This Is How It Goes

It was Friday night and Ellie would be here any minute to go and line up for the movie marathon. My dad had given me some extra money so I could take Ellie for dinner before we went and sat in line. Seeing as the first movie plays at ten I asked her to come over at seven so we had time for dinner. I was dressed in my normal clothes but Val had helped me pick out a nice aftershave that she thought Ellie would like and I was worried I may have put too much on. Just then my dad walked into the lounge room and sat next to me.

“Nervous?” Dad asked as I nodded. “Don’t be, just think of it as you hanging out with her the way you do any other time. And don’t pull the arm around the neck move, that is too forward and something you do on a proper date. If she gets scared and if she jumps or covers her face, hold her hand.” Dad said as I smiled.
“Thanks dad.” I said as the doorbell rung. I walked over to the door and opened it jumping back a little. There was Ellie with her hair straight wearing a red and green sweater, black jeans, a brown fedora and converse. I smiled as I saw the Freddy glove I had made her in metal work hanging out of her satchel bag. It wasn’t exactly like Freddy’s, the blades were blunt but still looked sharp.

“Nice outfit, planning on terrorizing the cinema?” I asked as she laughed.
“Well there’s no Jimmy to terrorize people, someone has to fill in. May as well be his twin.” She said.
“You look great Elle.” I said hugging her tightly.
“Are you wearing aftershave?” Ellie asked as I bit my lip.
“Uh yeah, I figured I should. Now I’m getting older and everything.” I said as she breathed in.
“It smells great, good choice.” She said pulling away. “So do you want to get going?” Ellie asked.
“We should. The reason I asked you to come over early was so we could go get a bite for dinner before we line up.” I said as Ellie looked down.
“I don’t have any money for that, just enough for the movie tickets.” She said as I frowned.
“Hey, I invited you. It’s my shout tonight.” I said as Ellie went to talk but I covered her mouth. “You’re my best friend and I want to.” I said leading her to my car. We got in and I drove to her favorite restaurant, Ruby’s Diner out on the pier. Ellie looked at me and smiled.
“Brian, you really don’t have to. I will be fine with a popcorn and soda.” She said.
“No, what did I say? Now come on let’s go inside.” I said as we went inside and sat down. I ordered myself and Ellie two cola floats. They were Ellie’s favorite so of course they had become my favorite too.


“So where did you find out about the marathon?” Ellie asked.
“Matt, he saw a poster for it and he knew we would all be in for it.” I said.
“It’s just strange, watching Nightmare on Elm Street movies won’t be the same without Jimmy. He used to terrorize me with them. As a result the first one always scares me and I haven’t seen the most recent one yet so that one will make me jump.” Ellie said.
“Well any time you get scared just grab my hand.” I said as she smiled.
“Lucky for you I don’t get too scared. But that first movie, I will have nightmares for days.” She said.
Our dinners came. We ate mostly in silence and a few times I caught Ellie looking up at me, maybe Val was telling the truth. Once we finished our dinner I paid and we went to the cinema and surprisingly we were the first people in line. I brought two pillows for us to sit on knowing it would be a bit of a wait. We got comfortable as we sat in silence until Ellie broke it.

“So Brian, I have a really weird question to ask you.” Ellie said as I shrugged.
“Go ahead.” I said as she took a deep breath.
“So one of my friends, she kinda has a crush on you. Well anyway, she wants to know if you like anyone at the moment.” Ellie said. I saw the redness in her cheeks, she was blushing.
“Well let’s see. Your only real friend is Val and I don’t think it’s Val.” I said as Ellie laughed.
“No, it’s a girl in my photography class. She knows I’m your best friend and she really likes you.” Ellie said as I smiled and nudged her shoulder with mine.
“How does that make you feel?” I asked as she went red in the face again.
“Well if you like someone that’s your deal. I’m just your friend.” Ellie said as I scoffed.
“You tie with your twin as my best friend. And I need to know her name.” I said smirking.
“She’s shy, she just wants to know if you like someone okay?” Ellie asked.
“I do, but she doesn’t really act like she feels the same. So it must not be your friend.” I said as Ellie nodded. I decided to see how honest she would be with me.

“What about you?” I asked as Ellie looked up.
“Pardon?” Ellie asked.
“What about you? Do you like anyone at the moment?” I asked.
“No.” Ellie said quietly as she blushed red.
“You do so! Come on, tell me and I will scope him out for you.” I said as she shook her head.
“Do you really think I would tell you Bri? You would be off like a bolt to go ‘give him a warning’ like Jimmy would. Besides, I know he doesn’t like me.” She said deflated as I put an arm around her.
“What guy would not like you? There’s no smarter, prettier or funnier girl than you at school to like.” I said as she looked away. Crap, maybe I said the wrong thing.
“I need the bathroom.” Ellie said moving too quickly for me to say anything. I sighed and leant my head back against the wall. Smooth Haner, real smooth.

“Fancy meeting you here.” I heard as I looked up and saw Matt, Val and Zacky.
“Hey, good timing. Movie starts soon.” I said as Val sat next to the pillow Ellie had been sitting on.
“Where’s Ellie?” Val asked as I sighed.
“She went to the bathroom.” I said as Val moved closer.
“And why is that a big deal?” Val asked.
“She said she had a friend that liked me and wanted to know if I liked anyone. So I asked her who she liked and she said he doesn’t like her. I asked why anyone wouldn’t like her. Then I told her she is the smartest, prettiest, funniest girl in school. No offense, the words jumped out my mouth. Then she looked away and ran to the bathroom.” I whispered as Val smiled.
“There’s nothing wrong, she was just embarrassed! If the guy I liked told me all that to my face I would be as well.” Val said. “She probably just needed to calm down. I’ll go get her.” Val said as she got up and walked into the cinema. A few minutes later Val emerged with a smiling Ellie.

“Look who I found.” Val said as Ellie went to sit down but Zacky intercepted and hugged her.
“Hey Elle, love the outfit.” Zacky said as Ellie smiled.
“Thanks Zacky, great minds think alike.” Ellie said. Zacky was wearing the same sweater.
“Well I still think you wear it better than I do.” Zacky said.
“Got that right.” I mumbled as Val elbowed me.Ellie sat down and I leaned over.
“Hey are you okay? I’m sorry if I said something that upset you.” I said honestly.
“No Brian, it was the complete opposite. Some guys at school have been giving me a hard time and it was really nice what you said.” Ellie said as I felt anger in my chest.
“Who has been giving you a hard time?” I asked calmly. Just then the box office opened and we went up and got our tickets. I saw Ellie look at the snack bar and I squeezed her hand softly.
“You go grab us seats and I will get you popcorn and a soda, my shout.” I said as Ellie smiled.
“Thanks Brian, I’ll see you in there.” Ellie said as I went to the snack bar. I waited in line when I saw Zacky out of the corner of my eye as he moved next to me.

“I know what you’re doing.” Zacky said with a harsh tone.
“What, buying snacks?” I asked.
“You like Ellie.” Zacky said as I took a breath and tried to remain straight faced.
“I do not, Ellie is my best friend and that’s all there is to it.” I said.
“Oh give me a break.” Zacky said as I turned to him. “I see you, every time she walks past, every time she speaks, every time she smiles. You couldn’t make it more obvious if you tried. She and Jimmy may not see it but I do. I have loved Ellie for years before you so I warn you now Haner, back off.” Zacky growled. The look in his eyes could burn holes right through me.
“Zacky please, you really think she likes you? I’m her best friend, I know exactly who she likes and it isn’t you.” I said as Zacky rolled his eyes.
“As if she would tell you who she likes. Besides, I’d make a way better boyfriend than you.” Zacky said.

“Whatever Baker. Ellie likes who she likes and it’s up to her who she dates. She came here tonight with me before anyone else was invited. I think that is considered a date.” I said.
“You really think Jimmy would let her date you?” Zacky said.
“I’m his best friend, he would trust me over you.” I said.
“Please Brian, I bet by the end of the night I get a kiss off of Ellie and you don’t.” Zacky said as he held out his hand. I looked at him surprised and shook my head.
“Ellie is nothing to bet over. She is a woman, a human being. If you really loved her you wouldn’t treat her like a bargaining chip.” I said as I got the popcorn and drinks and walked into the cinema. I looked around and spotted Ellie waving her Freddy glove. I quickly ran up to the seat she saved for me and handed her a drink and put the popcorn between us.

“Long line at the snack bar?” Ellie asked as I nodded.
“Yeah, there sure are a lot of people here.”I said as Ellie shrugged.
“Mostly couples wanting to make out.” Ellie said.
“Just don’t spoil anything for me will you?” I ask as she shook her head.
“As long as you promise me something.” Ellie said as I smiled.
“Name it.” I said as Ellie blushed.
“If I get scared, hold my hand?” Ellie asked as I smiled.
“I promise.” I said as I held her hand in a shake and pushed my thumb against hers, that was our secret handshake.
“Thank you.” Ellie said. Suddenly I saw someone sit next to Ellie, it was Zacky.

“Hey Ellie, I got you some M&M’s.” Zacky said handing them to Ellie.
“Thanks Zacky, you remembered they’re my favorites.” Ellie said.
“Of course I do.” Zacky said holding Ellie’s hand. Suddenly she was squeezing my hand with her free hand like she did when she was nervous. I squeezed her hand back.
“It’s a mad fight at the snack bar.” Val said as she sat next to me. “Sorry Brian.” Val whispered Sympathetically.
“It’s okay.” I said as the movie started.

Notes

Hey guys! So sorry it took me this long to update. Our internet has been acting up for the past week so i took the first chance I've had to get this up. This is part one of two of the movie marathon so to make up for the long wait for this update i will post that ASAP.

Thank you to both mrsmshadz and DaniVengeance for commenting on the last chapter. I love getting feedback and suggestions so feel free to comment. :)