Chapter 3: Ilana's date
Jason and Ilana, meanwhile, had arrived at the movie theater. As they were going through the parking lot, located across the street (this was the same movie theater that Lance and Kristen went to on their first real date), Jason reached for Ilana's hand nervously. Ilana looked at him and nodded, indicating that he could hold her hand. Jason reached for and grasped it gently, making sure not to squeeze too hard. He was quite nervous. This was his first date, ever. Why was he so nervous while Ilana was not? Or maybe she was just better at hiding it? It didn't matter. What did matter was to not screw this up! He walked with Ilana into the theater, his knees trembling like gelatin. They let go when they entered the building. It was a bit more crowded than last time. Luckily, Jason didn't recognize anyone, and the two of them got in the ticket line to buy their tickets.
"Well?" Ilana asked. "I'm gonna let you pick the movie, remember?"
"Wha? Oh, yeah. Just, uh, let me think for a sec. Hmm..." There were several movies on the list, but only five looked promising. Outception, Abnormal Activity, Morphers 3, one of those movies in the Dusk series, and some weird movie loosely based on a superhero, The Invincible Bulk. Outception was a really neat movie, he heard, but it was supposed to pretty complicated in terms of plot. Abnormal Activity was supposed to be good, but Ilana would probably find it too scary. Morphers 3 had this really hot actress in it, but Ilana probably wouldn't like it if he paid more attention to that actress instead of her. After all, he was here on a date, so it would be best to find a movie that they both liked. Dusk was supposed to have some guy that teenage girls went crazy for, so he couldn't have Ilana see that movie and forget all about him. The Invincible Bulk was supposed to be an awful movie, but it would probably help their date go along alright if they paid more attention to each other instead of the screen. Which one would be best for a first date? The choices stayed in his mind. But his thoughts were interrupted by an angry crowd that had formed behind him as he and Ilana had moved up the line.
"Hey, dork in front, hurry up!" Called someone from behind. Jason recognized him as one of the jocks from school. Jason began to break out in a sweat, trying to make a decision quick enough so that his life would be spared, yet still make one that was rational and appropriate for the situation. "Uh, uh, uh..." Ilana watched as sweat poured from Jason's face. Most girls would be irritated by his slowness and anxiety, but not Ilana. She couldn't help but pity him. He probably felt like the fate of the universe rested on his movie choice. She seemed to be the whole world to him, at least for right now. This reminded her of the fact that she probably meant the whole world to the people of Galaluna. She decided to speak up to ease the tension in him. She whispered: "I'm okay with whatever movie you pick. Just ignore them and take your time." She watched as those few words calmed Jason down. He stopped sweating and trembling. Finally, he suggested:
"How about Outception?"
"Fine with me," Ilana replied. As Jason went up to the desk to buy the tickets, Ilana noticed that he began to blush. Suddenly, he turned around, his face a bright crimson. "What is it?" Ilana asked.
"I...uh...I'm a dollar short. You got one?" He asked nervously.
Ilana let the fact that Jason didn't come with enough money for the two of them sink in. She had to hold back her temper slightly before saying, "Sure."
"All righty then!" Jason said enthusiastically. They bought the tickets and went into the theater.
The theater was moderately packed at this time. Apparently, everyone wanted to see Outception at this particular time, on this particular weekend, and in this particular theater, thought Jason with annoyance. Walking ahead of Ilana, he led her to the closest seats they could find. He let Ilana sit first, hoping she would take notice of his gentlemanly behavior. She didn't think too much of it, though. In minutes, the movie started. It started as voice-over with some actor giving the backstory of his character. Ilana held Jason's hand as the movie started. He looked surprised, but didn't back away from her gesture. His fingertips curled around hers, and they watched the movie together. So far, so good, Jason thought. That is, until his stomach growled.
"Are you hungry?" Ilana asked him.
"No, I'm not!" He said nervously. They got settled again until Jason's stomach growled again.
"Jason, are sure you're not-" Ilana began.
"No, no, it's fine," he said. "I'm just, uh, going to go get us some popcorn cuz I need a snack."
"Could you get me a soda while you're at it?" She said. Jason agreed and went away to go back and get some popcorn and soda. Ilana frowned as she turned back at the screen, realizing that talking to Jason had made her miss the important moments in the plot. Now she'd never know why the guy always carried that little wooden ball with him in the Dreamland. Or was it called the Dream Universe? She couldn't remember.
Jason had come back with the drinks. He was just about to give her soda when he suddenly tripped on seemingly flat ground, spilling the soda and popcorn all over her.
"Jason!" Ilana cried out as her outfit was soaked. Everyone in the theater glared at her as she glared at Jason.
"I'm so sorry, Ilana! I'll just go back and get some more!" he cried frantically. He dashed out of the theater. Ilana's face relaxed and her scowl faded. But then she saw Jason bounding back without any refreshments. "Oh, and uh, can I borrow some of your money? I'm out," he said, blushing with a toothy grin. Ilana's hands clenched into fists. Her teeth clenched inside her mouth. Jason knew what she would say next wouldn't be pleasant.
But it wasn't words at all. Jason watched as Ilana's face broke into tears. Ilana tried to dart out of the theater, now sobbing, but Jason caught her by the arm as she was heading to the exit.
"Wait! I don't get it! What happened?" He asked. Ilana tried to struggle free, but in her sad state she felt so weak that she just stopped struggling after a few seconds. Then, she sat down on the floor, still crying silently. Jason let go and sat down against the wall of the theater with her, just in front of the screen. The other moviegoers had stopped watching Outception and were watching this romantic drama unfold instead, in real life.
"It's just..." Ilana began, "I wanted this to turn out...better."
"If it's about the mess and the lack of money, I-" Jason began, but Ilana shushed him.
"No, it's not your fault Jason. I wanted my first real, normal date to be perfect. Otherwise, it would just all be worthless," she continued. Now that Ilana knew a little more about the average Earthling's social life, she figured that her "date" with Prince Simon of Duran wouldn't count. "I guess I set my expectations too high for you, eh Jason? Anyway, I'm sorry I got so mad before. And now my whole date with you is ruined now that I've overreacted over a few mishaps."
"No! That's not how it is at all!" Jason said, reaching a hand to dry Ilana's tears. "Do you really think that's it's all over between us just because I had a few drink spills and you nearly lost your temper?" He asked. "Of course not! Ilana, just because it didn't go as planned didn't guarantee a disaster. In fact, I'd say it's gone better than I thought," he said, smiling.
"What makes you say that?" she asked.
"If I hadn't messed up a few times, you would never have gotten upset."
"Your point being?"
"If you hadn't been so upset minutes ago, we probably wouldn't be spending good time together," he replied.
"Wait...you like this? Me getting upset?" Ilana asked, still confused.
"No; what I like is being able to talk to you and connect with you. It brings us closer together than we normally we would be. I guess some bad things can turn out good, huh?" He said as Ilana smiled.
"Awwww..." some of the people observing cried.
"You're right," she said. "Sorry you had to see me ball my eyes out on our first real date."
"That's perfectly alright," he said as he helped her up. "Now what do you say we go get some smoothies at the smoothie shop just a block from here?"
"Sure thing," Ilana replied as she and Jason left the theater as the movie was ending. "You have money, right?" she asked.
"Uh..." Jason began.
"It's fine," Ilana said, giggling. As they went back outside and Ilana headed for Jason's car, she thought about what could have compelled her to act that way. She realized that it was because she was a princess; she wasn't used to coping with things not being perfect. She wasn't a perfectionist by any means, but she did have high standards. Briefly, she thought of when she and the others had first landed here, and how she couldn't adapt to Earth society without being laughed at. Was it because she couldn't get used to her new status as a commoner? For the first time, Ilana missed her days as princess, when everything she said mattered, and when people treated her with more respect. But perhaps her days on this planet could teach her a few things like contentment and humility.
And Jason was an excellent teacher, she thought as Jason dropped her off home afterwards, still taking a few sips of her smoothie.
