It was Rachel's turn to host movie night. She sat in her recliner in the corner, scrolling on her phone, not even pretending to watch the movie. Goose and Jess shared the other recliner, also not watching the movie. Between the chairs was the couch where Asif sat between Jane and Asher. The overhead lights were off, everyone's face only illuminated by the movie on the large tv.
So far, the movie was about a group of women exploring a system of caves. It was claustrophobic and atmospheric, and it made Asher's skin crawl. He didn't watch many horror movies.
Suddenly the monster appeared behind the woman on the screen, and Asif jumped in his seat. His hands went down, one grabbing his girlfriend's hand. The other wrapped around Asher's, just for a moment. He hand jolted back almost the moment their skin made contact, but only by an inch or so.
Asher froze, not moving his hand away. Asif had just been startled, it was a reflex.
As the women on the screen ran around, Asher felt Asif relax again slowly. His hand went back down to rest on the cushion at his side, right next to Asher's. Their fingertips grazed against each other, just barely.
Though he was staring at the screen, Asher was no longer paying attention to the movie. Every nerve in his body was focused in his fingertips. Did Asif not notice? It was an accident, it was definitely an accident. He was sitting right next to Jane. He was taken. He was straight. He could not be more unattainable. Asher should not do this.
Asher relaxed back into the cushion, and slid his hand a fraction of an inch forward. His fingertips brushed against the side of Asif's fingers, just barely. And for a moment, nothing happened. Asher was about to pull his hand away when Asif's hand pushed forward, slightly, lacing his fingers with Asher's.
A chill went up Asher's spine. He knew Asif was just notorious for his hatred of horror movies, and needed someone to hold his hand. He had sensed a lot of tension between him and Jane lately. The two remaining women on the screen were staring each other down. Asher wondered what had happened in the last hour while he hadn't been paying attention. The blonde ran an ice pick through her opponent's knee, and the final few minutes of the movie played out.
Jane was the first to stand. She popped the DVD out of the player and returned it to its home in the case, and put it back in her purse. Asif slid his hand back into his lap quickly before she turned. He didn't look at Asher. Jane turned to her boyfriend, eyebrows raised. "Ready?"
He nodded and stood. "See you guys tomorrow night, right?"
Goose flashed him a thumbs up from under his girlfriend. "See you guys then!"
Jess pouted. "I can't believe I'm going to miss Mario Kart."
