Jennie
We split up at the movie store, me in search of The Big Lebowski, Lisa in search of The Pianist. The movies aren't well organized and it takes me forever to find it. When it's in my hands I look over to see Lisa is still mulling over a selection. I browse through some other comedies, wondering if there's anything I've forgotten.
I find Office Space, another must-see. I'm not sure if Lisa has seen it, but I feel it's something she can appreciate since she works at an office. I gather them up and carry them over.
"What are you looking at?" I ask. She's got The Pianist in one hand, an unidentified movie in another. She quickly puts it back on the shelf when she's sees I'm done.
"Nothing, just browsing. You ready?"
"Sure. Have you seen Office Space?"
Lisa frowns, taking the movie from me and examining its cover. "Nope."
I give a huge, exaggerated sigh. "Good Lord, Manoban. You've been deprived - what did you do before you met me? Even if we don't get to it today you have to promise me you'll watch it soon."
"You know, I'm not sure I really have time to watch every comedy ever made," she lightly argues.
"There are some things, such as the comedic genius crammed into these two little discs, that you simply make time for." I hold up both movies to make my point.
"Then I get to pick another one, too," she declares. Without waiting for my response she stalks off, already on the prowl. I sigh and follow. After a few minutes of browsing she asks, "How do you feel about Stephen King?"
I frown. "I don't like scary movies."
With a questioning glance Lisa says, "So let me get this straight... you only like a movie if it's full of fart jokes and one-liners."
I gasp. "These movies do not have fart jokes!"
"You need to branch out," she says.
"I like happy movies." I'm pouting again.
"A little variety never killed anyone. Here," she plucks a movie from the shelf, "this one isn't very scary. The Green Mile. It's good."
"What's it about?" I glance at the cover, noticing Tom Hanks. I realize this one may not be so bad as I recall some of his good movies.
"It's about a group of prison guards who work on death row."
I wrinkle my nose. "Sounds serious."
She takes the movies from me with a knowing smirk. I have a sudden urge to suck the grin off her face, but I wisely reign in my sporadic hormones. Throwing myself at her once was humiliating; doing it again in less than twenty-four hours is just plain whorish.
"Guess you'll have to watch and see," she replies, and together we head for the check-out.
We agree to get my car and fall into easy conversation on the way there. We discuss the movies a bit more, and then I ask Lisa if she knows Rosé's boyfriend, Chanyeol, to which she reveals that they've met a few times over holiday dinners. I watch her as she speaks of Rosé, noting a concealed fondness for her sister. It's obvious Rosé loves Lisa as well, and I ponder the true extent of their relationship. They're a few years apart - were they close growing up? Of course, their mother died, forcing them to live with their Godparents when they were children. Perhaps they bonded during that hard time.
I fleetingly wonder what happened to Lisa's father. Neither she nor Rosé ever mention him. Perhaps they never knew him.
I realize I don't know anything about this person sitting beside me. She's a mystery, a pretty box with a pretty bow - but what's inside? Will I ever unwrap the exterior, revealing the true gift beneath? I don't get my hopes up; as much as I'd love to unravel the mystery, I know our time is limited. Eventually, the truth will be revealed. Eventually, playtime will be over.
We part ways briefly once we reach my car. I follow her to her house and realize I'm famished. All traces of nausea are gone, and my headache is much less severe.
She exits her car, quickly leaning back inside to retrieve the four movies. I watch her movements, noting the way her shirt hugs the taut muscle of her back. How is it possible for someone to look so incredibly... delicious? Everything about her is pure perfection. She's beautiful.
She allows me to enter the house first, placing her hand on the small of my back. The tingle commences, electrifying my whole body, awakening every cell and fibre of my being.
"You want me to make us something for lunch?" I offer. Lisa looks horrified for a moment, as though the idea causes her real, physical pain. I'm sure she's remembering the state of her kitchen from the other night.
"I'll make us something," she quickly assures me. "Why don't you go put the movie in?"
"The Big Lebowski?"
"Sure."
"Okay." She disappears into the kitchen, and I make my way to the entertainment stand. A quick peek at her CD collection reveals everything has been reorganized as before. I roll my eyes - how long does she spend making sure everything is just so? Too long, I reason, but I let it be this time, fearing my demise should I mess with her collection again.
"Is a sandwich okay?" she calls from the kitchen.
"Uh, sure."
"What do you like on it?"
"What do you have?"
I pop the movie in while she lists a slew of toppings. Unable to remember them all, I make my way into the kitchen. She's at the counter, a cutting board and a pile of food holding her attention. She doesn't hear me enter, and for a moment I just watch her, noting the way her muscles stretch and tighten when she reaches for something, the way her bum looks in her jeans. It's very nice...
