AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We do,” she says, “we don’t call it abandoned,” she continues, “it’s taking a break from normal service.”
“So, the screen works?” I was starting to gain a lot more hope, I could still pull my plan off.
“Yes, I can even turn on the popcorn machine. What are you thinking about some kind of party for you and your friends?”
“No, there’s this girl, and I need to do something big to repair the damage I’ve done. I have a plan.”
“Oh, how romantic, can I do anything else? I’ll get someone to run the projector. I can bring some of my staff from the other location to take your tickets and give you popcorn? It will be your own private showing.” She says, her voice rising in excitement.
“Thanks, Lily,” I tell her. “I’m looking forward to working with you again.”
Nerves and doubt plague me as I picture how it’s going to go. She shows up and doesn’t want to go into the theater with me. She shows up and goes inside, but she hates it. There were so many ways it could go wrong. I need to focus on making it perfect and let fate handle the rest.
NINA
Despite being very apprehensive about the entire evening, I allow Grady to pick me up. I don’t want to look like I’m trying hard to impress Travis. I settle on a blue sweater and a pair of jeans with tall gray boots. Nothing special. I braid my hair in the way I’d done it for the Renaissance fair. I’ve really started to like the way it looks.
“You didn’t wear a dress,” my brother says as I get into his truck.
“Why would I wear a dress? I’ve been told by a jackass to meet at some undisclosed location, to do who knows what,” I tell him, crossing my arms in front of my chest.
“Fair enough, I just thought you lovvvvvedddd him.”
“Shut up, Grady. I’m only going to tell him to jump off a cliff,” I say. I’m hopeful when I see him, I’ll be able to say that to him. I can’t get sucked in. He lied and told me Sydney left, probably to get into my pants. I can’t be swayed by whatever romantic gesture he’s decided to pull.
“Wow, you are in a mood,” Grady says. “You know what Glenn would say. When you’re a sour puss, everyone has to pucker their lips.”
“You know, that’s a weird one,” I tell him.
“Yeah, Glenn is weird. I’ve perfected my impression though.”
“Nobody likes a party pooper,” I say in my best Glenn voice. I’ve been practicing our stepfather’s cantor too.
As we drive, I try to figure out where he’s taking me. We turn left instead of right as we hit town and start going down some dark backstreets.
“You’re going to kill me, aren’t you?” I ask Grady. “There is nothing down here.”
“Wow,” he says, “you figured it out. I’ve just been playing your brother for all these years, so I could finally kill you.”
“Great, I’m going to have to tuck and roll,” I say, pretending to open the door.
“Stop being dramatic. I’d run you over before you got a foot.”
Grady turns down Light Street and pulls up in front of a building I recognize. The movie theater we all went to as kids. All the lights are on, and the sign that usually has the movies on it says, now showing Top Gun. Welcome, Nina.
My breath catches in my throat, and I look at Grady with wide eyes.
“What is going on?”
My brother shrugs and tells me I might as well go in. “Your name is on the sign, after all.”
“I’m still telling him he’s an ass, and that he and sex on legs can finally be together because I am done,” I tell Grady as I get out of the truck, but my determination wanes a bit.
“Sure, you are, little sister,” Grady grins smugly, “okay, I’m leaving now.”
He doesn’t wait for me to respond before his truck peels out of the parking lot. I walk apprehensively to the front of the theater and pull the door open. The smell of fresh popcorn greets me. I don’t see Travis yet, but I do see a woman dressed like she works here with the red bowtie and everything, standing at the counter with a box of popcorn and a ticket. She greets me with a warm smile.
“Hi, Nina, welcome to Lawrence movie theater. Would you like extra butter or cheese on your popcorn?”
