Disclaimer: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles belongs to Nickelodeon.
THE sun sank below the horizon, painting the sky brilliant shades of orange and red. In the park, seated at a picnic table, were Christina and Pete, watching a video of two german shepherds romping around in some grass on the former's large, blue laptop. One of the dogs turned on its side and began licking the other's forepaw.
Pete giggled. "Aw, that's sweet!"
"I know, right?" his friend concurred with a grin. The video ended seconds later. "Okay, Pete, your turn."
"Oh, right!" the birdman placed his large Digits on the touch pad, moving the pointer onto the search box and clicking on it. "Um…hmmm…let's see…"
Pete typed on the keyboard, then pressed enter, and a huge list of videos regarding turkeys showed up. Placing his large, feathered hand on the touch pad again, he moved the cursor to the first one, entitled "Turkey Chasing Truck," and clicked on it. The page loaded, and the pigeon laughed, pushing the miniature computer back. "Look at him! This is hilarious!"
"Okay…now that's just weird. What's that bird's deal, and seriously, what's that thing below his beak?" Christina inquired with a strange look.
"Maybe his meal is in there, and maybe it's a gobbler—oh, I don't know! I may be a bird, but I'm no expert!" her friend said, laughing once more.
"I didn't say you were," the girl retorted lightly.
"Anyway, your go, Chris."
After taking control of the laptop, a violin rendition of "To You" by David Guetta and Justin Bieber began playing. The song's backing track played in the background as the violinist played the main melody. The two swayed and hummed to the song.
"Wow, she's really good!" Pete remarked, impressed.
"Yep, she sure is!" His companion replied.
"I wonder what it would be like to play an instrument like that," the pigeon remarked thoughtfully.
"It'd be pretty cool, but…" her gaze shifted from the woman on screen to Pete. "Your hands are much bigger than a human's, so for you, I imagine playing a violin would be a bit tricky. No offense."
"None taken, and I can dream, can't I?"
Christina nodded.
Once that video was over, Pete pulled one up on a recipe for sourdough bread. His mouth salivated at the screen, earning a chuckle from Christina. The following video she played was the latest trailer for Space Heroes.
Thirty videos later, it was Christina's turn to pick the next one. Pete was about to notify her, when, out of the blue, she threw her arms around his neck, thin fingers combing through the feathers on his back. He returned the gesture, patting the girl's back gently.
"I love you," she whispered.
The other pulled away slightly, shocked. Did she just say—what he thought she said? Christina loved him? As in, she had feelings for him? "Um—what?"
"I love you, Pete," Christina reiterated. "You're like a brother to me. I can talk to you about anything, and you're always there when I need you. Thank you."
"Chris…I…" With a broad smile on his beak and tears in his yellow eyes, Pete hugged her once more, rubbing his face against hers, cooing softly, Christina mirroring him.
"You're welcome, and I love you too."