Page 55 of Body Checked & Pucked

Just leave me standing there alone.

That he’s really…

A few seconds later, he’s out of sight.

Now I’m livid.

I hug myself and walk all the way across campus to the theatre.

I ordered two tickets and I’m only using one.

Because my boyfriend would rather go to some party than spend time with his girlfriend.

I show my phone at the ticket booth.

“Only one is here,” I say.

“That’s fine. I can take the other person’s name and-”

“Just one,” I say. “That’s it. Okay? Just me. I’m alone.”

The girl behind the ticket booth steps back and forces a smile.

I walk up to two big, red doors and pull one open.

The smell of popcorn hits me.

The school has a great theatre. It kind of has an old-fashioned feel to it.

I wait in line at the concession stand and get a popcorn and a soda.

When I walk into the theatre, it hits me for real that I’m alone. And for some reason I feel like I have a blinking red light shining on me. Like everyone needs to know that I’m there alone.

I catch myself frozen in place.

I’m pissed at Ward. Like really pissed.

I want to see this movie but I don’t want to see it alone.

And he just…

Behind me I hear someone clear their throat.

That’s the final straw for me.

I almost feel bad for the jerk behind me.

He’s about to get popcorn and soda thrown in his face.

“You know what?” I say. “I’ve had a shitty day…”

I turn around. I have plenty more to say.

Only nothing else comes out.

“You’re holding everyone up, honey…”

Of course it’s Jax standing there, smirking at me.

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