(KPOV)
In all honesty I don't know why I agreed to go to the movies with Stan and the gang. I am in no mood to be hittin' the town today. I actually intended to go straight home and try to take a nap, maybe watch some Simpsons or something. Looking in the mirror as I zip up my jacket I sigh and shake my head knowing those plans were cut to a bitter halt.
I walk down stairs and go into the kitchen to get a Capri Sun and see my mom fixing dinner. She looks up at me for a second before turning her attention back to the vegetables she is frying. "Hey Bubbe. You going out tonight?"
I shut the fridge. "Yeah. Stan and a few guys are going to the movies so I said I'd go." I shrug and casually pop the straw into the pouch. The smell of the vegetables burns my eyes so I step back and lean against the fridge.
"Oh, that's good. Is his little girlfriend going too? They're so adorable, always stuck to each other. When can I see you like that around the house?" She starts going off on her own little tangent and I roll my eyes.
"Yeah Wendy'll be there. She always is," I say but mutter the last part. The last thing I need is for her to interrogate me on why I don't like my best friend's girlfriend.
"That's good," she says and pours more oil into the pan. "What movie are you seeing?"
"Hell if I know." The pouch is empty so I throw it away.
"How late will you be out?"
"I don't know," I get ready to leave.
"Is Stan picking you up?"
"I don't think so. No car remember?"
She stops stirring and looks directly at me. Damn, I almost got away, I think.
"Well what do you know?"
I look up and transfer my weight to my other foot. "I won't be out too late I promise," I admit reluctantly because I know that's mainly what she's after. She smiles.
"No later than eleven or I'm calling the police. Have a good time."
I believe her too. She's done it before.
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As I get to the theatre I see everyone huddled by a wall at the entrance. The closer I get to them and the ticket booth the slower I walk. The looks on their faces make my knees shake for a moment. Stan and Kenny look antsy and slightly irritated; Stan trying not to let it show more than Kenny. Wendy looks disappointed and tired whereas Craig just looks full blown angry.
Shit. I pull out my cell phone; oh jeez. Eight messages. I take a deep breath and wave. "Hey guys."
Stan starts to open his mouth to say something when Craig goes off like a firecracker. "Where the fuck were you?! We've been freezing our asses out here!" I recoil from him and his infamous temper.
"What do you mean? I thought the movie started at seven thirty." His nostrils flare and I bite the inside of my cheek. I guess not.
"No it started at seven. We've been standing out here in the cold for thirty fucking minutes you asshole!" Stan sighs and grabs Craig's shoulder holding him back.
Calmly Stan asks, "Didn't you get our messages?"
Feeling guilty I look off to the side and grip my phone in my pocket. "It was on silent…" Craig scoffs and I hold back the urge to sock him.
"Oh. Okay…That makes sense I guess. I thought you checked your phone more but I guess I could've been wrong about that," Stan scratches the back of his head awkwardly and a small light of anger starts building in my stomach.
"Well if you guys really wanted to see that movie you could've just went." Craig mumbles 'that's what I said' and I ignore it.
Stan glances at Kenny and Wendy who don't seem to want to get in and gang up on me. "No, it's fine. It's no big deal."
His nonchalant attitude bugs me. "Dude it's not fine. You guys stood in the snow and missed your movie. It really wouldn't have bugged me. I didn't want to see it anyway." His eyes downcast suddenly and I want to kick myself.
"You didn't? Then why'd you agree to come?" He's trying to figure me out; figure out what's been going on in this big, stupid head of mine.
I glance to the side and meet Wendy's eyes a moment but look away before Stan can notice. At the risk of sounding lame I patch up the fight with a cheesy line that I know will make Stan content. "I just wanted to spend some time with you that's all."
I'm afraid to look directly at the joy that starts to radiate off his face. He slowly smiles as big as the Cheshire cat. "Really?" he asks and my face heats up in embarrassment. I already said it once I didn't want to do it again with everyone watching.
I nod quickly and stuff my hands in my pockets. The next thing I know his arm links over my shoulders and pulls me down in a half-hug. Stan, feeling like I've been neglecting him and appreciating the kind words I just gave him, tries to soften the situation.
"It's not that big of a deal, right guys? We can always catch a different movie; it's not going anywhere." He tries to convince everyone and I really wish I were at home counting the cracks in the ceiling right now.
Wendy immediately jumps on board. "I don't mind watching another movie." At the silence she elbows Kenny in the ribs.
"Me either," he groans and gives me a weak thumbs up.
Everybody looks at Craig who looks taken back like everyone turned on him. He stands in the light of the movie theatre glaring at us confused.
"What?"
"Come on, dude," Stan coaxes. Craig looks from Kenny to Wendy so see if they'd back him up but sees the defiance in their stances.
He lets out a shout of disapproval. "Fine! Might as well not waste the whole night doing nothing. Just pick a goddamn movie. What are we seeing?"
As luck would have it the only movie available at the time was a romantic comedy. I definitely would rather be counting cracks in the ceiling then here in this theatre. I made sure to have Kenny sit next to me to put a barrier between Craig and I. He looked about ready to murder someone. Unfortunately for me Wendy sat on my left instead of Stan like I thought he would.
All in all the movie is so awkward it is getting hard to sit still. The plot is a typical girl movie and without a date to persuade to make out with when something "cute" happens it's just a waste of ten bucks. I glance over at Craig and Kenny who seem to be falling asleep. I turn to see Wendy and Stan holding hands and seeming to be remotely interested. I sink back in my seat before pulling out my phone below me; only forty-five more minutes of this. I can't make it.
I stand up which immediately pulls their attention off the screen at me.
"Ky?" Stan asks and I smile.
"I have to pee. Be right back," I whisper back and scoot out of the aisle. I make my way out of the dark room and give a breath of relief when alone in the lobby. It's pretty quiet and I take a seat on a bench a few feet away and rub my face.
I sit and start to doze off when I feel a tap on my shoulder making me shoot up. Directly above me to my dismay is the cause of why I'm at the movies tonight.
Upon seeing Wendy my surprise melts into sour discontentment. "Why aren't you watching the movie?" I ask.
"Why aren't you?" she shoots back at me. I raise an eyebrow.
"Because I'm not into masochism," I reply and sit up. "What kind of guy genuinely wants to see that on his free time?"
"If you didn't want to see it you should've said something," she says disheartened and my eyes widen. I shoot up.
"No Wendy. Don't play the guilt card on me again. I can't take anymore guilt tonight."
Her brow knits and she takes off her gloves and puts them in her pockets. She pauses, thinking. "Then why did you come tonight? I don't get it."
I relax and plaster the same bored expression I get every time I talk to her. "For Stan. We don't hang out anymore and I don't want to bother him. I can sit through a stupid girly movie if he asks but not with you breathing down my neck. What am I supposed to say? That I don't want to hang out with him because I don't like his girlfrie—"I stop when I see the quick flash of hurt zip across her face before realization of what I was saying hits me. I cough uncomfortably and shift my feet unable to look at her. "Never mind. Forget it."
She's quiet a moment before speaking, acting like my basic confession of resentment didn't faze her. "Well staying in the lobby isn't spending time with Stan; it's only making him worry."
"Him?" I ask confused. "I think you're confusing his feelings with yours," I accuse quietly.
She blinks baffled at my statement and sudden attack. She's on defense. "Mine?"
"Yes yours," I snap. "Don't think I didn't notice you analyzing me this whole week since the day we went to the pond. And even before then too. You won't get off my back about it. I'm perfectly fine, Wendy, so stop projecting your feels on Stan and letting him take the blame."
Her jaw drops. She advances and pokes her finger defensively at my chest making me take a step back. "I'm just being a good person and making sure you don't keel over and die. It's not a very smart thing to ignore someone bleeding internally. And as for me projecting my feelings on Stan, that's a big fat lie. He's been nothing but concerned about you for the past couple of weeks. He talks about it all the time but you're too dense to notice."
I huff and roll my eyes. "You're over reacting."
She grabs hold of my collar and pulls me to her level surprising me to the point of trying to pry her hands off. "Stop telling me how I feel, Kyle!"
"Excuse me!"
We both stop arguing abruptly and turn our heads to see an irritated manager and a small crowd of rubberneckers looking at our public display of disaffection. "Can you two kindly be quiet? If not I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
Wendy slowly lets go of my collar and we back away from each other. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize we were making a scene," she apologizes and the manager blows a loud puff of air through his nostrils.
"Sure. Just keep the roar to a minimum, will ya?" With that he walks away leaving Wendy and I to settle our differences. I glance back at her from the corner of my eye and her at me.
In the thick awkward air I don't know where I should put my hands or where I should look. Quietly I turn towards the door. "We should probably get back in there. They should notice we're gone by now."
"Probably," Wendy admits.
"How long have we been out here anyway?" I ask opening the door and get consumed in the darkness.
"Twenty minutes."
"Damn."
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"That was the longest movie of my life," Kenny slurs dragging his feet from the theatre. Craig follows sluggish behind him sloshing his feet in the snow.
"I'll never get those two hours back," he groans.
"Sorry," I apologize insincerely and catch up with them, Stan and Wendy following a few feet behind me. They glance back at me in synch.
"Oh yeah. It was your fault we watched that movie. I totally forgot," Craig murmurs exhausted and flips me off. I chuckle not minding his old habit.
"They should play that in Kevorkian's office," Kenny jokes.
"I know. Or at the dentist. At least it would make it seem less painful in comparison," Craig gags and shoves me. I shove back and laugh.
"Hey, I thought it was kinda good," Stan disagrees and makes us laugh even harder.
"You would since your girl's right there!" Kenny laughs and throws his arm over Craig's shoulder.
"Yeah. Did your balls fall off or do you just watch shit like that when you paint your toenails every Saturday night?" Craig says making Kenny laugh even harder and start to pull Craig down with his weight. Stan rolls his eyes and Wendy lifts his hand to her lips and kisses it sweetly as a silent thanks for not bashing the movie.
I laugh too and forget for a moment I had been having a horrible night. Everything seems to go back to normal for a second before something doesn't feel right. I feel tunnel vision engulf me and I freeze, the world slowing down for a split second. The raw aching in the pit of my stomach is present once more. I feel a slight shock of panic shoot up my spine and it takes a while before I notice that everyone isn't laughing anymore but rather staring at me.
My eyes dart from face to face and the ache recedes. I keep the uncertainty out of my voice. "W-what?"
"You okay?" I look directly at Kenny, the last person I would suspect of sensing something wrong with me.
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" I ask almost hesitantly.
"You just got quiet for some reason."
I breathe a few times and make sure to smile a bit. "Oh. No—I just remembered my mom is gonna kill me if I'm late tonight. I was just thinking what time it is."
"Why don't you check your phone?" Stan inquires.
"What?" I ask and Stan looks at everyone then at me with a faded smile.
"Why didn't you check your phone if you want to know the time?"
I pause and take a second to laugh slightly. "It died in the theatre. Cheap piece of junk, huh?"
He takes a moment before reaching in his pocket. "That's cool. You should have said something then. Don't weird us out," he laughs. "It's only ten fifteen."
"Oh yeah? Sorry," I knock the side of my head awkwardly. "Duh, that makes sense. I really should be leaving though. You know my mom," I say and try to leave when the light sore starts to fill me and gives me a flop sweat; I can feel my bangs moisten despite the cold Colorado air.
"Right now?" Stan asks and I can see the dissatisfaction of my announcement. "You can't stay out a little later?"
Seeing the sincerity on his face to just go back to when we were best buds I want to just ignore any panic I have and dismiss it as stupid paranoia just to hang with him a few more minutes…But then the logical half of my brain takes over and flashes me back to outside the men's room, Wendy carrying me back to my place. I can't. This whole mess with Wendy started because I pushed myself one day and I would just be repeating it again now.
"I can't," I retreat and shake my head ignoring a different pain in my stomach; shame. I was becoming quite accustomed to it lately.
"You sure?" he asks again knowing if he badgers me enough I'd surely give in. No, I must resist!
"I'm one hundred percent," I clarify and smile. He frowns. "Sorry dude. You know my mom can be a total bitch sometimes."
He can't argue there so remains silent. He looks back at Craig and Kenny who seem to be lost in their own conversation dragging an apathetic Wendy in to decide something for them before looking back at me with an optimistic smile. "No problem. We can hang later this weekend."
I open my mouth to reply but end up shutting it and smiling dully. "I can't. Too much homework."
Stan's smile drops in disbelief and I hate making him wear that expression again for the millionth time. He recovers quickly though. "All weekend?"
I take a step back inconspicuously preparing to leave before getting in too deep into the conversation. "Kinda. I have some chores and stuff too. I'm sorry dude." I retreat farther and hate that I have to feel nervous and hide from my friends but now is definitely not a good time to hang out.
"All weekend?" There's a slight edge of skepticism seeping into his tone as he pulls his jacket closer. "You can't spare one hour?"
"I'm sorry," I feel tense now. He starts advancing and I have a feeling he's going to make a scene of a different kind then Wendy did in the lobby. I'm about to give in and say I could maybe do something Sunday when Wendy steps in out of the blue to save the day.
"We're going to get pizza. What's the hold up?" she asks linking her arm in Stan's. He looks down at her and his train of thought is shattered. He blinks confused and she looks back at him curiously with a smile. "What's up?" He looks back at me and I stand not sure what to do.
"Um…Yeah. I'm going but Kyle says he needs to get home." Wendy looks up at me and a quick zap of adrenaline hits me like a bullet.
I can tell her eyes are analyzing again. "Oh," is all that comes out of her mouth.
I fidget now wanting to escape more than ever. I should have been halfway home already. "My mom's a right tight ass when it comes to staying out. I said I'd come home right after the movie," I lie.
"Well then what are you bugging him for Stan?" she asks and looks back at him. He's speechless not sure what to argue when Wendy shoots her logic at him. "If he can't go, he can't go."
We get stuck in a staring contest just glancing at each other till a puff of defeated air bursts from Stan's lips. "Alright. Get out of here Kyle. I don't want you getting in trouble because of me. If you're late then you can blame me."
I smile and turn. "Thanks. I really am sorry though." He waves me off and I laugh. I turn and start heading cautiously back down the street leaving them in the bask of the theatre glow.
I nearly make it around the corner when I hear my name called and the sound of footsteps. I stop abruptly and grit my teeth. Now what?
It's Wendy. How surprising. I keep my voice low and try not to glare since Stan is staring confused. Wendy's back to him she can look however she wants. "What is it Wendy? Come on."
She huddles deeper in her coat and scarf. "Is it the food? We can always get something cooler if you want."
I look down at her puzzled. "What are you talking about?"
"For your stomach. We don't have to eat pizza, really," she clarifies and I blanch.
"It's not my stomach," I lie again and glance up at Stan quickly. Angrily I say, "It's my mom."
She doesn't even raise an eyebrow. "No it's not. What about ice cream? I can put some ibuprofen in it when no one's looking."
I can't help it when I blatantly glare at her now. "It's not my goddamn stomach, Wendy. I'm serious. I already told you this." If everyone hadn't been right there I would have been yelling.
She glares back. "You suck at lying you big baby."
My face heats up in anger and I grit my teeth again. She was going to be the death of me honestly. Before I can say anything else Stan yells out perplexed. "Wendy?"
She doesn't move for a moment before standing directly in front of me and punches me in the gut; hard. The wind gets knocked out of me immediately and it feels as though a car just hit me. She keeps me balanced and smiles. "It doesn't hurt, huh?" She turns around leaving me standing crippled, nearly shaking and prances back to the group. "Coming Stan."
As they start heading the other direction I slowly make my way around the corner before collapsing in a pile of snow against the building. I crumble in on myself and let out a pain-filled whine and try not to cry.
I hold my stomach and ignore the strange stares passerbies are giving me. I try to convince myself I'd be in this much pain if any girl had hit me but apparently Wendy was right about one thing; I am a terrible liar.
A/N: Hope you liked it. The more reviews the quicker the update haha I just want feedback and opinions.