Protecting Her - Alexis Noelle Page 0,17
the elevator downstairs. As we approach the exit, I can see photographers through the glass sliding doors. I stop walking, not wanting to face the insults that they will be throwing my way. Hunter’s hand squeezes mine.
“You got this. Just hold onto me and keep your head down.”
I nod and take a deep breath before he pulls me through the door. The lights start to flash and there is yelling coming from all around me. My hand grips Hunter’s as I remember the last time when the crowd got out of hand. We reach the car and I breathe a sigh of relief once the door closes. “So, where are we going?” I ask, as we pull away from the hospital.
“Well, your mother sent me this long ass list of shit you were supposed to do and places that you were supposed to be, but I told her that you wouldn’t be attending any of them.” My head snaps to the side in shock. “You need to rest Sam, and running around like she had planned isn’t good for you.”
I can’t believe him. Every time he says or does something like this, it makes me wish for more. I haven’t had someone to confide in for a long time, and I’m starting to feel like maybe Hunter can be that person. “So then, what’s the plan?” I want to say so much more to him. I want to tell him how I’m feeling, and how conflicted I am.
“The plan is to have fun.” He sits back, threading his fingers behind his head.
Fun has been a foreign word to me lately. There isn’t time to enjoy anything you do when every minute is scheduled for you. I smile, listening to the music and closing my eyes. This day might be exactly what I need.
“Sam, we’re here.” I feel Hunter’s hand rubbing up and down my arm as I force my eyes open. “You fell asleep.”
I did? I hope to God I wasn’t lying there with my mouth wide open, snoring, and drooling. I look around and see a movie theater. He’s taking me to a movie? I smile; I haven’t been to a movie voluntarily and without the pressure of the red carpet in forever. I get to go to premieres but it becomes about what you’re wearing. Making sure to laugh at funny parts so you’re not seen as stiff. Every reaction can be scrutinized by anyone around you. Hunter extends his hand to me again and I take it as we walk into the theater. He bypasses the ticket counter and the attendant scans his phone.
“What are we seeing?”
He points to a movie poster above us. When I look up, I almost let out a yelp just from the sight of it. There is distorted face that seems to be screaming in front of a broken down house. I am such a wimp when it comes to scary movies. The last one I watched had me waking up for nights thinking something was coming after me.
“Think you can handle it?”
Not wanting to seem like a baby in front of him, I force some courage into my voice. “Hell yeah, I don’t know if you can.”
I walk toward the theaters but he tugs at my hand, stopping me. “Slow down, cupcake, you’re missing the best part of the movies.” He walks me over to the concession stand. The cashier hands him an enormous tub of popcorn and a large soda. I grab the drink for him and follow him to the theater. Hunter walks toward the back and takes a seat in the very last row. There aren’t many people in the theater and the realization that I’ll be alone in the dark with him for a few hours has my body on high alert. We sit down and fall into an easy conversation. As the previews play, we give them thumbs up or down for what we think. Being with him right now is so easy, it just feels right and normal.
The eerie music starts to play as the lights dim all the way. Hunter places the popcorn in my lap. The smell of it invades my senses and all I want is to shove enormous handfuls in my mouth like a caveman. I don’t though. It’s like I have this block that every time I reach for food, especially junk food, I hear my mother’s voice. I lean in and whisper to him that I don’t want any.