If It's Meant To Be

10 February 2012

He had seen it done multiple times in the movies. It worked every time. Surely it would work now. 

Slowly, Tommy inched his hand closer to Anna's, hoping she wouldn't notice.

Her eyes were glued to the giant screen, taking in every moment of the movie with impressive focus. The hand furthest from Tommy hovered above her popcorn, distracted by the characters. Her other hand was on the arm rest. It gripped the seat as the tension on screen grew and she leaned forward a few centimeters. Tommy had no idea what was playing out in front of them, his only intent to hold her hand as subtly as possible.

Just like in the movies, he told himself. Except, he forgot that movies weren't real life, and Anna felt his touch, mistaking it for him wanting more room and moving an inch back for every inch he tried to get closer.

Eventually, the credits rolled with Tommy's hand covering the armrest and Anna's in her lap.

"That was such a good movie." Anna said, as the lights came on.

"Yeah, definitely." He smiled. Slightly disappointed that his trick hadn't worked.

Anna stood, picked up her rubbish and began to walk down the aisle. As she was about to begin climbing the steps, she turned and said, "You've got to be my boyfriend to hold my hand in public, silly. We don't want people getting the wrong impression." With that, she jogged up the stairs and out of the movie theatre, leaving behind a slightly stunned Tommy.

"What is with this girl?" He said, a small smile on his face.

He found Anna waiting by the doors. "Took you long enough." She said when he approached her.

"Yeah, I was wrapping my head around what you said."

"Really now, and why's that?" She was walking backwards, directing an arched brow at him.

"It sounds like you want me to be your boyfriend." 

"And what gives you that impression?" 

"Oh, you know. Little things like how you smile when you see me." Now it was his turn to arch a knowing eyebrow at her. 

"I smile at everyone." She retorted.

"And how you blush when I wave at you in the hallways when we can't stop and talk."

"Liar, I'm black I don't blush." She turned her back to him, leading them out of the mall.

"Common misconception. You do blush, not with colour but with your smile."

She, turned, rolling her eyes at him. "Fine, I'll give you that one."

He caught up to her and spun her around so that their positions were switched and he was the one walking backwards.

"And, let's face it, the fact that we make your mom wait an extra 5 minutes, just so we can flirt gives you away."

"That doesn't mean I want to make you mine." Tommy eyed her, daring her to change her statement, yet her expression said she wouldn't.

He stopped so abruptly she had no choice but to bump into him and with a quick turn he had his arm wrapped around her waist, holding the hand farthest away from him.

"I guess the biggest tell was when you said you didn't want to be just friends." He kissed her cheek and let go, walking away and leaving her standing with her mind still in the moment.

"But I guess you could have just meant friends with benefits." He said over his shoulder and made his way to the car where his brother would meet them to take them home.