Chapter 1 - The Movies
It was a nice sunny Friday afternoon. Justin looked up from his phone, squinting at the shelves inside the convenience store. His eyes fell on a row of chocolate bars. He grabbed a snack, something simple, and headed over.
“You always pick the boring stuff.” Rachel said in a teasing tone.
“I’ve got a taste for these ones in particular.” he replied, tossing the chocolate on the counter. Rachel rolled her eyes playfully.
Her smile was huge as she paid, and the cashier handed her the change as Rachel looped her arm through Justin’s. As they approached the theater, Rachel’s eyes lit up with excitement. She talked about plans after the movie, such as dinner at that fancy Italian place and maybe a walk along the river.
“So, what’s the movie?” Rachel asked, as they reached the theater’s entrance.
“It’s called ‘Dog’s Embrace’. It’s about a dog that saves his family from bankruptcy,” Justin replied.
Rachel feigned a yawn. “Sounds exciting.”
He laughed, squeezing her hand. “I promise you’ll love it.”
They bought their tickets and found their seats in the mostly empty theater. Rachel leaned into him, her shoulder pressing against his, and whispered, “I’m sure I will, as long as I’m with you.”
As the movie progressed, Rachel’s skepticism gave way to curiosity. She leaned closer to Justin, asking questions about what happened as the movie progresses. After the movie, Rachel was surprisingly eager to discuss the plot. “I never knew it could be that good.” she mused as they stepped outside.
“Yeah, sometimes you need to give a movie a chance.” They decided to skip the fancy dinner in favor of a cozy coffee shop down the street, as the smell of freshly brewed coffee beckoned them in. They found a booth in the back, and Rachel slid in, her legs brushing against Justin’s under the table.
The barista, a young woman, took their orders. A cappuccino for Rachel and a regular coffee for Justin. As they waited, Rachel’s hand found its way into his. 5 minutes later, the barista brought their drinks, the steam rising in the air. They talked for half an hour, talking about the movie and some stories that happened to them years ago.
Rachel took a sip of her cappuccino, the frothy milk leaving a small white mustache on her upper lip. Justin couldn’t help but find it adorable. He reached over with his thumb and gently wiped it away, his eyes never leaving hers. Her cheeks flushed as he did this.
They sat in silence for a while, as Rachel’s hand found its way to his, her grip tightening slightly. As they left the coffee shop, they continued to hold hands. Rachel leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder. They walked slowly, wanting to stay with each other a bit more.
Justin felt Rachel’s breath against his neck, warm and comforting. He kissed the top of her head, his heart swelling.
As they looked at the riverbank, Rachel looked up at him. “I love you.” she said.
Justin nodded as he held her hand. “I love you too.” he said.
