The Acceptance

Chapter 5: You and I

It was decided over the next few days that you would meet me at my pad, and we would share a cab to the cinema. I wanted to meet at your apartment but you argued that I lived closer to the cinema and so the cab fare would be cheaper. To be honest I would have paid double the fare just to see where you lived.

A person's living space tells so much about a person and you were steadily becoming my favourite field of study. I had spent the day of the festival cleaning like a maniac and stressing about everything imaginable.

What would you think of my place? What would I wear? Was this a date or were we just hanging out? This last question lingered and weighed on my thoughts until the doorbell rang signaling your arrival. I took a moment to regain my composure before opening the door and letting you in. You looked stunning as usual and my breath caught at the sight of you.

The fates were against me, I was sure of it. Not only were you wearing a tight long sleeved v-neck shirt that hinted at your cleavage but you were also wearing dark blue low-riders that revealed the smooth skin just above your waistband. Getting through the night was now exponentially harder than it had been just moments earlier.

You greeted me with a hug and quick kiss to the cheek and asked if I was ready to go. I fought the blush that threatened to expose me as I quickly offered you a drink and retreated into my kitchen. I didn't hear your response as I called the cab company and asked how much longer the cab I had ordered hours ago would be.

I walked into the living area to tell you that the cab was delayed and wouldn't be here for another 20 minutes and to offer give you a tour, when I saw you intently studying the photos on my mantle. I pointed at the photo of me and my family that held your gaze and explained that it was taken at my graduation a few years back. "Is that your mum and dad?" You asked, to which I laughed in response as you had pointed at my brother. I went on to point out my mother and my grandpa.

I told you that my dad hadn't come to my graduation because he was busy working and you said that you were sorry to hear that. I searched around the room, hoping to distract myself from the building tension, until a car horn echoed through the room. I quickly grabbed my things and led you out the door to the cab.

The cab ride to the cinema was filled with comfortable silence, only broken by the sound of the meter ticking in the front. I would occasionally sneak a glance at you and often caught you watching me with a knowing smirk on your face that only made me blush furiously and thank the heavens that it was dark and you couldn't see. We arrived in good time, and we decided to wait at the bar until the film began.

We seemed to fall into our comfortable routine effortlessly when given a seat and beverage, and so we talked. We talked about the upcoming film and what our expectations were, we talked about what the best film snacks are and as we reached the end of our drinks I finally plucked up the courage to ask if this was indeed a date only to be interrupted by a shrill cry of your name from across the foyer. I looked up to see a small group of women heading towards us and your face light up with recognition as you smiled and hugged each one of them. To my secret delight they didn't get a kiss on the cheek like you had given me earlier that night.

You exchanged pleasantries and small talk for a while and it seemed as though you had forgotten that I was there until the group turned their sights on me. I felt like a zebra surrounded by a pack of hyenas, they looked fierce and eager to play with me before tearing me to shreds.

Luckily, you caught the look of dread on my face and quickly intercepted their barrage of questions. Introductions were made and a knowing look passed over their faces, they had obviously heard of me before today, and they definitely knew something that I didn't. But, I wasn't allowed much time to dwell on what it could be, because before I knew what was going on the pack was dragging me toward the cinema, while you went to the concession stand.

One of your friends directed me to a seat and I submissively did as I was told, while she proceeded to tell me that they had known you for years and that they were glad that she had found a friend in me after your terrible breakup. Unbeknownst to me your previous relationship had ended suddenly when you walked in on your girlfriend with you then housemate Tom. Your friend continued to rattle on for a while and I nodded in turn but my mind was racing. You were into girls and your friends seemed to think we were together. My heart was bursting with happiness but I quickly reined in those feelings, I didn't want to get ahead of myself. I mean I didn't know this lady, she had no reason to lie but as far as I knew she had no reason to tell me anything.

I felt your presence as you took the seat beside me and a wave of relief washed over me. No one had ever that effect on me before, just being near you made me feel safe, like you would protect me from the world. It was a feeling I hoped would never change. You handed me a packet of Maltese's and I smiled that you knew exactly what I liked. You leaned over and whispered to me that we could share the soda, before turning to your friend and joking saying "I hope you haven't talked her ear off!" She had, but I really wasn't listening to most of what she was saying anyway.

"Of course not, I was just saying how glad we all are that you two found each other, especially after what happened with that bitch Sandy and that asshole Tom." She was oblivious to your reaction as the theater fell into darkness and the curtains opened, all eyes moving to the large screen in front of us. Mine never left your face. I saw you pale as you heard those names and I saw the sadness that flashed across your face quickly became a look of worry. I figured you were worried that I now thought less of you. Impossible I thought as I took your hand in a gesture of reassurance and gave you a smile that I hoped convey that very thought. You returned my smile and interlaced our fingers together before mouthing 'thanks'.

We watched the film in silence, occasionally stealing glances at each other like love struck fools. You didn't let go of my hand throughout the entire film, even when we passed the soda between us, you simply held the soda to my mouth, your eyes never leaving the screen. You were just getting cuter to me by the second and nothing could have removed the smile from my face at that point. If a stranger were to watch the scene from afar, they would either laugh at the absurdity of the situation or they would smile at the false familiarity we displayed. The film was rather dull but this was still shaping up as one of the best nights of my life.

The film soon ended, and we bid farewell to your friends promising to catch up soon and I couldn't help but smile as you continued to make plans for us as though we were a well-established couple instead of the quasi partners we were. I suggested heading back to my place for a cup of tea in the hopes that we could talk and you enthusiastically agreed saying that I still owed you the grand tour anyway. I chuckled at your energy and thought that this was how it should be.

You and I, heading home together, after happily spending the night talking and enjoying each others' company.

I however knew that this conversation would either make or break us, it would define what we had together or if we had anything together at all.