Swagger as Immaturity

As Trent started the car, the noisy boys burst into cheers. When Emily rolled her eyes, Loren gave her two thumbs up.

"So, where would you all like to go?" Without specifically addressing anyone, Hayden inquired.

Emily said without thinking, "The movies," making sure there would be no time for conversation and that she was most definitely not heading to a fancy restaurant.

"Which film are you interested in seeing?" Intrigued, Hayden inquired.

Emily searched her mind for a romantic film that was devoid of sentimentality.

After considering several potential movie titles, she finally said, "Possession."

"Oh, no way! I will not watch a film in which a woman is taken over by a strange, malevolent demon! Trent yelled in complete disapproval.

Laughing, Loren and Emily wondered what would happen if Trent discovered who Emily was. Emily wanted to be the one to personally inform Trent if the Dark Angel species were ever to become known to most of humanity.

"What about 'The Last Stand of Love'?" Loren volunteered. The world wasn't full of rejection. But before Emily could say anything, both men began to gag.

Trent remarked, "I propose that we see Ninja Monkeys Four."

Emily made a scathing remark, "If we have to see that damn movie, someone please shoot me now." Even though Emily didn't care as long as she survived this evening, they kept arguing about what kind of movie they should see until they arrived at the theater. A second after Loren and Emily got out of the car, the guys got out as well, and Emily saw what they were wearing. Hayden was wearing blue jeans that didn't particularly flaunt his ass, and his go-to gray Old Navy sweatshirt, which she secretly liked. Trent, on the other hand, was dressed in brown dress pants and a crisp white T-shirt underneath his spiffy brown jacket. If this was all a ploy to introduce her to Hayden, Emily questioned why he would bother dressing so nicely.

She dismissed the idea and went to the movie theater with the others. Hayden pointed to a billboard on the side that showed a movie that was currently playing.

"How about we watch 'Horror Movie'? It features violence, romance, action, and terrifying monsters. Bonus! It's satire! In an attempt to reach a compromise, Hayden said. Emily assumed it was a horror, but the romance would likely be soiled at worst, the monsters would likely be amateurish at best, and the violence would always be marred by some cheesy stunt or catchphrase. But she had to admit that, aside from "Possession," it was the only film she didn't completely despise. After reaching a unanimous decision, they purchased their drinks, snacks, and tickets. The boys' snide remarks, which were strangely funnier and even tackier than the film itself, were whispered throughout. They were all laughing at the same time when they left the theater.

"Do you recall that one scene where he was like, 'Ahhhh!' and he crashed?" Trent's laugh was a poor imitation of a character who had collapsed on his face. Recalling that cheesy scene from the film, they laughed even more. Emily couldn't even recall ever laughing so hard without the darkness tainting her memory. Loren abruptly poured her soda over her dress.

"Whoa!" Loren swore. Loren rarely used profanity, so Emily was taken aback.

Loren said apologetically, "Guys, we have to return to the theater."

Trent offered to accompany her.

Emily suggested that everyone leave since she didn't want to be left alone with Hayden.

"No, you and Hayden go to the park!" With urgency, Loren said. "We'll get there!"

"I've told you this countless times! Everyone refers to him as H.O.W. Trent cried out.

"Well, not everyone is me!" Loren made a case for her. Emily grinned at her pointless dispute.

"This is another ruse for me to get to know you, isn't it?" Emily asked Hayden as they were leaving.

"I believe Loren accidentally spilled her drink," Hayden said evasively.

Emily rolled her eyes inwardly and said curtly, "Whatever."

He made a playful remark, "Hey, you can't say you didn't have a good time."

"All right, I have to admit that you don't have as much swagger as immaturity," Emily said with a giggle.

"Thank you. "Should I interpret that as a compliment?" he inquired.

Emily remarked mockingly, "Because I hate swaggering guys and it's such a pleasure to toy with immature miscreants."

"Awful. She laughed as he teased, "Do you have to insult me every time?" After that, they continued to walk in silence until they reached the park, where they sat down on a bench. They sat in gloomy bliss, listening to distant crickets chirping, and Emily's Angel hearing allowed her to detect a groundhog scuttling in the bushes.

Emily thought, "I haven't laughed this much in... ever."

"Really? "Why?" he inquired worriedly. She became silent, allowing him to realize that this was the only answer he would get.

"Stop pushing me away, Emily." He murmured so softly that she wasn't sure if he intended for her to hear.

"Oh? She asked sarcastically, "You thought I'd open my heart to you if you spent one meager night with me?" "It's unbelievable that you would think so poorly of me."

As Hayden called out to her and caught up, she stalked off.

I apologize; that wasn't how I meant it. He hurriedly explained, "I just want to understand what would make you want to kill yourself." His face showed genuine compassion as she looked him down.

She made the harsh observation, "You're going to be disappointed, but I didn't even let Loren know, let alone you."

"At the very least, tell me why." With despair, he inquired.

"No," she replied, in the most definitive way possible—a total and total denial. "But here's a little secret: I wasn't going to jump as soon as you got here."

“Really?” he inquired, alerted by the news.

Indeed. On a chilly note, she said, "Once you came, I decided not to, so you wouldn't have any more dysfunction in your pathetic life." She wished she had not spoken the truth so automatically.

"Pathetic?" he asked, hurt.

"Yes," she spat, "life is pathetic."

"What made you believe that?" he inquired.

"You know, your questions are tiring," she finally said after being silent for a while.

"All right. He pleaded, "Please give me a chance, but I won't ask you any more questions tonight."

"All right," she said abruptly. "I should let you know that I'm not a very good friend, but we can still be friends."

He said earnestly, "That's because you don't see what I see." With a puzzled expression on her face, she questioned, "And what is that?"

As he opened his mouth to respond, Trent's Jeep pulled up beside the road and a horn sounded. After running a considerable distance to his car, they got into the backseats.

"Did you manage to remove the stain from your dress?" Since she hadn't been a very good friend lately, Emily tried to be sincere when she asked Loren.

“Yup,” said Loren curtly, grinning at her. What could have happened with Trent that would have made Emily so happy, Emily wondered? After dropping them off at the curb, Trent drove back to the corner where they had been picked up.

Hayden remarked, "See you around."

Emily's hesitant reply was "Bye." She got out of the car, thinking Loren would be right behind her, but she turned around bewildered to see Loren and Trent kissing. Her entire outlook on their relationship shifted as she gaped at them. The idea that she had genuinely thought of them as merely drama partners

Loren quickly said goodbye to her date and approached Emily with a joyful smile.

What a night!