“At least you watched some movies with your sister. My brother always changed mine and then pretended he didn’t when my mom started scolding him.”
He laughs, soft and small. At first, I think it must be because of the film’s weird art show, but then he turns to me and I’m staring into emerald green.
“I did that too. Depending on the day.”
“Oh, so you are a standard older brother?” I tsk sarcastically. “And I thought you were different.”
He laughs louder. “As standard as I could be.”
I try to imagine Locke in a living room with his younger sister, messing with her movies and shows because it’s an innate feeling in siblings. It checks out to what I know. But then I imagine a parent getting in the middle of their charade, and the vision becomes fuzzy. From what Lil told me, that part isn’t as believable as it should be.
I won’t impose those thoughts on him, or my speculation that his negative aura earlier was because of his father. Instead, I let us fall into easy discussion of the film. Even with a hushed voice, and a slight tone of uncertainty, Locke asks questions. About the cast and what they could’ve been in before. He comments that he recognizes the fancy hotel a scene is shot in, because he stayed there a few summers growing up.
The way he opens the floor for me to talk about this makes me want to share more with him.
“This is my favorite scene,” I mumble through a bite of popcorn, and he looks back and forth between me and the screen.
“A kiss in the rain?”
“Yes.” I whisper the word, and for a moment, I second guess myself. Maybe I shouldn’t dump random things I like about the film and my thoughts connected to it. It might be annoying and bothersome to him, like it has been to other guys.
I glance at Locke. He’s staring at me, eyes void of judgement. They’re glossed over with patience and curiosity.
His silence makes it feel okay to share these thoughts. Even if they may be pointless, he’s willing to listen.
“It’s so cliché, but I love a kiss in the rain. It’s so poetic.”
“Poetic?”
I double-check. Make sure his face hasn’t morphed to disgust, but it’s the same look of patient interest.
I can’t stop myself from sharing with someone who will finally listen.
“Yes! Think about it. Not about that humid, gross rain during the summertime. I’m talking about the cold and gloomy rain during fall and winter. Everyone hates it. People literally get seasonal depression when the weather changes.” I point to the window for dramatic effect. In the last week or so, the temperature has started to drop. The weather hasn’t fully shifted into chilly wind and icy rainfall, but I know it’s coming.
When it does, society is going to tuck themselves into their homes and avoid the outside world, because rain meansfrostto so many people.
Sometimes, that applies to me. But when I’m cozy on a couch, staring at a scene of two people embracing under a romantic rainfall, it’s different. I love it.
“Imagine, during what everyone considers to be cold, heartbreak weather, you’re with your lover. You kiss. In the middle of a storm that’s supposed to chill you to the bone, they keep you warm, and there’s nothing to be sad about. Not when you have them.”
I sigh into the space of the apartment, releasing the hopes I have for that to be me one day. I shove a handful of popcorn in my mouth to distract myself, but it doesn’t work. I’ll be thinking about romantic rain kisses all night.
“You have… thoroughly considered this.”
“I’m a hopeless romantic. A girl can dream.”
I avoid saying those words aloud most times. I’ve been conditioned to think feelings are negative. Too many emotions mean you can’t be taken seriously. It’s been said to me too many times.
Locke seems different, though. He acts different. Holds himself differently. Doesn’t respond with a laugh or an eye roll. Just nods lightly and turns his attention back to the screen.
Ten minutes later, he asks another question about the main character’s family.
The night flies. The watch list has shifted to an animated film of Locke’s choosing, and it’s me who asks questions.
His answers are shorter, but still informative. I learn about voice acting and English dubbing through his mumbled explanations.
I keep asking. He continues to answer, and with each one, the sentences get longer and his voice more assured.
