Love Bites

LOVE BITES Chapter 8 : Simple Little Moments

Chapter 8 : Simple Little Moments

"Nikki?"

I faintly recognised the sound of my name as I stared down the brightly lit hallway, lost in thought.

My shoulder still tingled unpleasantly from the person who had rudely bumped into me. There was something different about him, something I couldn't quite put my finger on, but maybe I was just imagining things.

Shrugging it off, I hurried after Alastair who waited for me at the door. I handed the employee my ticket and together we entered the cinema room. It seemed we were a little late; when we walked around to the seating area the movie was already playing. Colours lit the room and reflected off people's eyes as the scenes changed on the giant screen.

I spotted Brianna who had already grabbed a spot with Zac near the front row. She stood up on her seat, waving frantically for us to join her. She probably doesn't want to sit alone with him, I thought. There were a few spare seats beside her but before I could even think about moving, a group of girls sat there instead. Brianna looked like she was about to cry.

I felt something touch my hand. It was Alastair's own hand. "Come on," he said and led me up the stairs to a higher row of seats. All I could do was send Bri a shrug. Looks like she was on her own from here on out.

I was fully aware of how snug my hand was in Alastair's. They fit together perfectly. I couldn't help but smile as he pulled me behind him. It felt almost nostalgic.

We settled beside each other in some empty seats near the back row. From here, I could still see Brianna and Zac from where they sat below us. Regrettably, my hand fell from Alastair's when he passed me a soda and the warmness I felt instantly vanished. I went to protest, I didn't want him to let go of my hand. I even opened my mouth to do so but stopped before the first word could leave my mouth.

Get real, Nikki. You can't just hold his hand so casually.

Lowering my eyes, I sighed. My inner voice was right. I shouldn't want to be any closer to my brother than any normal sibling would.

Alastair would never know how much he means to me, I'll never tell him.

With that thought, I stuffed the box of popcorn in the holder between our seats and pooled all my attention on the giant screen in front of us.

Minutes passed. The movie was a serious romantic drama but honestly kind of boring. Beside me, Alastair was reading. He paid no attention to the giant screen in front of us or the sounds booming from the speakers and sat there as if he were at home, relaxed on the sofa. I hadn't the slightest idea where he pulled the book from and I was surprised he could even read in this lighting.

About half way through the movie, I noticed a figure below move substantially. It was Zac. He was stretching his arms but I noted that wasn't the only thing he was doing.

I covered my mouth and tried to stifle a laugh. "Oh my God."

Hearing me, Alastair glanced up from his book. "What is it? Did one of those pestiferous girl characters die?"

I shook my head, almost bursting out laughing, and continued to watch Zac making a smooth attempt of wrapping an arm around Brianna's shoulders. He was such a moron.