บท 17: Chapter 17
Apollo went to the bathroom and quickly hopped in the shower and cleaned off all of the dirt on him. He dried himself off and put on some casual clothes before walking to his parents' room to go through his suits. He heard Sprite downstairs with Makkari and Ikaris and he could hear that Ikaris was telling them about what he thought could be a nice meteor shower skirting by Earth sometime soon. Ikaris was hoping it could happen tonight because it would be 'more romantic than fireworks'. Apollo feeling a bit embarrassed stopped listening to them and finally entered his parents' bedroom.
His Dad was already in there laying out all the suits and tuxes he owned. The two then went through Jonathan's clothing eventually settling on a nice tux with a deep red bowtie. Jonathan made the bowtie for Apollo as he stood and combed and tidied his naturally curly hair and Apollo started to feel nervous about tonight again.
"Dad?" Apollo started to speak hoping his Dad could set his mind at ease.
"Yes" Jonathan replied.
"How did you and Mum start going out?" Apollo asked as he thought about finally asking Skye out.
Jonathan chuckled, he briefly remembered asking his own Dad a similar question back when he was taking Nell Potter to the dance. Even though his son was an alien he was so human. Jonathan had no doubt that both Apollo's hearts were racing and he was trying to muster up the courage to ask the first girl he ever liked out.
"Your Mum and I were a special case. Back when I was a fireman I went into a fire to save her and a little girl. Your Mum didn't actually need saving but I didn't know that at the time. Afterwards your Mum was apparently so moved by my bravery and heroism she came to the station and asked me to get a coffee with her. I said yes embarrassingly fast because your Mum was and is the most beautiful women I have ever seen. The next morning when we both had days off we went and had coffee and what was supposed to be a breakfast date turned into us spending an entire day together. I can remember that day vividly, it was the day I understood what every singer was talking about when they sang about finding the one" Jonathan told Apollo his voice warm and wistful as he reminisced.
Apollo listened to his Dad and thought about Skye. He wanted her to be his girlfriend, Apollo knew that for a fact. Skye was amazing, and beautiful and smart and whenever he thought about her his whole body felt weightless but so heavy at the same time. When she was around the world stopped existing and all he could see or hear was her. Apollo knew he liked her deeply, he had liked her before he even knew what it felt like to like girls like that. Apollo was scared though, what if she didn't like him back? What if he ruined the friendship they had and nothing could go back to the way it used to be? Could he risk losing a friend to get a girlfriend?
"Dad? I'm worried everything will change when I ask her out. I don't want to tell her how I feel only for her to say no and our friendship is ruined because of it" Apollo said.
"I know you don't son. Nobody wants that and I know it can be scary putting yourself out there especially when it's with one of your closest friends. However, if you truly want to be with this girl you have to ask yourself would you rather stay silent and remain a friend or speak out and take the chance you could become something more? Love is all about taking chances, it's about giving someone your heart and hoping they give you theirs in return" Jonathan told Apollo.
Apollo nodded and took in what his Dad said. He thought of Skye and the way she made him feel and instantly he knew his answer. He couldn't stay silent, being near her made his hearts race and he had to tell her that even if she didn't feel the same way as he did.
"You're right Dad. I have to take the chance" Apollo said determined and filled with resolve.
"That's my boy" Jonathan said as he finished fixing Apollo's bowtie.
Pretty soon the two were finished and Apollo stood in front of the full length mirror looking at himself. The tux he picked out was simple; a plain white shirt, black tuxedo pants, a black tuxedo jacket with a red pocket square that matched his red bowtie. The tux fit him well and he liked the red. He turned and thanked his Dad once again as his Mum walked in. Ajak put her hand over her mouth as if covering a gasp before smiling at Apollo a look of joy all over her face.
"You look great sweetie" Ajak told her son as she walked up to him and admired the look of him in a suit.
"You really do son; I'm sure Skye will be very impressed" Jonathan added.
Apollo briefly got a cocky grin on his face from all the compliments. He smirked to himself for a little bit before taking a breath and mentally preparing himself for the dance ahead. Apollo moved to put on his glasses but Ajak stopped him.
"Just for tonight let people…. let Skye see your beautiful eyes" Ajak told him her voice soft.
Apollo was nervous about that, his eyes literally glowed but his Mum rubbed his arm in encouragement and Apollo decided to throw caution to the wind. He could tell she just wanted to let him be as much himself as he could be tonight and Apollo was thankful for that. Apollo always had to hide a huge part of himself and even though he understood why he had to it didn't make it easier. This was one less thing to hide and it was only for a night. This way he could truly look Skye in the eyes when he asked her to be his girlfriend, she could truly start to see him and he could begin to share more of himself with her. Apollo chuckled internally as he put away his glasses, even without talking to him his Mum still knew what he needed better than anyone. Apollo steeled himself as his Mum handed him the box with the necklace having picked it from downstairs while Apollo was showering. Apollo opened it and then put the necklace inside his inner breast pocket. He thanked both his parents before heading downstairs where he was met with looks from his Aunts and Uncle. Makkari mouthed wow and Ikaris just nodded as if he was impressed.
"Got to hand it to you BFG, you actually look decent" Sprite said.
"If you're complimenting me then it must be the end times" Apollo quipped causing Sprite to smile before sticking out her tongue at him. Apollo stuck his tongue back out at her.
"But thank you Sprite" Apollo added and she just nodded softly at him in response.
"Don't forget your corsage" Ikaris said as Makkari super sped and handed it to him.
Apollo smiled at his Aunts and Uncle and then went outside hearing Skye get dropped off by her Dad. Apollo walked out and saw Skye step out of the car in a beautiful blue dress and he felt himself float off the ground a little as she took his breath away. To say Skye was beautiful would be an understatement.
"What do you think too much blue?" Skye said very nervous about the dance.
"…No, no. You look beautiful" Apollo stammered out still a bit taken aback by how good she looked.
"Thank you, you clean up very nicely yourself" Skye said blushing as she too was also very taken aback by how good Apollo looked.
Apollo nervously smiled at her a blush creeping onto his cheeks as Skye walked up to him a big smile on her face. Skye looked at Apollo noticing he wasn't wearing glasses and couldn't help but to stare deeply at his eyes.
"Your eyes…" Skye started saying as she truly saw Apollo's eyes for the first time.
She couldn't believe it, she always knew he had bright eyes, anyone could tell that even with his glasses dulling the colour of his eyes. But Apollo's eyes weren't just bright they actually glowed. They were a glowing deep blue with a lot of small glowing bright neon-blue flecks that made it look like he had stars in his luminescent blue eyes.
"What about them? I figured just for tonight I could wear contacts but I can still put on my glasses if they freak you out" Apollo said worry creeping into his voice but Skye just reached out and put her hand on his cheek.
"Apollo no. They're beautiful. You have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen." Skye said as she continued to stare into his eyes sounding almost entranced by them.
Apollo didn't know how to respond. His eyes were sometimes an insecurity of his. Not because he didn't like them but because they were his one physical feature that was distinctly not human. He thought people would be scared or think he was a freak but Skye didn't see him that way. She looked at him the same way she always had, with kindness and care.
"Thank you Skye" Apollo said extremely honestly his voice and expression making it clear just how deeply appreciative he was.
"You're welcome Apollo" Skye said as she smiled at him and took her hand off his cheek. A silence passed between the two for a moment as they nervously looked at each other.
"Is that for me?" Skye said pointing at the corsage breaking the silence.
"Yeah" Apollo said putting on her hand.
"Oh wow, it's beautiful" Skye said admiring it briefly as Apollo smiled at her fondly.
"Oh I have yours" Skye said as she reached into her purse and pulled out a little flower. She pinned it to his lapel her hands shaking a little with nerves. She felt it go too deep and got a little scared.
"I'm sorry, did I get you?" she asked nervously and Apollo just shook his head. Truthfully the only thing he felt was both his hearts beating extremely fast as the nerves returned to him and the only thing he saw was her.
Apollo looked down at Skye and she looked up at him. Skye looked absolutely radiant and Apollo couldn't help but stare at her for a moment. He took in just how beautiful she looked again his eyes settling on her face. Skye meanwhile looked up at him, his glowing blue eyes were mesmerizing and he looked more dashing than most models to her right now. She briefly glanced at his lips as he glanced at hers and she wanted to lean in but a breeze stirred them out of their moment.
"We should get going" Skye said and Apollo nodded in agreement as he led her to the pickup which his parents agreed to let him use and the two drove off to their end of year dance.
The two got to the dance and were greeted by Chloe and Pete. Pete was arm in arm with his date Lisa Davis and Chloe was going 'stag to fight against patriarchal pressure for women to always be with a man'. Apollo knew Chloe so he definitely saw how she could be genuine in saying that but at the same time Apollo sometimes felt like there was a guy she liked and she didn't want to say. The friends all greeted one another. Pete was wearing a tux like Apollo's except he had chosen a silver bowtie instead, Lisa had a complimenting glittery silver dress and it seemed like the two of them planned their outfits unlike Apollo and Skye, and Chloe was wearing a beautiful yellow dress.
"Wow Skye you look gorgeous" Lisa said as she looked at Skye in her blue dress.
"Thank you Lisa, you look great too and so do you Chloe. You're both very beautiful" Skye said as she looked at both Chloe and Lisa.
"Yeah, Chloe you look amazing" Apollo said as he looked at Chloe and Chloe deeply blushed her expression one of joy as if what Apollo said was the best thing she'd heard all day.
Lisa coughed as if she too was waiting for her compliment and Pete laughed.
"Forgive Apollo babe it's just neither of us have ever seen Chloe in a dress so it's quite the sight" Pete smoothly said covering for his friend.
"Well that and I don't want to offend my date or steal your girl, I start complimenting her and who knows what could happen" Apollo quipped a cocky smile on his face as Lisa and Skye rolled their eyes.
"Apollo you are a lot of things but a womanizer is not one of them" Skye told him a smirk on her face.
Apollo faked being offended at the insinuation as his friends laughed.
"Speaking of a sight that we've never seen. Apollo this is the first time I've seen you without glasses and your eyes…. they're gorgeous" Chloe said as she stared at Apollo.
"I know right" Skye said.
"They're like glowing, I've never seen eyes like that before. They're breathtaking" Lisa added as she too looked at him.
Apollo felt self-conscious for a moment as everyone started staring at his eyes but luckily for him Pete quickly redirected everyone's attention.
"So much for Apollo not being a womanizer. Dance hasn't even started and he's already stolen my date" Pete joked loudly causing everyone to stop looking at Apollo.
"Nobody's stealing anyone, I'm all yours Pete" Lisa said as she went and put her arms around him.
Chloe nervously laughed and looked at the floor like something really interesting was written on the ground. While Skye just put her arm in Apollo's arm once again just as the DJ inside the school hall started playing music.
"Shall we" Skye said to Apollo a smile on her face.
"Yes we shall" Apollo replied as they walked into the dance together their friends quickly following suit.
Apollo and Skye entered the hall and made small talk with all of their various classmates. Kenny Braverman and Whitney Fordman where with their dates and they were being friendly to Apollo and Skye. They'd both mellowed out from the bullies they were when they were kids. They still had a mean streak to them when they were pushed but for the most part they'd left their bully tendencies behind. They both had their own dates and even though Apollo didn't know the girls personally they seemed nice enough, they were your stereotypical popular cheerleader girls. They talked to Skye for a bit because she was on the cheer team with them. Apollo and Skye mingled with their classmates for a bit more before they heard a song they liked and went to the dancefloor where they saw Pete and Kyle having a little dance off and they laughed. Chloe made her way to the dancefloor and joined Skye and Apollo as the three of them danced together on the dancefloor. They jumped up and down and generally danced like awkward teenagers always danced, laughing and giggling as they did so letting any problems they had be forgotten if only for the evening. Apollo had a small dance battle with Pete and then playfully and friendlily danced with Chloe holding her hands and skipping and jumping with her while Skye danced with Lisa and the other cheerleaders. After dancing for what could've been hours they all took a break and went to the punch bowl to refresh themselves. Chloe fanned herself joking about how unfit she was as they watched their schoolmates dance. After some time, the DJ started playing slow music signaling to everyone that it was time for the couples to dance together. Various couples went to the dancefloor like Pete and Lisa and Apollo felt his nerves hit him again. It was crazy, he felt nervous and scared about getting struck by lightning than he did about taking Skye to the dancefloor and slow dancing with her. Apollo swallowed anxiously before turning to Skye and sticking out his hand.
"May I have this dance?" Apollo asked his hand shaking a little.
"I thought you'd never ask" Skye replied
The two took to the dancefloor once more walking by Pete who was kissing Lisa and Apollo gulped a little at the implications of the slow dance. Skye squeezed his hands as if to comfort him and Apollo felt his nerves disappear. The two found space on the dancefloor and faced each other as a new song started playing.
What day is it? And in what month? This clock never seemed so alive
Apollo held Skye close to him and the two of them started to slowly dance. Apollo swallowed again nervously as he looked down at Skye. Skye looked up at him trying to read the expression on his face. The two tried to not trip over each other's feet as they got into rhythm and let themselves flow into one another.
I can't keep up, and I can't back down I've been losing so much time
Skye looked deep into Apollo's eyes which seemed to be glowing brighter as he smiled at her and she moved her hand to his shoulder and the two continued to sway for a bit. Skye stared at Apollo wondering what he was thinking and hoping he was thinking what she was. Apollo looked back at her noticing how Skye was closer and he felt his hearts beat loudly in his chest. Apollo smiled at her reassuring not just her but himself.
What are the things that I want to say Just aren't coming out right?
Skye shook her head a little as she looked at Apollo.
"Apollo Kent, man of mystery. Just when I think I have you figured out you surprise me" Skye softly said to him losing herself in his eyes.
"How's that?" Apollo said not fully understanding what she meant.
"Just this dance, the tux, tonight…. And you're still here" Skye answered adoration in her eyes as she moved even closer to him.
"Of course I am. There's nowhere else I'd rather be" Apollo replied as he looked at Skye lovingly.
You got my head spinning I don't know where to go from here
Skye smiled at Apollo and he smiled back at her before she slowly got closer to him. Apollo felt himself begin to float with her in his arms a little and quickly willed himself back to the ground. Skye didn't seem to notice and if she did she didn't seem to care instead she got as close as possible and laid her head on his chest.
Cause it's you and me. And all of the people with nothing to do
Skye smiled to herself as she laid her head on Apollo's chest and the two of them swayed. Apollo was overcome with joy and he held Skye closer to him as he smiled to himself. The two of them slow danced together forgetting they were even other people in the hall.
There's something about you now. That I can't quite figure out
Skye listened to Apollo's heartbeat so entranced by the moment that she didn't even notice they were two of them. Apollo worried about his hearts but then he felt Skye's arms completely wrap around him and he let himself go if just for a moment and the two both closed their eyes and swayed together.
Everything she does is beautiful. Everything she does is right
Apollo steeled himself sensing his moment. He motioned for Skye to look up at him and she did. Apollo reached into his pocket and pulled out the necklace.
"Skye, there's something I've been wanting to give you for a while" Apollo said as he held out the necklace.
"Oh my god Apollo, it's beautiful. Thank you" Skye said as she admired the necklace before turning so he could put it on her. Apollo delicately put on the necklace for her and then she turned back to him and went back to resting her head on his chest as they held each other.
Cause it's you and me. And all of the people with nothing to do, Nothing to lose. And it's you and me and all of the people and I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you and me
Apollo looked down at Skye as they danced and she took her head off his chest and looked up at him. They looked into each other's eyes, having completely fallen for one another. They then glanced at one another's lips before they let themselves lean in to kiss one another.
Suddenly the song was cut off and the voice of Principal Goodwind was blaring through the hall.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but we've just been informed of a surprise meteorological event happening above us and for those of you who want to see it. Now would be a perfect time" Principal Goodwind said.
An excited murmur passed through the hall and soon students were walking outside to see what they hoped to be shooting stars. Apollo and Skye awkwardly smiled at one another as they walked to watch the shooting stars knowing that they had been about to kiss but not being sure what to do now that the moment had been interrupted and was now gone. Pretty soon all of the students were outside and looking up into the sky. Apollo saw a few flash overhead and everyone was in awe. However, Apollo's superior senses picked up on the imminent danger that was ahead.
"Oh no" Apollo said aloud as he saw, felt, smelled and heard the meteors as they entered Earth's atmosphere. Everyone in Smallville was in grave danger Apollo thought just as the first meteor struck the pavement a few miles near the school. The loud boom startled the students and Apollo knew it was only the beginning of the devastation that was about to rain down on his hometown.
"Everybody get somewhere safe!" Apollo shouted just before another meteor landed close enough that everyone at the school could feel the shockwave.
Suddenly it seemed like the sky was filled with meteors as sirens wailed throughout Smallville warning people of a danger that was already crashing into their town. Students and faculty all began to rush to the closest nearby bunkers as the sirens continued to wail and people began to scream after a meteor completely leveled a section of Smallville High. Apollo ran with his friends urging them to keep calm until they were in the bunkers.
"I can't believe there's such a huge meteor shower happening right now. How could this happen without anybody knowing?" Chloe questioned as she freaked out and another meteor crashed nearby.
"I don't know but I'm just glad we're all safe, right Apollo" Pete said.
"Apollo…" Skye said as she noticed that he had disappeared from right beside her. Skye wanted to go back out there and get him but so many people were filing in that it was impossible for her to get out.
"Apollo where did you go?" Skye said out to nobody in particular nothing but worry in her voice.
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Also read Superman(Marvel+DC) and Marvel: Hyperion.
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