I STOOD JUST OUTSIDE THE MEDIA CENTER, watching students enter and exit—the smell of buttery popcorn drifting outside each time the door opened. After one more deep breath, I made myself go inside.
Drew, already waiting, smiled as I walked over to him. He looked incredibly cute in a burnt orange polo shirt and jeans.
“Hey,” he said. “I love your shirt.”
I said a silent thank you to Khloe and one aloud to Drew.
“Let’s get drinks and snacks,” Drew said.
At the counter, we got a large tub of popcorn to share, Diet Cokes, Peanut M&Ms, and Twizzlers.
“Let me grab the tickets,” Drew said, starting toward the counter.
Drew shook his head. “This one’s on me. You can get the next one. Deal?”
I finally conceded. “Deal.”
It didn’t take long for Drew to grab two tickets, and we walked to the last screening room. Inside, every red seat was empty.
“That’s so weird,” I said. “Are we ridiculously early? Or did we miss a memo that the movie wasn’t showing or something?”
“I think we’re right on time,” Drew said, smiling. “Don’t worry.”
He let me pick our seats and I put my drink in the holder, the popcorn between us, and opened my Twizzlers. Still, not one student came through the doors. The rope lighting lining the aisles started to dim along with the overhead lights.
“I think we’re in the wrong place,” I said. “We’re the only ones here!”
Drew turned, smiling, and took my hand. “That’s kind of how I planned it.”
I shook my head, confused. Drew’s hand on mine wasn’t exactly helping, either! “What are you talking about?”
The theater went completely dark, and the movie started. At the first note of the familiar music, I squeezed Drew’s hand, gaping at the screen. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown was playing.
“Oh my God. Drew. I can’t believe you did this. How?”
“I remembered what you told me about this movie. We could have watched it on TV, but I talked to the manager, and he said he’d play this film for us.”
I shook my head in disbelief. This was beyond amazing. Drew really listened to me. I wondered if a better Halloween could exist.
“This is the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me,” I said. “I really don’t know what to say.”
Drew’s entire face had an unmistakable happy glow. “You don’t have to say anything. Just watch with me.”
I snuggled back into my chair, holding Drew’s hand as we watched Lucy draw a pumpkin face on the back of Charlie’s head. I lost myself in the cartoon, but at the same time, didn’t forget for a second who was sitting beside me. This was definitely the best treat I ever had.