Chapter Three
Crowded as the theatre was, Pim managed to spot four empty seats nearer to the front - two right in front of the first two, the arrangement that seemed perfect.
Quickly, she dashed toward the seats, and sat down on one of the seats behind. Her brother was tagging along behind her. He'd always reach out to grab her hand in crowded places, something she was very appreciative about. "Phil, sit there, before someone else can," she instructed. Phil, whose hand she was still holding, dropped it and plopped himself onto the seat in front.
Keely and Phoebe, a brunette, quickly placed themselves with their respective friends.
"Hey, Pim?" Phoebe whispered to her. "Why did you ask me to come along with you?"
Pim stared at her. Trustworthy enough? Deciding that she was, she leant closer to her. "I - " she glanced at Phil and Keely. "Okay, come with me, we'll buy some popcorn." Phoebe nodded in agreement, and Pim turned to the other two. "Someone sit in one of our seats while we go get some popcorn," she said.
Both nodded, and Keely, being the one sitting outside, sat in Pim's seat as they got up. "Get me salted!" she said.
"Okay."
As they left, Pim carefully highlighted her plan. When she finished, Phoebe was holding a tub of salted butter popcorn in her hands and she herself was holding another one in hers.
Phoebe frowned. "I don't think you should interfere in your brother's life like this," she commented.
Pim glared at her. "If you disagree with me, just watch them during the movie and tell me after that how you feel."
"Well - " Phoebe shrugged. "If that'll make you feel better, fine."
Pim smiled. "Alright, let's go."
The previews were going on when they entered. They scuttled towards their seats and Keely sat in the front again with Phil.
The lights of the theatre dimmed as the movie begun.
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It wasn't long before the first scare was introduced into the movie. Keely grabbed Phil's hand. Pim grinned and nudged her friend's ribs. She winced, but looked at Keely and Phil anyway.
They heard a loud ahem. Keely looked at Phil, and going red in a shade that was obvious even in the darkness of the theatre, she dropped his hand. They smiled awkwardly at each other and returned their gaze to the screen.
Pim covered her mouth and nose to muffle a snort.
Less than fifteen minutes later, Keely screamed. Phil reached out and took her hand in his. He waited for her to turn and look at him, and he then smiled. Pim noticed him squeeze her hand.
"Did you see that?" she whispered urgently towards Phoebe. She looked at her. The brunette grinned and nodded. "It's a wonder they aren't together yet," she said wryly.
"Exactly!!" Pim exclaimed, still in hushed tones. "They're taking too long!!"
Phoebe sighed. "You're right." She only hesitated for a moment before she answered. "All right. I'm in. I'll help ya."
Both of them shook hands in a deal, Pim beaming, and returned to the front - to watch both the movie and their new favourite would-be couple.
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The credits soon began to roll. Pim and Phoebe got up and went outside turning out to be the first two people out before they realised that the other two weren't out yet. They waited impatiently for them, and finally glimpsed them. Pim waved frantically until she got Phil's attention. Both of them moved towards them through the crowd.
"Where were you? I thought you were lost or something!" Phil demanded, glaring at Pim.
"Relax, Phil, I'm okay," she said.
"I'm relaxed!" Phil cried defensively. Keely snorted and he snapped around to look at her. "I'm relaxed!!" he repeated.
"Yes, I believe you," Pim said sarcastically. Keely laughed and nodded. "Hate to break it to ya, but you're not very good at acting," she told him. Pim nodded in agreement and slapped Keely's hand in a high-five, both giggling.
Phil harrumphed and began to walk. Keely followed him. Phoebe wondered why she immediately followed him until she noticed. She gave a satisfied smile and shook Pim's shoulder.
Neither of them had let go of each other's hands throughout the rest of the movie.