Crimson Pines

Like a Movie

I met up with Philip on the Friday night. He wanted to see some action movie that I had no interest in at all. I generally didn't mind the movies, and I minded it less with Philip. I just don't like action movies. He seemed really excited though so I didn't mention it.

He picked me up from my aunts and drove us there. His car was gorgeous, expensive, so polished and waxed it reflected the scenery around it.

He talked a lot about his friends, his sports, his family. I liked it, the way he gave me information freely and how open he is. It was a refreshing change to be able to just sit and listen to him as he drove us down the main road towards the cinema.

I never had to speak once, he would look over for confirmation to keep talking and I always smiled back and nodded. Maybe he didn't get to talk this much usually? Either way I laughed at all his stories and made appropriate fascinated, sad and awed noises when necessary.

When at the cinema he immediately asked what I wanted from the candy bar. I declined continuously until I eventually gave in and let him buy me a lemonade. I just didn't like candy very much. He seemed to have taken my dislike of sweets personally and tried to ask if there was anything he could do.

I was completely fine but he seemed to think not and grabbed hold of my hand. I hadn't realised we were moving so fast and as soon as I had the chance, moved away and told him I was going to use the bathroom. He frowned slightly, telling me he was going to buy our tickets. I barely had time to agree as I moved away quickly shoving open the bathroom door. I placed my hands on the counter and looked myself in the mirror. I repeated to myself in my head that I was going to be ok and this was completely fine.

After my panic of the hand holding situation I found him in the lobby talking to some of his friends from school. A girl was hanging off of his arm and she was clearly complimenting him as I approached awkwardly to his side. She gave me a look that basically said "fuck you" and moved over to allow me some space to move in.

Philip's face lit up as he put his arm around me, placing his hand on my lower back.

"You guy's know Jean" He said indicating to me with his other hand which was also holding popcorn. A few kernels falling onto the ground as he did so. His friends gave me a chorus of 'hellos' before they said goodbye. The girl who was clinging to Philip's arm now moving onto her next victim.

I rolled my eyes and asked if he was ready to go in. he seemed overly excited at the idea of spending two hours in a dark room with me but I let him be excited about our...date? I had no idea what to call what we were. I guess you could say we were close friends?

Philip tried multiple times during the movie to hold my hand, every time I saw him move I grabbed my drink and had a sip. He didn't seem to notice my rejection and instead just figured it was a coincidence. Even though it happened eight times.

He bought me pizza after the movie and I actually had a lot of fun. He was sweet and never moved too fast which was perfect. Apart from his occasional attempts to hold my hand or peck me on the lips everything was fine.

I was actually really starting to enjoy myself here in Crimson Pines. Philip started driving me to school and back. I started telling him about myself to, he liked it when I talked. He didn't like listening to me as much as he liked talking but it was close. And he was the closest thing I'd ever had to a boyfriend.

I went down to the lake after school. I wanted to bask in the sunlight and dip my toes in the water. I needed some alone time as well, I was starting to have less and less time to myself as I spent more and more time with Philip. I'd even gotten to know some of his friends and the cheerleaders. I just couldn't spend all my time with them. Sometimes they were a little unbearable.

The afternoon was still bright as I walked down the familiar path that I'd gone down only a couple of weeks ago. I figured it was the perfect time to avoid the Stafford's since they probably wouldn't go down there on a weekday afternoon but when I got to the bottom I found Charlie lying on the grass looking upwards.

He knew I was there since he lifted his hand only slightly. I figured out that heather sensed me or heard me when I approached anywhere near him. Maybe it was kind of the same thing I got, headaches and a fast beating heart whenever I was near him.

I hadn't moved from where I was standing before and he lifted himself up onto his elbows to look at me. His hair was messy and it made me smile. He smiled back and for the first time it felt friendly. I walked over, sitting myself down, a large gap between us.

"I can go if you want?" I asked, looking at the water, watching the light dance around. He shook his head but his eyes remained trained on my face. From the corner of my eye I couldn't even see him blink.

I flicked my head towards him, staring into his eyes. Th colour was a simple hazel but they seemed bright with almost a yellow tinge.

He outstretched his hand and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. I didn't flinch away like I did with Philip. My eyes remained staring into his own. His eyebrows crinkled as he dragged them together, now looking all over my face. Tracing it slowly with eyes. I felt as though he had dragged his hand around my face from the way my skin felt just from his gaze.

I started rambling, ruining the moment as he dragged his hand back quickly as though I'd hit him away. My uncomfortable rambling made him smile as he lay back down in the grass and closed his eyes. And it was then I told him everything about myself, I told him about my mother and I told him about random things that didn't even matter. I told him about my Aunt and how we had never met until I moved here. He listened to all of it, he never moved from his spot on the grass. He never flinched or made a noise. The stillness confused me but I couldn't stop talking.

After I'd told him everything I stopped and after a beat his eyes flew open.

"You smell sweet, like honey in summer" he said sitting up again. This time he moved his face into my hair and I closed my eyes. I'd dreamt about this moment happening but I never thought it would actually happen. But as though someone had flicked a switch he moved away.

"Why don't you tell me something about you?" I suggested in a quiet voice. He shook his head.

"I never asked you to tell me about your life, yet you told me anyway. I'm not quite as open" He stated before standing up and walking away.

"Where are you going?" I called after him.

"It's late, you should go home" He called over his shoulder.

And it was in that moment I realised Charlie Stafford was the strangest most confusing man I'd ever met.