As He Held My Hand

13. A Real Night to Remember

13. A Real Night to Remember

Gemma’s POV

When the day comes for me to go over to Grant’s house again for the movie marathon, I’m more nervous than I’ve ever been. Although this time is no different than the rest, I find myself pacing before I leave. I can do this. I. Can. Do. This.

God, do I really need to give myself a motivational mantra to get me over to his house? No.

I drive over, calm and collected, and thinking about the movies that will be playing during the marathon. I like watching movies with Grant. It was easy and not at all stressful. I pull into his driveway and get out, wiping my suddenly sweaty palms on my jeans.

Grant answers the door and tells me that is dad isn’t home and probably won’t be home until tomorrow. I don’t ask why though, because it’s really none of my business.

I follow him inside, shrugging off my jacket and shoes before sitting down on the couch next to him. I fold my hands in my lap while Grant sits forward, his forearms resting on his thighs. His thighs…

Stop it, Gemma. Gosh.

“So, are we gonna watch the movies or sit here in silence?” I laugh, and he seems to be pulled away from his thoughts. “Oh, yeah, right. Those.” he says, leaning forward and reaching for the remote. He clicks on the TV and flips through the channels for the movie marathon.

I don’t say anything while he’s looking, and I don’t say anything when he selects the channel. Finally, the silence is too much and I search for something to say. “So tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve.” I say suddenly, still watching the TV. The daughters from The Conjuring are playing their game ‘Hide and Clap’ when one of them breaks a wall at the top of the basement. I’ve seen this movie before, and it’s one of my favorites.

I can tell Grant is looking at me. “OK…” he says, adding a laugh at the end that even I can tell is not real. “Just saying.” I say quietly, and pull my legs up to my chest. I stay quiet for the rest of the movie. The next one playing is Mama, and I’ve never seen this one before.

I see Grant adjust his position on the couch when the girl and the guy are kissing in the beginning. He looks somewhat uncomfortable. Then the girl hears a noise and the guy goes and looks for what it was. I laugh when the girl comes out holding a heavy object, ready to hurt whoever or whatever made the noise. *SPOILER. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE MAMA AND DO NOT WANT ANYTHING SPOILED FOR YOU I SUGGEST YOU SKIP THIS PART UNTIL I STOP WRITING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU.* The premise of the movie is a little slow until the guy is pushed down a flight of stairs, making a loud sound during a quiet scene. I find myself jumping about a foot in the air, and moving towards Grant in the process.

*SPOILER OVER, I GUESS.*

Later in the movie, when the girl is looking through the daughter’s closet and they’re telling her not to, I hold my breath in anticipation. Why is it always the closet?  I think to myself, but apparently it wasn’t in my head, because Grant laughs. I look over at him. “Did I say that out loud?” I ask, biting my thumb nail. He laughs again and nods his head. “Yes.” he says.