Chapter 758: White Orchid Cinema
Saturday, March 25th, Morning
There are a few times when he got to escape his existence. This Saturday, he got up, was handed cash by his mom, and told to see a movie. Without a second word, he grabbed his skateboard and was gone. He rode through the streets towards the White Orchid Cinema, the four-screen cinema and the only one in Tree Hill.
Noah pulled up to the cinema, popped his skateboard, and picked it up. Walking into the lobby, he looked at the movie list. With a smile, Noah walked up to the cashier. Noah was a sci-fi fan, so he was going to see one movie that was showing.
"How may I help you?" the cashier asked.
"One for Clinging to Time, please," Noah said.
"Very well," the cashier said.
"Have you seen it?" Noah asked.
"Not yet," the cashier said, "But I heard it is good."
"Thank you," Noah said as he settled up.
"You're very welcome," the cashier said.
Noah went beyond the ticket counter, noting that his ticket was already torn. He went to the concession stand and saw one of his classmates standing behind the counter. Noah came up to the counter and smiled at the young woman.
"Hi, Noah," Leah Sparks said to Noah.
"Leah," Noah said.
"What are you seeing?" Leah asked.
"Clinging to Time,' Noah said.
"I figured I think you'd like it," Leah said.
"Yeah, have you seen it?" Noah asked.
"Of course," Leah said, "What can I get you?"
"A medium sweet tea, a medium butter popcorn, and, of course, some Skittles," Noah said.
"Of course," Leah said, chuckling and getting his snacks. After Noah settled up, he looked at her.
"Thanks, Leah," Noah said.
"You're welcome," Leah said, and Noah started to walk away, "Oh Noah!"
Noah stopped and looked at Leah. "Yes?" he asked.
"Umm.." Leah started to say, then changed her tune, "Enjoy the movie."
"Thanks," Noah said.
"No problem," Leah said.
Noah went to the theater where the movie was showing. He walked down the aisle, looking for his row. Once he found it, he went down the row to find his seat. Noah noticed that someone was sitting next to him. Noah pouted, but he was looking forward to stretching out.
Getting everything set up, he took his seat and reclined it. He watched the adverts and other things on the big screen. Noah ignored the person sitting next to him.
As he watched the screen, he chewed on popcorn. Noah felt the person next to him move. He shook his head and looked over to see the person looking back at him.
"Noah?" Shannon asked.
"Shannon? What are you doing here?" Noah asked.
"I'm here to see Clinging to Time," Shannon said.
"This is the cinema for it," Noah said.
"Well, it's your fault I'm seeing this movie," Shannon said.
Noah tilted his head. "How is it my fault?" he asked.
Shannon shook her head, laughed, and smiled at Noah. "You're the one that introduced me to the movies of Julian Baker," she said.
Noah shrugged, "I like his movies," he said.
"Yeah, and you got me hooked. My family makes fun of me because of it," Shannon said.
"There are worse things to be teased about," Noah said.
"You know my family," Shannon said.
Noah nodded, "That I do," she said.
Shannon nodded, "You know something is going on at the Readiness Center," she said.
"How do you know?" Noah asked.
"I drove by on my way here," Shannon said.
Noah shrugged, "So?" he asked.
"I wonder if the National Guard is back," Shannon said.
"I don't know or care," Noah said.
"Oh, okay," Shannon said.
"So, what have you heard about this movie?" Noah asked.
Shannon shrugged, "It's about a man who's become unstuck in time," she said.
Noah nodded, "I read that," he said.
"I also heard every time he visits at a different time, it will be a reference to another one of Julian's movies," Shannon said.
"That's interesting, kind of like Jay and Silent Bob Strike's Back," Noah said.
Shannon nodded, "Very much so," she said, "What did you get?"
"What do you mean?" Noah asked.
"Let me guess, Skittles," Shannon said.
Noah laughed, "Yes, Skittles," he said and picked up his unopened bag of Skittles.
Shannon chuckled, "I knew it," she said.
"Oh yeah?" Noah asked, "What flavor did you get?"
"What do you mean?" Shannon asked.
"You mean to tell me you didn't get Skittles?" Noah asked.
"Why would I get Skittles?" Shannon asked.
"Because you used to always get Skittles," Noah said.
"That was years ago," Shannon said.
"Shannon!" Noah said.
"Oh! Dammit!" Shannon said, reaching down and pulling up a green bag of Skittles. "Of course, I got Skittles."
Noah laughed, "You haven't changed," she said.
"Neither have you," Shannon said.
Noah nodded, "I think I've changed a little," he said.
"I've changed too, Noah, and I'm still changing as we speak," Shannon said.
Noah nodded, "The trailers are starting," he said.
Shannon nodded and turned to the screen as the first movie trailer started to play.