50 Shades of James

Movie Date Part 2

 

            Eddie absently rubbed his hands over Puppy Chef’s back until he heard the door close. At the noise, he jumped up and pulled his phone out from his pocket. He’d figured that the date was going to be Saturday, since they both usually recorded on Friday nights, but apparently he was wrong and now he had to cancel his scheduled Minecraft session with Kevin. Eddie shot a quick text to his friend (“Cnt record 2nite. Something came up. 2morrow?) and rushed to his room.

            Eddie had loved spy movies when he was a kid, so of course, he had picked out a properly inconspicuous, stealthy disguise. He pulled the pile of clothes out from under his bed—dark jeans, a pastel T-shirt, black beanie, and the final touch, his spare pair of glasses. In his excitement, Eddie almost tripped over Chef as he threw on the outfit and made towards the door.

“Don’t worry, girl,” he whispered, crouching down to pat the bulldog’s head. “I’ll be back as soon as I solve the mystery!”

Eddie had clearly heard Aleks say movie date when he was talking to James, so as he turned into the Alamo Drafthouse’s parking lot, he kept an eye out to spot his best friends’ car in the dark. He cruised up and down the lanes for a few minutes until he finally saw it, and parked a couple of spaces away in the same lane.

He hustled into the welcoming cinema, and just caught sight of his friend, across the lobby, holding the door open for someone at theatre 4, before the Russian disappeared into the dark room. Cursing under his breath, Eddie practically ran to the abandoned ticket desk.

“One for…” He squinted at the listings board, searching for theatre 4. “Robots Vs. Rednecks?”

“Sorry, sir,” the cashier replied in a monotone, never looking up, “but that’s all sold out. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“Fine. Uh…what else is showing now? Um, a ticket to Love Boat 2, please.”

The cashier looked up, scorn dripping from his gaze. “You know that’s a chick flick, right? Usually people bring dates to that movie.”

Eddie rolled his eyes, bouncing impatiently on the balls of his feet. “I know, I know, just get me a ticket, please.”

The boy behind the counter shrugged, inputting the transaction with infuriating sluggishness. “That’ll be four forty—“

“—Here!” Eddie shoved a five into the kids open hand, grabbing his ticket and marching to theatre 6. He stopped at the door for moment, made sure none of the theatre employees were around, and like he and his friends had always done in middle and high school to see more than one movie for the price of one, he quickly slipped into theatre 4.

The room was about half full, and Eddie was easily able to find a seat in the center of the last row—the best spot to spy. Commercials were rolling past on the big screen, but Eddie ignored them and focused on trying to match the vague profiles of other movie-goers to his friend in the dim theatre.

There was a patch of drunk guys…a few girls…some dad and son pairs…but where was…? Eddie suddenly spotted the puff ball of hair that was familiarly messy, despite the hair gel. An ad flashed bright on the screen, and Eddie was able to make out that the person next to Aleks was wearing a purple hoodie. Almost like a Twitch hoodie…shit, that was a Twitch hoodie. Was that actuallyJames? Tendrils of guilt curled through Eddie. Aleks had told him the truth, he was just going to a movie with James, and being the shitty friend he was Eddie was spying on him…

But another ad lent his eyes temporary light, and he was able to see that the purple of the sweatshirt extended…over Aleks’s shoulder? Did—was James’s arm around Aleks?

Aleks’s head turned, and Eddie shrank down in his seat, but he was just whispering something in James’s ear. James’s silhouette shook with laughter before Aleks leaned over and—

No way. No fucking way. Whoever that person was in the sweatshirt, it couldn’t be James. There was no way in hell that Aleks just kissed James. Eddies mind spun. Did that mean they were…? Had they…? No, no, no, no, he was not even going to let the thought enter his mind that two of his best friends might have had sex. After all, wasn’t that one of the words he had heard Aleks say when he was talking to James?

DON’T THINK ABOUT IT, Eddie’s mind screamed. Just don’t fucking think about it. Just…don’t pay attention to them. Just watch the movie, and enjoy it, and worry about what the fuck to say to Aleks later. After all, you already paid for the ticket.

Eddie willed his neck to turn to stone, so that his gaze wouldn’t leave the screen for the next two hours or so, but he couldn’t help but notice that, as the screen faded to black for the beginning of the movie, that puffball head of hair leaned onto James’s shoulder.

As soon as the movie ended, Eddie dashed out of the theatre. It was a good movie, but how could he enjoy it when two of his best friends, who he didn’t even know liked guys, were straight up cuddling through the whole thing? He didn’t think less of them for that, but just…it was weird to think about. It would take some time to digest. He just wanted to get to his car, get home, and take a good night’s sleep to help his thoughts settle.

He hadn’t even noticed putting the keys in the ignition, he was so wrapped up in his mind, but suddenly his engine was revving and he was pulling out of the parking space, and right there in front of him, under the street light, was definitely James and Aleks. It was obviously a private moment, and Eddie didn’t want to look, but…he couldn’t help it. It made his stomach feel weird watching his friends kiss goodnight, like kinky porn or the time his sister was telling him about her sexual escapades.

As Aleks separated from James, though, Eddie remembered he had to get home before the Russian and pretend to be asleep.

But Eddie could never keep a secret; anything that caused him to think or stress, he confided in another person with. Usually, he spilled his guts to Aleks, but that obviously wasn’t an option now. So as he drove onto the highway, he pulled out his phone and quickly scrolled through his contacts.

“Kevin, dude, you’re never gonna believe what just happened.”

AN: Welp, there's Eddie's point of view. I think it's actually a pretty good way to get back into writing this story after such a while, cause it helps both me and you guys remember what was going on last. Plus, it's fun to write as Eddie for a change :). I didn't want to make Eddie seem like a creep or asshole or anything, but I couldn't get this image out of my head of him sneaking around like a spy, trying to find out who Aleks is going out with XD The hardest part of writing this, honestly, was reminding myself to say Eddie instead of Sly. Sorry for the long wait, but I was sick and then I had exams...anyway, regular updates should continue now. Hope you enjoyed!

For updates, go to the ’50 Shades of James’ tag on tumblr (you don’t need an account!). To talk to me or to send fanart, you can message me on here, email me at Therealsabertoothtigress@gmail.com, or message me on my tumblr, captainthief.tumblr.com. For a compilation of updates, fanart, and milestones, go to captainthief.tumblr.com/50. On tumblr, I follow every person who’s read this story and reply to pretty much everything I get asked (unless my inbox eats it). Thanks again for reading!