Page 39 of Nerdplay
He casts me a sidelong glance. “Which movies do you think I’ve watched that would trigger that kind of response?”
“No idea. I always seem to cry during a movie. There’s something about sitting in the dark and becoming invested in someone else’s story that makes me emotional.”
“Then maybe turn the light on the next time you watch.”
“There’s nothing wrong with letting the tears flow,” I say, although admittedly I got tired of seeing my red-rimmed eyes in the mirror in the aftermath of my breakup with the Prick. I try to put a positive spin on them, though. Those tears were necessary to clear the toxins from my system.
“I’d like to hear you say that to my father.”
“I’d be happy to.” I pull out my phone. “What’s his number?”
Charlie shakes his head. “Trust me. You do not want that experience.”
“Fine, but you do want the experience of movie night. We have one coming up, but I think people would object if we leave the light on. Kind of ruins the cinematic ambience.”
“When’s movie night?”
“Tonight at six. You should really pay attention to the schedule.”
“Save me a seat?”
“If it means I get a front-row seat to watch you cry, then hell yes.”
“Sorry. This face is a marble mask.”
Sadly, I didn’t disagree.
Chapter Six
The afternoon kicks off with zombie apocalypse training. I have no idea what this entails, but I’m curious to find out. I haven’t seen The Walking Dead, Zombieland or any of the other undead-related entertainment they mentioned, so I’m starting at a disadvantage.
“Bradley, Hunter, and Fiona have volunteered to be the zombies,” Courtney announces.
“Are we sure about this? Hunter sometimes takes his role a little too seriously,” Gloria says under her breath.
Hunter is the heavyset guy dressed from head to toe in camouflage and a jaw that sharks would envy. I make a mental note to avoid him. If his bite breaks the flesh, there isn’t a hospital nearby for treatment.
“It’s fine,” Bradley says. “This is basically tag with zombies.”
“It’s much more involved than tag,” Hunter interjects. “It’s the apocalypse. You need to think like a prepper and a military operative.”
“I can do neither of those.” I do, however, have experience as a winner. I hope that’s enough to sustain me during these imminent dark times. “Is there a time-out signal?”
Hunter pins me with a pitying look. “This is the apocalypse, my friend. The only time out is permanent.”
Got it. No breaks for the weary. “I’ll soldier on then.”
“No firearms, Hunter,” Courtney says. “You know the rules.”
Hunter kicks the dirt in protest. “What if I roleplay a human instead?”
“Still no.”
Firearms aside, I’m concerned that he would refer to his status as a human as roleplaying.
Courtney hands out three walkie talkies. “These are your only form of communication. No phones.”
Gloria snags the first one. Olivia and Adam swipe the other two.
