I rub my right wrist and say, “It’s better.”
“I wanted to punch him,” Conner admits. “I wanted to fucking wail on him when he touched you like that.” He inhales deeply, and the orange sparks glow. “I didn’t give a fuck if he hurt me. It’s whatever. But you,”—he shakes his head—“I won’t take too kindly next time.”
I’m not sure what to say. I like the idea of someone—anyone—there to protect me. It’s what I have always dreamed of. I wantthat knight in glistening armour riding their stallion to come and rescue me from the light of slavery given upon me.
I dreamt of the day someone stood protectively before me, not monstrously. And here he is, with me now, and acting as I always dreamed of.
Except I never thought I would gain it.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks.
“Oh…” I look away from him. Heat trickles across my cheeks. “What movie are we watching?”
“You will see.” Conner drops the cigarette, drags his foot across it, and we walk to the automatic doors.
This intense, buttery, salty flavour wafts in my face as the doors open. I inhale, tasting the popcorn on the tip of my tongue, and it salivates my insides as I yearn for a bite.
Conner comes up behind me, and I flinch as his hands move over my eyes. “Take everything in.”
I reach up and hold on to his arms, taking in the noises and aromas: the cash register ringing, the popcorn popping, and the movie previews playing on the display screens.
Then, I listen to the soft breaths from behind me, and I drink him in.
He has a musky, drinkable aroma coming from him, and it mingles with his smoky, ashen breath. His hands are soft and smell of lavender, perhaps from lotion. And his chest presses against my back, a steady breath in and out. Conner’s presence keeps me calm and aware, but not afraid.
I lower his arms and look up at him. His smile is enchanting, and if I don’t step away—away from him—I will fall for him so effortlessly, as if we have known each other for years and not mere days.
There aren’t many people there. Most are elderly and families.
A kid points to a cartoon poster while the mum digs into her purse until she finds her card.
When we reach the cashier, Conner says, “Two tickets to see Warlord: Overtaken Crown”, when we are next in line.
“Anything else?” the lady asks.
“Yes. One large popcorn, two large drinks—cola and orange—and two choc top ice creams…and also two Snickers bars, please.”
“Thank you,” I murmur as Conner hands me my ticket and the large popcorn. I hug the popcorn, feeling the warmth and smelling the heavenly buttery flavour on the tip of my tongue.
The man at the bottom of the stairs rips our tickets. I straighten up, baffled. Conner chuckles as he walks up the stairs.
“Why did he rip the ticket?”
“I don’t know. They just do,” Conner says with a shrug.
The door is open, and as we step inside, we’re swallowed up by the darkness. The temperature drops, and goose prickles rise along my arms.
Only one couple is sitting at the back. Otherwise, it’s just us.
Conner finds a spot in the side row at the back. He shuffles in first, and I sit beside him with the popcorn on my lap. He sets my drink next to me, and his goes on the other side before he gives me the chocolate ice cream and a Snickers bar.
“What’s this movie about?” I whisper, fearing my voice will carry and the people across from us will hear me.
“It’s an action fantasy, and everyone is raving about it.” Conner reaches over, and my body stiffens until he goes into the popcorn box and grabs a handful. He shoves every piece of popcorn into his mouth until it’s full. And with his mouth full, he says, “Take some.”
I reach in and grab a few.
Conner chuckles, saying, “You’re supposed to be messy. Grab that inner-grub by the horns and stuff your face.”