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the credits rolled, casting a dim glow over the theater as the heavy orchestral score faded into silence. a few sniffles could be heard throughout the room, the remnants of an emotionally gut-wrenching two hours. savannah glanced to her right, where marissa sat with tear-streaked cheeks, dabbing at her eyes with her fingers.
ryan shifted beside savannah, his arm barely brushing against hers. the touch was fleeting, almost imperceptible, but she felt the warmth linger. they had been careful, subtle. this thing between them—whatever it was—was still theirs alone, tucked away from the outside world. they weren't ready for anyone else to know, not yet.
"are you okay?" savannah whispered to marissa, leaning in slightly.
ryan cleared his throat, shooting savannah a quick look before turning back to marissa. "it's just the movie, right? i mean, that's the reason for the tears?"
marissa blinked at him, unimpressed. "yes, ryan. i'm emotionally stable."
savannah smirked, nudging ryan playfully with her knee under the armrest. he smirked back, just a flicker of amusement in his eyes before returning to neutral.
marissa turned her attention to seth, who was seated beside her, aggressively rubbing at his face. "besides, i'm not the only one crying," she pointed out.
seth immediately snapped to attention, defensive. "i'm sorry, what?!" he wiped his sleeve across his face again, as if that would erase any evidence of emotion. "i'm allergic, okay? and there's so much pollen in here right now. it's ridiculous."
marissa patted his shoulder sympathetically. "it's okay."
seth huffed, still clearly unsettled by his own emotional response. he turned to summer. "tomorrow, we're watching football only, okay?"
summer, who was still sniffling slightly, giggled. "football season is five months away."
"espn classics," seth countered. "we'll watch old games."
summer rolled her eyes but smiled, pulling a tissue from her bag to wipe seth's damp cheeks.
"maybe next time, we should see a comedy," ryan suggested as they all started to get up from their seats.
marissa shook her head, standing. "what? no, no, i can see sad movies."
savannah widened her eyes, nodding dramatically. "yeah, yeah, we know you can."
