Two Different Animals, One Close Bond
Chapter 4: Start of a Bond
That morning, Maurice looked to make sure Marlene was still asleep. When he saw that she was, he smiled. He headed outside and looked out to see where the lemur habitat was. Maurice was starting to get concerned of what Julien was thinking during this.
"I hope he doesn't know I've been away for this long." Maurice said to himself. But then he received a shock when he heard Marlene behind him. "Hey, Maurice." Marlene smiled. Maurice turned around and smiled when he saw Marlene.
"Morning, Marlene. Did you sleep well?" Maurice asked. "Yes." Marlene responded. But then she noticed that Maurice was looking out at where the lemur habitat was. "What's wrong, Maurice?" Marlene asked, concerned. Maurice looked over at her.
"I'm starting to wonder, Marlene. Do you think Julien knows where I am?" Maurice asked. "What do you mean?" Marlene asked, confused. "Well, I have been away for quite a while. I'm starting to wonder if Julien is wondering where I've been." Maurice explained. Marlene smiled, understanding.
"Don't worry, Maurice. Knowing Julien, I don't think that it would be that much of a deal to him." Marlene explained. Maurice wasn't sure why, but he somehow thought Marlene was right. "Yeah, you're right. He really doesn't worry about much; that's what he does. Besides, I'm sure he won't mind that much." Maurice commented. Marlene had an idea and she smiled, knowing Maurice would like this.
"Maurice, why don't we get some snow cones?" Marlene asked. Maurice smiled, hearing that suggestion. "That sounds great." Maurice smiled, but that was when he remembered what Julien told him about when Marlene headed outside the zoo for the first time.
"But there's one problem, though." Maurice added. Marlene sighed, knowing what Maurice was talking about. "Yeah, that's right. I can't go outside the zoo." Marlene said, catching on. Maurice didn't want Marlene to be upset, so he had an idea.
"Why don't you wait for me, and I'll get them myself?" Maurice suggested. Marlene was surprised by this. "You don't need to do that, Maurice." Marlene said. Maurice however smiled; he thought otherwise.
"I know, but... I guess I want to. I don't know why, but I just feel that way." Maurice explained. Marlene was surprised; she had to wonder what Maurice meant by this. But she figured that he was trying to make her happy, and that somehow was what she wanted most.
"Thanks, Maurice." Marlene smiled. Maurice smiled at this response; he was so glad to know that Marlene liked this. "You're welcome, Marlene." Maurice responded, and he headed off. Marlene had to wonder something; since Maurice came over, she found herself taking a liking to him. But what confused her about it was that why this was happening and how it would work. She knew that they were different, and she had been through past experiences that didn't go so well.
But there was something... different about this time around. She wasn't sure why, but she felt like Maurice wouldn't do what others did to her in the past. It didn't seem like he would do that to her. In fact, it seemed he would do whatever it took to make her happy.
'I don't know why, but I just feel like Maurice would never let anything bad happen to me. It's almost as if... he himself isn't able to realize what good he's actually doing for me.' Marlene said to herself. She was snapped out of her thoughts when she saw Maurice next to her. "Marlene, I'm back." Maurice said.
"I didn't notice you were gone, Maurice." Marlene explained. But then, she looked to see that he had the snow cones and smiled. "Thank you." Marlene smiled as she took her snow cone. Maurice smiled, knowing that Marlene was happy with this.
The two both sat on a park bench nearby. "You know, Maurice. I haven't had this much of a good time for quite a while now. It feels amazing, just spending time with you." Marlene explained. Maurice smiled as he listened on to her. He felt happy spending time with her as well.
"I know. I haven't felt this way before either." Maurice responded. He looked up to see the sunset in the sky. "I didn't have any idea that the time went by this time." Maurice commented, surprised. Marlene looked with him to see that he was right. "Yeah, I didn't notice either." Marlene agreed. They figured it was time for them to head back to Marlene's place.
"Why don't you wait for me there, Marlene? I need to get something." Maurice said. "Really? What is it?" Marlene asked, surprised. Maurice smiled noticing Marlene's curiosity.
"I'll show you when I get back. See you then." Maurice responded, and started to head back to the Lemur Habitat. Marlene smiled at the thought of Maurice having something to show her. "I bet it's going to be great." Marlene said.
Meanwhile, Maurice arrived back at the Lemur Habitat. He smiled when he saw what he needed. "I'm sure Marlene will love this." Maurice said to himself. He immediately headed back with Marlene's place, knowing that he had what he needed.