I've always wondered how I would first fall in love.

I had so many ideas of how it would go. I was sure I would meet a handsome stranger in Cleveland who just so happened to be living next door to me the whole time.

He would woo me with ice-cream and cycling trysts by one of the lakes outside town. He would call me every hour to ask how I am and tell me that I'm beautiful. He would be perfect and the process of falling in love would be damn near perfect too.

I never expected to be falling in love with cute cheese emojis on my phone and a voice speaking close to my ear, when its owner is hundreds of miles away. I never knew that having fifteen minutes to nourish that love would keep me engaged in a way that constant contact could never.

There are no cuddles, no light touches, lingering looks or sweet kisses. But there is a mutual respect for each other's time. There are frank conversations coupled with genuine stand-up comedy material and silences that fill the room more than any single human body could ever occupy.

I listen to him tell me about his doting older sister Mitch, his stern mother and we bond over the aloofness of our fathers.

There are days when we sift through the banalities of favourite colours, foods, places, music, stories and childhood memories. There are other days when we talk about something that happened to one of us, whether it's funny, great or annoying.

During these first days, I hold onto every single word he says. Every time he speaks, I smile to myself. I love the husky tone of his voice and I love it even more when his voice changes when he's laughing or excited. His pitch increases, and his chortles melt my heart.

Even in the sanctuary that is mine and Danatha's spot in the corner of Parakeetz, I still find myself counting down the minutes until Aden will call me.

"Staring at it won't make it ring; in fact, it might be Schrodinger's cat." She glances pointedly at my phone.

I laugh, shaking my head.

It's hard to tamp down my emotions right now. I anticipate Aden's calls every day and each time he picks up, lacing the line with that delicious voice, I liquify a little.

Danatha's death-stare makes my smile break out into a full-blown grin. I know she's growing tired of me ranting and raving about Aden even though I claim I don't care that we've been talking for almost two weeks.

And while Danatha is not the most tolerant listener, she still acknowledges that I have spent years hearing about her and JD without complaint. She owes me, and she knows it.

"One minute; go." She rolls her eyes.

"Fuck, I miss him! I miss his cologne, his smile, his touch, the way he would look at me especially in the moonlight..." I drift off for a moment. "And what about those biceps? I mean, what?! And how the hell does he sound so sexy when he says my name?"

"You mean like he has a net of marbles in his mouth?"

"Stop it. It's fucking sexy and-"

My phone buzzes. I swipe the green phone icon and switch on the speaker.

"Hey."

"McKay."

Danatha and I burst out laughing.

"What...?"

"I'm sorry... I... It's Danatha's fault. She... Ha!"

I cry out when Danatha fills her cheeks with air, lending a coral glow to them.

"Stop!" I squeal.

"I didn't do anything." she says with the worst English enunciation ever.

"Oh, we're making fun of my accent then?"

"I'm sorry." I swat Danatha's thigh. "We don't mean to offend you."

"None taken."

Danatha and Aden exchange amused pleasantries before I move the phone away from her.

"I should go outside. Please, Danny; thanks, I love you."

I skip away onto the sidewalk.

"She was saying that you sound like you have marbles in your mouth when you speak."

"That's an accurate assessment."

"You know, she only said that because I said I think it's so sexy how you say my name."

I can almost hear Aden's grin.

"McKay."

"I didn't want to upset Danatha and the babies, but-"

"What babies?"

"Oh, that's the Parakeets. We unofficially adopted two here at the pet shop next to her house."

When Danatha and I first met, nine years ago, we used to come here and attempt to steal birds from this shop. After the fourth time, Mr Allen, the deceased owner, called Danatha's mom in. They came up with a solution.

Mr Allen mounted a bench in the back-left corner of the shop and presented us with cage Y-76. He said, we can come any time he's open and spend time with the birds that occupy that specific cage. They're always Parakeets hence why we call this place Parakeetz. It's become a haven of sorts over the years.

"Anyway, I thought I should let you know that I tried to learn basic tap-dancing on YouTube, and it did not work out."

"Uh-huh."

"I definitely have a greater appreciation for your craft now."

"What's a secret talent of yours?"

Oh, yes; the random first date questions are back.

"I'm not sure if this is one but I translate TED talks from English to Portuguese and vice-versa."

Once I've said it, I know it's most definitely not a talent; it's a skill. Well, let's see if he'll run with it.

"You speak Portuguese?"

"Yeah, my dad is from Portugal."

"Talk foreign to me."

"Spoken like a true Mongoloid."

"I bet it sounds sexy."

"Jeez, get to know me first."

"Okay, I'll bite. What do I have to do?"

"I'll let you know when the time is right."

"Oh, it's that type of task."

"No, it's not."

My breath hitches as I picture his gorgeous head of hair between my thighs.

"Where do you want to live, like ultimately?" I stutter, attempting to redirect the conversation.

"I don't know. Probably back home in England."

"London?"

"No. How about you?"

"I have no plan. I mean, my whole life is here along with everyone I love. But I think it could be good to go elsewhere for a few years."

"Now that you put it like that, it could be complicated for me to move back to the motherland. Most of my family is there, but my mother and sister are here."

"Hope you don't mind me asking, but what about your dad?"

"I haven't seen him in three years." He hesitates. "He left eons ago; it's a long story for another day. In any case, I wouldn't want to leave, at least not anytime soon."

"Why? Because of the opportunities around here?"

"Yes; you know, many opportunities to get endorsement deals, to meet influential people and many, many opportunities to repeatedly earn the right to hear you moan in Portuguese."

"Oh, you did not just say that!" I burst out laughing. "There is no way-"

"There are so many ways: I mean, there's sideways-"

"Stop!" I groan into the phone.

"Flirt back then."

"No!"

"McKenzie."

"I don't flirt." I croak.

"No one ever flirted with you? Or you never flirted back?"

"That second option, I think."

"You should get that fixed."

"Let me guess, you recommend yourself."

"I don't see why not. I hear I'm very good. Plus, I promise you'll like it."

I giggle at his leering.

"You know what? I think I will."

"That's a yes, yeah?"

"Yes."

With Aden, I don't even feel ashamed when referring to my own sexuality. He even makes me wonder why I've been ashamed at all. I know there's nothing shameful in acknowledging that I'm a sexual being, but I seem to have forgotten that for most of my high school career with the exception of one night.

It's all too easy to forget when your life is as dull as mine has been all these years, but now I'm ready to leave that behind.

We continue asking each other random questions, but never without sneaking in the odd flirtation or sexual joke. Even when it's time to say goodbye, we can't help ourselves.

"You hang up first."

"Don't think I won't. I'm not like most girls, you know?"

"I know you want to do the cute movie thing."

"The only cute movie thing I want to do is smile like a goofball in the middle of the sidewalk while you tell me how beautiful you think I am."

"Craving some cheese, are we?"

"Don't make me beg."

"Alright then. How much exactly?"

"Fondue serving size."

"I don't think I should. You're already doing such a great job by yourself. Plus, you know I like to make you beg."

"Does it turn you on?"

"Are you asking if I'm turned on by the image of you blushing and batting those lashes at me?"

"Yes." I answer softly, biting my finger.

"Are you trying to drive me mad?"

"Just reminding you of what I taught you."

"Where are your lips when I need them?"

My mouth dries.

"What would you do to them?" I dare, passing my thumb over my own bottom lip.

"If you think that I'm thinking about kissing them, you are gravely mistaken." he purrs.

"Aden!" I gasp.

"Don't worry. I'd gladly return the favour."

I'm not even sure how my legs are still supporting me right now. I know I pictured him between my thighs before, but it's a million times hotter when he's the one insinuating the deed.

"I want you to replay those words in your mind tonight when you rinse yourself in the shower." My jaw drops. "Then you'll finally understand what you did to me when you urged me to taste you in Detroit."

"Alright," I swallow.

"And oh, I think you're gorgeous. Are you smiling like a goofball already?"

I bite the back of my hand, smiling widely behind it. While this could end at any moment, I'm more than happy to have my fun in the meantime. I mean, who wouldn't. He's too good at this.

When I join Danatha back inside, she grins.

"You look thirsty."

"Don't."

"I was talking to Ballar, but I mean if the shoe fits. She is your spirit animal after all."

We both laugh. Our two Parakeets are both drinking the water from their tiny bowl. The grey one with a fuchsia beak is Danatha's current spirit Parakeet, Bellene. Mine is the blue one, with a yellow head and blue beak.

When Ballar shoves Bellene away from the bowl, I burst into laughter. I admit it: I have never been so accurately represented.

"Oh," I turn remembering something.

"Jude asked for your number."

"No!"

"Don't yell at the messenger."

She crosses her arms over her chest like she usually does when JD's pissed her off. Where's the girl who was giggling about Jude when we were leaving Detroit?

"Danny?"

"He has my Instagram."

"Alright."

I lean back to watch Bellene and Ballar. I know Danatha has strong feelings for Jude, so I let her simmer down. I'm sure she'll eventually forget about him anyway, because if there's one thing I know about Danatha, it's that she wholeheartedly loves JD.