The Strength Of the Heart

The Movie Incident - 11

It was Friday. We ended school early. Me, Justin and Andrew (who was beginning to integrate himself into our social circle), were going to see a movie in the prime conditions. It was above average temperature and none of our parents were leaving the house tonight. Which meant we would be cool in the midst of desert temperatures, and away from family problems and chores. It was a win-win situation. We planned to meet at the cinema around 7pm and have a pizza afterwards. 

If all went well, no one would be around the stresses of home until 11pm earliest. It was a great plan. 

And unfortunately I was the first one to get there. 

I mean, going there half an hour early was no one's fault but my own. But, occasionally, I like to be punctual.

On the odd occasion.

Once in a while......

Sometimes.......

Okay fine, I overheard Chloe and her friends taking about watching five o'clock movie and I was hoping to see her before she left. Is that so bad? And it's not like the plan didn't work, because after a couple minutes wandering, I saw her and her dreaded friends walk out of the cinema laughing. So I think It was reasonable decision. But the question was, what did I do now? 

And as I was deciding my next course of action, she looked in my direction and I promptly realised I was staring and looked away. I checked my watch. It was twenty minutes at least before either Andrew or Justin even thought about leaving. They both lived five mintes away and wouldn't leave until there were three minutes for them to get here.

It was quite a pickle I had gotten myself into.

I looked up, and saw she wasn't talking to her friends anymore. She was staring at me.
And not just a normal, "why are you looking at me" stare either. She had a look. I couldn't describe it.

Justin had caught me staring at her before. His exact words were,

" I could see the tender care and 'love' that emanated  from your soul, plus the long glances, and the way you couldn't take your eyes off her when she'd walk into the room."

I was a little skeptical, until he said,

"You always look nervous when she's around, fidgeting with your clothing and stuff."

And as I was playing with the end of my shirt at the time, there wasn't really much I could do by way of an argument.

I looked away from her again. Despite the urges to keep looking at her.
Apparently I had a bit of a staring problem.

I felt a tap on my shoulder. I assumed it was Andrew or Justin, early for some reason.

"Finally." I said looking up. "What took y-"

It wasn't Andrew, or Justin.
It was Chloe.

And she was gazing into my eyes like they held the moon and stars.
And as an up, she was smiling,

"Hey Kyle"

"Chloe! What a random coincidence seeing you here! How are you?"

It was weird how I was talking like she was my closest friend.

"Well.... I saw sitting alone and I thought I'd... Keep you company......... Return the favour, you know? "
She looked down as she said this. Like she couldn't bear to meet my gaze.

Now she's the nervous one. Hmm. Nice change.

I smiled.
"You didn't have to do that." I said. "I'm sure you'd much rather be with your friends."

"It's no problem really" she smiled.
"They're all going to Cassandra's place anyway. I'd much rather be here, than have my face covered with itchy makeup stuff".
She sighed, rolled her eyes, and proceeded to sit at the table.
"So who are you waiting for? What's his name........ James? "

I laughed.
"His name is Justin. And yeah, him and Andrew. We're watching a movie."

She didn't really seem interested, but I have her credit for still being there. It probably wasn't easy sacrificing popularity for........ Well....... Moi.

Was she shifting towards me?

"Well where are they? The movie starts in twenty minutes. Pretty uncool of them to leave you stranded here" she observed.

She was moving closer. What do I do? Do I move too?
Did she just say uncool?

"Well I would call them but I'm not having a bad time right now" I said with a smile of my own. We were sitting side by side now. I could feel her body heat.

She is so beautiful.

"Really?" she asked. "I'm not being a bother?"
We were facing each other now.

"You could never..... " I said. It was getting harder to think. Her eyes were distracting. I put my had behind head, feeling her silky hair on my fingertips. " If anything it's-"

"HEY KYLE!!"

And so Justin had decided to come early for once.

Great.

"Heeeeyyy Jus" I sighed. I looked at Chloe and she was already getting up.

"I should go. Wouldn't want to overstep." and she turned.

"Chloe wait! " but she was already gone. Immersed in her friend's who, miraculously, had decided to wait for her.

I was so disappointed. I was getting somewhere. This meant she liked me too. I mean, isn't that what it meant?

"Bro? Are you........ And her.......?" he asked.

I sighed again. "No.....  Come on, let's go wait for Andrew."