Imaginary Amity

Chapter thirteen

I stare at the screen for a few seconds, before something flashes across it. A big, hairy face growls before biting bodies and tossing them to the side, or chopping heads off and leaving them to bleed to death. My stomach tightens into a knot and I try to remember how to breathe. All the gore...all this death...I want to vomit and hide under my bed at the same time. The monster turns, slowly, making a full turn before his dead eyes seem to settle on me. I know it has to be me, that he's looking at, because his eyes are trained in that exact direction. His claws flicker, and he leans back for a millisecond, and lunges towards me. I scream and clutch Jax's arm.

I realise that it doesn't seem to actually touch me. And that I just screamed. Out loud.

Because of watching a harmless movie. I don't understand how people like movies like this!

Thankfully no one else is looking at me but Jax, because apparently I wasn't the only person.

I give a short laugh for his benefit. I decide to cough up the truth. "I'm sorry, this is my first...horror movie."

"Seriously?" he snorts. But then he smiles. "Why didn't you tell me?"

I smile back. "I didn't think it would make a difference."

I realise my arm is still clutched to his, so I go to move back but he puts a hand over my arm. Making me look up, into his eyes.

My senses all dull. I don't notice the dead bodies on the screen, the audience shrieking or whispering, the screams coming from the movie. I have no reason to be scared when I'm stuck in a moment like this.

His hair flops over his eyes, almost hiding his eyes. The blue pierces me, gives me thrills in every part of my body. Pins and needles take over, and I stay rooted to the spot.

But he leans closer, and I do too, and we push our lips together, like we're both in a wrestling match. He's pushing against me, and I push back. Which is hard with the feeling that makes me want to flop onto the floor. I have to fight not to. His mouth opens mine, and soon enough, his tongue slips over mine.

"I wanted to tell you how amazing you look," he whispers against my lips, his voice heavy and breathless.

My stomach flips. He noticed.

I slide an arm behind him, pulling him closer to me. I barely even realise I'm holding a fistful of his shirt. I run my fingers through his hair. How long have I been waiting to touch it?

His mouth turns up, and his hand slips behind me. At first I think he's pulling me closer, like I was, but his hand slides under my top. I jerk back to my seat.

"What are you doing?" I hiss, repulsed.

His shock is genuine. "What? I can't put my hands under your shirt?"

I stare at him. "At least not in public."

"This isn't public." he sighs. "Come here, I didn't mean it like that."

I hesitantly move closer, and soon relax in his arms. I lay my head down on his shoulder and close my eyes. I'm so tired. Being popular is exhausting.

He rests his hand on my thigh, still watching the movie. I stiffen, and I don't dare move. You know how when someone else leans on you, and suddenly every nerve in your body is awake? And you're too afraid to move?

That's how I feel now.

Someone kicks our seat from behind us, making us both jump and turn around.

"Stop with all that, frenching and stuff." a figure says from behind us. Jax rises up, pointing his flashlight at them. It's a girl, she looks only about a year older, and I feel like I recognise her. Oh, that's right. Blair Lewis. She played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz last year. She's one of those drama geeks who feel like they can say anything they want, anytime.