Tongue Tied

Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Sophomore Year Part Two

"Dormammu, I've come to bargain!" Dr. Strange says to the vast entity after he uses the time stone again.

My popcorn tub was empty since Sam shared it with me. My drink is gone. I need to pee. I don't want to miss the post credits. I can hold it. I jiggle my leg up and down. The cardinal rule: always stay for the end credits in MCU movies.

"Are you ok?" Sam asks in an amused tone.

"Uh Huh," I squeak.

"You don't want to miss the post credits?" he asks.

"No way." I've watched almost every single one, with no misses.

He laughs, "did you drink all of your soda?"

I shake the tub. All there's left is ice. Jessica lays her head on his shoulder for an hour into the movie. While his hand is in mine. I feel like a stalker, a paranoid stalker that has to pee. I got to go. It's taking too long. Finally the last scene of the credit comes. I'm about to burst! I widen my eyes, breathing deeply until the screen went black. I did it!

"I'll be right back." I jump up from my seat, carefully step over him, holding the candy and empty popcorn tub. Oh my god, I'm gonna pee on myself.

I jog down the ramp, tossing the tubs to the nearest trash can. I sigh in relief when I make it. I wash my hands, trying to jog back to the theater, the movie goers are leaving. Chatting in excitement, Sam's alone, scrolling on his phone laughing at whatever he sees. "Where's Jessica?" Did she leave? Finally?

Sam looks up from his phone, "what?"

"Where's Jessica?" I repeat. I hold my jacket to my chest, the chill creeps in from the entrance doors.

"Bathroom."

"I didn't see her." She probably went when I was finished. Good thing. What's her problem? During the movie she kept glaring at me like I did something wrong while we were watching. When I peeked, she turned away quickly, trying to snuggle in with Sam. She shouldn't be here anyway.

"Did you like the movie?"

"Oh My God can't wait for the next one! The scene where he used the rings to turn time. Amazing! Did you like it?" I ask with a wide grin.

"It was good," he simply says. "That actor in the end, what's his name?"

"Chiwetel Ejiofor?"

"No, the other one. That was paralyzed before he got better," he frowned, snapping his fingers to remember his name.

"Benjamin Bratt?"

"Yes! Him! My parents say I look like him? What do you think?" He poses with his fist under his chin. I scoff with a giggle.

"No, a little, maybe." I shrug.

"No striking resemblance?" I shake my head no.

"But I'm handsome like him, right?"

"Yeah." He waves his hands away dismissively. I can't find anything else to say. I clear my throat, tapping the back of my shoe and pull my dress down again.

Jessica comes out, skipping her steps. Her light brown hair is now in a high ponytail, she wraps her elbow with Sam. Ok. I hold his hand. Intertwining our fingers. "What are you two talking about?" She wonders, batting her long eyelashes.

"The movie," I reply. So much for our moment.

"Oh. I liked it. But I'm confused. Why did he have to go through all that? Is there a reason?" She frowned