daisy chains

jokes (6)

We met at the entrance to the movies. This is my forte, I think. Or it should be. Shouldn't it be?

I never was one to spend my bonuses on movie tickets.

It's nice that we get in for no greens. I watch Danny's skinny white hands as he slides a dollar towards his friend, so we get some popcorn before heading in.

"What's this about?" I ask, because the title to me is unfamiliar.

"Does it matter?" He looks over at me and smiles. I think he's pretty in that conventional way. Like, someone out of a cheesy movie where he plays as the kid next door, some childhood lover that's soon abandoned for the main attraction. "I like going into things unprepared."

"I don't read the blurbs on the backs of books," I say as we finally find our seats after fumbling in the dark. And I'm sure I felt his hand or his arm brush against my skin. And I'm sure it wasn't accidental. "I like the sound of the titles and then I read it."

"I do that too, sometimes."

"Really?"

Someone shushes us and he shoots me one of those other smiles. The movie hasn't even started yet.

"What kind of books do you like?"

"All sorts," I say as I reach for the popcorn. I think of being on a screen like that. Someone looking up at me, my face blown up a hundred folds the right size. Someone, more then one, staring at me. Teens out in groups, or curious and bored couples. It's wild. "What kind do you like?"

"Whatever's interesting."

The movie is good. Like, real good. I feel Danny's hand brush against mine whenever I reach for the popcorn, but I don't care 'cause the storyline's interesting and I can't think of anything else.

"I wanna be in something like that," I say when we get out. I'm pacing the pavement cause I don't know what else to do while he leans against a brick wall and watches me.

"How?"

"What do you mean how?"

"You wanna be an actress or something?" He teases a smile.

"Yeah. Or something," and I'm mumbling as I say it, black boots digging for something to kick.

I hear him laugh. I don't say snything, he doesn't say anything. I kinda start to feel sweaty and hot all of a sudden, and like we're back inside and the ceiling's starting to cave.

"S'not funny."

"You're serious?" He pushes against the wall so he's properly standing now.

"So what if I am?"

He raises his arms in defense. "I didn't say anything bad about it."

"You laughed."

"I thought it was a joke."

"It wouldn't have been a funny one," I say. And then I look down at my shoes again, then up at the dark sky. "I need to go home. Early shift."

He frowns. "I'm sorry."

"Whatever. I should get used to it, anyway," I try to smile.

Danny smiles back and I tell myself I'll see him again. That I won't, I won't, switch shifts with anyone when he's around just to avoid him.

But I don't have to worry about that cause I don't see him at the diner anymore. His friend comes by sometimes with his girl, but I don't ask, and he never brings it up.