Miles laughs.
Sophie smacks Jordan’s arm in annoyance. All three of them turn their attention back to us, and the room suddenly seems brighter, like a spotlight has been turned on above our heads. Miles and Sophie seem extra aware, their attention drifting overHolden and me, taking in our extra close proximity and joined hands.
Blood pounds in my ears as Sophie’s grin gets even wider. Worse, there isn’t a trace of surprise anywhere in her features. Only confirmation.
Because she knows. She’d picked up on it that day in the cafeteria. She probably even figured out it’s why I’ve been avoiding her at work.
My stomach dips slightly—not in shock. In recalibration. Not only has my relationship with Holden changed, but my relationship with my friends has too.
And I hadn’t meant for it to happen.
“I’m happy to see you guys,” Sophie says simply. “What movie are you here for?”
Holden shifts beside me, smoothly answering her question and smiling like everything is completely normal. He even laughs at something Jordan said, which I missed.
After a few minutes, Holden nudges me forward. “We’re up.” He nods toward the cashier. “Medium popcorn, peanut M&M’s and a large root beer, please.”
It should ground me. It’s what we’ve shared at the movies since we were kids. But now, something uncomfortable twists in my gut, and I throw a hand up before I can stop myself.
“Wait,” I say, a little too loudly.
They both pause. I suck in air, then blurt the first thing that comes to mind. “Can we get Mike and Ikes instead?”
The clerk nods like it’s no big deal, but Holden tilts his head a little. When he frowns, I don’t know if it’s in surprise or concern.
I can’t explain it except that I need something different today. Something to be…mine.
I fumble a little with my card when I pay, then Holden takes the candy and soda as the cashier slides the popcorn over to me. I nearly drop it. A few stray kernels fall to the floor.
When I look around, I see our friends already walking away toward their theater. I’m not sure if I’m sad or relieved. I genuinely enjoy their company, but I just… don’t want the spotlight on me either tonight. I don’t want the questions.
Holden and I sit near the middle at the top, our usual choice. He reads off the pre-movie trivia questions with extra enthusiasm and mocks all the low-budget ads, as if he’s trying to get me to smile. It almost works.
I sit with my arms folded and one leg crossed over the other. “You should get Skyward to put an ad up there.”
Holden scoffs. “Hell no. That would mean even more kids.”
“Hey. Adults go to your gym too. I was just there last week.”
“Wait. We’re adults now? When did that happen?”
I snort a laugh.Tell me about it.
When the movie starts, I miss the first ten minutes entirely. I hear Sophie’s laugh somewhere below me and curl inward instinctively. Had they seen us come in? What are they thinking? Sophie’s probably wondering why we didn’t sit with them… then assumed we wanted privacy since we’re a couple now.
Dammit. I just keep messing up. I never meant to hurt them.
Holden leans in slightly. “Seriously, hon. You okay?”
The tiny endearment makes my heart squeeze. I nod. “Yeah.”
“You usually laugh at these movies.”
I grit my teeth and reach for more popcorn. “I said I’m fine.”
Twenty minutes later, the scene cuts off and the main character is suddenly in a different place. No explanation of how she got there. Just… cut. New reality, and only a few clues to figure out how it happened.
Nowthatis laughable.Story of my life.
