After a shower, I quickly threw on a peach dress and rummaged through my closet for the jeans jacket that I'd bought a year ago but never worn. When I couldn't find it in the wardrobe, I turned my attention towards the boxes piled up on the floor. After a good ten minutes, of rummaging through the boxes, I plopped myself on the floor and sighed. It wasn't the first thing that had gone missing from my room. But at this point, it was getting ridiculous. I couldn't have misplaced so many things in such a short amount of time. Maybe Enid had taken it to wash it, I told myself with a shrug and pushed myself off the floor.
I picked up my usual jacket of the coat hook and made my way out the door. I had only half an hour left and I didn't want to be late.
When I reached the cinema David was waiting in front of it alone. I slowed my steps, and glanced around, searching for Laira but she was nowhere in sight.
" Hi Lily," David pulled his hand out of his jeans pocket and waved.
" Hi, David" I craned my neck to see if, maybe Laira was hiding behind David. She usually was.
" Where is Laira?" I asked when I couldn't find the girl.
" It's just us," David grinned and turned to the ticket booth to buy the tickets. I frowned, maybe she had changed her mind about coming.
" Ready?" David turned to me, holding the two tickets, and waved me inside.
" What do you snack do you want? David asked as we made our way to the counter. David was a nice boy. I liked spending time with him and Laira, but I had no love interest in him. Our outing looked more like a date by the minute.
" I'll have just a drink. Something lemony. Anything would do." I refrained from smiling, afraid he might get the wrong idea. David nodded and turned to the boy behind the counter ordering to order lemonade for both of us and the usual cinema snack, popcorn.
I glanced around at the posters displayed and at the times they were playing and I frowned when my eyes fell on a man and a woman kissing. I wasn't familiar with the actors but I wasn't a big fan of the cinematic universe. So, even if they were famous, I still had no clue who they were. My world was small and Mason was a big part of it.
" There you go, beautiful, " David handed me my drink wearing a dazzling smile. I was speechless for a good two minutes, trying to formulate a reply.
" Thank you," I mumbled, staring at the big cup of lemonade in my hand. How do I get out of that? I questioned myself. I misunderstood his invitation, thinking that it will be three of us. And he misunderstood my acceptance.
I didn't want to ruin our friendship. I liked David and Laira. We had many things in common.
We took our seats in the third row, too close to the screen, but I didn't say anything. I was still trying to find a way to deliver the news to David that I had no interest in him, without ruining everything. It was a tough one. I glanced at the screen when the theme music began blaring in the cinema and decided to enjoy the film. I'll cross that bridge when I'll get to it. I was hoping I would never get to the damn bridge.
My initial enthusiasm died down, and I was worried that at any moment David might reach to take my hand or put his hand anywhere on my body. I cringed at that thought and shrunk my seat trying to pay attention to the cheesy dialogue between the two protagonists. It was the same ol' thing. I love you and I can't live without your exchange. Frankly, I found it hackneyed. But, then again I was hopelessly in love with a man that didn't share my feelings. So maybe, I would never get to hear those cheesy lines. I was way too cynical for an eighteen-year-old girl.
" Did you enjoy it?" David asked as he straightened himself in his chair, making me realise that the film was already over and I didn't even watch two minutes of it.
" It was good," I mumbled as I pushed myself up to stand.
" You didn't touch your drink," David noted, making me glance at the drink in my hand. I hadn't done many things that evening. I wasn't in the right head space to deal with a date night.
" I wasn't as thirsty as I thought, " I replied and took a sip from the warm lemonade. The ice had melted long ago. I grimaced at the washed-up taste of lemonade.
" You can take it home," David waved me to go when the people in front of me finally stepped out of the chairs and began moving.
When we finally stepped outside one hour and a half later. My limbs and ass were numb. I wasn't used to being still for that long. I took a deep breath, buried my chin in my chest and made a beeline for the exit. I was looking forward to going home and wasn't looking forward to seeing if I was right or wrong about David. I prayed that I was wrong.
"Lily! Wait!" David grabbed my arm the moment I stepped through the cinema door onto the pavement.
I froze and closed my eyes. Now what? With a heavy heart, I turned around and let out a silent breath.
" Are you alright? You've been quiet all night?" David worriedly asked and lowered his hand to his side.
I raised my eyes, contemplating whether I should say something or just wait to see how things play out and hoped that I wouldn't have to deal with anything.
" I'm alright. I just have a headache." I went with the oldest lie in the book and tried my best to make it believable.
" Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe we should cut our evening short," David added and I was relieved that he suggested it.
" I'm sorry," I mumbled looking down at my shoes. I wasn't sorry. I was happy that it was over.
David's shoes appeared in my view and when I raised my head to look at him, he leaned in, I took a step back, turned on my heels, and ran as fast as I could, leaving him where he was. I didn't know what went through his head at that moment, but I knew he wasn't what I wanted.