I mentally facepalmed. Taking a deep breath, I replied, “Nevermind.” Emily looked as clueless as ever and pretended that never happened.

“Hey, let’s go to the movies!” I do a double-take.

“No, no, we are not going to the movies, Emily,” I tell her in a stern voice. I hate going to the movie theater, people and crowds are not my cup of tea. Watching movies at home is fine but not in public, that’s not for me.

“Oh, come on, you party-pooper, lets go! There are so many new movies that are playing right now, I hear their doing a discount today!” Emily’s eyes light up in the most innocent way. If she keeps doing this I might actually say yes. Suddenly, her innocent expression intensifies. I must have said that out loud…

“You did. Say that out loud, I mean. Well, that and what you were thinking, er, saying, whatever honestly, just now. So, can we go?” Emily is now looking at me with puppy dog eyes, making me feel strangely guilty.

“Fine. We’ll go. But just for you,” I sigh deeply.

***

We end up walking for a few minutes to get to the other side of the mall, where the theater is. I did not anticipate the length of the walk and have taken many breaks along the journey. I spot the theater up ahead and walk hastily the way there, Emily way behind.

As I enter the facility(?), a woman walks over to me.

“Hi, are you here to buy a ticket or do you already have one reserved?” she says with a kind smile.

“Uh, buy,” I reply. At this point Emily is hugging the woman and making small talk. I give her a questioning look.

“Oh, sorry, Charles, this is my friend Ashley from softball. Ashley, this is my bestest friend in the entire universe, Charles,” she introduces. Ashley looks at me with interest.

“Oh, so this is Charles? The one who’s in love with that Isen guy?” My jaw drops. Emily snickers off to the concession area.

“I don’t know what kind of lies Emily told you, but know this. I. Do. Not. Like. Isen. I met him yesterday and I never even spoke to him. And don’t listen to whatever Emily says ‘cause it’s bound to be a lie.” I try to make this as clear as humanly possible. I will murder her!

“Yeah, I had a feeling she was lying. She looked so mischievous when she was telling me. Anyway, have fun!” Ashley pushes me in Emily’s direction and looks sadly over her shoulder. Seriously, what is up with the suspiciously sad looks?!

***

“So, Charlie-poo, today we are going to watch adrift! I’ve been wanting to watch this movie for so long and what better way to watch than with my favorite person?” Emily skips into the room playing our movie and sits down with her snacks.

“What about James, isn’t he your favorite person?” I stupidly ask as Emily visibly stiffens.

“We broke up,” she quietly whispers. I probably would have missed it if I didn’t lean towards her. “But I’m over it. Come on, Charles, let’s just watch the movie. Please?” she asks me. I sigh and nod. She smiles and lays her head on my shoulder(not before putting up that uncomfortable-ass armrest).

And that’s it. We make it through the movie and that position. My arm slung over her shoulders, comforting her through the movie. I’ll say this though, it was a very peaceful 2 hours.