As the weekend came around, Paulo went and spoiled himself as soon as he got off his shift. It wasn't often that he did, but he figured this really was the piece of the puzzle that was missing. He walked through his bedroom door and put the box down on his bed, stripping out the cardboard and pulling out his brand-new laptop. He breathed in the fresh aroma before putting it down on the desk; it smelt new and very wondrous. He'd gone with the same model laptop Sue had, they had been popular models and everyone seemed to own one. He wanted it to have some longevity, so he picked up the model that came with discrete graphics - whatever that really meant.

Paulo's laptop would be the first computer in the family. His dad earned enough to keep a roof over their head, but not enough for luxuries. Paulo didn't make that much on his own as a teenager either, half went to his father. The results of saving and not spending where possible meant he had pooled up a modest sum that he had originally been saving for a car. That no longer became a priority given circumstances. It would cost him months to recoup the money, but then again, he only wanted the car so friends could rely on him more. He couldn't quite remember why. Well, so much for that anyway.

It wouldn't be the only expense he'd make, he felt he needed something with access to the internet so he bought a modest cell phone when the year started. It wasn't outlandish, it paled in comparison to Mike's phone, but he didn't need all the gimmicks. It made text messages and could make calls, and it had a web browser (although, an unsupported one). That really was all that he needed. He could tether the laptop to the phone and use the connection from there. It wasn't the best solution, but it would work for him. Everything was set up that late afternoon.

Paulo tossed his wallet up onto the desk and watched two sheets of paper fall out. The gears began to turn in his head. Oh Shit! He had forgotten about those. Amaya had given them to him at some point; half-off per person at the cinemas as some part of a promotional event during the holidays. He picked one up and read over it into the fine-print. Surely these had expired. No! Expiring tomorrow! he realised as he read into them.

It would be a drag to let them go to waste. He couldn't remember the last time he went to the cinemas. But he'd already spent a huge amount of money on the laptop and phone, and he hadn't even started to use it yet. He turned to his books. He supposed he could just study tonight, but Amaya really went out of her way here!

He felt a tinge of regret, Amaya had saved these particularly for him. He enjoyed movies. The occasion was ill-timed, but…. Ah, screw it! When was the last time he had fun for a change?

He read over the coupon's use again, his gut twisted; the coupons had to be used in a pair. This was a bit of a conundrum. Was there anyone who would be particularly free? He used the computer to search what was playing at the cinemas and tried to call David at the same time. The phone rang on for a bit until he noticed something peculiar about what was being shown and hung up the phone. There was a thought, his conscience agreed with it. He punched a different set of numbers into his phone, and waited.

'Hello?' the voice came back.

Paulo found himself from out the front of the cinemas that evening, he was early. He wore something different, nothing too formal but nice for the occasion. It was a particularly busy evening out in town, he couldn't recall the last time he'd been as outgoing himself. He took his time observing the traffic until he noticed a car slow down and park a little up the road. He could just make out the two occupants converse for a few seconds before the passenger door opened and a girl with cream coloured fur popped out. She said goodbye to her mother as she shut the door before turning across and walking up to him.

Paulo studied her quickly, Really? You decided to wear—…You know what? He stopped short, it just wasn't worth it. Sue had no concept of what the level just under a "date" was. He smiled as she walked up to him, and studied him in return.

'You know, I thought we agreed this wasn't going to be a date.' She reminded him.

His smile disappeared. 'It's not a date.' he reaffirmed; 'This is really all I had. Are you ready to go inside?' They walked together to the front door, he would hold it open to let her inside. As he did so, Sue turned to wave her mother off, Paulo almost did the same when he caught himself, Sue turned to catch him as well.

'Stop that. You'll seriously give her ideas!' Sue hissed. He felt the weight of his arm drop to his side, and she walked through the entrance of the cinema. It really had been too long. He tried to forget it even happened as he walked inside close behind her.

Could be in for a hell of a night either way, Paulo jest to himself.

It was an interesting situation he found himself in to say the least. His original plan was to invite Sue to the cinemas as a better "Thank-you" for helping him a week ago than the crappy one he gave at the time. The idea, however, was that she would otherwise refuse, but would thank him for the thought. And then that would be that! The debt would be paid. He wouldn't need to owe her any further. The mere thought would be enough. There wasn't supposed to be a way in hell Sue would accept going to the movies on such short notice.

But she accepted! He just couldn't believe it. He cursed his luck. Sorry David! Maybe next time.

He stood beside her as she scanned the movie offerings on the displays above them. It would be her choice in the movie they'd watch, that was the deal he had worked out over the phone. He watched her eyes dart between each of the displays and began to wonder if any of these were of any interest to her as well. He didn't really know what was her preference was for that matter. He knew his; anything with action, blood, guts, and gore. He liked horror and thrillers too. He couldn't imagine Sue liking those himself. God, what would she like? Science Fiction? Documentaries? He didn't give it too much thought.

He took the time to appreciate the clothes Sue picked out for herself; Green sweater with some dark-brown pants. Honestly, he felt a little unimpressed. It would be said there wasn't much to the imagination. It wasn't anything that suggested anything more than two friends (heh) going to the cinema's together. She'd notice Paulo looking at her. Her hand dropped from her chin, she queried his interest with a 'What?'

'Is that the same outfit you wore to Rachel's party last year?' He asked.

Sue blushed and glared back. 'What if it is? This isn't a date! Remember!?'

'What're you—. Look, never mind, have you chosen a movie yet?' He didn't know why it felt like it should be treated as seriously as a date, he even agreed it wasn't. He decided to drop it there and then. Sue would be the last person he'd invite to a date, she just didn't seem as fun. It was just two friends going to the movies, nothing more.

Sue continued to glare up at him, before she moved her left hand and pointed up to the movie on the far left. Paulo let his eyes follow her hand to a bland looking poster with a group of people in medieval costumes. 'That one's supposed to be based off a fantasy book, I heard it did poorly with some critics because they likened it to other movies that came out ten years ago, but the movie rendition was supposed to be different.' She moved her finger and pointed to the other movie. 'Then there's this one to the right of it, that's more of a Romance-y Science Fiction movie, completely original, but I don't know if I would want to put my money against that myself.' Paulo started to feel less interested. These moves weren't the ones he'd been looking forward to. She didn't take notice and continued. 'That middle one is straight up romance.' She looked at him suggestively, 'Were thinking of that one?'

She was picking on him. He coughed, 'Well, I wouldn't say no but, it's your pick, Susan.' He reminded her. But he saw his moment and he couldn't resist, he said it as sly as ever, 'I mean, if you were interested in that one I wouldn't say no—'

She cut him off. 'Perfect, then we'll get our tickets and sit up the back row.' She winked at him before taking his arm and marching with him towards the registers. He almost tripped at how quick it happened. What's going on? That couldn't be the movie she picked. He tried to wiggle his hand out of her grip, but, god, she held on tight! Did she know he was being a dick to her on purpose? She had to have known!

Sue let go of his hand once they got to the counter, it pulsed from being squeezed too hard. He needed a moment, but Sue elbowed him to get him to hurry up, he opened his wallet and fished for the coupons and the money. He looked up and noticed who was on the front counter, of course, it couldn't have been anyone else, 'This isn't—', He tried to say, but Amaya drew her hand up to her lips and drew her fingers across her mouth, as if to say 'Your secret's safe with me'.

For your sake, it better be! Paulo thought back.

'Hi Amaya, can we get two student tickets to Lair of the Dragons?' Sue asked her.

Paulo turned to Sue, he was confused. 'Wasn't that the first one? I thought you weren't interested in that one.'

She snorted at him, 'Oh, god Paulo, did you really think I'd come to the cinemas to watch a romance movie with you?' Paulo stared at her blankly. He had to admit, he prepared for that quip, he just wasn't prepared to be made fun of in the way she did it. It was condescending enough it would have hurt more if he almost didn't expect it to come from anyone other than Sue.

Sue reached and accepted the tickets, and thanked Amaya before walking in the direction of the room. Paulo could only stare mouth agape until he felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned towards a smiling, but slightly worried Amaya. He realised he was holding up the queue, and dawdled after Sue. He wouldn't really know what Amaya really wanted to say to him right then, but the smile bought up his mood a little bit, despite the wound.

He would have expected it from Lucy too. Boy, Paulo figured, did that wound cut deep.

Paulo wouldn't miss on getting a box of popcorn and took it in with him, the movie might suck, the company might suck, but at least the food wouldn't. He offered some to Sue out of the kindness of his heart but she put her hand up, obviously not too much of a fan of it. He was more than happy to have it all to himself. She would end up getting up from her seat part way through the movie and came back with her own box, but it was smaller and she misjudged how quick she would dig into it. Paulo's better half won out of the jousting tournament he held in his head and he ended up surrendering some of his into her popcorn box.

He would much enjoy the movie.