Before I could join their unusually polite exchange, it was my turn to order for food, so I turned
my back on them instead. Anthony ordered for his food too, and Drew moved to the end of the
line to wait for me.
When the cashier handed me the items, I turned to face Drew, with a what's-going-on look. He
shrugged almost imperceptibly.
I glared at him before turning to Anthony again. What I was about to say died in my throat when
I saw a girl take the food Anthony just bought. She was inches taller than me, and had beautiful,
shiny shoulder length hair. I was star struck. She was so beautiful.
"I-We're going Anthony," I muttered, then spun on my heel. Just as I was about to take a step away, he took a hold of my arm. "Wait."
Reluctantly, I turned to face them. Drew was still on my side and he too, faced them again.
"Mr. Hamilton, Drei, this is Carley. Carley, this is Drei and---"
"Andrew Hamilton," Drew extended his hand. She took it, smiling politely at him.
"Nice to meet you," she said.
"Same here."
After letting go of his hand, she stuck it out to me.
I hesitated for a moment, then held out my hand too. I gave her a courteous shake. "Pleased to meet you," I tried my best not to stutter.
"Why don't we all go inside now? The movie's about to start. I see we're on the same movie,"
Drew broke the awkward silence and gestured to the ticket on Carley's hand.
Before my hand landed on my side after the handshake, I felt Drew take it in his again. I stared
at him and he squeezed my hand, "Let's go."
I followed my uncle inside and in the corner of my eye, I saw Anthony and Carley start toward
the cinema too. I think I saw her whisper something to Anthony but I didn't take a second look to
see if I was right. The awkwardness was getting too much to handle, and staring at them would
only double it.
I didn't realize I was staring at the floor the whole time until we reached the door leading to the cinema. Luckily, Drew held it out for me. He noticed my expression. "Smile," he whispered cheerfully. "Right," I smiled wryly.
I thought Anthony and Carley weren't following us, but to my dismay, Anthony suddenly spoke
behind us. "I saw empty seats there, we could sit together." He was towing Carley beside him, and Drew and I followed suit. Luckily, the movie hadn't started yet, and the lights were still on.
The free seats were on the aisle. All the other seats around it were occupied. The guy seated on
the fifth seat looked like a frustrated rock star. Wearing a muscle-sleeved shirt, the tattoo on his arm was more than visible. His hair was in a Mohawk style, and had multiple piercing on his
face. When his eyes landed on me, his face was in a smirk. Carley took the seat by the aisle,
and Anthony sat beside her. After hesitating for a moment, I unwillingly took the seat beside
him. Even if I would take the seat beside the frustrated rock star, I knew Drew wouldn't let me.
As I sat, Drew whispered something I didn't catch onto my ear as he took his.
"What?" I asked as he adjusted himself in his seat.
He smiled mischievously. "Perfect."
I lowered my gaze. In a way, it actually was.
Just then the lights turned off, and the trailers started. I began sipping my drink absentmindedly.
I was about to place it on the drink holder to my left, when I bumped into Anthony's hand.
"Uhh. Sorry," I muttered as I placed my drink on the other arm of the seat.
"No, its okay," he smiled.
As the movie rolled, I found it hard to focus on it. Not only because Anthony was beside me, but
also because of the frequent giggles I heard from Carley from time to time. Couldn't they do it
more discreetly? I sighed. Then I felt something on my shoulder. I turned and found Drew
leaning against me, sleeping. I raised my hand to adjust his head to a more comfortable position
when he suddenly caught it and rested our hands on the arm of the seat. My eyes widened
when I realized how visible it was, but he resisted my move and continued to rest our hands
there. I rolled my eyes. Drew was really serious with this game.
I turned my attention back to the movie and I saw Anthony turn his head toward me. I feigned
interest, and tried my best not to look at him too. I felt his stare linger at our hands before
turning back to the movie. I resisted the smile that was threatening to climb on my face. So
Drew's plan was somehow working after all.
The movie was halfway when the heavily tattooed man beside Drew left. He was obviously
alone, when the people beside him didn't follow him outside. Drew raised his head from my
shoulder and straightened himself in his seat. After a few minutes, he excused himself and
headed to the men's room. As if on cue, a man was suddenly taking Drew's seat beside me.
"Excuse me the seat's occ-" I was stopped short when I saw Carl smirking at me. "Carl."
Anthony must've heard me as he greeted Carl from behind me. "Hey."
"Hi."
I glared at him. He really acted like a stalker. But a little attractive than the usual ones. I pushed the thought away.
"There's someone seated there," I said flatly.
"There's a free one here," gesturing the seat beside him.
I rolled my eyes at him. Just then Drew got back and was equally shocked to find Carl on his
seat. He cleared his throat and temporarily took the seat beside him.
"I believe that's my seat."
"Oh yeah? Well---"
"He's right Carl." I heard Anthony mutter behind me. Before standing up, Carl muttered his famous line again. "Be careful."
I stared at him incredulously as he passed Drew, and headed to the exit.
***
"I'm so full!" Kris sighed as he leaned back on his seat. Kristine nudged her elbow on his side, and he quickly straightened
