I Turn To You | Eminem

Seventeen

By the time Marshall pulled into his driveway, the sky had darkened, clouds hanging low and heavy, like they might break into rain any moment.

It had been four weeks since his last trip to LA, and things had gone well. Better than well. In fact, ever since then, they'd found ways to see each other more often, despite the distance.

And, as of now, this would be the fifth time Christina's been to Detroit.

Marshall cut the engine, and stepped out, a chill in the air that was typical for this time of year. The wind was picking up, too. Marshall grabbed his keys, locked the car, and headed inside, the familiar creak of the front door welcoming him back.

He'd left Royce's place early, cutting their time short because he knew her flight was coming in. He hadn't told Royce why he was distracted; choosing to just mumble something about needing to get home.

Marshall checked the weather on his phone multiple times, the hazard warnings flashing across the screen. A heavy storm was rolling in, and the thought of her flying through that made his stomach twist.

Twenty minutes later, just as the first fat raindrops began to splatter against the driveway, Marshall heard the familiar crunch of tyres on gravel. He opened the front door to see Christina's car pulling up, headlights cutting through the gloom. Relief washed over him as she stepped out, pulling her coat tighter against the wind.

"Hey," she called, her voice carried away by the gusts. "Looks like I just beat the storm."

"Ayy, glad you made it safe," Marshall said, a grin spreading across his face as Christina made her way up the steps. He held the door open, the heat from inside spilling out into the cold air. She stepped in, and they were hit with the warmth of the house.

They hugged quick, her hands icy from the chill outside but heating up fast against his back. He took her coat, hanging it up while she unlaced her shoes and left them by the door.

They had dinner in the kitchen, something simple he'd thrown together — a mix of rice and whatever he could find in the fridge. Christina teased him about his cooking skills, or lack thereof, but still cleared her plate.

After they finished eating, Marshall leaned back in his chair, watching Christina laugh at some stupid joke he'd made. He loved that sound, the way it cut through all the noise in his head.

"Feel like doin' somethin' fun?" Marshall asked, getting up to put the dishes in the sink.

"Like what?" Christina replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Got a surprise for you," he said with a smirk, grabbing his keys off the counter. "C'mon."

They bundled up again, Christina slipping back into her coat and shoes. As they stepped outside, the rain had picked up, coming down in heavy sheets. Marshall pulled his hood up, and they ran to his car, splashing through puddles. Once inside, Marshall turned the heat up, glancing over at Christina as he pulled out of the driveway.

"You're not gonna tell me where we're going, are you?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Nah," he replied, focusing on the road. "You'll see."

A short drive later, they pulled up to a small, old-school cinema on the edge of town. The marquee out front was blank, the place closed for the night to the general public. Marshall had pulled some strings to get them a private screening. He knew the owner, who was a low-key fan and owed him a favour.

Inside, the cinema was dimly lit, the smell of popcorn lingering in the air. The worker behind the counter barely looked up as they entered, more concerned with the muddy footprints they tracked in. Marshall chuckled at the guy's annoyed expression, his brow furrowed as he stared at the carpet.

"Great," the worker muttered under his breath, glancing up at Marshall for a brief moment before his eyes returned to the floor. "More mess for me to clean."

Marshall shrugged it off, leading Christina down the hall toward the main theater. "Don't mind him," he said, opening the door to reveal the large, empty room. "Place is ours for the night."

Christina's eyes lit up as she stepped inside, taking in the rows of plush seats and the massive screen. "You did all this?"

"Yeah, you like it?" he asked, watching her reaction.

"Oh my God, yes!"

Settling into the middle row, they sank into the seats as the lights dimmed and the movie began.

They'd both picked out an old horror movie, one they both remembered from their teenage years. The film wasn't particularly scary; it was easy to laugh at the cheesy effects and over-the-top acting.

The conversation ended up drifting from the film to their high school memories; late-night adventures and first crushes.

For a while, it felt like time had rewound, and they were just two kids again, finding comfort in each other's company.

Eventually, comfortable silence enveloped them, the kind where words weren't needed. The sound of rain pattering against the roof filled the space.

It was hard not to steal glances at Christina. Her hair was damp and slightly frizzy from the downpour, and her blue eyes shone with a soft, intrigued light.

The only thought on Marshall's mind was how beautiful she looked.

Halfway through the movie, Christina leaned her head on his shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her. She didn't pull away.

Then, somehow, their lips met.

"Thank you for tonight," she murmured against his lips, her eyes closed.