Page 55 of Verses Of Us

“Especially not when I’ve gotten you all hot and bothered,” he added with a laugh.

Filled to near capacity, the five-hundred seat university auditorium was dimly lit in yellow light, the walls covered in dark grey soundproof padding. It had been decades since its last renovation and showed signs of its age.

In the back row, Alexis and Ciarán chose two seats close enough to the exit, in case they needed to leave in a hurry. The hipster film crowd seemed too invested in their own conversations to recognize him, but he sank down into the red velvet chair and tucked his chin all the same.

Julie and her co-director-slash-boyfriend, Eric, took the stage to loud applause. After a brief introduction to their film, one they described as a modern take on the effects feminism had on masculinity, the crimson curtain pulled back and the movie flickered to life. From the parts she’d already seen, Alexis believed it was mainly an excuse to film sexy, naked men. Not that she had any issues with that.

Ciarán leaned over. “Is this one of those silent films that use lighting to hint at the subtext?”

Alexis stifled her laugh. “I hope it’s better than that. But be warned; there is some questionable use of cucumbers.”

Ciarán recoiled, his eyes wide. “Dear God, woman, what have you brought me to?”

She pressed her lips against his shoulder, smothering her laugh and inhaled the crisp scent of his pea coat. The couple in front turned around and shushed them, causing Ciarán to sink further into his seat. Alexis reached for his hand. She knew he was nervous about being recognized and didn’t want to ruin her best friend’s special night by drawing attention. Still, it meant a lot to her he came. There was undoubtedly something else he could do instead of sitting in a dark, old theatre watching what was likely comparable to soft porn.

She glanced down at their joined hands. What had surprised her the most tonight was how he’d behaved before heading to the campus. How he’d watched her getting ready and how he’d been OK with a quick, very low budget supper at the tiny Cantonese restaurant around the corner. And how he’d held doors open for her and had even snuck in some snacks under his coat for them to nibble on during the movie.

The film started with a closeup of a woman’s eye—somewhat teetering on plagiarising Hitchcock’s infamous scene fromPsycho. Ciarán moved their hands to his lap and held on tightly.

She didn’t know for certain where he stood regarding their relationship, but to Alexis, the last few days had been so much more than casual. This moment, to her, was more complex than two people holding hands. She couldn’t explain it, but something profound was happening between them.

They discovered a new side to each other last night. It was more than sex. She knew she was falling for him, more than she’d ever imagined possible. But still incredibly cautious, still too insecure, she didn’t trust her heart and its willingness to take the chance.

The film turned out much more profound than Alexis had assumed. Under the façade of toxic masculinity and femininity, there was an overshadowing message about death and birth, and once the end credits rolled, she was teary-eyed.

The lights came on. Low applause grew into loud cheers. Ciarán wrapped an arm around Alexis, his hand gripping her as if he didn’t want to let go.

Julie and her partner stepped on stage and thanked everyone. Someone in the audience rewarded her with a beautiful bouquet of Calla lilies, and then she offered to answer some questions. Immensely proud of her friend, and for what she’d accomplished, more tears built in Alexis’ eyes. She sniffled a little too loudly, drawing her neighbour’s attention.

“I totally get it. Thatsospoke to me.” The young woman with dark skin smiled at Alexis, her soft brown eyes sympathetic.

“It was beautiful, wasn’t it?”

“Absolutely,” the girl replied. Ciarán pulled his arm away and Alexis’s chest tightened with panic as recognition covered the girl’s face. “Wait, don’t I know you from somewhere?”

Ciarán’s eyes darted to the floor as he shook his head. “Don’t think so.”

He hid his accent behind a ridiculous southern twang and Alexis bit back a laugh.

“I’m sure I’ve seen you somewhere,” the woman insisted, tapping her neighbour on the shoulder. “Isn’t this guy super familiar?”

The guy peeled his eyes from his phone. “Nope.”

He turned back, apparently not bothered by his girlfriend’s curiosity, but it didn’t sway her.

“Are you an actor?”

Laughing, Alexis leaned forward, trying to hide Ciarán behind her. “Why do you think I’m with him? He looks like a celebrity. But he’s not. He works at the Tim Hortons across the street.”

Alexis stretched her coat out as she tugged it on, blocking Ciarán as much as possible, but the girl kept trying to peek around her to get a better look. Calling out Alexis’ protective side, her heartbeat increased with panic, but her annoyance with the nosey stranger who wouldn’t quit.

Finally, the woman gave up with a nod. “That must be it. I’m always at that Timmy’s. Well, have a good night.”

“You too,” Alexis replied, hurrying behind Ciarán, who was already halfway out the door.

Once they were on the busy downtown streets, she reached for his hand, trying to slow his steps.

“That was close.”

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