Love Shot

Chapter 11: Surprise

CAMILLA'S POV

I drove us to our favourite mall. The mall has a cinema as well as an arcade, which are my plans for us today. I remember Astraea mentioning that she loves the arcade, and there's this movie she's been interested in watching.

It was silent and a little bit tense between us in the car. I'm not sure if she's upset at me, or in general, or if it's something else that's on her mind.

Camilla: So...are you excited to see the movie?

I shifted my gaze off of the road to look at her for a second. She instantly relaxed her posture and smiled at me.

Astraea: Yeah, I am! I appreciate you taking me out like this.
Camilla: I'm glad. I'm also glad that I made sure to take your cards out of your handbag.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her search through her handbag. She looked at me with a 'really' look and I couldn't help but let out a laugh.

Camilla: As the birthday girl, you're not allowed to spend your own money. You have to let someone else do things for you every once in a while.
Astraea: I know but I still feel bad about spending money that's not my own.
Camilla: Not today you don't. Your only job is to enjoy yourself.

She shook her head and gave in. I smiled proudly and parked the car near the entrance of the mall. We got out of the car and I locked it. We made our way inside. We went to the cinema, got our tickets and snacks, and then we sat in the theatre. I got us seats in the middle, and we were the only ones inside. We both had popcorn and slushies on our laps, as well as additional sweets.

Whenever Astraea and I watch movies, we have this thing where we mix the sweets with the popcorn. There isn't much of a reason for it, we just do it. There was still a few minutes before the movie actually starts, and Astraea was already munching on her popcorn.

Camilla: Do you really want to start the movie with half a bucket of popcorn?

She snapped out of whatever trance she was in and smiled a guilty smile.

Two and a half hours later

Astraea and I walked out of the theatre, throwing our trash away.

Astraea: It was good but I don't get what the hype is. The storyline was so predictable.
Camilla: How the actual fuck can you watch stuff like that with a straight face? You didn't even flinch at any jump scares! There were literal bodies cut open!
Astraea: Yeah, I guess the killer was actually a good one so it wasn't a terrible movie. His methods of torture were pretty good.

I looked at Astraea with wide eyes.

Camilla: You need help. Serious help.

She shrugged and smiled. Astraea can be so confusing to read sometimes. I've never been able to sense fear or sadness from her, since her thirteenth birthday. Since then, she's been different...more reserved, quiet, submissive... I wonder if Mon and Uncle Levi had something to do with that.

Not to mention, she's really strong and good at defending herself. Probably because she trains with the soldiers. Yes, I saw her training with Leo before she left with Carlos. I don't plan to tell anyone though, as long as she can protect herself. At some point in my life, I thought combat was cool because of the cartoons I saw. Then I saw the soldiers train once and I realised I'd be too scared to do that.

Astraea: So Camilla, what's next?
Camilla: Your pick, birthday girl.

She grinned and thought for a bit. Just then, the arcade came into our view and she definitely noticed because her eyes lit up.