Chapter 52
Zai cuddled me and stayed nearby but overall he was much less ... aggressively affectionate than I was used to. My music video was set to be released tonight at 8 but as soon as the sun started to set he stood up and said,
"I'll be back soon." Zai kissed me goodbye. He was wearing all black, except for the red gems in the earrings I gave him. Before he walked out he tied his hair back, pulled on his hood, and put on a black face mask. I should do something while I wait for him... I texted Lisa to see if she wanted to hang out but didn't get a response, so I texted Valin and had the same issue... maybe they're together right now. So as a last resort, I messaged RJ,
"Do you want to hang out?" Zai trusts him... so I should have nothing to worry about.
"Where?' He replied, which was shocking. I expected immediate rejection. We should go somewhere public...
"Maybe a movie? I have a few hours I need to kill." I replied. This reminds me of my first date plans with Smoke... If I went to see a movie with Zai I doubt he'd allow me to focus on the screen. My cheeks are tingling just imagining it.
"Sure." After his reply, I used Zai's element to run to RJ's house and knock on the door. He opened it to find me wheezing and panting on the porch, holding up one finger to gesture to him to wait for me to catch my breath.
"I would've picked you up" He replied, stone-faced at first then he gave a light chuckle and walked past me to the garage. Once I was able to I met him at his car, it was the green one, I should've known. "What do you want to see?" He asked, as soon as my seatbelt was buckled,
"I want to see an action movie!" I answered, my voice full of excitement. "Maybe a superhero movie if the reviews aren't too awful," I added. He drove quietly. Since he wasn't talking it was hard to keep my mind off Zai... I wonder what he'd be doing, if his business didn't involve Rai or Valin, what could it be?
"How about Ms. Stiletto? She's not an overpowered hero, but she's a well-trained assassin. She uses a stiletto sword and Stiletto heels to fight. I think you'll like the plot." He offered.
"Yeah! I'll watch it!" I replied, I guess he was being quiet to think of a good suggestion for me.
"It's 3 hours long, though." That... is a lengthy movie... I texted Zai letting him know I was going to watch a movie at the theater with RJ. Even though he was busy I got a reply within seconds.
"Okay, I miss you... Tell me about it when I get home, and maybe we can watch it together next time, if you like it." My heart felt warm reading his message but I put my phone away without replying. Soon we were there. The ceiling was very high, and arcade games were scattered about the lobby. RJ purchased our tickets and asked me what I wanted as a snack. I merely thought caramel popcorn before he walked away and purchased it, along with the bottle of water I wanted. This is the first time he made it obvious that he's reading my thoughts... The viewing room was packed so I had to scoot past a few people just so we could sit together, which felt a little awkward.
The main character worked as an assassin because her natural fighting ability caught the attention of a certain organization. Her parents died so she was tasked with watching her little sister it was hard to work at her age. Out of necessity, she agreed to darken her soul for money and her little sister. Years passed a new head of the organization was elected who deemed her and a few others too dangerous and knowledgable to keep alive, so they planted a bomb in her home and set it off when they thought she was there, but it was only her sister. After her sister's death, she tracked down everyone involved in the murder and exterminated them. Then she went completely off the grid, only appearing to fight crimes that she felt a personal connection to. I actually cried when the sister died and RJ stroked my back to comfort me with one hand while stealing popcorn with the other.
"It was so good!" I yelled while leaving the building. He nodded in agreement, I can't wait to watch this with Zai, I instantly pulled out my phone and began texting him my impression and that I would be very happy to come again to see it together.
"Are you still hungry?" RJ asked, I thought for a moment,
"Yeah... popcorn isn't very filling, I guess." He entered the car first and waited for me before driving to a fast food place and ordering tacos for both of us. He parked his car and we ate so I took that opportunity to thank him,
"Thanks for spending time with me, and the food. I can pay you back soon!" I announced proudly,
"... Pay me back by treating me next time." He replied. It makes me a bit happy that he wants to hang out again.
"I really appreciate this, I would have gone crazy at home alone..." He wrapped up his half-eaten taco and put it in the bag, then pulled out a bottle of wine from underneath his seat and drank heavily, "You're not supposed to have open bottles of alcohol in the car!" I chastised, as someone who very recently reviewed all the driving laws. He smirked at me and said,
"Don't tell on me, then." Before finishing off what was left and tossing the empty bottle into the back seat. "And you don't need to keep thanking me, I like spending time with you." I was stunned again... I can't imagine why, I would think I'm pretty boring to most people.
"Then I should have asked you to hang out sooner... I'm sorry." He wiped his mouth with a napkin and said,
"Are you ready to go home yet?" I looked at my phone... there was still no reply from Zai, then RJ groaned loudly pulling away my attention.
"I'm ready..." I answered,
"You don't understand me." RJ accused, stunning me a bit. I had assumed he groaned because he was ready for us to separate even if Zai wasn't home, could he be referring to that?
"I'm... not the best at reading people," I admitted solemnly. He didn't reply and just began driving me back home, with one hand, and his free arm laying against the car door window. My house was about 15 minutes away and when we parked outside my legs didn't move.
"I miss him too," RJ commented, laying his head on the steering wheel and facing me. I suppose that's a plus side of hanging out with someone who can read my thoughts but also can't lie, it's much easier to admit the things I'd usually be shy about. There's no point in trying to hide it.
"Oh!... Then I apologize for hogging him so much." RJ sighed and said,
"He's the one hogging you, and choosing to spend less time with me." He sounded a little bitter. "Zai... has always been hard to get close to." Is he about to open up to me?... I can do this, I can be emotional support!
"But you succeeded! You're his best friend." He scoffed...
"Sometimes I believe that..." Maybe I should encourage Zai to hang out with his friends more... but the thought of having less time with him troubles me. "I think some days, I remind him of my father, and ... it's impossible for us to get along on those days." I almost feel like Zai should be the one to have this convo.
"He told me, he thinks of you as family! You're very important to him..." RJ smiled at me,
"Alright." He doesn't seem convinced,
"And... he said he can trust you because you have to be honest."
"Ah... and because I wouldn't touch a woman who isn't interested in me." He added. He must know the conversation I'm recalling right now, "Yeah I remember...Plus, your thoughts are always so clear, they're loud, like a screaming child in a park." That description makes me very self-conscious!
"Well it's not just that I'm not interested, it's because I'm with Zai, right?" He scrunched up his face as if he was thinking then sat up and turned away,
"You should go inside, good night, Snowe." Should I press him? He can't lie, but he has no reason to be completely honest with me, and knowing that he'd cross the line if I showed interest isn't something I need to confirm... I should let it go so our relationship can stay as it is.
"Good night," I replied, and then I exited the vehicle. Zai was home around 30 minutes later, I sat on the porch so I could see him as soon as he arrived and ran to hug him.
"Oh wow... you're awfully excited for someone who didn't say, I miss you too." He commented
"I missed you too!" Then he laughed and returned my embrace... something about his scent was off-putting so I pulled away and stared at him,
"What's wrong?" Zai asked, reaching for my hand,
"You... smell like you've been fighting," I noted. He looked away sadly and said,
"I have... but I rather talk about the movie, after we watch your music video together." I blushed and pouted. I'm glad he remembered the video... he doesn't deserve an interrogation and I'm sure he'll tell me what happened when he's ready.
"Yeah let's see the video."