The Theater Girl and the Player

Forever & Always - Part 2

In a book, the conversation we just had in my driveway would unquestionably be seen as too slow paced.

Since we arrived at the movie theater, Stephen has not yet spoken to me once. The walk from the busy parking lot to the entrance of the building was awkward and I felt like he was either trying to flex his height or secretly wishing I was fawning over him. Which I was not...

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   "Good evening! What can I get for you?"

Stephen greets the worker of "Benton's Big Screen House" unenthusiastically:

   "Yeah, so, can we get two tickets for The Rocky Horror Picture Show?"

   "Yes, if there are still tickets left, please! Thanks.", I chime in, since he forgot to say please to the young employee.

I must admit that I am surprised he chose to go watch this old 70's movie instead of the other movie screenings available. Given the fact that we're 15 days before Halloween, our four movie options are all Halloween themed. There's The Rocky Horror Picture Show; a cartoon about, I'm imagining by the promotion poster, a witch and her cat; Scream 6 or Talk To Me. I was sure he would pick one of the two popular horror movies, since he looks... Mainstream. My heart's happy that he proved me wrong, though.

I am still standing a little bit behind Stephen while the boy behind the counter slides the tickets in front of my date and asks us if we need anything else, for example, snacks or drinks.

   "I'll have a medium popcorn bucket and a Coke."

I squirm in place as Stephen does not take the time to thank the employee, grabbing his food. Marsha would be disgusted by this behaviour.

   "Oh, and are you getting anything or..?"

Stephen slips his debit card in his pocket and I slightly frown. 

Is he not paying for me? I honestly thought it was common courtesy for a guy to pay for the girl on the first date. Or maybe I'm being too old school...

Gripping the straps of my tiny backpack, I thank myself inwardly for having brought some money. I then order: Popcorn, because I adore popcorn, a Coke and gummy bears, because I don't want the school's player to think I am copying what he ordered.

We head to the auditorium and he remains as silent as stone. I wonder if all first dates are that unpleasantly quiet. I'm certain that if I would've come here with Jae, he would actually speak to me. 

It's still crazy to me that Dong Jae is the boy that Abigail and Garrett wanted me to date.

Garrett, aka the cutest boyfriend a girl could have and that is Abi's lover, is on the lighting crew with Dong Jae. Both of them are frequently present when my theater club is rehearsing. Apparently, Jae has had a crush on me since the first time he saw me. So, my best friend's boyfriend had the idea of arranging a double date, so that his friend could meet me. But, I hadn't accepted their invitation at the time, because I thought she was talking about a double date with Dylan and I. 

Miscommunication can ruin a love story.

We finally got to meet at Darren's party due to Carla, who had invited her friend group to this event. We chatted a lot and he was super nice, not to mention extra smart and somewhat cute looking. But, when I agreed to go along with the dare, I think any possibility of a romantic relationship was suppressed for both of us. 

Anyway, if Jae and I had crossed paths earlier, I would not be sitting right now next to this smug, unbothered and attractive dark sheep.

The movie begins and I make a mental reminder to myself to text Jae afterwards.