The Robosapyent

The date

------------chapter 5 starts here------------

Marcus's PoV

As I walked back towards the tent my family was staying in, I thought about the new path. Going through Columbus meant that we would be on the grid again. If there was even one person in Columbus who was on the president's side, our uprising would be over before it started.

But then again, we did have a shortage of people. Every person would matter. 

Both sides of the argument seemed equally balanced. And that was why everyone was so split on the decision.

I recognized the area I was walking through. Isa's tent was coming up to the right. I'd have to hurry past to avoid being seen. I couldn't face her now. Not after everything. 

My field of vision seemed to darken, pulling me into a memory. I tried to fight it- I knew that any memory of Isa would make me want to see her. I had to free my thoughts from Isa.

Isa....

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10 months before.

Isa's laugh was all I could hear as we walked away from the city center. She was laughing at my inability to complete my sentences, but I didn't feel embarrassed. 

Wait no. More like I couldn't feel embarrassed.

Her laugh was more relaxing than the sounds of birds chirping in the morning. Add that to how she looked? Was I really on a date with her?

"Only one way to find out," I thought, pinching myself.

Isa seemed to notice the act. Even in the dim lighting, you could easily tell that she started blushing.

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If the bridge looked beautiful in the evening, it looked absolutely astounding in the night.

I had chosen this place because of the memories we had here. I was a bit worried about whether it'd be a good enough location or not, but all my doubts vanished instantly.

The bridge itself was dimly lit, the vines hanging off the edge, almost like curtains for our privacy. The stream made continuous gushing sounds which were somehow calming. The cool breeze would occasionally blow, moving the thousands of blades of grass in a rhythmic pattern. And the faint light emanating from the stars above could only brighten the light from the one right in front of me.

Isa was wearing a bright red dress with just enough glitter to sparkle in the moonlight. Her face glowed, her hair swayed in the breeze and her smile just took my breath away.

I looked back at the picnic blanket and the meal I had brought for us. I had actually been proud to have prepared it so well, but now looking at her, it just didn't seem to be enough.

"Marcus?" I heard Isa's voice.

"Yeah?" I replied, still somewhat deep in my thoughts.

"I know you're thinking about how pretty I am and all, but you wanna sit down?" She asked, starting to giggle.

I snapped out of my thoughts. She was sitting down, smirking at me.

Was I that deep in thought that I hadn't even noticed her sit down?

I let out a nervous laugh, picking up the basket of food, and started to prepare our meal for us.

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After our meal, we moved the picnic blanket out from underneath the bridge and lay down, staring up at the stars.

"Marcus?" I heard Isa's voice.

"Yeah?" I responded, turning to look at her.

"Forever and ever?" She asked, raising her right pinky finger.

I should have been ecstatic. A girl like Isa, asking me something like this. But I laughed. For some reason, it seemed implausible that Isa would be insecure about me.

"Marcus.."

I stopped laughing, and smiled at her. "Forever and ever." I said, grabbing her pinky in mine.

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My vision returned to normal. I looked down at my hand. My pinky was curled, just like when I had made the promise.

A tear rolled down my cheek as I turned and ran towards Isa's tent as fast as I could.

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As I reached Isa's tent, I saw her mom standing outside. Her eyes narrowed as soon as she saw me. "Marcus. Leave."

------------end of chapter 5------------

Both halves of the date ended with Marcus and Isa being stuck with their counterparts' moms! How weird is that?

And how adorable is it that they're both remembering the same thing at the same time?? <3