Fly High | ✅

43 | Double date

◈A D R I A N◈

I heard a small gasp by my side, no doubt the sound was coming from Kelly. Looking down at her, I squeezed her shoulder, silently imploring her not to expose me. The shock seemed to stop her crying.

I dipped my head low, my face turned away from Logan and Kara to whisper in Kelly's ears. "Just play along. I'll explain later."

She blinked her teary eyes at me and I took the opportunity to play the comforting boyfriend. I reached for her face and used my thumb to wipe at her wet cheeks, moving gently to tuck stray strands behind her ears.

Kelly was completely speechless though her flushed complexion spreading to her ears told me she was both embarrassed and maybe a little coy?

Putting on my best sheepish smile, I turned to them and explained, "It was my bad. I totally forgot about our anniversary."

Kara covered her mouth in mock shock. "Oh no you didn't! You need to make it up to her, Adrian. That was an amateur mistake," she admonished.

Kelly cleared her clogged throat and gave a watery smile. She turned to me and said, "I won't forgive you if you forget the next anniversary too."

I breathed out in relief, glad that she was willing to help me out and returned her smile. "I promise. You can kick my ass if I did. As for now, you get to pick what you want to watch later."

Kara perked up at the mention of movie. "Are you guys planning for a movie later? What are the odds?" Her arms wound tighter around Logan's arm and continued, "We're on our way to the cinema right now. Join us if you want to. We can do a double date!"

I stole glances at Logan, trying to gauge his reaction but his expression was unreadable. He'd been very quiet ever since we met, silently observing my interaction with Kelly as if he had seen through the act.

I hated this. Hated the way he acted as if he could read me like an open book. Hated the way he allowed Kara to crawl all over him like a spider demon weaving her web around him.

Kelly was taken aback by the offer. "I don't think we should—"

"Sure. That sounds fun," I agreed immediately. Two can play the game.

Logan chuckled as if I just told the world funniest joke. Kara looked at him curiously then back at me. "What's wrong? Did I miss something funny?"

"Nothing. I was just excited for the double date," Logan replied, his knowing eyes never left mine.

Squaring my jaw, I grabbed Kelly's hand and pulled her to the nearest mall. "Let's go then before the tickets sell out."

✴

I sighed for the third time when the line moved forward an inch in the past fifteen minutes. Kara had dragged Kelly away to the counter to pick the movie, leaving Logan and I in line for popcorn and drinks. Looking at the posters displayed along the hallway, I could only pray that it wouldn't be some sappy, yawn-worthy romcom.

The line was pretty long since there was only one counter manned by a cashier and a staff. Not to mention some blockbuster movie starring Brad Pitt had just started playing in theatres causing people to act like vultures swooping in for fresh meat.

I rocked back and forth on my heels uncomfortably, painfully conscious of Logan standing behind like a stiff mannequin. I glanced over to the other queue and saw Kara and Kelly chatting like old friends. It amazed me how girls were able to bond so quickly.