Six Ways From Sunday

Chapter 4

 When we got to the movie theater, I had to think fast. My “blue tooth” was not something I could remove without consequences. I couldn't just take it off, I needed it to be there. I had to think of something. Perhaps I could make an exception and put Ashley to my right? Or I could play sick. I was distracted from my train of thought by the sound of my brother's voice.

“Charli? Ash? What are you here to see?” Andy's voice boomed from somewhere behind me.

“We haven't decided yet, but I'm thinking something horror.” Ashley answered.

“Horror sounds good to me.” I said, hoping that Andy and Ashley would get into a conversation and possibly ignore me.

“Hey! You've got your hair up!” Juliet just had to point that out. “And you're wearing a blue tooth, to a movie.” She gave me a look that clearly showed her disapproval. I reached up and pretended to shut it off.

“There. It's off. I'm not taking it off though because I don't want it to get lost or broken. These things cost a mint, you know.” Everyone nodded. While I'd been talking with Juliet, Andy had bought all of our tickets. “I was going to buy me and Ash's tickets.” I told my little brother.

“Too bad, got to it first.” Andy stuck his tongue out at me. I looked at Juliet.

“How do you deal with him?” I asked her.

“It isn't easy, I'll give you that.” She rolled her eyes. “Let's go get some snacks and get into the theater before the movie actually starts.”

The concession stand took twenty minutes, but only because there was a line that seemed to be fifty miles long. Ash got the biggest tub of popcorn I'd ever seen, along with several boxes of gummy bears. I could see Andy had been giving him pointers on candy. I love chocolate, but not while watching a movie. Movie candy was always gummy bears.

We got into the theater and took our seats. Andy and Juliet went to sit in the front, so Ashley and I followed. I was a bit nervous, this being my first time in a movie theater. I wondered how loud it would be. Ashley sat on my left, Juliet sat on my right, and Andy sat on the other side of Juliet. Ashley looked at me as though he was worried I might try to bolt.

“Are you all right?” Ashley asked me. “You look like you might be sick or might just take off running.”

“I'm fine.” I answered as cheerfully as possible. An ad started on the screen and the blaring audio made me jump. I winced, putting a hand to my ear. “Damn that's loud!” I said.

“Is it too loud? We can move back if you want. The theater isn't very full.” Ashley looked at me with concern on his face. “You don't look so good. Let's move to the back of the theater. That way, if you have to leave, you won't have to run all the way up the aisle.”

I nodded and we moved to the back. Ashley put his arm around the back of my seat, but I didn't mind. It was more of a friendly gesture than the gesture of someone who was trying to make a move on me. The movie was pretty good. Standard horror fare, I'd seen enough horror flicks on DVD to know what to expect from one. Afterward Andy and Juliet found us.

“We're going to find a place and grab some ice cream or something.” Andy said. “You two want to come along?”

Ashley looked at me. I shook my head no. “I'm actually kind of tired and my head hurts.” I said. The last part was definitely not a lie. There was a spot on my head that was absolutely throbbing. I was glad today was a Wednesday because that had meant I was able to call for an appointment with my doctor and got one for Thursday. I knew my head should not be hurting this way. “Besides, I've got a doctor's appointment tomorrow.”

“What for?” Andy immediately questioned me.

“Just a routine check-up Andy. Don't have a conniption fit. I just figured it'd be best to have my yearly physical done.” I answered. So I wasn't getting a physical, but Andy didn't need to know that. “Could you take me home Ash?”

“Sure thing. Come on Charli, let's get you home.” Ashley led me back to the car and drove me home. I sat there in his car for a few moments before getting out.

“Thanks for tonight. It was great.” I said. “That sounded like I'm getting ready to blow you off, didn't it?”

Ashley laughed. “A little, but I think I know what you're trying to say. You actually did have fun and it was great, right?”

“Right.” I said before yawning. “Okay, I'd better get myself in the house and into bed before I fall asleep in your car.”

“Good night. You'll come to the studio tomorrow after your doctor's appointment, right?” He had this adorable little grin that could only be described as hopeful. “And you'll tell me all about it – or at least tell me that he says you're perfectly healthy, right?”

I smiled. Whether it was a romantic interest or not, I couldn't deny that Ashley cared about me. “Yes, I will come to the studio afterwards and I'll tell you that he gave me a clean bill of health.”

“Good. Now get in there and I'll see you tomorrow. In fact, you have my phone number, right?” I nodded. “Okay, call me and I'll come pick you up from the doctor's office.”

“You don't have to do that.” I protested. I was just going to take a cab there and back to the studio.

“No, I don't, but I want to.” Ashley sighed. “I know something is wrong. You've been rubbing your head. You've had a headache all night, haven't you?”

“Yeah, I have, but it's nothing to worry about Ash. I get migraines. I should have called and postponed our outing tonight, but I thought it would be all right. I'm sorry.” I was lying but I didn't want anyone to know the truth. All my life, I'd been pitied for my secret and I would be damned if I was going to let Ashley, my other friends, or my brother pity me.

He looked at me with that look that said he knew something, but he wasn't going to push the subject. “All right then. You go in and get some sleep and get rid of that headache. And call me when your appointment is finished so I can come get you. Maybe we'll grab lunch or something before heading back to the studio, depending on what time it is.”

“Okay. Good night.” I leaned over and gave Ashley a quick peck on the cheek. It wasn't anything I hadn't done before, so he didn't look particularly surprised when I did it. I got out of the car and went into the house.

I went into my room, changed into my Hello Kitty pajama pants and a tank top, shoved my feet into the slippers that matched my pajama pants, and shuffled into the bathroom. I washed the makeup from my face, pulled my hair from its pony tail and brushed it down straight. I studied myself in the mirror, promising myself everything would be all right. Then I went to bed. I couldn't have known how wrong I was.