Chapter six
As I step inside the crowded cinema, hair and clothes soaked in water, I can feel regret creeping through my body. Not only I had to walk eighteen blocks to get here but I had to do it under the pouring rain. So fucking nice.
I scan the place hoping to find either Michelle or Hayley but minutes pass by and none of them appear, so I decide to take a seat on the nearest bench, as far away from where the people are, while I wait for my friends to show up. A good fifteen minutes go by while I try to choose between the different movies, since the one we had chosen to watch was supposed to start at five and it's already half past the time.
When I've been in the place for like forty-five minutes, I finally give up. They're not going to come. I stand up, my feet making weird noises with each step I take —since they are drenched—, and it feels awkward when I attempt to walk towards the door. I am wet from head to toe.
Just as I gather strength and am about to step into the now lighter rain, I knock against a tall figure walking in the opposite direction.
"Fuck, sorry" I say, too fast for my liking.
"It's okay, I should've looked where I was— Hayley?" he responds and I have to stop my self from rubbing my eyes to erase the image of him standing in front of me. "What are you doing here?" he smiles, his deep voice and thick accent echoing in my ears.
"I, uhm, hi Scott." Fuck. This can't be real. "I was jusst leaving. What are you doing here?" Out of all people that I can possibly run into, why him?
"I was on my way to buy some groceries. Did you go to the cinema?" He shoves his hands in his pockets and stares at me waiting for my answer.
"Well, I was going to, but..." but I have two assholes of friends and now I'm here feeling ditched and embarrassed in front of you, I want to say, but instead I make some excuse about not being sure which movie to chose.
"Maybe I can come and help you chose?" he offers and I swear I can hear the blood pumping through my body and towards my cheeks. My previous anger is instantly replaced by... excitement? I don't know exactly.
"Didn't you need to buy something?" I try my best to sound uninterested, though.
"Yeah, it can wait. Come on, I'll pay" he says and I have to fight back the stupid grin that tries to seize my face when he grabs my hand.
"God, you're freezing" he says and captures my hand with both of his.
"I'm okay, it's just uncomfortable to be wet. But I'm not cold" I assure him. Though I love that he's not being an asshole, I totally mean what I'm telling him.
"But you're only wearing a thin sweater, and I'm sure it's not snug. Here, have mine" he offers, but I refuse to let him give it to me. I know it's what most gentlemen would do but I'm no damsel in distress.
Well, maybe I am in distress.
"No, I can't take it. But thank you." I smile.
"You sure? You'll catch a cold and seriously, I don't mind giving it to you" he insist but I shake my head. "Okay then," he sighs, "shit you really are stubborn." He frowns and for a second I think he is pissed off, but I can tell he's teasing me by the grin that he's trying to hide. I swat his arm but he surprises me by catching my hand and pulling me into his chest.
No matter how bad I want to control my quick heartbeat, it seems like my heart is going to jump out of my body.
...
