“It does?”
“Remember that time we all had dinner at Senior’s? You and Kieran went to wash the dishes and there was that crashing noise.”
My face burns as I remember how I shoved Kieran against the kitchen island and we tipped over the fruit bowl. “Don’t remind me,” I mumble.
“Hey, don’t be embarrassed. I didn’t know for certain anything happened, I just thought it was interesting. Then there was also the fact you took his hoodie home that night.”
“Oh yeah,” I say. I really was obvious.
Juliet smiles and pulls into a car park in front of the mall.
I don’t get out of the car right away. “So…you’re cool with it?”
“That you’re dating Kieran? Of course.” She reaches over to give me a hug. I don’t expect it and freeze up as she pats my back. “Thanks for telling me. Now, go have fun on your date.”
“Okay, okay,” I say, unbuckling my seat belt and getting out of the car. We wave each other off.
I walk through the outdoor mall, towards the cinema. I check my phone to make sure I’m right on time. It’s almost six-o’clock, and the late afternoon sun is golden in the sky.
When I see Kieran waiting outside the cinema, nearby a brick wall covered with movie-posters, I increase my speed. As soon as he sees me, he smiles widely. “Hi,” he says when I appear in front of him.
“Hey,” I say. The bruise on his face has totally disappeared, and he’s wearing dark wash jeans and a cream knit jumper. “Is that mine?” I ask, gesturing at the jumper.
He glances down at it. “Yeah,” he admits. “I wanted to wear something nice for our first date,” he says. “I thought it’d be okay, after you wore my ratty old hoodie.”
“It’s not ratty or old,” I correct, and take his hand.
He looks down and our joined hands. I realise it’s the first time we’ve held hands, and it’s nice. “Let’s go in,” he says nodding at the cinema.
Inside, we join the end of the line. Once at the front, I order two tickets for a new fantasy movie that’s releasing tonight, popcorn and drinks. When it comes time to pay, I slam my debit card down before Kieran can.
“Jasper,” he says.
“You can get the next one. I promise.”
Kieran twists his lips, but then he nods. I think neither of us want to argue, especially over something petty. We’ve already fought enough to last a lifetime.
After we’re handed the paper tickets, a large box of popcorn to share, and two soft drinks, we go to the theatre the film is showing in. The lights are on, and we sit down in the middle row of seats.
“It’s been ages since I saw you last,” I say.
“That’s because you refused to hang out until today,” Kieran replies, poking me in the knee.
He’s right. “I didn’t want to distract us from studying,” I say. “I want you to do well in your exams.”
“We could study together,” he says, voice sly.
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, like that’d work.” I imagine sitting at a desk with Kieran, our homework between us. I don’t think I’d last five minutes without wanting to take his clothes off.
“Well, your plan worked. I did study a lot, mostly to distract myself.”
“See? It was a good idea, after all.”
The theatre lights turn off, and everyone goes silent as the first advertisement plays on the big screen. Kieran and I settle into our seats, and soon the movie begins. The movie’s entertaining, sure, but I can’t appreciate it because I keep glancing at Kieran. When he smiles at the screen, the rainbow colours of the film reflected on his face, my heart flutters.
After the movie finishes, we leave the cinema, holding hands again.
“Want to walk me home?” Kieran asks outside. The sky is navy blue and the street lights are on.
