Subtle Endearment

15. Distraction

Kira

At the theater Ian pays for our tickets and we are quickly seated in the theater room. Violet seems satisfied at the trouble she's caused as she shoves picked into her mouth as we walk to the theater room. "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 brightly. "What were you doing before you arrived at FixedTech," Ian asks dismissing the comment. "I was attending university," he 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 ailing for my hand. I giggle to myself as he finally finds my hand and interlocks his with mine. "What's got you all happy for, 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 two months now so it makes since, even I've seen it once already. Ian let's go off my hand and begins moving his fingers up and down my arm sending shivers through my body. "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 as he takes my hand in his once again. "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, I don't," I whisper back to him.

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 doctors 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 situation. "Yeah," I respond. "Me too, give me a ride back," Violet insists. "Ride back with Daniel like you did on the way here," Ian says before walking away. "I guess I should go, I'll call you later Violet. Bye Daniel," I say before running to catch up to Ian who stand by the exit waiting for me. "Bye Kira," The two day in unison.

"Do you want to stay at my apartment for the night?" Ian asks. I side-eye him at the loaded question. "I don't mean-" he begins as he catches a glance at my doubtful expression. "It seems like you have work to do today, right?" I ask referring to his excuse from earlier. "Oh, that. It won't take long to finish," he confirms. He really has work due? I never really considered just how much work he actually does. "I'll go to your place then," I tell him as I lean on the window tired.