Ultraviolet

Chapter Twenty-Three: What Doesn't Kill You

"What do you feel like?" Ty asked as we stood before the screen displaying the movies and their showtimes. "Action? Drama? Romance? Horror?"

"I could do a horror movie, but I wouldn't want you to get to scared. Maybe, for your sake we should watch a romance movie."

"I actually love horror movies." He informed me.

"Horror it is then." I announced, stepping up to the cashier and order two tickets.

We sat at a tiny table against a window, waiting until our cinema opened. There was fifteen minutes until the movie started so we just sat and chatted.

"I don't think I've ever enjoyed a first date this much." He told me. "I'm used to the awkward and uncomfortable first dates."

"This is definitely the best first date I've been on."

"Really?" He questioned, clearly flattered.

"Definitely," I nodded. "Its also the only first date I've ever been on."

"You're lying!" He challenged. "You're telling me you, looking like you do, have never been on a date? Are the boys in Nebraska blind?"

I laughed, my cheeks surely a deep shade of red.

"No, but most of them are stupid." I joked.

"Clearly." Ty seemed almost appalled at the idea. "Well, they've missed out."

"I'm sure their reeling in their tractors that they lost their chances with me."

"Seriously though," His eyes stared into mine, vulnerable and trusting. "You are one of the most incredible girls I've ever met."

I felt an intense guilt rest in my gut. How did I possibly trick Ty into thinking I'm so much better than I am?

"I only met you yesterday and I feel like I've met the girl I'm going to marry."

I felt my heart drop out of my chest completely and my eyes unfocused on Ty, instead staring at the crumbs on the table. I knew he was only joking. It wasn't a proposal or anything, but hearing him say that made me lose my breath.

"Sorry, that was... a really weird thing to say. I didn't mean it I just- I just really like you. I'm sorry."

I looked up, meeting his worried look with my identical one.

"No, it's fine." I lied, faking a smile. "Thats really sweet of you. I like you too."

"Our cinemas open." He mumbled, standing up from his seat so quickly his chair fell backwards into the carpet. He picked it up and tucked it back in and we walked into our movie theatre.

We sat down, my heart beating out of my chest for no real reason. Ty's hand rested open on the armrest, a sweet gesture that felt threatening and ominous.

It wasn't a proposal, I reminded myself. Only, it felt like it was. I felt like by placing my hand in his, I was making a decision I didn't want to make. Committing to a future that made me sick to my stomach.

"I'm going to go to bathroom." I shot at him. "I'll be right back."

I remained calm, walking out of the cinema like a civilised person, but the second I was out of Ty's sight I sped up. I rushed out of the building and down the street. I glanced down at my phone and pressed redial, too fixed on my escape to be upset at the idea of calling Hadeon for help.

"Can I help you?" He grumbled from the other end of the line.

"Uh, yeah, um." I stuttered. "Can you please come pick me up?"

"Romeo can't drop you back home?" He laughed. "Sounds like a real gentlemen."

"Hadeon, can you come get me or not?" I was becoming desperate. I know I could get a taxi, but I didn't really want to get into a strangers car. Also, I might start crying in the middle of the drive.

"I don't know, how are you going to learn from this situation if I just come and save you." He was finding this a lot funnier than I was.

"Hadeon!" I hissed, tears welling in my eyes. "Please, I just want to come home." My voice wobbled.

Hadeon fell quiet, his voice humourless as he asked, "Where are you?"

"Um," I looked around. All the shops were chains that could be anywhere and I couldn't see a street sign. "I don't know. We went to a farmers market. I'm south from the park it was at."

"I'll find you." With that he hung up, leaving me crying and alone on a busy street.

A black SUV rolled up beside me, Hadeon in the drivers seat. I quietly stepped into the car, my arms shivering from being out in the cold for so long. Hadeon took one look at me before pulling off his jacket and chucking it at me. I silently pulled it on and looked out the windshield at the busy road.

"Thank you for coming to get me." I mumbled.

"What happened?" Hadeon's jaw tensed, it usually did that when he was mad. I just didn't know who he was mad at.

"It doesn't matter."

"It does matter because I had to pick you up, crying on the side of the road." His voice was even and calm, but the grip he held on the steering told a different story.

"I'm sorry my tears are an inconvenience to you." I spat. "Believe me, I hate that I'm crying in front of you more than you do."

"What did he do?"

"Hadeon, shut up."

"No, what the fuck did that piece of shit do to make you cry?" He demanded.

"Nothing!" I screamed. "He did absolutely nothing."

"Then why are you crying?" He pressed.

"Because I was stupid enough to think that I could just... go on a date, be normal." I sighed.

"He didn't deserve you." He said, the moment of kindness disorienting.

When we pulled up to the house, I leaped out of the car and rushed to the entrance to the apartment. The last thing I needed was people in line outside the club seeing me in tears. I hurried to my bed, glad Jess and Jack were both working tonight, and snuggled into my blankets.

My phone buzzed, a message from Ty waiting for me. "I know you left, I don't mind, just let me know you're home and okay."

"I'm okay." I sent back before blocking his number.

Hadeon was right, he doesn't deserve me.

Ty is kind and sweet and charming and he doesn't deserve someone as broken as I am.