Dream Boy

Chapter Eighteen

"I won't have it. We are going to the movies."
"What? But--"
"No buts. Let's put your bags in your car, and then we are going to the movies. You can't be alone on your birthday!"

Before I can respond, he picks up my bags and heads out towards the parking lot. I close my salad up, saving it for later, grab my coffee, and run after him.

"Evan, wait up!" I stop short to avoid crashing into an old man, profusely apologizing and almost spilling my drink.
"Come on, slow-poke! The next showing starts in fifteen minutes!" He must've been planning on going to the movies before he bumped into me if he knows the show times.

I finally catch up with him and catch my breath.

"Which way to your car?" I take a deep breath.
"That way. But first, you were going to go the movies by yourself, weren't you?"
"Yes, well--"
"Hypocrite!" We both start laughing.
"No, no. I'm not a hypocrite! It's not my birthday. I can be alone if it's not my birthday." I see his smile falter a little, and I  decide to act on it.
"Hey, what about Christine? Why are you not hanging out with her?" His mouth twitches, and I realizes I have found the reason for his slight deflation. "Oh, sorry. Touchy subject? Forget I asked."
"No, no. It's fine. I asked her if she wanted to come see a movie today, but her mom wouldn't let her out because of the weather."
"Oh. Okay." I shake my head.
"What?"
"Well, it's just, I was expected some big dramatic break up story, or that she said no but was here with another guy--"
"Why would you assume that?"
"Oh, I don't know. Christine is just--"
"Is what?"
"You know what, never mind. She wouldn't cheat on you. Now let's get my bags to the car so we don't miss the movie."

"Ugh, we had so much time! The advertisements and previews are still going and it's ten minutes past show time!" We had ran back inside from my car, bought sodas and candy, and then hustled into the movie theater.
"Well, we got good seats. So it was worth it, right?"
I roll my eyes. "Sure."
"What? Did you not want to see this one because--"
"Evan--"
"We could leave and get tickets for another one--"
"Evan! It's fine! I've been wanting to see this movie for awhile anyway. So thank you for making me go."
"Are you sure?"
"Evan?" I raise my eyebrows.
"Alright. Hey, look--it's starting!!" I laugh at his excitement and then settle into my seat.

"Are you crying?"
"Don't mock me!"
"It wasn't even that sad, Sarah!"
"Whatever!" I wipe my eyes with the bottom of my sleeves, laughing at myself. "I cry at everything."
Evan leans over and wipes a stray tear from my cheek.
"Missed one."
"Oh, um, thanks. Thanks for everything, actually. I'm glad I wasn't alone all day."
"You're welcome." He looks into my eyes and holds my gaze for a few extra seconds. "Well, anyway, we should probably get going. It's almost five o'clock."
"Oh, shoot! I need to get home, my dad's making a special dinner for me!"
"Wow. That's nice of him. Do you know what would be really nice?"
"What?"
"If you drove me home?"
"Smooth. And sure, your house is near Chris's, right?"
"Yeah. Awesome, thanks. My mom had to drop me off because my car is in the shop."
"No problem. Now let's get going!"

As we walk out into the parking lot, the snow begins coming down hard.
"Shoot a boot. I hate driving in the snow."
"Shoot a boot?" He snorts, and I give him the look. "Sorry. Do you want me to drive?"
"No. No one drives my baby!" He laughs.
"Okay, whatever. Just don't get me killed."
"Okay, I'll try my best."

We make it about halfway to his house when we hit a huge line of cars. No one is moving because of an accident up ahead, and the snow has somehow gotten heavier.

"Shoot. I'm going to call my mom and tell her that I'm gonna be late. You should call yours too."
"Thanks mom." Evan rolls his eyes, but pulls out his phone. "Oh, mines dead. Can I borrow yours?"
"Sure." I fight back the urge to comment on not charging his phone before leaving.