What Would I Give Up?- Snowbarry High School AU

Chapter 2

September had suddenly become much hotter and Caitlin had decided to leave the confines of Snow's Landing. After waking up and finding her parents away for the weekend on some last minute romantic getaway, she had the house to herself though that was no comfort to her. The manor just felt even more lifeless with no one else home. An hour after breakfast she took a morning swim, took a shower and dressed after electing to watch a film at the cinema in town. 

She could've taken a cab but instead, she opted to walk to take in the sunshine and the morning breeze. She couldn't imagine that they would get weather like this again for a while so it made sense to make the most of it. Besides, she often found that nature inspired her. 

As she walked down the streets, Caitlin noticed many other girls her age usually in groups. They all seemed to be wearing... well, less than her certainly. Though that was to be expected, seeing as she had always been quite conservative with what she wore. They all wore dresses with short skirts and high heels whereas she was wearing a long white dress that ended just about her knees with short sleeves and matching sandals which only had tiny heels. Caitlin had never been one to show off skin- she had always thought a more classical look was more tasteful like the old movie stars that she had idolized as a little girl.

She also never really wore makeup, preferring her natural appearance to any falsified one. Her mother had encouraged her a few times but she'd always shook it off. Whenever her mother forced her into makeup for either her mother or father's formal events, she always felt so fake as if she wasn't the real Caitlin. It never sat right with her so she didn't wear it much to the surprise of everyone else around her.

When she neared the cinema, Caitlin received a text from her brother, asking her whether she knew where their parents were. Typical. Of course, they didn't tell their own son that they'd gone away. Though she didn't know why this surprised her, considering that they did it often enough and had only let her know via a note on the kitchen counter. She texted him back then entered the building, opening her bag to grab her purse. 

She liked this cinema. It wasn't a big chain and although it was smaller it's always had a homely, domestic ambience. Oddly enough, it kind of reminded her of Barry's house that she'd been inside a week prior even if it was a completely different type of building. 

She bought her ticket and headed into the auditorium, holding her drink. The theatre itself was small and there weren't many people there which made her smile. Caitlin hated it when people were too loud in movie theatres, it always put her off and ruined it for her. Her seat was right in the middle so she went through her usual ritual of curling up in her seat, drink in hand. She wasn't especially tall so she could quite easily squeeze into the seat without losing her dignity.

It wasn't until the ads came on that anyone came to sit next to her. She didn't look but as far as she could tell there was only the one person. Caitlin was glad of that fact as she didn't much like being surrounded by lots of other people particularly in such a warm theatre on such a warm day. But she imagined that not many people went to the cinema on warm days which is why she decided to come today at all- fewer people. She turned her head to put her drink back in the holder after taking a sip from her straw and the turned her attention back to the screen. 

"Caitlin?"

She whipped her head back in confusion, her eyes widening in shock once she laid eyes on him. Barry? What were the odds of him being here let alone right next to her?

"Barry? What are you doing here?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowing.

"Watching a movie? I'm kidding I know what you meant. But I always prefer to come on hot days because there are fewer people and I always go for the centre of the theatre because it's the best view. Besides, I've been looking forward to this film for ages" he replied, looking as shocked as she was to see her.