Subtle Endearment

15. Distraction

Kira

At the theater Ian pays for our tickets and we begin the trek to the theater room. Violet seems satisfied at the trouble she's caused as she shoves popcorn into her mouth as we walk. "Are you feeling better?" Daniel asks as we walk. "Yeah, it's fine. I'm doing better," I lie to him. In reality I'd pushed the thought to the back of my mind in hopes of having a stress free night.

Ever since my parents' accident it's been hard driving in a vehicle and I get anxious driving with others long distances. It wasn't hard for me to quit driving all together, especially since it's pretty convenient to walk most places in New York.

"You should've driven more carefully," Ian mutters from the other side of me.

"Glad you could make it, Mr. Dewan. Now it really feels like a company engagement," Daniel says, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"What were you doing before you arrived at FixedTech," Ian asks, dismissing the comment.

"I was attending university," Daniel responds.

"Cool, which one?" Violet asks from beside him. "Cornell," he responds. "Nice," I comment.

As we arrive inside the theater room, Violet makes a point to seat Daniel beside me claiming to need the outer seat for easy access to the bathroom. She sits beside Daniel who sits beside me with Ian situated on the other side of me. Violet frowns when she sees Ian managed to secure a spot beside me. She seems to be Daniel's number one advocate when it comes to pursuing me. I'm going to need to talk to her about that, I thought it was clear already that I have no intention of being with him.

As the theater lights dim and the previews start rolling Ian moves his hand against my arm clumsily feeling for my hand. I giggle to myself as he finally finds my hand and interlocks his with mine.

"What's got you all happy, was the trailer that funny?" Daniel jokes. He's right, the trailer was for a horror movie.

"Nothing, I just remembered something," I lie.

"What?" Daniel asks.

"Shh, the movie's starting," Ian says, ending the conversation all together.

The movie theater is half empty when the movie finally starts. The movie has been out for nearly a month now so it makes since. I've even seen it once already. Ian squeezes my hand in an attempt to get my attention.

"You don't seem too interested in the movie," he whispers in my ear.

"I've seen it already," I whisper back to him.

"Oh, why didn't you tell me before? I would've picked something else," he whispers, drawing closer.

"It's fine, Violet seemed to want to see it and it's been a long time since I was able to just go out with friends," I assure him.

"Am I a friend to you, Kira?" His smooth voice rings.

"Shh," a woman says from behind us.

"No, you're not," I whisper back to Ian.

The movie comes to an end in the blink of an eye.

"Do you guys want to go out to eat?" Daniel asks.

"I actually have to get back. I have documents I need to sort through," Ian admits.

"Oh really? I just remembered that I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow. I should get going," Violet says as her eyes dart between Daniel and I.

"Do you want a ride home, Kira?," Ian asks, making sense of the setup.

"Yeah," I respond.

"Me too, give me a ride back," Violet insists.