Chapter 37: Movies - Monet

I feel nervous driving to the movie theater. This is normal, right? This is what eighteen-year-olds are supposed to do. Go out and date other single people, get to know oneself and all that crap.

Normal people aren't supposed to hope for some miracle where the past gets erased.

What would have happened if Cole's mother never died? I could've liked him then without any of this guilt eating me up.

Would he have liked me back? Would he constantly think of me like I'm thinking of him? Would he long for just a kiss?

It would've been a great love story, but it's not. It can't be.

And after what happened on Sunday, I'm dead sure he has never thought about me in that light, so I can't dwell on what-ifs anymore.

It's time I moved on.

Starting with Damon, who is already waiting for me in front of the movie theater, smiling when he sees me approaching him.

Oh my god, he's really cute, and he has a great sense of fashion, looking well dressed with a face that could break a million hearts.

"Hey." He says when I stop in front of him, and pulls me into his body for a hug.

He smells really good, but I hate that I'm already comparing him to Cole. Damon's body is less muscular, but he still feels good up against me.

"Hi." I smile back, and his dimples pop in his cheeks,making my stomach clench with nerves.

"Thanks for coming to watch the movie with me." His hand lands on the small of my back, leading me inside the theater.

The foyer is busy, a lot of studets milling about and standing in line for the concession stand. I don't miss the way people are looking at us either. Amy did say that he was kind of a big deal on campus.

"I'm a sucker for horror movies." I try not to let my nerves get the best of me and focus only on him. "You live off-campus, right?"

"Yeah, but still close though, so I don't have to drive far." We stop at the back of the line to get snacks.

"Why? The athlete's dorms are really cool." I frown, thinking of the state-of-the-art faccilities like they're already professional athletes. They literally have everything they need right there.

"My father thought it would be good, keep my head straight and stay away from distractions." He grins lopsidedly, pulling on my hair. "You are a welcome distraction though."

I can feel my ears burning. It seems like he really likes me, which is not a bad thing. I need all the motivation to stay the hell away from Cole.

"So, which snacks are you having?" He changes the subjecy quickly. "Popcorn, candy, soda?"

"All of them!" I playfully roll my eyes. "Not all of us are athletes, we can eat what we want."

He raises his eyebrows, looking me up and down. I'm not wearing anything revealing, my outfit is a simple pair of jeans and a baggy T-shirt. I always get cold in the cinema.

"It sure doesn't look like it. You have an amazing body."

"Thank you. " I say self-consciously. Even though I eat what I want mostly, I do run almost every single day, and Amy says we have to start pilates classes since we're becoming college influencers, which I really don't have the time for.

"Monet!" I turn around to the familiar voice calling my name, my eyes widening when Chrystal literally throws herself in my arms for a hug, like we're best friends.

What surprises me though, is James who is standing awkwardly to the side, watching the exchange.

"Hi. Good to see you." He waves at me.

"I'm Chrystal." She introduces herself to Damon. "Monet's roommate. You could've told me you were coming to the movies. We could've gone on a double date!"

This girl is really delusional. We hardly speak two words to each other, especially since she keeps on throwing shade my way for not letting her hang out with Cole and Luke. Maybe that's what I should do. Invite her over and give her a chance to become one of their cleats chasers. Seems like she has already won James over.

"See you at the dorm later!" She rejoins James and they also take a spot in the long line.

"Wasn't that like your ex or something?" Damon asks.

"Who? James?" I frown. "I went on one coffee date with him. Wait, where did you hear that?"

"I may have asked around about you." he shrugs, no regret in his eyes at the admission. "I couldn't understand how a girl like you can be single."

"A girl like me?" I raise my eyebrows at him. "What kind of girl would that be?"

Damon thorws his arms over my shoulders, the gesture feeling more natural than I thought it would.

"A beautiful girl like you." Those dimples are going to be the death of me. "And any guy who didn't scoop you up when they had the chance is really stupid."

"I didn't want to date anyone on the football team for obvious reasons."

"Then I guess I'm playing the right kind of ball then." He smirks, and I can't deny that I like the banter going on between the two of us.

Maybe this was the right decision coming on this date tonight. Maybe Damon is exactly the guy that will get me out of this funk and make me forget that I ever thought of Cole as more than just a brother.