"Guess what," Summer said, holding the door open for me as we left the school the next day at 3:30.
"You're running for congress."
"No. I'm stupid."
"That would have been my next guess."
"I failed my Chemistry test, but I don't suppose I would get any sympathy from you."
"That's right."
"I don't care. I'm venting to you anyway. You see, it was totally unfair, it was a pop quiz--"
"Great!" I said in a rush, holding up a hand to shut her up. "I'll be back!" Running across the parking lot, I threw myself in front of Alan's car door before he could stick his key in to unlock it. "Hi!"
Alan grinned curiously, crossing his arms over his chest. "Can I do something for you, Lyric?"
"Yes," I replied, business-like. "Would you like to go to a movie tonight?"
"On a Tuesday?"
"Mmhmm!" I said cheerfully.
"Are you plotting something?"
I pretended to be offended at his suspicion. "Of course not. Invite Gerry."
Bursting out into laughter, Alan placed his hands on my shoulders. "Explain please."
"Okay. You know Summer?"
"Yes, I know Summer."
"Well, she's got a huge crush on Gerry."
Another burst of laughter from Alan.
I gave him an amused look and continued, "She doesn't think she's good enough for him, but I think he'd like her if he gave her a chance. So I'm thinking that if you invite him, he'll come, and then it'll be you and me paired off and so then they'd be all 'hmm are we on a date?' and hark! Wedding bells."
"You're quite the character, Lyric."
"Okay."
"I'll call him after school," he promised.
"Thanks! I love you!"
"You love your sister too," he laughed.
"Don't spread that around." I grinned and ran back to Summer.
"I refuse to go to the Godfather," Summer said indignantly. She was not all that pleased that I had dragged her along on my apparent movie date with Alan.
I knew Alan was fighting down a Godfather impression.
"How about something else really violent?" I asked gamely, closing my eyes as a passing car's headlights blinded me. The town's only theatre wasn't crowded because it was Tuesday night, so we could afford to hang around for awhile and not worry about ticket lineups.
"I don't like violent movies," Summer said. "You know that, Lyric."
"So are we going to decide on an actual movie son?" Alan asked.
"No, this arguing is much more fun," I said.
"Hey guys," a voice said from behind us. "What are you doing here, Summer?"
I watched with great pleasure as all the blood rushed to her face when she laid eyes on Gerry wheeling towards us. "Hi--I didn't know you were coming tonight, Gerry."
"Surprise." He grinned. "Sorry I'm late. I had to stop and yell at some jerk that parked in a wheelchair space. Did you decide on a movie?"
"No we haven't decided," I told him. "Summer's difficult."
He smiled. "We'd better hurry before the back seats are taken. Going down the stairs is a little tricky."
"Poseidon Adventure it is!" Alan exclaimed.
"Who said Poseidon Adventure?" I asked.
"I did."
Halfway into the movie, which was about a bunch of people trying to survive in a sinking cruise ship, Summer leaned over to whisper in my ear, "Maybe I could just kill myself."
"Shh, movie speaking," I said distractedly.
"Do you think I would just wedge my head in my bucket of popcorn and suffocate?"
"Probably not."
"Lyric," she whined.
"WHAT!" I snapped.
"I need to talk to you," she hissed.
"Noooo," I howled.
She grabbed my head and we navigated around Gerry, making our way out into the lobby.
"What?" I cried. "What is soooo important?"
"I made a fool of myself!"
"You usually do! Congratulations!" I spun around to go back to the movie, but she grabbed my arm.
"It was all dark and romantic atmospherey and he leaned in to say something to me and I could feel his breath on my neck and I INHALED A PIECE OF POPCORN and I was like HKKKTHGHAGH!"
"Hahahahaha," I giggled sympathetically.
"He's going to associate the thought of me with mucous forever!"
"What did he lean in to say?" I asked, delighted with the fact that my calm, perfect older sister was losing it over a guy.
"He asked if I he could have some of my popcorn."
Laughing, I dragged her back to the theatre. "Just sit and look pretty, Summer."
We settled back in our seats. I got comfy and then looked over at Alan, who was definitely deeply engrossed in the movie. "Anything interesting happen?"
"The old lady drowned."
"What?" I cried.
"Yeah. It was sad."
"Suddenly, I loathe my sister."
"Oh, and Gerry asked me if Summer had a boyfriend."
I squeaked. "Really?"
"Yes. Now shh. Movie's speaking."
I turned to Summer, patting her arm excitedly. "Summersummersummersummer!"
She gave me an annoyed look. "Let me guess. We need to cut back on your sugar intake."
"You do and you DIE. I need sugar to live. Gerry asked Alan if you have a boyfriend," I whispered.
"Get outta dodge!"
"That's a weird saying. Can't say I care for it."
"What did Alan say?" she demanded.
I turned back to Alan. "What did you say?"
"What did I say?" he repeated, confused. "Nothing. I'm watching a movie. I try not to talk during movies. You should try."
"No, to Gerry about Summer having a boyfriend. What did you say?"
"Oh. I said no."
I turned back to Summer again. "He said no."
She cackled. "Pitter patter goes my heart."
"I should hope so."
"This is a great night," she giggled.
"It'll get even better if you like, act like all your clothes are bothering you and you just cannot for the life of you stand to wear them anymore and then Gerry would be all--"
"Lyric."
"Yes?"
"Thank you for your help. Now it's time for you to shut up."
"I can arrange that."
"Good."
I turned my attention back to the movie, although I was now somewhat confused about what was happening.
Alan pressed his forehead against the side of my head and whispered, "Are you ready to watch the movie?"
Smiling I turned my head so that I could kiss him. "Yep. But I'm afraid that I'm confused."
"They're all gonna drown like flies in a toilet."
Giggling, I laid my head down on his shoulder as he put his arm around me. Every once in a awhile, I would glance over at Summer and Gerry, and every time they were whispering something to each other, occasionally laughing quietly.
"Gah! They're flirting!"
"We're good matchmakers," Alan told me.
"Hehehehe, quite the dynamic duo, aren't we?" I laughed.
"Okay, but I get to be Batman."