Chapter 2

"Hey babe?" Marcos pulled his gaze from the mirror to look over at me as I sat on the couch. "Do you want to go to a show with me?" He was preening himself to get ready to do another day on simstagram. I muted the television, looking over to him. "Hmm?" I was feeling a little off the past few days and I think he was picking up on it. "Go out? Sure. What were you thinking?" I got up and put a hand on his back as I watched him brush his hair into the perfect appearance. "Well....I got a few tickets to this quiet little showcase of talent. They are doing it in the local park." He glanced over at me and something set off my senses as I felt dread and anticipation fill me.

Watching my face with a smile, oh how I loved his smile, he chuckled. "I was invited to the off stage filming of 'Sims Got Talent' and I was hoping you-" He could not even finish his sentence as I squealed with joy. He laughed as I wrapped my arms around the back of his neck, kissing him deeply. My joy was radiating off me as he gently pushed me back. "Calm down tiger, you didn't hear the best part." My eyes went wide. "It. Gets. Better?" He let out a roaring laugh before looking over at the mirror then back at me. "The talent they will have is Alicia Pipes, Kay North, Alexander Echo, and Miriah Lift." He winced as I could not help but fangirl scream. He began laughing again before kissing my cheek. "Get dressed and I will see you in a short bit." I froze and again I could see how much he enjoyed making me squirm. "You got thrity minutes. I am going to change as well." I could not contain my excitement and immediately bolted for my room.

It took me less than fifteen minutes to change my clothes, brush my hair and make myself at least nice enough looking to go out in public. Of course, Marcos sighed and shook his head. "One of these days, you will need to let me do some make up on you." He had been for years, trying to convince me to let him do my make-up. Sometimes I question his straightness. "Don't give me that look girlfriend. I know you are just 'dyin' to have me spruce up your little honey butt." He said in his best stereotypical gay voice. Shaking my head I laughed and sighed. "One of these days, you are going to get yourself in trouble for talking like that."

He pulled me in close with a smirk. "Let them come." He said wryly before pulling me into a deep kiss. His eyes sparkling like the shallow waters of Sulani lagoon. Oh how I loved those beautiful eyes. They always shimmered beautifully to me. I pulled back, panting softly as I felt the air return to my lungs. He chuckled. "So shall we get going?" His hands never leaving my waist. It took me a moment before what he told me earlier returned to my mind. He had that affect, making me forget with just a kiss. Dumbly I nodded and slowly and slowly got my feet back under me.

As I got my feet under me, he spun me and I watched as he slid his hand into his pocket. "Wait, forgot the most important thing!" He pulled me close and held his hand up and laughed. "SELFIE!" I rolled my eyes as he took several pictures of us together. He pulled away and found the best out of them and began applying some "magic effects" as he called it. My eyes couldn't have rolled any harder as he laughed. "Posted, now lets go see some talent out in the wild!" He grabbed my hand and with a squeal, I was pulled behind him, laughing the entire time.

So when we got to the park, I learned two things. Marcos lied about it being a free ticket to a park filming of the artists on Sims Got Talent. And, that Alexander's guitar was so much better in real life. Turned out, Marcos had reached out to SGT and they informed him of Alexander's scheduled public play. I was told that Alexander played at various parks each week and that he would be in our neighborhood. So knowing he was my favorite on SGT, Marcos had planned a little date to watch and meet Alexander. And if only I could describe how otherwordly and beautiful his guitar sounded.

After the small little concert, Marcos kissed my cheek before excusing himself. "I have to go review a nearby business on their menswear. I will be back in about twenty minutes." With a nod from he, he disappeared around the corner to a local clothing shop. The small crowd for Alexander disperesed and I stood to explore the gardens. A gentle touch on my shoulder caused me to turn to Alexander and I smiled. "Yes?"

I watched as he began to charade his way through an introduction before realizing he was actually signing. I caught a few words my high school friends used to teach me, but most of it was lost on me. "Woa-woa! I can't understand Sim Sign very well." I raised by hands and I remembered he was mute, not deaf. "Sorry. I only know a few words and the alphabet. Would it be rude for you to write it down?" He began to laugh silently and shook his head. I moved a little closer to see him write.

'Sorry, I am not used to being without an interpreter.' he wrote. 'I am Alexander Echo.' I smiled. "I am Maya Grimm, it's such a pleasure to meet you. Do you think we can get a selfie?" He smiled again and as we posed for the picture, my eyes drifted to his ocean blue eyes. Where have I seen those eyes before? I shrugged it off before taking my quick picture with him. I turned to my phone as he began to write again. 'So you who I am?' His eyes sparkled and it took a moment to register the letters. "You're Alexander Echo. From Sims Got Talent."

He sighed before writing again, it was clear that wasn't what he meant. 'I didn't think you would remember me. I am' "You are what?" I pressed when he suddenly stopped writing. When I looked at his face, he looked to be in a lot of pain. I looked around at the now empty park and helped him sit on the bench. "Sit here and rest. I am going to get-" He grabbed my hand as I turned to leave and get him help. His eyes staring at me and I slowly sat back down on the bench next to him. As I sat there, I felt him slowly calm. He must have had an axiety attack or something. After a moment the pain subsided on his face and he lowered his head.

I looked around to see if Marcos was on his way, but it was still empty. I felt his hand tighten on mine and this caused me to look again at Alexander. Something in his eyes seemed like they really wanted to say something his voice could not. I felt my own voice fail as I opened my mouth to talk to him. However, whatever moment we shared broke when he let go of my hand to write. 'Could we have coffee sometime?' I stared at the paper for a long moment. "Sure. Are you alright?" He sighed and nodded. 'Somethings are too painful for me to write.' Concerned I reached out again before I heard Marcos' voice.

"Maya! You are not going to believe this!" He said as he jogged over. If he saw me pull my hand back, he made no sign of it. "I got a thousand more followers!" I smiled a little forcefully as I stood. I gave him a tight hug and kissed his cheek. I thought I heard Alexander sigh but I ignored it. I took Marcos' hand and happily lead him home. Something was nagging at the back of my mind but I could not place my finger on it.

That night, I had a very strange dream. I was back in the ocean at Sulani. I flailed in the water until I felt strong, familiar arms pull me from the water. Coughing, I stared at the beach as a hand rubbed my back. "It's okay, I've got you. Just breathe." I could not tell which voice I heard anymore. I thought I could hear Marcos but it was hard to tell between the two voices I heard.

Slowly I looked up and the once blurry figure I remember seeing on the beach seemed to have changed to almost different people. Was that Marcos or Alexander? I could not tell as they helped me up. I embraced them and felt myself pulled in tight for a kiss, only for it to suddenly end with my alarm clock going off. Groggily I opened my eyes and covered my face. 'What are you doing Maya?' I scolded myself mentally. 'You're getting married in three weeks!'