Flower Boy

Chapter Seven

He was not joking when he said an old theater. The paint was chipping off the walls, the sign was an odd off-white, unlike all the other pristine, shining white signs of other theaters. A few lightbulbs were out and there was only one ticket booth. Donavan grinned at me.

"Ready to go?" He asked and I nodded slowly. We walked up to the faded red doors of the theater and he pushed them open for me slowly. I could feel my eyes widen as I looked inside. It was as if I stepped into a different world. The carpet was a clean, dark red. The walls were covered in beautiful intricate gold paintings of flowers, leaves, and other elements of nature. Small chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, the light catching the crystal swinging from the chandelier and sprinkling light everywhere. Even the ceiling was magnificent, with rings around the base of the chandeliers and patterns gracing the space between the lights. I looked around slowly, drinking in every detail. I faced the door, which looked as if it had a fresh paint job last week.

He grinned. "Surprised?"

"Oh, you better believe I'm surprised. It looks like a dump on the outside." I said breathily.

He laughed. "Don't judge a book by its cover."

"More like don't judge a building by its exterior decorations." I mumbled and he laughed again.

We walked through the doors to the small theater. The screen was black and there were only a few people in the audience. We chose two seats smack dab in the middle.

"I'll be right back. I'm just going to the bathroom." He whispered, as if the movie was going, and left as I sat down and nodded. I looked out at the small crowd and smiled. This place is like a hidden paradise, you wouldn't be able to tell on the outside, but the inside is beautiful. I wonder how Donavan found this place. He came back, flopping down next to me.

"I'm back." He announced.

"Well I see that." I answered. He grinned.

"I also have popcorn." He pulled out a small bucket of popcorn and I grinned.

"That, sir, was true magic." I said, taking a piece and popping it in my mouth.

"I'm the best magician there is." He said, miming taking off a hat. I giggled and the lights began to dim. He shushed me, which only made me giggle harder. He put a hand gently over my mouth and I took a few deep breaths and nodded, signaling that I was okay. He took his hand off my mouth as the opening theme song played.

After the movie was over, Donavan drove me home. The lights rushed by the window as I fiddled with the radio like always. He slowed to a stop in front of my house. I got out and waved, closing the door. I was about to turn when he opened the window and called

"Rosalena!" I stopped, turning on my heel.

"I love you. I hope you had a good time." He said softly, a gentle smile on his face. My heart fluttered and I smiled back.

"I did have a good time, thanks to you. I love you too." I waved again, and watched him drive away. I walked up to the steps, listening closely for the T.V. Hearing nothing, I quietly opened the door. My father was passed out on the couch and breathed a sigh of relief. I would escape tonight. I snuck up to my room to do my homework, smiling to myself, remembering Donavan's last words, 'I love you' I shivered with happiness. It was a blessing to know him, and a miracle for him to love me.

I finished what little homework I had left quickly, changed, brushed my teeth, and snuggled into my bed, waiting for sleep to take over.