Ava took pity on me in my friendless state. “Want to go see a movie this weekend?” she asked.
“Are you sure you want to be seen with me?”
“I think I can take the heat,” she replied.
“Cool.”
We went to see the latest blockbuster. It wasn’t really Ava’s cup of tea, but I think she suggested it in the hopes of cheering me up. I avoided the Good & Plenty and opted for the more substantial nachos.
“Nothing like a cheesy flick to make me feel better,” I said, propping my feet up on the row in front of me.
“Can’t I take you anywhere?” she said. “That,” she pointed to my feet, “is just rude. Somebody’s head is gonna be there in a few minutes. Would you want your hair up against someone’s feet?”
She was right. I put my feet down. “Sorry.”
“No worries,” she said. “Now, hand over some of those nachos.”
We’d gotten there early because Ava insisted on getting seats in the back row.
“I forgot to get a soda,” I said. “I’m heading to the snack bar. You want anything?”
“No, thanks,” she replied.
There was a long line at the snack bar, so I decided to hit the restroom before the movie started. When I walked in, I saw Olivia Kaplan fixing her makeup at the mirror and then heard a familiar voice emanating from one of the stalls.
“Can you believe she’s here with that fat lesbo? And to think Sophie used to be popular. But I fixed her.” A little chuckle followed.
Olivia’s eyes met mine in the mirror. She opened her mouth to say something, but I shook my head and she froze.
“Is that Haley Owens’s voice I hear?”
Silence. Then, “Sophie, I didn’t know you were here. I’ll be right out.”
She emerged from the stall and rushed to give me a hug. I sidestepped her. “I interrupted you in the middle of a story. Please go on.”
“I—I—I was just joking,” she stuttered. “I knew you were there all along.”
“Haley, I know it was you who took that photo of me at the dance,” I said. “And I was prepared to forgive you, but don’t talk trash about my friends.” I leaned in closer and said softly, so that only she could hear, “And if I ever hear that you called Ava names again, I’ll personally see to it that a few photos of you are passed around.”
A little louder, I said, “Good, I’m glad we understand each other. Have a nice day.” Score one for my big mouth!
I swept from the room, leaving Olivia and Haley gaping. They deserved each other. How could I have been stupid enough to think Haley was my friend? Olivia was bad, spreading malicious gossip, but she was open about it. Haley was worst of all, pretending to be my friend while stabbing me in the back.
“You were gone a long time,” Ava observed when I returned.
I handed her a pack of gummi bears. She loved gummi bears. “Here.”
“What are these for?”
“They’re a thank-you,” I said, “for being a good friend.”
Just then, Dev and Beth walked in. I ducked down in my seat. “Oh, no.”
“What is it?”
I motioned to where they stood, scanning the theater to find seats. It was crowded, but there were seats next to us.
“Do you want to leave?” Ava said.
But she wasn’t convinced. “Let’s get out of here,” she said. “We can watch the movie in the next theater. C’mon, before they see us.”
But it was too late. “Hi, Ava. Hi, Sophie. Do you mind if we sit here?” Beth asked.
What could I say? “Of course not.”
It was almost worth my own discomfort when I saw Dev’s expression.
“I’ll get us some snacks,” he said. He practically bolted down the aisle, as if fleeing the scene of a crime.
Beth chatted away, completely oblivious to my discomfort.
Ava shot me a puzzled look, but I shook my head. Beth wasn’t doing it on purpose, at least I didn’t think she was. She wasn’t aware of the gossip about Dev and me because she was too much of a straight edge to listen to it.
When Dev got back, the only seat left was the one next to me. He sat there because he didn’t have any other choice, but I could tell he’d rather be anywhere else.
Thankfully, the movie started, which discouraged any conversation. Beth, I noticed, talked during movies.
I kept my eyes on the screen but was hyperaware of Dev’s every move. I swore I would kill him if he made a move on Beth in front of me, but he kept his hands firmly on his own side of the armrest.
Still, I was consumed with jealousy.
His leg bumped against mine once and he whispered a “sorry,” but other than that, we didn’t exchange one single word.
It was the longest hour and a half of my life. When the lights went up, I practically bolted down the aisle.
Outside, Ava looked at me. “So, how did you like the movie?” she said deadpan, but I could see the twinkle in her eye.
“That wasn’t funny,” I said, “it was horrible. You have the worst taste in movies.”
We burst into hysterical laughter.