Broken Goods - Criminal Minds - Spencer Reid

It's Not A Date

I let out a small squeak and step back, holding the items I was carrying against my chest as if protecting them from some evil fiend.

"Oop, sorry," I said with an awkward laugh, scooting past the person to get to where I needed to be.

Lifting my ticket, I check over the information one more time before stepping up behind the few people in the queue.

Awkwardly juggling my bag, purse, loyalty card, ticket and drink, I shifted things about to try and slip my purse back into the handbag without dropping everything. Simple really, I just made it look more awkward than it needed to be.

I went through the routine of showing the employee my ticket and loyalty card to prove I was indeed the one to purchase it, had an awkward brief conversation with her and then walked into the screen I was to spend the next two or so hours in.

Tucking the ticket and card into the back pocket of my jeans, I slide my bag back over my shoulder and got myself back into alignment to make the simple task of door opening that much easier.

The door gave an almost comforting 'shtuck' sound as I pulled it opened and stepped into the room, the faint sound of the Indiana Jones soundtrack playing for the audience as the small group of us who had gathered already waited for the cinema's own brand stand-by screen to come up.

Although I knew which seat I was to head to, I always liked to pick the highest seat in the farthest corner that my monthly paid loyalty card would allow, I still untucked the ticket once again to doublecheck that I had booked the seat that I assumed I had before I ended up accidentally sitting on someone's lap.

Turning to the stairs and making my way up, I noticed that it was near empty with only about three other people inside, though with five minutes left before just the ads began it wasn't too unheard of.

People still had plenty of time to show up.

Only one other person was sitting at the top row, though in a separate section to my own seat.

As I neared, I tried my best to not stare as an air of familiarity washed over me and I tried to place where I had seen them before.

I was ready to give up and simply take my seat to stop appearing like a creeper when the puzzle piece clicked into place, then I had to make a split-second decision.

"Uh, hey again," I said gently, stepping a little closer to his seat.

Apparently, I picked the one that would usually be left in my 'should have' pile of missed life opportunities and I wasn't passing up a chance to speak to Patient-Y.

He seemed a little startled at being addressed and looked at me quizzically, his eyes briefly glancing over me before he smiled and sat up straighter in his chair.

"Hey," he replied, giving me a little wave.

"I hope I'm not being weird approaching you, but we met at the doctors and I wanted to say hi even though we haven't formally met."

"No, it's okay, I remember you," he laughed awkwardly as he recited my name questioningly.

"Yeah, that's me," I frowned a little, tilting my head, "I don't remember telling you my name though."

"Oh, you didn't," he shook his head, "it came up on the doctor's announcement board and I'm good at remembering things that I read."

"I see, that's pretty cool."

"Eidetic memory, it's a blessing and a curse," he smiled, "but I'll even the playing field, my name is Spencer."

"Okay Spencer, it's a pleasure finally meeting you formally."