One last time/Zauren

29.

Two Years Later

L:
"Stop!" I watched as Normani threw popcorn at her boyfriend Blair. They were so happy. I couldn't help but smile at them. "You're going to get us kicked out before we even get to watch the movie!" She laughed. The ticket counter attendant was giving us all a blank expression. She was visibly over it.

"Alright, I've got the tickets!" Noah rushed over. "And I've got the popcorn and drinks," Blair said. "Here you go," Noah handed the usher our tickets and she handed back the stubs. "Theatre 3.. try not to drop any popcorn on your way in." She glared at Blair who was nudged by a giggling Normani.

"Are you excited to watch the movie?" Noah asked. I nodded my head. "I heard it was so scary people had to get taken out of the theatre by paramedics." Noah was a friend of Blair's. Blair and Normani had been together for a little over a year. She met him at work, and they clicked instantly.

I'd had dates since Zayn, but nothing that stuck. I hadn't seen him since I left the apartment. Every time that I went to gather my things, he made it a point to not be there. Communication was cut as well. It was as if he didn't exist. Our only mutual friend that I spoke to was Liam, only when he came in for teeth cleanings. Things in my life were different since then.

Blair and Normani thought it would be a great idea to set me up on a date with Noah. I'd met him a few times, but it was on an acquaintance level. They insisted however that we'd really hit it off. I wasn't on that wave length yet, and I wasn't sure if come the end of the night that I would be. He was a great guy. He was good looking and funny, but he just wasn't for me.

He was also a movie talker too. I was starting to become irritated as the plot thickened in the movie and he would lean over with buttered popcorn breath and tell me his theories on what he thought was going to happen next. I'm pretty sure at one point he even grabbed me for support when a jump scare scene happened.

After the movie, Normani went to the bathroom and dragged me along. "What'd you think of the movie?" She asked, applying lip gloss in the mirror. I was leaned up against the sink beside her. "It was okay. There were some scary parts but nothing even remotely close to get someone taken out by a paramedic," I said.
"People have weak hearts," Normani stated. I shrugged.

"It was also hard to focus with Noah talking the whole time."
"Yeah, Blair told me he does that, but that it's part of his charm. Speaking of Noah, how is everything going besides that?" I turned to her. "I don't know.. He's a nice guy and all but-"
"But what? Give the guy a fighting chance. We're headed out to Ami's after this. I know you can't resist sushi."
"I think I'm going to pass."
"Oh c'mon!" She grabbed my arms and locked eyes with me. "For me?" I sighed and nodded my head. "Fine. Fine.."

On the way to Ami's, Noah had his arm around me in the backseat. I didn't mind it at all, but it didn't make it feel anything. "So, did you see that ending coming?" He asked.
"No, I didn't."
"They're definitely making a sequel to that," he said. "Oh, they have to. You can't just end it like that," Blair chimed in from the drivers seat. Noah talked about the movie and what he thinks the sequel would touch base on if there was one.

"Finally we're here I'm starving!" Normani clapped. "You can get whatever you want," Blair kissed her cheek when he finished parking.

After we were sat and Normani ordered our second rounds of sake shots, and we just waiting on the arrival of our food. I was starting to loosen up. Noah and Blair were sharing funny stories of times they've had.

We were all laughing and having a good time when my heart dropped to my stomach. A girl being led by the hand with none other than Zayn walked by on the left side of the restaurant. Two girls following behind them. They were all tall bottle blondes. I felt a little woozy suddenly. They were sat at a table two diagonal from ours across the room. Our waiter passed by. "Can we get another round of sake shots," I asked. He nodded. "More shots? Well let's go!" Blair pumped his fists in the air.