Chapter 3: It Takes Two

The cold breeze washed over me. My body shivered. Rubbing my arms to keep warm wasn’t helping.

“Where is she? ” I said. I never took Nina for the late type. For the past hour, people had passed by and gave me concerned looks.

“I’m waiting for my date,” I said to them.

Snap out of it, Zack. I slapped my cheeks. I needed to imagine the Amazon Warrior Faction from Death War 8000. Especially the Queen. With her baby in one hand and her sword in the other, she slew a thousand enemies. That is who I need to be—a badass, stoic woman.

“You okay?” she said.

I jerked my head. It was Nina! Oh! My! Gosh! There she was, so dressed up. It was the classic black dress, and it hugged her body. She was absolutely stunning in the outfit. She even wore makeup to accentuate her face. Nice touch. Yet, something about her seemed off. As she approached me, her movement wobbled. One arm stretched out, while in the other, she was grasping her phone. She tried shoving it into her dress, only for it to fall to the ground.

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Slam. My phone hit the pavement.

A thousand thoughts rushed through my head. Who created the torture devices known as high heels? Why don’t dresses have pockets? Why can’t I wear my PJs? Nina. Stop it. Emily said those negative thoughts hold you back.

I inhaled and exhaled. Focus on your date tonight.

“So, how do I look?” I straightened my dress. Zack stood there. His eyes were moving up and down. It was like I was being scanned.

“Good,” he replied. Just good?

“You look nice too,” I said. After retrieving my cracked phone, I stumbled forward. Whoa. I was losing my balance. Eyes closed. Wham. I hit something soft. Arching my head up, I opened my eyes. It was Zack. No. It was his beautiful blue eyes staring back at me. They were filled with warmth and joy, but why did they also feel reserved?

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Her emerald eyes. They were staring back. On the outside, timid. On the inside, strength. As she shifted, her small frame brushed against me. What should I do? I wanted to wrap my arms around her, but was that right? Protection or compassion?

“Can you help me?” she called out.

“Oh, sorry.” I steadied her. She took a step forward and landed against me. Using my arm as an anchor, she attempted to balance herself. Just then, her fingers slipped down to mine.
Thuh-thump. They were slender, yet coarse. We embraced.
Thuh-thump. My breathing was heavy and slow. Face flushed.
Thuh-thump.

She was like a honey badger: shy yet fierce, adorned with chestnut hair. Her emerald eyes were a beauty that transcended heaven and earth, a countenance chiseled from marble. Her petite form was enclosed within ebony and elegant attire. I met the goddess of beauty, and her name was Nina.

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As I brushed against him, his body was tense. My legs wobbled, but he just stood there, zoned out.

“Can you help me?” I called out.

“Oh, sorry,” he said, snapping back into reality. He steadied me. I stepped forward, but there was a snap. The heel on my shoe broke. I was flung onto him. Using his arm, I attempted to pull myself up, but I lost my grip. Flailing about, my hand slid down to his.

Thuh-thump. Despite his broad fingers, they were smooth.

Thuh-thump. We embraced.

Thuh-thump. My breathing was heavy and slow. Face flushed.

His embrace was like a warm blanket. His hair was the darkness of the night. His eyes were the endless ocean. His body was the mountains. He was everything, and he was Zack.

BANG! We jumped a foot.

“Yo, love birds. We have one last showing," a theater attendant said. Zack and I giggled. Our faces were red. He cleared his throat, and he looked down.

“Let me fix that.” He snapped the heel off my other shoe. I walked around. It was perfect. No more torture devices! We both entered the theater side by side.

“Two tickets for Blood Slasher 3000.” Zack said. The attendant glanced at Zack, then me, and back at Zack.

“You sure about that?”

"Yes," I said.

“Whatever. I still get paid either way.” We grabbed our tickets. I jogged on the spot.

“Race you there," I said, and I bolted away.

“No fair!” He chased after me. We giggled. Despite being in our 20s, we were like kids. In our hearts, we were kids.

We slid into the theater room, but Zack beat me by a hair.

“No fair!” I shouted.

“No fair? How so?” he teased.

“You have longer legs than me! That’s cheating!” I gestured at his legs.

“I can’t help that.” He laughed.

“And I’m wearing a dress!” I pointed to it.

“Fine. The next time we race, I will wear a dress.” He said nonchalantly.

“Wait, really?”

“Yeah. Why would it bother me? It’s just clothes.” He sounded confused.

“Oh.”

“Is that a bad oh or a good oh?”

“I’m just surprised.” I cocked my head. “I thought most guys would be embarrassed by it.”

“Oh. Most guys are, but last year I wore a skirt for Halloween.”

“Just a skirt?” I was amused.

“No. No," he laughed. “I dressed as an Amazon warrior from Death War 8000. They are an all-female faction.” There was a spark of passion behind his eyes. “You see, it all started before the Great War—" The lights dimmed.

“-- Hold that thought. The movie is beginning.” We hopped into our seats. We both rested our arms on the arm chairs. Zack shivered. He is the one shivering, yet I’m wearing fewer clothes than him!

The movie screen turned black.

In books, that is usually the moment when the guy gives the girl his coat to keep her warm... Wait... Am I the man in this relationship?

I shrugged my shoulders, because it didn’t matter.

Tonight has been going great. Sure, I cracked my phone, and I had to wear those stupid high heels. However, it did lead to me falling for Zack, both literally and metaphorically. I think this night will continue to be great.

The red title flashed on screen, and blood dripped from the lettering. I patted my stomach. It was queasy and doing jumping jacks. Oh no.