Marko Volodin's Story

It was a nice fall day. Of course what the people around here would consider as fall. It was quite cold actually. Marko wasn't used to wearing a heavier coat in the middle of September. He wore a green scarf wrapped around his neck, to contrast his vibrant red hair. Sitting on a park bench Marko noticed how calm the day was. Kids were playing, laughing. Not having a care in the world. Something so pure, almost relaxing. It was getting late, and Marko started heading home.

Marko decided to take the longer way home. Walking through the different shops that were still open. Mindlessly perusing through the different vendors. Seeing if anything were to catch his eye. That's when Marko received a text from one of his cousins. "Where are you?" it read in English. He stared at his phone screen frazzled. That's odd? I remember telling everyone I'd be out today. Marko began to type back letting his cousin know where he was at. I'm downtown I think Idk I'll I know is I'm close by that one store with the really good chocolate Marko sent the text, and continued walking again.

After a bit more walking, Marko began to get hungry. Looking at the clock he couldn't believe how late it was getting, and that he should probably start heading home soon. But not before he stopped by that store to get some chocolate. The store was in sight, and Marko began to walk towards it. The street lights were beginning to turn on as the night was starting to come in. The city was so beautiful at night. Very picturesque, that anywhere you turned seemed like it was from a Hallmark photo. The store was decent looking, but one could tell that it was one of those hole in the walls. It looked aged, but it wasn't run down. It definitely kept what Marko could imagine as older Russian architecture. The building screamed Russian culture.

As Marko entered the store, he was greeted with mixtures of smells that could make anyone's mouth water. The smell was too good that Marko noticed his stomach beginning to grumble. "Oh boy..." He trailed off as he saw what he came here to do. At the back of the store sat the chocolate display. Taunting him. That's when Marko noticed a young girl looking at the display of chocolate almost disdainfully. The girl looked familiar. If he was correct, the young girl was in Marko's class. A girl he wouldn't encounter too much as she would only show up every once in a while. Of course, they'd never have had an actual conversation. He believed her name was Liliya. Marko watched as she looked down on some notepad that she was holding. The young girl ultimately just shrugged something off and began to a different part of the store that read Clearance.

Turning back his attention to the chocolate, he grabbed a goody bag from the near by table and began to liberally fill his bag with a bunch of treats comprising of Chocolate, and sweet buns. After paying the nice Russian lady who Marko assumed was the owner of the store, he began his way to the front door. Not getting very far, Marko heard a loud man voice. "Oi! American!" Marko turned his attention from the door, to an Asian Man with very dark hair. Marko looking puzzled, motioned his finger towards himself. With the Asian man replying, "Yeah, you redhead!". The guy Marko realized was one of his classmates. His name escaped him for a minute, but remembered that it was Makoto. Makoto is one of the more popular guys at the school. From what Marko could gather from the 3 ish weeks he's been there, everyone knew who he was. What Marko couldn't figure out was why he was wanting to talk. Frazzled, Marko did his best to reply in Russian. "Hello Makoto." As the words began to leave his mouth, Marko noticed Liliya slowly step away towards the door. "What brings you here? Isn't time for your curfew?" Makoto asked in a very arrogant tone. He reached one arm around and put it over Marko's shoulders. Grabbing him in a very hard manner."N-No. I just came here for some Chocolate!" Marko replied, stuttering. Something he normally doesn't do when talking. Marko pulled out a piece of Chocolate from his bag showing Makoto. Makoto snared making an annoyed face. He grabbed the piece of chocolate very abruptly from Marko's hand and ate it. Marko winced at the action, as he eyed Makoto chewing loudly. What is up with this guy? Marko pondered as he noticed Makoto pulling him towards the door. Pressing his lips onto Marko's ear, Makoto left a chill on Marko as he spoke,Let's go. It's getting kind of late." The two boys headed outside onto the chilly night. The lights where even brighter than before, showing the full display of the night life in the city. Makoto motioned the both of them past all the vendors and bright lights onto a more secluded section of pavilion.