Episode 4: Deep Cut, Part 2

Ingrid sighed deeply. After giving it a lot of thought she was beginning to worry about the outcome of this evening. Everything seemed so rushed; it was only three weeks since she had started liking Joseph, whereas she had liked Fillmore for well over two years. Should she wait for Fillmore? This was the question that ran, recurring, through her brain as she walked to the Movie Theatre with Karen. Wait, Fillmore had never given her any of that kind of attention, nor attempted to ask her out. Why should she wait for him? She may have a chance at happiness with Joseph, whereas waiting for Fillmore sometimes made her very upset.

She was very close with Fillmore as he was the only person, except Edward (though he was different), who understood her. Did she owe him the wait? Did he deserve it? He had rescued her, there was no doubt about that. He had listened and comforted her when her grandparents died. He had always been there, without a doubt.

Karen, thankfully, did not notice the inner turmoil of Ingrid. She too was thinking about Joseph, and whether or not she should tell Ingrid how she felt about him, as she was pretty sure they would get together. She had told herself often for the past couple of weeks that she would not begrudge Ingrid for Joseph, though it may be difficult if they did, finally, get together.

"Think this movie will be good?" Ingrid asked Karen, after many minutes of silence. Given the context and contents of the thoughts, they did not notice that time was flying by, their bodies were acting on auto pilot. Ingrid realised this, after a while, and decided to break the ice, as she did know what Karen was thinking about.

"No," she laughed. "Romantic comedies bore me."

Ingrid laughed. "It's just good for everyone to get back together," she said. "We haven't seen each other much recently. The school is pretty much tearing itself apart at the seams with crime, not that it isn't interesting." She heard the similarity to Edward in both her tone and manner with that statement. The only difference between Edward and her was that he didn't try to be nice to people, whereas she did.

[X]

Edward really could not believe he was going to this. He was thinking about changes that were taking place within him whilst he was on his piano. It had only just hit him the time, 6.30. It would take him about forty five minutes to hobble there. It didn't really bother him that he would delay them, it would probably be funny. He enjoyed making people miserable, because he couldn't feel much else.

There still was some strange connection between himself, Ingrid and Fillmore. They didn't annoy him, which was a huge change. Often, everyone and everything annoyed him. He would have to wait and see how this would turn out. His own plot interested him.

[X]

Fillmore was now waiting in the movie theatre, quite literally twiddling his thumbs around as he listened to his music. Then, through the door, came Ingrid and Karen. He smiled and nodded, pushing his glasses back up to his eyes. They strolled over to him.

"Hello Fillmore," they both said.

"Looking forward to the movie?" Ingrid asked.

"Not really," he laughed. "I don't like romantic comedies, too corny. They bore me." Ingrid laughed at the similarity between Karen and his answers.

"That's what I said," Karen said.

Fillmore smiled. "What time is it?" Fillmore asked, as he had forgotten his phone, again.

"Forgotten your phone again?" Ingrid asked and giggled, she knew Fillmore too well. This interaction set her mind off again. She did like Fillmore, she was sure of it. She checked her green watch, "It's 6.35."

They waited for five minutes before Andy and Joseph arrived. They looked normal, just jeans and a top. Argh, Ingrid screamed inside her head. She genuinely did not know what to do. There was no doubt in her mind about Joseph, everything about his was perfect down to the way he tied his shoes. Life should not be this hard, she thought.

"Hello everyone," Joseph and Andy said to everyone.

After a few minutes of chat they went into the movie, after paying a very sarcastic attendant at the counter, who made an issue of their ages. "Wait," a shouted came from behind them. IT was Danny, and he was basically tripping over his own shoes. The safety patrol laughed.

"Thanks for waiting," Danny said, he pretended to be irate.

"It's about to start Danny," Fillmore replied. He looked around for Vallejo and Edward. There was no sign, which was a shame as he wanted to talk to Edward. Fillmore missed Vallejo and his chats; they became very close during middle school.

They went into the movie and sat down. Ingrid and Fillmore sat together, "You mind, Ingrid?" Joseph asked, gesturing at the empty chair beside her.

"Not at all," Ingrid replied, trying to hide a blush behind her hand. For goodness sake, she thought, only in a more obscene manner, why is everything so hard. The seating in the Movie hall was definitely symbolic. On her right hand was Fillmore, her best man, whilst on her left was Joseph, and she had to make a choice on who to concentrate her attention on.

If you ignored a few people near the front, only the safety patrol was in the Movie theatre, which they enjoyed. Andy in particular would be annoyed if some kid talked all the way through it.

"You look good Ingrid," Joseph said.

Ingrid laughed. She hadn't really been in a situation like this in her entire life, much less with what is considered as the best looking boy in the school, easily. "Err," she stuttered, "you to."

Joseph smiled. He liked that Ingrid was embarrassed, it was sweet. They spoke about the film for a while until the lights went down. Andy hissed a "Shh" at them and they laughed quietly. All thoughts of Fillmore had left Ingrid's mind, she wanted Joseph, no one else.

Fillmore, however, was not in a good mood. Ingrid wasn't ignoring him deliberately; she didn't even know he was there. He was secretly angry with her, as she did not tell him about her now obvious feeling for Joseph Anza. It was like she didn't trust him anymore and it both worried and, in a way, terrified him, she was his only friend.

The movie theatre door opened as a thud came toward them. It was Edward, and his hair was plastered to his head with water. It must have been pouring since the rest of them had come in. Rain was the bad autumn weather, and everyone was waiting patiently for the snow.

Edward sat down next to Fillmore. Most of the gang, except Andy (who secretly hated Edward), said hello, and Edward grunted in response. The pre films adverts were on, loudly, though no one really cared. "Edward," Fillmore whispered, "I want to speak to you later, it is important."

"Is it about Ingrid?" he whispered back. Fillmore, who was now familiar with Edwards knowledge of the way people thought, nodded. Thankfully, Ingrid was engaged in a conversation with Joseph and didn't hear.

"I really hate the adverts," Danny said loudly. "What is the point?"

"To advertise, Danny," replied Karen. She wasn't really bothered, though there was something nice about Danny, which is what drew people to him.

Fillmore laughed quietly. "Ingrid," he said, "What about that case, do you think it was him?" Ingrid didn't hear, to Fillmore's irritation.

The film started, along with a sarcastic mutter from Danny and a "shh", again, from Andy. After about five minutes, Ingrid and Joseph begun to get really bored.

"Ingrid," Joseph whispered.

"Yeah," she replied.

"You bored?"

"Yeah," she replied.

"You wanna go out into the foyer for a drink?" he asked.

"Yeah," she replied.

"Is "yeah" all you can say?" He asked.

"Yeah," she joked and giggled. Ingrid and Joseph went out into the foyer. After a few minutes, Fillmore followed, saying, "toilet,". Edward knew what was going on.

[X]

Outside of the movie theatre, Ingrid and Joseph were talking. After a while, Joseph took a deep breath, "Ingrid," he said. "You know I like you don't you, a lot."

She smiled and nodded. "I like you, a lot," she replied. She really didn't know how to act in this situation. So she let Joseph talk.

Fillmore, despite his natural instinct, was trying to find Ingrid and Joseph, to spy on it. He did not like it, but it was what love would do to a person. He looked around the corner and saw them. He couldn't believe his eyes, Joseph and Ingrid were kissing.

Ingrid opened one eye and saw him and broke away. Fillmore looked both hurt and angry. "Fillmore," she said, willing him to stay. He stormed off. "Fillmore," she had shouted the second time and ran after him.

Fillmore was walking quickly and bumped into someone, he didn't see his face.

"Fillmore, you don't understand," she shouted, catching up with him.

"Yes I do understand," Fillmore replied, almost shouting. "You don't trust me, that's it isn't it."

"Yes I do," she shouted back, they were outside the movie theatre now. What they did not know was that Edward was standing at the fire escape, watching. Ingrid then realised the problem. "That's not what is wrong, is it Fillmore?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's Joseph isn't it," she shouted. "You are jealous of him. I can't believe you," she shouted as he began to speak."

"You know what Ingrid, I am not interested," he replied. He began to walk off, "See you at school."

Joseph came out of the theatre. "I am sorry Ingrid," he said. "I didn't mean for this to happen, I really didn't, maybe." Ingrid kissed him.

"Don't worry," she said, and kissed him again.

Edward was watching them still, running possibilities of the future through his head. For the first time in ages he was angry; angry at their stupidity, but in a different way. They could get along with people, and cared for one another. They don't know how lucky they have it, he thought, and stumbled back in to watch the end of the movie.

[X]

It was late, and Anza was walking back from Ingrid's house. He was so happy, they were finally together and he was in love with his wonderful, genius girlfriend. It was the best thing that ever happened to him.

He heard a rustle behind him and turned. There was nothing but darkness on the woodland road. He had the feeling that he was being watched.

"You," a deep voice said.

Joseph turned. Then the person came at him, beat him down with a bat and ran off, leaving the bleeding Anza behind, shouting in agony, until he fainted.

Like last time, review numerically, and say improvements with this chapter. Thanks for reading.

Serac out