The Smile Always Fades

13. Benefit of the Doubt

Anna somewhat regretted taking Shane's offer and accepting to go out with him. She couldn't look Bentley in the eye that whole week at school because of it, but that's not the only reason she was finding trouble in that area. She still felt uneasy around Bentley. She was so paranoid that Shane was telling the truth and that Bentley truly was just playing her for a good time. Every time that thought entered into her mind though, her stomach felt sick and her heart seemed to rip into pieces. Was Bentley really that cruel? Anna had her doubts, but then again, why would Shane lie to her about something as serious as that, or even to lie to Anna in general? He was only looking out for her, he obviously cared about her and didn't want her making a bad decision, at least that's what Anna kept telling herself.

"Do you want popcorn?" Shane's voice ripped Anna from her thoughts. "I haven't eaten anything for like a whole hour and I'm definitely wanting something before we go out to eat." A whole hour? Man, Shane's appetite was worse than Jason's--Anna didn't think that was possible.

Shane had decided where to go and what to do, he didn't ask for Anna's input. He was taking her to a movie and then out to dinner at Applebee's afterward. Anna had never even heard of the movie--she wanted to see Captain America, Chris Evans made her heart melt every time she looked at him--and she didn't particularly like Applebee's either, but she was going on a date with Shane--the boy she'd been hopelessly devoted to for years--so she couldn't complain, she should feel privileged, right? Tons of girls dreamed of Shane Rogers asking them to dinner or a movie, and he had asked Anna to both.

Anna felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and she pulled it out to see who texted her. It was from Jordan. Going to a movie tonight, wanted to see if you'd like to come! Anna exited out of the phone's inbox and turned off her phone; she didn't want anyone interrupting her special night with Shane.

Anna put on a smile. "Sure, popcorn sounds great. With lots of butter!" she added. Anna loved popcorn butter. The more, the better. She loved how her fingers got slick and greasy from the oil and how it enhanced the popcorn taste that much more. It made her smile just thinking of it.

"Ew, are you kidding? That stuff isn't even butter! It's oil. And it makes the popcorn soggy." Shane made a face showing just how disgusting he thought the butter was.

Anna felt surprisingly hurt by Shane's comment. She knew some people didn't like butter on their popcorn, and she was fine with that, but the way Shane belittled her opinion really dug deep. He could have just said that he didn't favor butter on his popcorn, that's all.

"We don't need to get butter," Anna said sweetly. "I'm used to eating it without."

"Good," Shane said flatly. "You want a soda too?"

"Umm...Sprite," Anna chose.

Shane placed the order and turned to Anna. "Have I told you how beautiful you are?" he asked.

Anna's cheeks possessed a deep red color and she turned her face down. No one had ever told her that she was beautiful, except for family, but they were a given. Suddenly, the comment about the popcorn butter didn't matter, and she was twitterpated with him all over again. He was just too cute! Obviously, she needed higher standards. But Anna rarely received compliments, and this one made her feel particularly good. Shane always had a way with making her smile, it was her one of her many favorite things about him.

Shane reached for her hand and gently played with her fingers until the popcorn and sodas came, then he had to use both hands to hold the drinks; Anna held the popcorn and popped a few kernels into her mouth. Her taste buds zinged with excitement as the taste of salty popcorn ensued them. Anna closed her eyes happily and let the food dissolve in her watering mouth. Shane handed their tickets to the guy manning the ticket stub booth--the ticket ripper, Anna always called him.