A/N: I definitely need to stop making more stories!!! xD

*~*~*~*~* STORYTIME *~*~*~*~*~* 

It was date night, but where was he? Where is he? It's so late! These were the thoughts that ran through the ever ticking mind of Marigold Smokestrike

Is there traffic? What if he was in an accident? What if there are just a lot of red lights? What if he just isn't coming? I'm going to be humiliated! I'll never be able to show my face here again! Marigold thought frantically, though you'd never know it just by looking at her. 

Her face was composed, her eyes set on her book, but she wasn't seeing it. Not truly. Her gaze was far away, and her thoughts even farther, traveling everywhere, in the span of mere seconds. 

Her dark silky hair was pulled up in a simple yet elegantly messy bun. Her glasses gave her a bookish aura, but she pulled it off stunningly well. She wore diamond earrings that glittered in the romantic glow of the restaurant. A necklace was proudly displayed across her collarbone. The necklace was a small simple silver chain, with charms on it. One was of a pink lily, another of a raven in flight, and the last of an owl, also in flight. 

She wore a dress that complimented her figure. It was a pale, soft blue, almost faded, but not quite. She wore black heels that were just the right height to induce the most amount of pain possible. Marigold fidgeted with her feet, trying in vain to find a comfortable position. 

Marigold heard the now familiar click of heels coming towards her. She looked up from her book and gave the waitress, who was her best friend, a pleading look. Telling her with her eyes that she wasn't ready. Just a bit more time. Please, Marigold's round dark eyes pleaded desperately.

But Holly shook her head the slightest bit. She seemed sorry to do this. She said politely, but quietly, "Miss? Are you ready yet?" Knowing full well that Marigold wasn't. Marigold looked down, her cheeks flushing with shame as she whispered, "No. Just a bit longer, please." Holly gave her a pitying look but nodded nonetheless. As she passed by she whispered, "I'm so sorry Marigold, but I don't think he's coming."

Couples were starting to look in her direction. People talked behind their hands, and apologetic looks were thrown her way. She felt hot tears gather in her eyes as she looked down at the menu, pretending to look at it. Being all too aware of the empty seat in front of her. She sat at a table for two, but she was the only one there. 

The table was in the best possible spot on such a beautiful night. The table was next to a large window, and it showed the beauty of the night in Songbird city. The night was cool and clear, people walked about, and the city lights lit up the night. Each of the lights that were strung up glowing like miniature stars. Or fireflies, glowing with a soft and gorgeous orange light. 

She wasn't in the most expensive, or fancy restaurant, but it was simple and cozy. Not to mention the view was always breathtaking.

And though all of this was enough to take her breath away, her boyfriend, Michael, wasn't there to share it with her. He's never around anyway, she thought bitterly as she stared at the empty seat that seemed to taunt her. 

Marigold looked around one last time, and through her tears decided that she was finally going to leave. She didn't care, she hated the looks of apology and pity she received every second longer she stayed here. 

Just as she was about to stand up and leave, a boy came in. He was tall and fit, very good looking in her opinion. He had black hair and brilliant blue eyes. His hair was parted down the middle and gave him a sort of "schoolboy," kind of a demeanor. But she thought it made him look cute. 

She's never seen him before in her life, but she immediately trusted him. That's weird, she thought.

He sat down and said a bit louder than necessary, "Sorry I'm so late babe! Traffic was crazy right now." He lowered his voice so that only she would hear it, "My name is Timothy, call me Tim. Just go with it, yeah?" Marigold nodded. 

Relief washed over her in waves. She gave him a grateful smile, and she knew she wasn't imagining that his cheeks reddened slightly. The boy, Tim, gave her a shy smile of his own. Marigold's cheeks heated up and her smile turned a bit goofy. So did his. For a moment, they both just sat there, lost in each other's gazes, with stupid smiles plastered on their faces. 

The moment was broken by Holly, but her face now held a relieved smile. She was celebrating this victory with her best friend. "Are you ready now Mister and Miss?"

Marigold gave her friend a bright smile and said, "I'll have the Smoked Salmon with Alfredo sauce please."

Tim looked at the menu and gave Marigold a look of panic. Marigold pursed her lips to stop herself from laughing. She let her eyes wander and put her chin on one hand. She gave him a small wink. 

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tim pout at her. He looked at the menu one last time. As though trying to make himself look like he was choosing. Eventually, he said hesitantly, "I'll have what she's having."

Marigold coughed to hide her laugh, and Tim's cheeks darkened significantly. He coughed and looked away too. Holly their orders down and chirped, "Okay. Your dishes will be ready in around half an hour."

Marigold nodded and said with gratitude, "Thank you." She turned to Tim and asked curiously, "How much traffic was there?" She lowered her voice, "My name's Marigold, and thank you so much for saving me there. That would have been so humiliating! Also, what brings you here specifically?"

Tim scratched the back of his neck with his right hand and mumbled looking at everywhere but her, "Well, I was just walking around, going nowhere when I saw you through the window. Please don't think this is creepy or weird, you just looked so sad and miserable. You seemed to have been waiting for someone, for some time already, you looked kind of panicked truth be told. And I don't know, I guess I didn't like that?" His voice tilted upwards at the end making his answer seem more like a question. 

Marigold looked at him and said softly, "Hey, that's not weird or creepy at all. Well, kinda." She tilted her head to the side, pretending to look deep in thought. 

For a moment, Tim looked alarmed and mortified. "I-" He started before he looked at her suspiciously. "You're messing with me aren't you," he said pouting at her again. 

Marigold coughed to hide her laugh again. "No," she said in a voice that said that she meant yes. She pursed her lips to stop the giggle that was pushing against her lungs. At last, she gave in and giggled a bit. Not much, just a bit, before covering her mouth and glancing quickly at Tim to see his reaction to her weird laugh. 

Tim looked at her curiously. His eyes dawned with the realization that she probably didn't like her laugh. He said softly and in an off-hand manner, "I like your laugh. It's cute," he whispered the last two words, hoping she hadn't heard them. 

Marigold snapped her head up and her wide dark eyes met his soft blue ones. "Really?" She asked quietly. She tilted her head to the side thoughtfully, "You don't think my laugh is weird or unnatural, or just plain awful?" 

Tim shook his head vigorously, "Never. It's unique, like you. You wouldn't be you without it." he smiled softly at her, and he placed his hand over hers. 

Marigold blushed furiously and said, "Thanks." She gave him a smile of her own, shy and genuine. She laced their fingers together and let her happiness show on her face. 

Their food came shortly thereafter, and they chatted for a while. Marigold discovered that Tim worked at a bookstore, and he learned that she would do just about anything for a bowl of fresh raspberries. They got to know each other well, to the point where they felt they had known each other for years instead of just an hour or so. 

They laughed and talked, joked and coughed to avoid laughing too loudly. And without either of them knowing it, they fell in love. Each word, each gesture, each small laugh, brought them closer together, closer than Marigold and Michael had ever been. Ever would be. 

Holly brought in the bill, and Tim, ever the gentleman, instantly paid for it and left the change as a tip. Marigold gave him a lopsided smile. He did the same.

Holly passed by her again and whispered playfully, "I better be getting all the tea as soon as possible. Tell me everything!" Marigold gave her a toothy grin and whispered back, "No duh genius!" The girls shared a smile and then they both turned away to get back to what they were doing.

At the end of their wonderful dinner and not-date, hours after they first met, they said goodbye. But it wasn't for long. 

"Cya later Tim! I'm free at 1:00 tomorrow for lunch, can I join you?" Marigold asked, her eyes sparkling. 

"Of course! Where do you wanna meet up? At the bakery or do you have somewhere else in mind." Tim asked smiling.

"Sure! The bakery sounds amazing." Marigold agreed, smiling back.

Just as they were turning around to go their separate ways, Tim remembered something he had forgotten to ask her. He whirled around and ran after Marigold. She was walking to her car and got her keys out to unlock when she heard Tim calling, "Wait! Marigold wait!"

She turned around to see him running towards her. She said, "Hey Tim! Last I checked," she stage-whispered, "It isn't tomorrow yet!" She laughed a bit then said, "Okay, what is it Tim?"

"Oh, well, if we're going to keep in touch we should have each other's number right?" Tim asked suddenly uncharacteristically shy. 

"Oh! Of course!" Marigold said slapping her forehead lightly, "Duh." She rummaged through her purse and fished out a small piece of paper and a pen. She scribbled furiously and then gave it to the boy in front of her. 

"Here you go!"

"Thanks! Um, I didn't bring a pen or paper, so could you...?" Tim asked laughing awkwardly.

Marigold rolled her eyes at him playfully and said, "Of course you goose." She brought out another piece of paper and looked at him, asking him.

"Oh, my number's (insert random number lmao)." He said, checking to make sure Marigold had written it down correctly. 

"See you tomorrow Tim!" Marigold chirped cheerfully. 

"See you then Marigold!" Tim said, grinning. 

And they each went their separate ways, for now. They would see each other the next day. And the day after that, and the day after that. 

A/N: Hope you enjoyed, and yes, I need to stop making more stories since I'm already behind on well, everything in my life! GAAGHGHGHG!!! xD 

Welp, cya later! 

~Razzle