Breathless

Chapter 24: This isn't over

I didn’t want to be too fancy for Ryan. Why would I go to that extreme when this ‘date’ meant next to nothing.  From my closet, I pulled out an old grey sweatshirt that I didn’t know I even had. I was surprised there were no cobwebs. Then I threw on my comfiest pair of jeans and a bit of lip-gloss to finish it off.

At 7:30 exactly, Ryan showed up at my door step. Lucky for me, Mom and Dad had some grown up Christmas party to go to and Aiden was asleep. There was no one to interrogate me because of Ryan. He had on jeans and weird looking cowboy boots. I gave him a weak smile as I pulled on my coat and boots and stuffed my hat and mittens into my pocket for later.

“Ready to go?” he asked and I nodded softly. The faster we did this, the better. He led me down my driveway and opened the car door for me. It was freezing and I was glad I wore that ugly sweater. Despite its ugliness, it was keeping me warm.

“Where are we going?” I asked as I sat in his car. I had to admit. He did have a very cute little car. Of course I wasn’t a car buff so I didn’t know what it was but it was cute nonetheless.

“Dinner and a movie, of course.” He said as he started the car. I smiled a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. It was the classic dinner and a movie. But it was a good thing. It meant I could maintain a low profile.

“What movie?” I asked as we pulled into the theater driveway. He parked and we both got out.

“Anything you want.” He smiled at me and I returned it genuinely. Maybe being a bitch wouldn’t help. The least I could do was make it look like I was having fun. There is nothing worse than going on a date and having the person act like a complete bitch.

“How about…Alvin and the chipmunks?”  I asked, relishing in the fact that I picked the safest, most non-sexual movie the theater had to offer. 

“How about…Friends with benefits?” he asked with a smirk. I held back a shudder. I was not going to watch a movie about sex with Ryan. The only person I would do that with is Adam.

“Alvin and the chipmunks.” I replied adamantly and crossed my arms. Ryan sighed but finally relented.

“Okay. Alvin and the chipmunks it is.” There was a touch of sadness in his tone of voice. “Wait here while I get the tickets.”

I nodded softly as he ran off. Everything suddenly became a mine field. Everyone became the enemy. Who here knew Adam? Who would tell him? I felt exposed and I knew that what I was doing was wrong. It was wrong of me to go on this ‘date’ but what could I do? He had paid 150 grand for me! Telling Adam would never have worked. He would only suggest beating Ryan up and I wasn't going to let that happen.

“Are you ready?” a voice came and I jumped 50 feet in the air. With a hand over my heart, I glanced back to see Ryan with two tickets and a giant bucket of popcorn. I couldn’t help but notice that he bought only one bucket of popcorn.  

“Um…yes.” I replied and he gave me a weird look.  He was starting to get suspicious. I shrugged my shoulders, took a ticket out of his hands and walked towards the theater. Within a matter of seconds, Ryan was beside me. He was fast in the scary way. We went into the theater and chose a seat near the back to avoid annoying people behind us. Immediately, Ryan started eating his popcorn and I knew right away he would be the only one eating it.

Throughout the whole movie, Ryan kept trying to snuggle up against me and I did everything I could to get away in a very subtle way. I felt really uncomfortable with it but I couldn't exactly shove him off and tell him to keep it in his pants! He paid 150 grand for the date and he deserved something nice. The only thing that kept me from wanted to jump off of a cliff was the fact that the date was almost over.