“Oh.” I rub the back of my head, surprised. “Yeah, actually. Haven’t seen a live band in a while.”
“Perfect,” Ayla winks at her boyfriend. “I’m off the hook.”
We all chuckle, and I realize I’m smiling wide. The way Matty’s friends have swooped me into their group is surprising, but I guess it shouldn’t be. I had a great time hanging with them the few times we’ve met up.
Funny how some simple shit like that can make me feel loopy and happy, almost like I’m drunk.
The rest of the group shows up, and we all head inside. The theater is packed with even more people than I expected. There’s the smell of popcorn in the air, and when I spot a bar, I sneak off to grab Matty and I both a drink. We all quickly hurry in to find our seats, and when we do, Matty’s practically vibrating in the chair next to mine.
I rub his knee. “Almost time, babe.”
He turns and buries his face in the crook of my shoulder. “I’m nervous,” he laughs. “I was too tired to be nervous before, but now I’m freaking terrified.”
I chuckle and throw my arm over his shoulder. “You’re brilliant,” I say with confidence. “I’m going to love the hell out of the short, and so is everyone else here.”
“But what if they don’t?”
I grab his chin and pull him up to face me. “I’ll tell you what I know for sure. What other people think of you or your work, that’s not what makes it good. It’s good because it’s yours, Matty. You worked like hell on it, and you made your vision real, and no one can take that away, okay?”
He gives me a wobbly smile. “Okay,” he says. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Besides,” I add, “no one’s going to fuck with the bad boy of stop motion animation.”
Matty laughs as the lights dim. Only a moment later, the director of the program steps out and introduces the shorts for the night. Matty’s hand slides into mine, and when she says his name, he squeezes hard. I squeeze back, taking his nervous energy and holding him close.
Hell, I let out a little of my nervous energy, too. He’s refused to let anyone see the short yet, saying we need to wait for the final form, and I’m dying to know what my guy has accomplished.
Not that there’s any reason to worry. When his film starts, right at the start of the program, our row of friends erupts into loud cheers. Credits float across the screen, and slow music builds until the light flickers, and an image snaps into clarity.
It’s bright and vivid, bursting with personality, and instantly, I’m wrapped up in the movie.
A big smile plays over my face as the story unfurls, the goofy-looking dog suddenly emotive and real as it swings in the purse. The alley cat dances and performs for him, and the next thing I know, it’s like they’ve all come alive. All these characters and props that had seemed silly and lighthearted in the studio are suddenly beaming with a different energy. There’s just a dog and a cat, chasing each other and ending up in all sorts of slapstick trouble, but it becomes clear that this is a different kind of story, too.
A story about two weird figures, each prone to trouble and somehow willing to sacrifice everything they have for the other. It’s about difference and love and taking risks.
It’s like seeing Matty’s heart and knowing exactly what he believes.
And right there in the theater, the dog and the cat walking off together into the city, I realize that I’m just as right for him as he is for me.
The credits start to roll, and as the crowd erupts in cheers, I pull him close. “It’s amazing,” I say into his ear. “I can’t believe you actually made that.”
Matty looks up me, beaming. “Yeah?” he asks.
I nod toward the crowd, still clapping around us. “I’d say it’s a hit.”
“Stand up,” Ayla encourages from his other side. “It’s your time, Matty.”
He stands, hesitant, and waves to the crowd. As he does, the lights come up, and the applause builds again. Matty’s nervous smile grows wider, and I watch as he spins in a generous, exaggerated bow.
“Holy crap,” he says as he drops back down into the seat. “I can’t believe I just premiered my first short.”
I press my forehead against his for a kiss. “First of many.”
“You really liked it? You’re not just pretending?”
I stroke his cheek, beaming with pride. “Couldn’t have been more impressed,” I say honestly. “The attention to detail, the craft, the finesse of the movement… It’s really amazing, Matty. It’s like those figures were alive.”
He smiles and relaxes. “Thanks. That’s exactly what I needed to hear.”
