Chapter 4: Disaster at Theater

The red title flashed on screen, and ketchup dripped from the lettering. Classic B-movie. On my left was Nina. I smiled at her, and she smiled back. She is going to love this! On screen was a young woman at night. The killer chased her with a rubber knife. Pfft. She looked around and took the worst route—the dark alleyway. You can’t have a horror movie without characters being dumb. She fled into the alleyway, and the killer was in hot pursuit. It replayed the same scene again. They reused the scene. That’s creative! There was a shot of her feet, and, for this scene, she magically gained flip-flops. Her foot caught the cobble road, and she tumbled. Pfft. Nina must be loving this!

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Zack smiled at me, and I smiled back. Put on a brave face, Nina. A woman about my age appeared on screen. Behind her was a criminal wielding a knife. My heart raced. Oh no. She panicked and ran down the alleyway. The killer pursued. I was sweating. She kept trying to get away, but he was right behind her. My stomach turned. She tripped on the road, and she fell. My body quivered. What if that were me?

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After her tumble, she crawled away. Classic horror trope. They should get up and run. After reaching a dead end—the wall—she turned around. It was the killer, in daylight. They forgot to film it at night. With the knife, he stabbed the air. There was a close-up shot of her screaming. Ketchup shot across the screen. You can see the ketchup bottle in the frame! I burst out laughing.

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My nails dug into the armrest, and my breathing was labored. The woman on screen, desperate to get away, scraped herself across the cold, stone top. The killer, brandishing his knife, lacerated her. Each stab was met with a bloodcurdling scream. Her blood ejected across the screen. My stomach, queasy already, had had enough. I bolted from my seat.

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There was a scrambling sound next to me. I wheeled my head around and saw Nina making a mad dash. What happened? I chased after her. There was a slam as the doors opened. I caught her running around the corner. Giving chase, I saw her head was shoved deep in a trash can. There was the unmistakable sound of hurling. Did she come down with something? I tiptoed toward her.

“You okay?” I whispered with concern.

“No.” Her voice was strained.

Is her stomach acid burning her throat?

I snapped my head around, looking for help. None was found. My body was shaking. Each breath I took was shallow and increased in speed. My heart was racing. This was a feeling I had never felt before. I had anxiety. Why did I let her see this movie? Should I seek help or stay? What should I do? What would the Queen do?

“I-Is there anything I can do?” I stammered out.

“Ugh. I-I don’t know.” She was whimpering. After she stopped vomiting, she pulled her head out of the trash can. She limped over to the wall and leaned against it.

“Nina?” I reached out toward her.

“I ruined the date." Her voice trembled. She slid down the wall and huddled in a fetal position. She lay on the carpet. I sat down with her.

“No. It’s my fault,” I said. She shook her head.

“You didn’t know I couldn’t handle blood.”

“I knew you hadn't seen a slasher before.”

“H-how did you know?” her voice was shaking.

“Slasher Blood 2000,” I smirked.

“Oh...” her voice trailed off.

“How are you feeling?”

“I think I’m better.” She stood up. Giving it a minute, she attempted to walk forward but stumbled.

“Here, lean on me.” Using me as a crutch, she wrapped her arm around me. “Let’s go outside. Fresh air will help.” We shuffled out of the theater.

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Zack and I stood outside. He was so excited to see the movie, and I ruined it. Like I ruin everything else. As we exited the theater, the fresh air filled my lungs. The dizziness in my head faded.

“Hey, you are feeling better already,” he said.

“Yeah, but you missed the movie.” I was holding back tears.

“It’s no big deal,” he shrugged.

“B-But you were so excited to see it. And I threw up?” I was perplexed.

“It’s nothing. I can watch it on DVD,” he said with a smile.

This date was a disaster, yet he is still happy?

My eyes drifted up to the night sky. It was just the dark sky and stars, but it was so peaceful. It was just what I needed to clear my mind. I was always a night owl, and this is why: it feels like time stood still. In the morning, you are always running around. At night, it feels like you can decompress. “What now?”

“We go on a second date,” he smiled.

I don’t deserve Zack. He is too nice to say no.

“Need help to your car?” he said.

“Sure.”

I lied. I didn’t need help.

As we walked to my car, I leaned on him—not for physical support, but for emotional support. In this moment, Zack is my Mr. Quackers back home. However, all good things must come to an end, because we arrived at my car. As I unlocked my car, a thought occurred.

“Where do you want to go on the second date?”

He paused for a bit. “How about a restaurant?”

“Sounds nice.” I motioned him up and down. “But next time, come dressed up," I chuckled.

“Will do." He smiled. He turned around and waved back. I waved back too. Hopping in my car, I turned the key. It shook like before, but more like a steady vibration. The bucking feeling was gone.

At least I don’t have to worry about it.

Pulling out of the parking spot and driving onto the road, I put my window down.

You know. Today wasn’t so bad.