothing wrong with being a gentleman."
I roll my eyes, "Unless you're the type of girl that likes the "bad boy" type."
"Well," she smiles, "I'm not into it."
"Really?" I ask her shocked.
"Yeah," she nods with a little laugh.
"You know," she adds, "this is so far the best date I ever had."
I smile, "That's good, right?"
She adds, "Yeah, and you?"
I tense up as I lightly gulp, "Yeah, I mean… I've been on plenty of dates before, so this is a nice pace for a change."
She looks at me, "What?"
She crosses her arms over her chest with an eyebrow raised, "Try again."
I sigh, "Fine."
I look around and motion her to lean in, "I've never been on a date actually."
"Aw," she gushes and I pout, "No, no "Aw". It's embarrassing. I'm a nineteen year old and I never ever dated."
I add, "How pathetic…"
She states, "I don't think it's pathetic. It just means you haven't found the right person to take that first step with you."
I laugh mirthlessly, "No doubt."
She grips my hand and I look at her, "I'm so happy for you for telling me that about yourself. Most of the other guys would've BS themselves to make them look good. Not you though, you are different and I like that."
I smile, "Yeah."
I play with my suit, "That's how I do things, by being the real me and no one else."
She laughs as I place my hand on top of her's, she closes it to whisper something; however, I couldn't hear it because I sniffed her scent. It was so intoxicating; I could sense she was really having a good time with this date.
I didn't even notice that I said my thought out loud, "I love you too."
She pulls back and looks at me, "Excuse me? What?"
I quickly shake it off and reply, "Oh, what?"
I laugh, "W- Who said that?"
"I'm sorry but," she speaks, "did you say "I love you too"?"
"What?" My voice going high as I try to play it off; however, unsuccessfully, "Pfft. No, not at all; I-I just said... Um…I said I love youtube."
I pull my collar, "Is it getting hot in here or what?"
'You're dying! This date is going south fast!' I thought as I stand up, "Excuse me, I'll be back soon."
I mutter as I turn, "Why did I say that?"
I was so focused on my dilemma that I didn't notice a waiter coming over with a tray full of drinks; until I bump into him and he falls with the drinks all over the floor.
"Whoa!" was all I could say as everyone was looking at me.
I laugh nervously, "Oops."
I run to the bathroom as I splash water all over my face, "Calm down, calm down, Marcus. You can still have a good date tonight. It isn't a total disaster."
I leave the bathroom with my head clear and in a positive mood. 'Yup, nothing can go wrong now.'
I walk over to my table and avoid the glares I was getting from some of the people.
"So…" I start awkwardly, "is there by chance you'll forget that and say we start over again?"
She thinks about it but smiles, "Fine. I'll forget that hilarious moment so we can have a good time."
I nod, "Ditto."
"Now I-" My eyes widen as I see Lilo and Stitch walking through the restaurant.
I mumble, "You've got to be kidding me right?"
"What is it?" Sasha asks concernedly.
"Oh, it's nothing," I lie. 'Please don't let them see me. Please don't let them see me.' I silently pray.
I look over Sasha and see that Stitch was trying to find my scent. Once they did, I could see them walking clearly my direction. 'Great, of course…'
"Hi," Lilo speaks to us warmly.
"Hey Lilo, Stitch," I greeted with my closed tightly teeth, "what brings you two here?"
Lilo answers, "One of our pets has escaped and we need your help Marcus. It always seems rather fond of you, so can you please help us?"
Sasha asks, "Why don't you or your parents or guardians just call the animal shelter?"
"We tried," Lilo replies, "but they're too busy. Uncle Jumba could use your help right now Marcus?"
"You're related?" Sasha asks as she looks between Lilo and me.
"Yes," Lilo answers before I could even say a thing, "We're just long distant relatives."
I smile as I turn to her, "Well, shouldn't you go back to where you live then. I mean…can't you see I'm busy with someone."
She pouts, "But what about family? You're supposed to help family."
She puppy dog pouts, "Please, I'm sure Uncle Jumba would really love it for you to return his pet."
I cave, "Oh, fine. Just please don't use that word again. Just no."
I stand up and look to Sasha, "So I'll see you maybe another time and we'll…"
"Talk some more," she states.
I snap my fingers as we walk, "Exactly. Talk. Yeah, see you later."
I back to a waiter hold a tray full of desserts and he drops it, but Stitch catches them all as discreetly as possible.
"Sorry, for that! I'm sorry. Sorry! Okay," I try to hide the red on my face.
Lilo grabs my hand, "Okay, just keep walking "smooth guy"."
We head for the doors and I frown, "Oh man… They've tiramisu out with the other desserts."
"Marcus!" I hear Lilo yell.
"I'm coming," I say as I run up two them.
Outside…
"Can't believe you guys showed up here," I mutter rather annoyed.
"Listen," Lilo speaks, "The experiment isn't gone. It's still here. We just had a reading of it coming here."
"Here?" I turn around, "As in this spot? But, what about all the people here, they're going to get hurt if that thing is here?"
"That's why we're taking you," Lilo states as I look to her, "Excuse me? What?"
"Stitch!" she commands and before I knew; I was being picked up by Stitch and we were running.
"Guys! Guys stop!" I yell after a few minutes, but felt like hours to me, of running.
They stop and Stitch puts me down, "That was the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me."
We look around and saw that we were by Rutherland. "Great," I sigh, "you two put us in the worst place to be at night, ya know that right?"
They shake their heads no.
"This is Rutherland," I explain, "This is a very bad part of town. It is filled with gangs wanting to battle for the slightest of things. This is like the dark life of my hometown. Even the police don't even bothering trying to help much around here."
I add with a gulp, "So, we're on our own and with no way of getting home."
"What?" Lilo asks shocked, "don't you know how to get home from here?"
"No I don't. I never came this far. My parents told me stories and hearing those stories made me not want to step a foot here."
I ask Stitch, "Can't you just sniff my house's scent?"
"Stitch try," he replies as he sniffs.
"That way," he points and I ask him nervously, "You sure?"
He nods as we follow him.
Few minutes…
I ask curiously, "So, how did you know I'd be at the restaurant?"
I suggest, "Did you have Stitch sniff my scent or something?"
She laughs, "No, we bump into Jon and he told us where you would be."
"I see," I nod as I ponder out loud, "now…if we were still at that place, it would be in danger of getting destroyed by the experiment right?"
They nod as I continue, "So what about here? I mean…this is an open area and that thing could just pop out of nowhere?"
They stop and look at me, "You mean you never thought about this?!"
I grab my holophone with nervous hands as I try to open it, but I drop it down a hill while we were walking. Lilo and Stitch look to me and I was in disbelief, "You've got to be kidding with me right now!"
As soon as I yell, the lights started to flicker and the three of us were back to back.
"Stitch," I say as I look around, "please tell me you can use your night vision in this world too?"
"Ih," he nods as he turns on his night vision to me and then blinks again to his normal eyes.
I reply, "Good because something tells me we're going to be-"
The lights die and everything was cover in darkness as I finished, "In the dark soon."
Stitch turns on his night vision and I try to turn my on indiscreetly as we look around, but my night vision wasn't working with me.
"Oh come on. Oh come on," I mumble as I try to focus to turn my night vision on.
I finally get my night vision on and I smile, "Yes."
Stitch was in front of Lilo who was in front of me as we look around. I hear a clunk sound and turn to my foot to find my holophone. I bend down to grab it, "Weird, I thought it went further down the hill."
I shrug as I stand up, but my night vision turns itself off and I groan. I have my hands in front of me as I try to find Lilo and Stitch.
I hear something growling in front of me; it sounds like Stitch was growling at me, but why? I know he's protecting Lilo, but from me?
"Stitch what is it?" I ask him fear ridden in my voice.
Next thing I felt was a something breathing behind me and then I knew what Stitch saw, 'The experiment… It's behind me.'
I turn and sure enough I, or try to, see the outline of the experiment. I fall to the ground as it comes to me, Stitch jumps over me and onto the experiment. Both roll on the ground fighting as Lilo grabs my hand and helps me up. "Come on, Marcus! Run!"
I stumble to my feet as we started running; we go down an alleyway with some light, but only to find out it was a dead end alleyway.
I look up at the fence and shake my head, "I can't climb that."
I turn to Lilo, "But you can."
I pick her up and help her over the fence, but she remains still. "No, I'm not leaving you here."
I state, "Lilo, listen it's after me. Not you or Stitch, if I can lure it here; then maybe…I don't know, but something is going to happen here and that experiment will be caught."
"Just be careful," she comments as I nod and she climbs the fence.
'Please let some miracle happen in the next few seconds,' I mentally state as I hide behind a dumpster.
I hear the sound of growling as it walks down the alleyway; I cover my mouth and close my eyes as if that would make me invisible to the experiment. I hear it sniff at the fence; it jumps on it midway and starts climbing. That is when I bolt out of my hiding spot and the experiment chases after me.
I trip over a wire and it jumps on me; however, right before it lands; I kick my feet at its chest and it flew back. I jump to my feet and was surprised at the fact that I just sent an experiment flying with a kick.
The growling it gave reminded me it of its presence. I go to a fighting stance and as I punch it; my fist went right through it with me on the ground. 'I forgot…Technically, it doesn't have a form. How can I hit something that isn't a solid figure?'
It lunges at me and a try my best to push it away from me. I quickly push it aside and run while screaming, "Stitch! I need some help here!"
I look up and see it was right by the power lines; it cuts a line and throws the live wire straight at me. I dodge roll away so I wouldn't get electrocuted to death.
"STITCH!" I yell again as the creature kept throwing the wire at me as I dodge, "STITCH HELP!"
Finally, before the experiment even threw the cable at me; a container was around it and I drop to my knees while breathing heavily.
Stitch smiles with thumbs up, "Cousin caught."
I pant annoyed, "You couldn't have done that BEFORE?!"
Lilo runs to us and explains while breathing, "I forgot Jumba made a portable container for us and as soon as I did; I ran back to Stitch and gave it to him to help you."
I shake my head, "I almost died by that experiment and all because you forgot you had a container for it? Seriously, what have I gotten myself into?"
"Enough about that though," she counters as she looks at me, "How did you fight it?"
I snort, "You really can't call it a fight actually."
Lilo glares at me, "How did you manage to push it and kick it like that?"
"I don't know…," I shrug as something hits me, "Oh… Wait a minute, Jumba was telling me that I got infected with the serum and so now it must be doing its thing."
Lilo and Stitch look to each other with a grim look on their faces. "Guys…What's with the face? We caught the experiment and all; shouldn't it be a good thing?"
"Yeah," Lilo nods, "but we should probably take you back for Jumba to do more tests."
"Test?" I ask bewildered, "Why? I mean… He did tell me to contact him in anything has happened, but the serum saved my butt. I think it is safe to say that everything will be going smoothly here on out."
Lilo asks, "You sure?"
"Positive," I nod. "If anything, I'll call you and be there in an instant."
"Speaking of instant?" Lilo looks at Stitch, "Stitch, do you think you can drop Marcus at his house?"
"Yeah," Stitch laughs as he picks me up, "Whoa! Stitch wait a minute, you should that I don't like-"
I never finish my sentence as he runs, "SPPPEEEEDDDDD!"
Norm. P.O.V.
Lilo laughs as she grabs the container and both teleport back home.
Few seconds later…
"Jumba!" Lilo yells, "We got the experiment!"
"Ah, good job!" he rushes in and picks it up as he looks at the experiment, "You won't be causing any more problems."
Lilo and him walk to his lab with the container under his arm and Lilo states, "Jumba, I need to tell you something about Marcus."
"What is happening to him? Is he okay?" he asks worriedly.
"No, he's fine Jumba. It's just," Lilo ponders before finishing her sentence, "he fought with the experiment and it seems like he was actually on even grounds with it."
"What?" Jumba asks intrigue as he smiles. "My serum worked then!"
"Jumba," he looks back to Lilo and apologizes, "Oops. Sorry, Jumba got carrying away from excitement."
He asks, "Where's 626?"
Lilo answers, "Dropping Marcus home."
She adds, "But Jumba, I thought you told Marcus to contact you if something weird happen?"
"Indeed," he nods, "Jumba did."
Lilo comments, "But he acted like fighting with an experiment was nothing. Doesn't that mean he should be here doing tests?"
Jumba sighs, "You cannot forcing people to do things they not wanting to do. Believe Jumba, how else can you explaining what happened with ex-wife."
They walk to a small room where he places the container.
Jumba adds, "This is sure fire way of keeping it here."
Lilo asks, "I don't know Jumba. Something just doesn't feel right."
Jumba places hand on her shoulder, "You worrying too much."
She looks back to the experiment in the container and then they both walk away, but Lilo looks over her shoulder and sees the experiment looking at her with a smile.