Chapter 8 : Simple Little Moments
"Nikki?"
I faintly recognised the sound of my name as I stared down the brightly lit hallway, lost in thought.
My shoulder still tingled unpleasantly from the person who had rudely bumped into me. There was something different about him, something I couldn't quite put my finger on, but maybe I was just imagining things.
Shrugging it off, I hurried after Alastair who waited for me at the door. I handed the employee my ticket and together we entered the cinema room. It seemed we were a little late; when we walked around to the seating area the movie was already playing. Colours lit the room and reflected off people's eyes as the scenes changed on the giant screen.
I spotted Brianna who had already grabbed a spot with Zac near the front row. She stood up on her seat, waving frantically for us to join her. She probably doesn't want to sit alone with him, I thought. There were a few spare seats beside her but before I could even think about moving, a group of girls sat there instead. Brianna looked like she was about to cry.
I felt something touch my hand. It was Alastair's own hand. "Come on," he said and led me up the stairs to a higher row of seats. All I could do was send Bri a shrug. Looks like she was on her own from here on out.
I was fully aware of how snug my hand was in Alastair's. They fit together perfectly. I couldn't help but smile as he pulled me behind him. It felt almost nostalgic.
We settled beside each other in some empty seats near the back row. From here, I could still see Brianna and Zac from where they sat below us. Regrettably, my hand fell from Alastair's when he passed me a soda and the warmness I felt instantly vanished. I went to protest, I didn't want him to let go of my hand. I even opened my mouth to do so but stopped before the first word could leave my mouth.
Get real, Nikki. You can't just hold his hand so casually.
Lowering my eyes, I sighed. My inner voice was right. I shouldn't want to be any closer to my brother than any normal sibling would.
Alastair would never know how much he means to me, I'll never tell him.
With that thought, I stuffed the box of popcorn in the holder between our seats and pooled all my attention on the giant screen in front of us.
Minutes passed. The movie was a serious romantic drama but honestly kind of boring. Beside me, Alastair was reading. He paid no attention to the giant screen in front of us or the sounds booming from the speakers and sat there as if he were at home, relaxed on the sofa. I hadn't the slightest idea where he pulled the book from and I was surprised he could even read in this lighting.
About half way through the movie, I noticed a figure below move substantially. It was Zac. He was stretching his arms but I noted that wasn't the only thing he was doing.
I covered my mouth and tried to stifle a laugh. "Oh my God."
Hearing me, Alastair glanced up from his book. "What is it? Did one of those pestiferous girl characters die?"
I shook my head, almost bursting out laughing, and continued to watch Zac making a smooth attempt of wrapping an arm around Brianna's shoulders. He was such a moron.
Still confused at what I found funny, I pointed to Zac so he could catch on. "Look at him, trying to sneak an arm around her and calling it a stretch." I tried not to laugh, it was adorable really.
"I don't think I understand," Alastair whispered back to me. "So he put his arm around her; what do you find so hilarious about that?"
I faced Alastair with an incredulous look, almost laughing at him as well. "Don't tell me you don't even know what The Move is?" I took the look he gave me as a no. "You know, when you stretch, maybe yawn, and subtly wrap your arm around your date's shoulders?"
"Not especially," he said and returned to his book.
I couldn't believe he'd never heard of this. I laughed again, unable to help it. Hadn't he made an easy first move on at least one girl he took out in high school?
Someone cleared their throat behind me. Realising I was laughing through an emotional scene in the movie, I managed an apology through my chuckles and sank lower in my chair.
When my laughs finally subsided, I side eyed the boy next to me. Huh. So he really doesn't know. Out of everyone, I was sure he at least would have known that move. Then again, when I actually thought about it, Alastair's never mentioned a past girlfriend and I've never witnessed him with someone. Even now, he's never talked about anyone special in his life.
I smiled. Knowing he wasn't seeing anyone made me incrediably happy.
The movie continued and I actually began to enjoy it. I was aware that Brianna hadn't moved Zac's arm from her shoulders. It was probably only an amount of time before they called themselves an official couple now.
So maybe Zac's hard work today wasn't for nothing.
I was nibbling on the popcorn, my attention solely on the giant screen, when from beside me Alastair stretched. I didn't think anything of it until I felt his arm fall around my shoulders. My eyes widened and I felt my heart skip a beat.
"How was that?" he asked smoothly, propping his face on his hand and raising an eyebrow knowingly. "Was that subtle enough?" His almost violet eyes peaked through the dark strands of hair covering his brow, watching my reaction carefully.
"L-look at you," I stuttered, nervously playing with the end of my scarf. "Already a pro." I felt my face warm as he pulled me against him.
He was my brother; I shouldn't have been feeling what I felt when he touched me, when he payed attention to me and yet, I did and what made it worse was that I couldn't help it.
I relaxed against Alastair, resting my head on his shoulder. The cinema was dark and besides Brianna and Zac, who couldn't see us unless they turned around, no one else knew who we were.
This movie just got a whole lot better.
It really was like our own little date.
With his arm around me, his thumb gently stroking my arm, focussing on the movie grew increasingly difficult. Alastair seemed totally relaxed, while I on the other hand felt like a shivering hot mesh. I doubt he knew how much little things like this made me feel.
After some time, I couldn't take how stuffy it was becoming in this dark cinema room. I didn't want to move from the comfortable position I was in, tucked up against Alastair's side, but I also knew that if I didn't get some fresh air and cool myself down, I'd undoubtedly pass out. I excused myself, lying to Alastair by saying I was going to buy us more popcorn. He asked if I wanted him to come and I retorted with, "I'm old enough to buy food without a chaperone."
When I pushed open the cinema door and stepped out into the red hallway, there was no immediate rush of cold air that cooled my skin. So it was just me who felt stuffy. I also noticed that the employee who took our tickets was no longer there.
I found the womens' bathroom and splashed cold water onto my face. I glanced at myself in the mirror, it was impossible not to notice my cheeks which were coloured a burning red.
"God, you're such a kid getting all flustered like this," I mumbled to myself.
It didn't help that I was dressed in a scarf and T-shirt that didn't leave anything to the imagination. My outfit alone was probably causing me to overheat. It wasn't like I had a choice though; hickeys weren't the most attractive thing to see and I wasn't about to show them off. I could only imagine the type of questions Brianna and Zac would shoot at me if they saw what was fading on my chest and neck.
I dried the water droplets from my face and fixed my hair in the mirror. I needed to buy popcorn -- not because I had told Alastair I would but because I honestly wanted more to nibble on. The box I bought earlier barely lasted a few minutes into the movie. Then, I thought excitedly, I would return to Alastair's arms and watch the rest of the movie.
Catching my goofy smiling face in the mirror I squinted my eyes. "You control yourself," I ordered the girl staring back at me. Nodding, and feeling a little more resolved, I left the bathroom.
I took one step out the door only to crash into something and be abruptly knocked back. Before I could stumble over my own feet however, an arm snaked around my waist, pulling me flush up against a body. Instinctively, I looked up and met dark ivy green eyes staring down at me.
"Ah, you're the cutey from before," the stranger said, a crooked smile spreading across his face. His gaze ran down to where our bodies touched, my chest, before returning to my blue eyes. "Yep, definitely wouldn't forget you. Do you make it a habit to eat and not watch where you're going?"
"Me?" I accused, pushing him back as a means to remove his arm from around me. He wouldn't budge and if anything the arm around me only tightened. That familiar sensation of cold chills appeared. "You were the once who bumped into me and didn't bother apologising."
He leant in a little closer. "On the contrary, my little blue eyed sprite. I do not apologise. Not really my thing." His dark eyes held a odd gleam as he spoke.
I managed to pull his arm from around me. "Whatever you say." I went to step around him but he made no signs of letting me leave. "Could you move? Please."
He burst into laughter and at that I couldn't help but frown. What did he find so funny? "Well this is definitely a first," he chuckled. "You're not at all allured by me right now, are you? Wow. What a major ego blow. Kind of stings," he feigned hurt for a second before focusing those dark eyes on me again. "Hey, what's up with the warm clothes?" He asked randomly, gesturing to the red scarf I wore. "Have you been outside yet or what?"
"None of your business," I replied a little harsher than intended and pushed past him. What was with this guy?
The scarf around my neck was tugged, halting my steps. "Hey, girly, I'm not done with you yet. How 'bout we get to know each a little yeah?"
I yanked my scarf back. "I'm okay thanks."
"Oh but I'm not." In a second I was back against the wall, my jaw held firmly in his hand. I didn't like the feeling of him touching me but strangely I wasn't terrified either.
"I'll scream," I warned, "if you don't let go of me right now."
"And you don't think I could shut you up?" he said lowly, that crooked smile on his face only growing. "You know, my little blue eyed sprite," he stroked a thumb over my cheek, "you have the softest skin." Unlike when Alastair touched me, this guy's touch didn't feel nice or even half as sincere. I saw his nostrils flare, as if he was taking in a deep breath, "and you smell heavenly too. Tell me, do you taste just as sweet?"
"I bet that line works with all the girls you corner," I said flatly, subtly trying to move my leg so I could knee him if he didn't release me.
"I don't say that to most girls." He caught on and trapped my legs with his own. "Uh-uh, don't be smart, girly." Still holding my jaw, he angled my face up and brought his own closer, eyes growing a darker shade.
What did he think he was doing? Was he going to kiss me? We were in a public area. Sure, no one could see us from where we were in the hallway but it seemed a little careless to be making a move like that so openly.
If I didn't know any better, it was like he was more interested in my neck than my face. I had my arms between us, pushing him away as he leant in, but he caught my hands in his own and held them still.
"Seriously, let go of me," I demanded, fighting against his body that held me to the wall. A few seconds ago I wasn't scared but I could feel my fear beginning to grow now. There was something about this person that didn't strike me as normal. His hand on my jaw felt jagged and icy.
Lips close to pressing against the skin of my neck, a voice made me open my eyes that I had subconsciously closed. "I'd advise you not to touch this one."
The guy stopped and sighed but still didn't release his hold on my jaw. "And who are you, her boyfriend?" He asked snarky without turning around .
"Alastair," I said breathlessly. I then remembered the situation I was in and gulped. "This isn't what it looks like... well it is b-but it isn't."
"Alastair?" I heard the guy mumble. He released my jaw almost forcefully.
Alastair grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from the stranger and to his own side. "I thought you were just getting popcorn?" Alastair said gently and almost humorously. Any other time and I probably would have laughed.
"I was about to..."
"Alastair. Alastair? I wonder, why does that name sound so familiar?" The guy spun around, leaning back against the wall where I just was. He folded an arm over his chest, his other tapping thoughtfully on his chin.
"That's right! Alastair."
I saw recognition flicker in my brother's eyes as they stared at each other. "Draven?"
The guy known as Draven whistled lowly. "You look different, good actually."
Alastair grabbed my wrist. "We're leaving."
"Wha- Alastair?" I said, surprised at this sudden dismissal.
They knew each other... how?
"What's this human to you, Alastair?" Draven asked casually, as if he were asking about sports. I frowned at his choice of words. Human? "She's quite delectable, why hold her so closely? We could share this one."
Alastair pulled me back a little when Draven took a step towards us. "So much as touch her and I won't hesitate to kill you." His voice was gentle and there was even a small smile on his face when he spoke but there was no denying the threat behind his words.
My eyes widened. Kill? That seemed a little extreme. There was no way Alastair would kill anyone... right? The kind man I knew wasn't capable of something like that.
Draven's dark eyes assessed Alastair's strong demeanour. "You've changed," he told him.
Alastair inclined his head for me to follow and without so much as a goodbye to the person he once knew, we walked off. Just how did they know each other?
"It was just great to see you again, Alastair," Draven called after us. "Ah, but before you leave..." His next words brought Alastair to a stand still and my heart to a skidding stop. "You're parents say hi. They should drop in... soon."
Published 11/10/16