“Maybe we could, like, go through the motions of dating. Even though this is kind of
different.” He says.
I nod. “So going on dates and all that? To the movies?”
“Do you want to go to the movies?”
“Yeah. I love the movies.” And I really do. Mostlyfor the popcorn. And the safety of the
dark, of the anonymity while enjoying.
“And then after, you could come over and we couldmake out on my couch?”
I can’t help it. I make a little surprised sound thatis usually reserved when my friends say
something audacious.
“Or not, if that’s too fast. Whatever you’re comfortablewith.”
“I think I’d like that.” I glance over at him, athis lips. I imagine kissing them, and I don’t
feel too weird about it. “But can we agree, that ifone of us changes our minds we stop
immediately?”
“Absolutely. Totally agree.”
“Cool.”
“Cool.”
He picks me up Friday night to go to the AMC theaterattached to the mall. His car isn’t
super fancy, but it is a decade younger than mineand still smells new. Cold sweat slicks my
palms so I keep them clasped between my thighs. Hekeeps the music low so we can chat, mostly
about nothing, but I like it. It’s like we are playinghouse. He buys our tickets and our popcorn. I
offer to pay half but he just waves me away. We aresitting then, in the dark theater, ten minutes
early. He’s talking about the good reviews he’s heardabout the film but I’m debating whether it