Chapter 45 Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter 45 Chapter Forty-Five
When the credits finally rolled and the lights came up, I realized I wouldn't recall what this movie had been about nor could I remember the last time I'd felt this relaxed, this content.
Not stressing about my dissertation,or the gossip on campus gossip. It was just me and Danny and a movie that required absolutely zero brain power.
"That was so dumb," I said as we gathered our things.
"It was amazing," Danny countered.
"It was amazingly dumb," I compromised, and he laughed.
“ You don't like action movies” he asked and I shrugged
“It's a bunch of people doing stunts on screen that aren't possible in real life” I mumbled
“So you're jealous” he mumbled and I huffed
“Maybe I am a little bit” I retorted and he laughed.
We filed out with the rest of the crowd, still debating the most ridiculous parts of the movie—my vote was for the scene where the main character jumped from a helicopter onto a moving train, Danny's was when they somehow hacked into a secure government facility using a smartphone and paperclip.
We were so caught up in our conversation that I almost didn't notice her standing near the exit.
Almost.
Danny's hand tightened on mine, his entire body going rigid beside me, and I looked up to see Sophia Garcia blocking our path.
My ex-best friend looked exactly the same as she had three years ago—perfectly styled blonde hair, designer clothes that probably cost more than my monthly rent, and that smile that used to feel genuine but now just felt calculated.
She was with a group of girls I didn't recognize, all of them dressed like they were going to a club rather than a movie theater.
For a second, I thought about turning around, finding another exit, to avoid this confrontation entirely. But Sophia had already seen us, her eyes widened in recognition, and then she was moving toward us with the kind of determination that made my stomach drop.
“ Oh God” I groaned
"Vanessa!" she called out, her voice sugary sweet.
"Oh my God, is that really you?"
I felt Danny shift beside me, positioning himself slightly in front of me like he was ready to physically block her if necessary. The protective gesture made my heart ache.
"Hi, Sophia," I said, keeping my voice neutral.
"Wow, I can't believe I'm running into you here," Sophia gushed, like we were old friends who'd simply lost touch rather than former best friends whose relationship had imploded spectacularly.
"And Danny! Hi!" She gave him a little wave that made me want to roll my eyes.
"Sophia," Danny said flatly, his tone making it clear he had zero interest in small talk but Sophia either didn't notice or didn't care.
She turned her attention back to me, her expression morphing into something that was probably supposed to look contrite.
"I've been meaning to reach out to you," she said, stepping closer. Her perfume—something floral and expensive—hit me like a wall.
"I wanted to apologize for what happened between us. You know, back in freshman year."
I blinked. "You wanted to apologize."
"Yes," Sophia said, nodding earnestly. Her friends had stopped a few feet away, watching the interaction with undisguised interest.
"I was young and stupid, and I made some really bad choices. What I did—sleeping with your boyfriend—it was terrible. I've grown a lot since then, and I just want you to know how sorry I am."
The words sounded rehearsed, like she'd practiced them in a mirror and the fact that she was doing this here, now, in front of Danny and her friends and random strangers leaving the theater, made the whole thing feel performative rather than genuine.
"Okay," I said carefully.
"Thanks for the apology, I guess."
Sophia's smile widened, like she'd accomplished exactly what she set out to do.
"Of course! I just couldn't live with myself knowing you were still upset with me." She glanced at Danny, then back to me.
"And I heard you two were dating now? That's so great! I'm really happy for you guys."
Something about the way she said it made alarm bells go off in my head. Too enthusiastic. Too friendly. Too... something.
"Danny and I are just friends now," Sophia continued, like we'd asked for clarification.
"I know there were rumors back then about us hooking up, but honestly, that was all just a misunderstanding. We never actually—you know." She waved her hand vaguely.
"I would never do that to you. Not now that I've grown as a person."
I felt Danny's hand tighten on mine again, and when I glanced at him, his jaw was clenched so hard I was worried he'd crack a tooth.
"Right," I said slowly. "Well, we should probably get going—"
"Oh, but I wanted to properly catch up!" Sophia interrupted, placing a hand on my arm. I resisted the urge to shake it off.
"Maybe we could grab coffee sometime? I'd love to hear what you've been up to. I heard you're doing graduate work in psychology? That's so impressive."
That was never going to happen and the fact she thought to ask, made my skin crawl.
"I'm pretty busy with my dissertation," I said, taking a step back and forcing her hand to drop.
"But thanks for the offer."
"Oh, of course," Sophia said,
"Well, you have my number if you change your mind. It was so good seeing you, Vanessa. And you too, Danny."
She gave us one more bright smile, then turned and rejoined her friends, who immediately clustered around her, no doubt eager to hear about the interaction they'd just witnessed.
Danny and I stood there for a moment, watching them leave.
"We need to go," Danny said quietly.
He didn't have to tell me twice.
"What the hell was that?" I asked, my hands shaking s
"That," Danny said, his voice tight with anger,
"Well I have no idea either”
“I really don't want to be a part of whatever it is” I mumbled and Danny tightened his hold on my hand
“ Well you don't have to, I doubt we'll see her again” he offered and I sighed
“ I hope not”
“I had a lovely date,” I mumbled hoping to change the subject and he smiled widely
“ I'm glad, let's do it again” he said as he started driving.
I leaned into the car seat, closing my eyes tightly and drifted off to sleep.